Roald Dahl's short story "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" is a masterful tale of deception, irony, and unexpected twists. This analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat delves into its plot, characters, themes, and literary devices, providing a comprehensive guide for students and enthusiasts alike. It's a prime example of Dahl's dark humor and keen insight into human nature, making it a compelling piece for study and discussion.
Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat Summary (Shrnutí)
At its core, the story revolves around Mrs. Bixby, a married woman living in New York, who secretly maintains an affair with a wealthy man known as the Colonel. Her visits to him in Baltimore are always disguised as trips to see her aunt, fooling her dentist husband, Mr. Bixby.
After years, the Colonel abruptly ends their relationship, presenting Mrs. Bixby with an incredibly valuable mink coat as a parting gift. This opulent present creates a dilemma: how can she keep such an extravagant item without arousing her husband's suspicion?
- Mrs. Bixby devises a clever, yet ultimately flawed, plan.
- She pawns the coat in a pawnshop, keeping the ticket.
- She then pretends to find the pawn ticket on the street and asks her unsuspecting husband to retrieve the item for her.
The plan backfires spectacularly. Mr. Bixby returns not with the mink coat, but with a cheap fur scarf, claiming it was the item from the pawnshop. Mrs. Bixby is left with the shocking realization that her husband has kept the valuable mink coat for himself and given it to his secretary, Miss Pulteney.
Genre and Atmosphere: "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" (Rozbor)
"Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" defies simple categorization, blending elements to create a unique reading experience. Understanding its genre helps in a deeper analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat.
Original Short Story Attributes
This work is considered an original short story due to several characteristics:
- It focuses on a single main conflict: Mrs. Bixby's attempt to keep the coat and her husband's unexpected retaliation.
- It features a limited number of main characters.
- Its brevity prevents it from being classified as a novel.
Dramatic and Dark Comedy Elements
- Dramatic: The story presents real-life situations, such as a dishonest marriage, in an intense and engaging manner. The unfolding events build suspense and evoke strong emotional responses in the reader.
- Dark Comedy: Dahl expertly combines serious themes with irony and metaphors. The narrative tells a grave situation—adultery and deceit—with a light, often humorous, touch, making the reader both cringe and chuckle.
Setting and Atmosphere
The story unfolds across several locations and within a specific timeframe:
- Place: Primarily New York, with mentions of Baltimore where Mrs. Bixby meets the Colonel, and the Bixby’s house.
- Time: The story is set in 1964.
The atmosphere evolves throughout the narrative:
- Beginning: It starts uncertain and somewhat confusing, as the reader gradually understands the affair.
- Middle: As Mrs. Bixby formulates her plan, the atmosphere becomes more tense.
- End: The story concludes with a surprising plot twist, creating a sense of astonishment and irony.
Characterization in Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat (Charakteristika Postav)
Roald Dahl presents a vivid cast of characters, each contributing to the story's intricate web of deceit. A thorough analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat requires understanding their roles and traits.
Main Characters
- Mrs. Bixby: Described as a "big vigorous woman with a wet mouth," she is an old, dishonest, and overconfident married woman. She is a liar with "short hair and a tiny body," and her actions drive the primary conflict.
- Mr. Bixby: A dentist with an average income, he initially appears calm and unassuming. Unbeknownst to him, his wife secretly refers to him as a "dirty dog." His intelligence and cunning are revealed in the story's climax.
- The Colonel: A wealthy and mysterious man with a luxurious lifestyle. He is described as "lurking slyly" and is a "scoundrel," morally questionable. He has no wife or family, allowing for his free, unattached life.
Secondary Characters
- Miss Pulteney: Mr. Bixby's secretary. She is portrayed as confident, elegant, and friendly. Mrs. Bixby describes her as being "like a queen" – attractive, important, and admired.
Foil Characters
Foil characters highlight traits in others through contrast.
- Mr. Bixby and The Colonel: They contrast in economic status, lifestyle, and behavior. The Colonel is rich and lives freely, while Mr. Bixby is a married, middle-income professional. This contrast emphasizes the choices and consequences related to their respective lives.
- Mrs. Bixby and Miss Pulteney: They contrast in status and attitude. Mrs. Bixby is an older, dishonest wife, while Miss Pulteney is presented as a younger, confident, and admired woman, ultimately surpassing Mrs. Bixby in status and possession of the valuable coat.
Themes and Literary Devices in Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
Exploring the deeper meaning and artistic techniques employed by Dahl enriches any analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat.
Central Themes
- Disloyal Marriage and Cheating: The most prominent theme is the widespread marital infidelity and the web of lies spun to conceal it. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bixby engage in deception, revealing the corrosive nature of disloyalty within a relationship.
Point of View
The story is told from a third-person omniscient narrator perspective. This allows the reader access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters, particularly Mrs. Bixby's schemes, building tension and surprise for the final twist.
Structure and Tone
- Structure: The narrative follows a linear structure, with events unfolding chronologically without flashbacks or character memories.
- Tone: The tone is primarily ironic and humorous. The narrator discusses serious issues like infidelity and deceit in a light, often amusing, manner. The ultimate irony lies in Mrs. Bixby's attempt to trick her husband, only to be outwitted herself, highlighting the consequences of her actions.
Key Literary Devices
Dahl uses several devices to enhance the story's impact:
- Onomatopoeia: The word "Tallyho!" is used, representing a sound of happiness or triumph.
- Symbols:
- The expensive mink coat: Symbolizes wealth, status, desire, and ultimately, the ultimate prize in the game of deceit.
- The pawn tickets: Represent Mrs. Bixby's desperate attempt at control and manipulation.
- The fur scarf: Symbolizes Mr. Bixby's cunning, his vengeance, and the triviality of Mrs. Bixby's final acquisition compared to her loss.
- Irony: The most significant literary device. The phrase "the dirty dog," which Mrs. Bixby secretly uses to describe her husband, becomes profoundly ironic when he reveals his own cunning and deceit, turning the tables on her.
Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat FAQ for Students
What is the main conflict in "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat"?
The main conflict centers around Mrs. Bixby's desire to keep an expensive mink coat given to her by her lover, the Colonel, without her husband, Mr. Bixby, discovering her infidelity. This leads to a battle of wits and deception between the married couple.
Who are the main characters in "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat"?
The main characters are Mrs. Bixby, Mr. Bixby, and the Colonel. Miss Pulteney, Mr. Bixby's secretary, also plays a crucial secondary role in the story's resolution.
What is the significance of the mink coat in the story?
The mink coat is a central symbol. It represents wealth, luxury, and the consequences of Mrs. Bixby's illicit affair. Ultimately, it becomes the instrument through which both Mrs. Bixby's cunning and Mr. Bixby's unexpected revenge are revealed.
What is the primary theme of "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat"?
The primary theme is disloyal marriage and cheating, exploring the deceit and moral compromises made within a failing relationship. It also touches upon themes of revenge, irony, and the unexpected consequences of one's actions.
How does Roald Dahl use irony in "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat"?
Roald Dahl uses situational and dramatic irony throughout the story. The ultimate irony is Mrs. Bixby's elaborate plan to deceive her husband, only for him to cleverly turn the tables and outwit her, using her own scheme against her. Her secret label for him, "the dirty dog," becomes ironically true in a way she never expected.