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.