Mrs. Pendercoet's Lost Identity
Mrs. Pendercoet annually seeks a new identity for a masquerade ball, desiring a character that allows her to escape her mundane life. She solicits suggestions from friends, who humorously propose various costumes, none of which align with her aspirations. Despite her insistence on originality, the suggestions veer towards the absurd, highlighting her friends' lack of seriousness regarding her request. After dismissing several ideas, she settles on portraying Pomona, the Roman goddess of orchards, envisioning a dignified appearance with a basket of fruits. However, on the night of the ball, her plans unravel as she is mistaken for "the Aunt of the Gardener," a character that her friend Rollo had jokingly suggested. This misidentification leads to a night of frustration for Mrs. Pendercoet, as she grapples with the irony of her efforts to stand out resulting in her being overshadowed by a comedic persona. The narrative explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and the desire for recognition, juxtaposed with the absurdity of the characters' interactions. Mrs. Pendercoet's experience serves as a commentary on the nature of self-perception and the often humorous disconnect between one's intentions and public reception. The story culminates in her bitter realization that her quest for individuality has led her to embody a role she never intended, leaving her to reflect on the complexities of social identity and the masks people wear.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 997 words
First lines
Regularly once a year, somewhere about the first week in February, Mrs. Pendercoet was wont to apply to her friends and acquaintances for a character. Not the sort of character which guarantees an applicant for a post of responsibility to be clean and honest and a lifelong abstainer, but a borrowed masquerade identity under which the wearer could momentarily lay aside the matronly state of Pendercoet, solemnly assumed many years ago at St. George's, Hanover Square, and become, if she so willed it, a nautch girl or the Second Mrs. Tanqueray.
What this Textopian page supports
Mrs. Pendercoet's Lost Identity 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, Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 997 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Mrs. Pendercoet's Lost Identity 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 Mrs. Pendercoet's Lost Identity?
- 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 witty dialogue and absurd situations surrounding Mrs. Pendercoet's quest for a costume.
- Satire — It critiques social norms and the absurdity of societal expectations regarding identity and appearances.
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account centered on character interactions and personal dilemmas.
- Social Commentary — The work reflects on social behaviors and the nature of identity within a social context.
Tags
identity · mystery · humor · satire · social commentary · Victorian era · class · gender roles · absurdity · character study · narrative style · irony