A Triumph of Surgery
By James Herriot
Q:
Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
The
narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is not as wealthy as Mrs. Pumphery. Mrs.
Pumphrey is depicted as a wealthy and indulgent lady, evidenced by her luxurious
lifestyle and the way she spoils her dog. The narrator’s profession suggests a
comfortable but not affluent lifestyle.
Q:
How does the narrator treat the dog?
The
narrator treats Tricki with a combination of professional care and common
sense. He recognizes that the dog’s health issues are due to overfeeding and
lack of exercise, so he implements a strict diet and exercise regimen to
restore Tricki’s health.
Q:
Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
The
narrator is tempted to keep Tricki because of the generous gifts and attention
from Mrs. Pumphery. She sends the narrator and his staff with food and treats
for Tricki which they enjoy themselves as the narrator considers the stuff
harmful for the dog. The narrator jokingly considers keeping Tricki as a
permanent guest because of the abundance of luxury items they receive.
Q:
Why does Mrs. Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?
Mrs.
Pumphrey believes that Tricki’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery” because she
is unaware of the simple treatment the narrator provided. She assumes that
sophisticated medical procedures were involved in Tricki’s miraculous recovery,
not realizing that the real solution was a sensible diet and exercise.
Q:
What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is?
Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?
The
narrator comes across as a kind, practical, and tactful person. He understands
the situation with Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey, handling it with both
professionalism and a sense of humor. His common-sense approach to Tricki’s
treatment contrasts with Mrs. Pumphrey’s indulgence, and he manages to help
Tricki without offending her.
Q:
Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?
Tricki
was likely happy to go home, as he seemed to enjoy being pampered by Mrs.
Pumphrey. However, there is a risk that Mrs. Pumphrey might revert to her old
ways of overindulging Tricki, leading to similar health issues in future. The
narrator hopes that Mrs. Pumphrey will continue to follow his advice for
Tricki’s well-being.
Q:
Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture
of both?
The
story is most likely a mixture of both real-life experiences and fiction. James
Herriot’s stories often draw from his experiences as a veterinary surgeon, blending
realistic scenarios with fictional elements for storytelling purpose.
Q:
The incident describes the silly behaviour of a rich woman who is foolishly
indulgent, perhaps because she is lonely. Do you think such people are merely
silly, or can their actions cause harm to others?
While
Mrs. Pumphrey’s actions may seem silly and innocuous, they can indeed cause
harm. Overindulgence, especially with pets or children, can lead to health
problems and other issues. In this case, Tricki’s health was at risk due to Mrs.
Pumphrey’s overindulgence. It is important to balance affection with responsible
care.
Q:
Do You think there are also parents like Mrs. Pumphrey?
Yes,
there are parents who, like Mrs. Pumphrey, might overindulge their children out
of love or a desire to compensate for other things, such as loneliness or
guilt. This can lead to spoiled behaviour or health issues if children are not
taught moderation and responsibility.
Q:
What would you have done if you were: (i) a member of the staff in Mrs.
Pumphrey’s household, (ii) a neighbour? What would your life have been like, in
general?
(i)
As a member of the staff in Mrs. Pumphrey’s
household: I might feel compelled to comply with her requests, even if I
recognize the negative impact of her indulgence on Tricki. However, I might also
feel a sense of duty to gently suggest healthier alternatives for Tricki’s well-being.
(ii)
As a neighbour: I might view Mrs.
Pumphrey’s behaviour as eccentric but harmless, unless it directly impacted me or
my pets. I might also have a friendly but distant relationship with her, respecting
her choices while maintaining my own standards.
Q:
What would you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?
If
in the narrator’s place, it would be important to communicate clearly and
tactfully with Mrs. Pumphrey about Tricki’s health needs. Implementing a strict
regimen for Tricki, as the narrator did, while providing updates to Mrs. Pumphrey
to ensure she understands the necessity of these measures, would be key.
Additionally, offering guidance for Tricki’s care at home could help prevent a
recurrence of the issue.
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