Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat

Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat By: Roald Dahl

Characters • Mrs.Bixby • Mr. Bixby (Dentist) • Pawnbroker • Miss Pulteney (assistant) • Colonel

Setting • New York City Winter • Baltimore • Pawnshop • Bixby Apartment • Dental Office • Train • Modern Day

Exposition • Mrs. Bixby, after having an 8 year affair with the Colonel, is given an expensive fur coat as a parting gift.

Rising Action • Mrs. Bixby realizes her husband will question where the coat came from. • While on the train, she comes up with a plan to keep the coat. • She takes the coat to the pawnbroker. • She pretends to have “found” the ticket in the taxi. • Mr. Bixby will pick it up on Monday.

Climax • Her husband gives her a mink scarf instead of the coat.

Falling Action • Mrs. Bixby tries to act grateful. • Mr. Bixby says he will be home late.

Resolution • Mrs. Bixby see Mr. Bixby’s assistant wearing her fur coat. • Inference: Mrs. Bixby left the note from the Colonel in the coat pocket. • Inference: Mr. Bixby may be having an affair with his assistant.

Point of View • Third Person Limited Omniscient • The narrator knows the thoughts of Mrs. Bixby.

Tone • Humorous • Ironic

Theme • What goes around comes around. • What’s in the dark comes to light. • Cheaters never win.

Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat