Short Fiction · Chapter
The Brogue explained
The Mullet family finally sells their troublesome horse, the Brogue, to wealthy Mr.
What happens
The Mullet family finally sells their troublesome horse, the Brogue, to wealthy Mr. Penricarde, who is simultaneously courting Jessie Mullet. Fearing the horse will injure or alienate the prospective husband, the family schemes to prevent him from riding it. Their plans fail, and Penricarde has a minor accident, but he ultimately gives the horse to Jessie as a wedding gift, demonstrating either ignorance or a clever sense of humor.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
The Mullet family praises the horse to sell it, then schemes to get it back when it threatens their matrimonial plans, revealing their duplicity.
Social Class and Status
The pursuit of a wealthy husband for Jessie and the importance of property and marriage alliances reflect class concerns.
The Absurdity of Social Rituals
The elaborate schemes and social maneuvering around a horse sale and courtship highlight the ridiculousness of social conventions.
Characters to notice
- Clovis Sangrail
Advisor to the Mullet family, devises schemes to prevent Mr. Penricarde from riding the Brogue.
- Toby Mullet
Son of Mrs. Mullet, sold the Brogue to Mr. Penricarde.
- Jessie Mullet
Daughter of Mrs. Mullet, engaged to Mr. Penricarde; concerned about the horse's danger.
Key passages
“The Brogue had been variously described in sale catalogues as a lightweight hunter, a lady's hack, and, more simply, but still with a touch of imagination, as a useful brown gelding, standing 15.1.”
The horse was advertised in different ways over time, but always with some creative flair.
Highlights the difficulty of selling the horse and the family's attempts to market it.
“If a pheasant rose noisily from the other side of a hedgerow the Brogue would spring into the air at the same moment, but this may have been due to a desire to be companionable.”
The horse would jump when a pheasant flew up, perhaps out of friendliness rather than fear.
Saki's characteristic ironic humor, attributing human motives to the horse.
“Which shows,' said Toby Mullet, 'that he knew nothing.' 'Or else,' said Clovis, 'that he has a very pleasing wit.'”
Toby thinks Penricarde is oblivious, but Clovis suggests he may be making a clever joke.
Ending with ambiguity about Penricarde's true understanding, typical of Saki's wit.