Summary of Analysis of Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

## Introduction This material provides a literary summary and pedagogical analysis of Roald Dahl's short story "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel," designed for high school students. We will cover its structure, characters, theme, literary devices, and a brief critical interpretation to facilitate comprehension and study. ## Brief Synopsis Mrs. Bixby, a married woman, is having an affair with a wealthy man known as the Colonel. When their relationship ends, the Colonel gives her an expensive mink coat as a gift. To hide it from her husband, Mr. Bixby, she leaves the coat at a pawn shop and keeps the receipt. Later, she pretends to find the pawn ticket and asks her husband to retrieve the item. Upon his return, Mr. Bixby brings back a cheap fur stole instead of the coat, because he had kept the mink for himself and given it to his secretary, Miss Pulteney. Ultimately, the joke is on Mrs. Bixby. ## Key Elements Breakdown ### Genre - **Short story (original):** limited length, focus on a central conflict and few characters. - **Dramatic:** presents realistic situations with emotional tension. - **Black comedy:** deals with serious themes (deception, infidelity) with irony and biting humor. > Definition: A dramatic genre depicts intense human situations and conflicts that generate tension and emotion. ### Narrative Structure - **Linear order:** events are told in sequence without flashbacks. - **Point of view:** omniscient third-person narrator who knows the characters' thoughts and actions. ### Setting and Time - **Main locations:** New York, Baltimore, and the Bixbys' house. - **Period:** around 1964. - **Atmosphere:** begins confusing and uncertain, becomes tense, and ends with surprise due to the final twist. ### Characters and Roles - Character Comparison Table | Character | Role | Main Traits | |---|---:|---| | Mrs. Bixby | Protagonist (female) | Dishonest, self-assured, small-bodied with a wet mouth (physical description and temperament) | | Mr. Bixby | Husband | Dentist, middle-income, quiet, seemingly naive | | The Colonel | Lover | Wealthy, solitary, mysterious, gives the coat as a gift | | Miss Pulteney | Secretary | Elegant, admired, contrasts with Mrs. Bixby | - **Foil characters:** - Mr. Bixby vs. The Colonel: contrast in economic status, freedom, and conduct. - Mrs. Bixby vs. Miss Pulteney: contrast in appearance, status, and demeanor. > Definition: A foil character is one who contrasts with another to highlight opposing traits. ### Characterization (how we learn about the characters) - **Mrs. Bixby:** active in the plot, deceitful and self-assured; her attitude drives the conflict. - **Mr. Bixby:** calm demeanor that conceals cunning; the final irony reveals another side. - **The Colonel:** a figure of economic power and autonomy. - **Miss Pulteney:** an image of youth and status that accentuates Mrs. Bixby's humiliation. ### Central Themes - Infidelity and marital disloyalty. - Hypocrisy and the consequences of deception. - Moral irony: the one who tries to deceive is deceived. ### Notable Literary Devices - **Irony:** the term "dirty dog" and the final reversal where the wife is outsmarted. - **Symbols:** mink coat (status, luxury, temptation), pawn tickets (proof and plan), and the cheap stole (deception/failure of the plan). - **Onomatopoeia:** "Tallyho!" used to convey joy or encouragement in the context. > Definition: Narrative irony occurs when the story's development contradicts expectations and reveals a truth opposite to a character's intention. ## Examples and Practical Applications - Essay Topic Analysis: using the story as an example of how irony can reinforce a moral about dishonesty. - Class Debate: Which character is morally worse: the unfaithful wife or the husband who takes the coat? Support your arguments with quotes and actions. - Creative Writing: Rewrite the ending from Miss Pulteney's perspective to practice point of view and narrative voice. Did you know that Roald Dahl wrote sho