Important Quotes: “Fur” by Saki
1. “It’s the best thing I’ve bought in years. Everyone’s talking about it.”
- Analysis: This quote reflects Eleanor’s pride in her fur coat and her sense of superiority through material possessions. It also highlights how she defines her self-worth and social standing based on others’ approval, showing the theme of materialism.
2. “I don’t know why I feel so irritated, but I simply can’t stand the sight of it anymore.”
- Analysis: Suzanne’s words here reveal her deep jealousy and inner conflict. Although she doesn’t directly admit to envy, her irritation stems from her inability to afford or possess something as luxurious as Eleanor’s fur. This moment captures the theme of jealousy and rivalry that runs throughout the story.
3. “Friendship, it seemed, was no match for a really good fur coat.”
- Analysis: This quote is filled with Saki’s signature irony, suggesting that material possessions can take precedence over genuine emotional connections. It subtly critiques how friendships based on superficiality can easily be fractured when personal desires for wealth or status come into play.
4. “It’s funny how people can feel inferior just because of a thing like a coat.”
Analysis: This statement underscores the irrationality of the characters’ behavior, hinting at the larger societal issue of equating self-worth with material objects. Saki uses this observation to critique the shallow values of society, showing how materialism distorts personal relationships.