Question

Both 'The Dear Departed' and 'Mrs. Packletide's Tiger' explore human behaviour driven by selfishness and personal gain. Compare how the characters in the two stories display greed, jealousy and self-interest. Evaluate the overall message the authors convey about human values and moral responsibility.

Hint:

Compare greed and jealousy in the two stories, then state the message about values and moral responsibility.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the task:
We have to compare how greed, jealousy and self-interest show up in two stories, and then judge the message about human values.
The answer should be about 150 words.

Step 2: Collect the content points:
Greed and self-interest of Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan.
Mrs Packletide driven by jealousy and desire for social prestige.
Hypocrisy and moral weakness exposed.
Human values ignored for personal gain.
Message: selfishness leads to moral downfall.

Step 3: Plan the answer:
Opening: both stories deal with selfishness.
Middle: one story each, then the common weakness.
Closing: the message about values and moral responsibility.

Step 4: Write the model answer (158 words):
"Both The Dear Departed and Mrs Packletide's Tiger show how selfishness can rule human behaviour. In The Dear Departed, Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan show greed and self-interest, and they care more for what they can gain than for the dead man. In Mrs Packletide's Tiger, Mrs Packletide is driven by jealousy and a wish for social prestige, so she arranges to shoot a harmless old tiger. Others around her also act for money. Each character puts self-interest above honesty and kindness. The authors use humour and irony to expose their hypocrisy and moral weakness. The overall message is that human values like honesty, love and respect are ignored when people chase personal gain. Selfishness finally leads to moral downfall, and every reader is reminded of his or her own moral responsibility. A person who wants only gain loses trust, dignity and the respect of others, and the stories make us smile and think at the same time."

Final Answer:
The answer compares the characters and ends with the moral message. \[ \boxed{\text{Greed, jealousy and self-interest expose moral weakness; selfishness leads to moral downfall.}} \]