Saki's "The Mouse" is clearly worthy literature because it
is cleverly written satire. In his own inimitable fashion, H. H. Munro (Saki) writes of
Theodoric Voler who has been brought up in a society that has screened him from "the
coarser realities of life." His fastidious nature as part of Edwardian society is what
Saki satirizes so humorously as the man is initially mortified, "to his mute but very
intense disgust" to have to harness the horse to the carriage that will transport him to
the railroad. And, having done this, Voler discovers that he is the bearer of a certain
little rodent. Saki describes Voler's feelings with much light
satire:
Furtive stamps and shakes and wildly directed
pinches failed to dislodge the intruder, whose motto, indeed, seemed to be Excelsior;
and the lawful occupant of the clothes lay back against the cushions and endeavored
rapidly to evolve some means for putting an end to the dual
ownership.
In the company of
such greats as Oscar Wilde, Saki writes social satire that is sometimes rather biting,
but often it is amusing as in his short story, "The Mouse." His sparkling wit and good
humor are delightful in many of his stories. As his stories often deal with
unconventional subjects and practical jokes, they rarely obey modern rules of realism.
But, laughing at the foibles of human nature is an experience many
enjoy!
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