Short Fiction · Chapter
The Boar-Pig explained
Matilda Cuvering, a mischievous thirteen-year-old, deliberately releases a large boar-pig into a paddock to trap Mrs.
What happens
Matilda Cuvering, a mischievous thirteen-year-old, deliberately releases a large boar-pig into a paddock to trap Mrs. Stossen and her daughter, who are sneaking into a garden party uninvited. She then extorts money from them for the Fresh Air Fund before luring the pig away with rotten medlars.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Status
The Stossens' desperate attempt to attend the party uninvited highlights the importance of social standing and the lengths people go to maintain appearances.
Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Mrs. Stossen's indignation at Matilda's trickery contrasts with her own dishonest scheme to gatecrash the party.
Rebellion and Individuality
Matilda's clever defiance of adult authority and her refusal to conform to expected behavior exemplify youthful rebellion.
Characters to notice
- Matilda Cuvering
Thirteen-year-old girl who orchestrates the entrapment of the Stossens and extorts money from them.
- Mrs. Philidore Stossen
Uninvited guest who attempts to sneak into the garden party with her daughter.
- Miss Stossen
Daughter of Mrs. Stossen, accompanying her mother in the failed infiltration.
Key passages
“I could not do violence to my conscience for anything less than ten shillings.”
Matilda insists that her conscience demands at least ten shillings before she will help.
Shows Matilda's manipulative use of moral language to justify her extortion.
“The animal wasn't savage at all, and as for the ten shillings, I don't believe the Fresh Air Fund will see a penny of it!”
Mrs. Stossen complains that the pig was not dangerous and suspects Matilda kept the money.
Reveals Mrs. Stossen's bitterness and her mistaken assumption about Matilda's honesty.