Flashcards on Analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat
Analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat by Roald Dahl
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Literary Summary
21 cards
Card 1
Question: What is the genre of "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat" according to the literary summary?
Answer: Short story (original short story); it is also described as dramatic and dark comedy.
Card 2
Question: What is the main conflict of the story?
Answer: Mrs. Bixby's infidelity with the Colonel and the consequences of the gift (the mink coat).
Card 3
Question: Briefly summarize the main plot.
Answer: Mrs. Bixby has a secret affair with the Colonel; he gives her a mink coat when their relationship ends. She leaves it at a pawn shop and makes her hus
Card 4
Question: How does Mrs. Bixby try to hide the coat from her husband?
Answer: She takes the coat to a pawn shop, keeps the ticket, and then pretends to have found it to ask her husband to pick up the item for her.
Card 5
Question: What surprise twist occurs at the end of the story?
Answer: Mr. Bixby does not return the mink coat but a cheap scarf; he kept the coat and gave it to his secretary, Miss Pulteney.
Card 6
Question: Name the main characters and their roles in the story.
Answer: Mrs. Bixby (married woman and unfaithful protagonist), Mr. Bixby (her husband, a dentist), the Colonel (the lover who gives the coat).
Card 7
Question: Who are the secondary characters mentioned?
Answer: Miss Pulteney (Mr. Bixby's secretary).
Card 8
Question: Explain the function of the characters as 'foils' (contrasts) in the story.
Answer: Mr. Bixby and the Colonel contrast in wealth, lifestyle, and behavior; Mrs. Bixby and Miss Pulteney contrast in status and attitude (Mrs. Bixby is vul
Card 9
Question: Describe Mrs. Bixby's characterization according to the summary.
Answer: A vigorous woman with a small body and short hair, a moist mouth; she is older, dishonest, deceitful, and confident.
Card 10
Question: How is Mr. Bixby described in the summary?
Answer: A middle-income dentist, a calm man; he is secretly called a "dirty dog" by his wife.