Excepting Mrs. Pentherby by Saki
Reggie Bruttle inherits a grand but financially burdensome mansion and devises a plan to host a long-term country-house party to alleviate his financial woes. The party consists of young, financially constrained individuals who will contribute to the household without being traditional paying guests. Reggie is optimistic about the venture, despite warnings from Major Dagberry that the women will inevitably quarrel. Initially, the party seems to thrive, with only minor disputes among the guests. However, Mrs. Pentherby quickly becomes a source of animosity among the women, who find her insufferable. She possesses a unique ability to provoke irritation and conflict, often making scathing remarks under the guise of innocence. Her presence unites the other women in their shared dislike, and while the men tolerate her, she remains a divisive figure. Despite the growing tension surrounding Mrs. Pentherby, Reggie remains unfazed by the complaints. He is aware of her unpopularity but values her role in the group dynamics. As the party progresses, it becomes clear that Mrs. Pentherby is not merely a nuisance; she has been strategically placed by Reggie to concentrate and manage the inevitable conflicts among the women. This arrangement allows for a more controlled environment, preventing widespread discord. As the first season concludes, Reggie plans to host another party, intending to invite new guests while retaining Mrs. Pentherby for her unique ability to incite and contain quarrels. His sister-in-law expresses disbelief at Reggie's decision to re-invite her, questioning the hold Mrs. Pentherby has over him. Reggie reveals that she was aware of her role all along and enjoyed the chaos she created, as it provided her with a sense of purpose and relief from her own familial conflicts. The narrative explores themes of social dynamics, the nature of conflict, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly among women. Mrs. Pentherby serves as a catalyst for both unity and division, illustrating how one individual's presence can shape the atmosphere of a group. Ultimately, Reggie's unconventional approach to managing interpersonal relationships highlights the absurdities of social interactions and the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain harmony, even if it involves embracing discord.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary · 2,198 words
First lines
It was Reggie Bruttle's own idea for converting what had threatened to be an albino elephant into a beast of burden that should help him along the stony road of his finances. "The Limes," which had come to him by inheritance without any accompanying provision for its upkeep, was one of those pretentious, unaccommodating mansions which none but a man of wealth could afford to live in, and which not one wealthy man in a hundred would choose on its merits. It might easily languish in the estate market for years, set round with noticeboards proclaiming it, in the eyes of a sceptical world, to be an eminently desirable residence.
What this Textopian page supports
Excepting Mrs. Pentherby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary, Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 2,198 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Excepting Mrs. Pentherby by Saki
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Excepting Mrs. Pentherby?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story employs humor through social interactions and character dynamics, particularly the absurdity of Mrs. Pentherby's role in provoking conflict.
- Satire — The narrative critiques social norms and gender dynamics, particularly the nature of female relationships and quarrels.
- Social Commentary — The plot reflects on class distinctions and the social behaviors of the upper class during a house party.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores character relationships and conflicts within a specific setting.
Tags
satire · humor · society · class · irony · relationships · marriage · victorian · short story · character study · wit · social commentary