Mrs Bixby and the colonel’s coat, Mr Loveday’s little outing, The bucket and the

rope, Skeleton in the cupboard, Fanny and Annie.

Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

Author: Roald Dahl

Mrs. Bixby, the wife of a New York dentist, has a secret affair with a wealthy colonel. When
the colonel ends their relationship, he gives her a parting gift: a luxurious mink coat. Mrs.
Bixby devises a plan to keep the coat without her husband suspecting its origins. She tells her
husband she found the coat in a pawn shop, presenting a pawn ticket she received from the
colonel with the label of "an item" rather than specifying it was a coat. Dr. Bixby, however,
has the coat delivered to his office, and upon "redeeming" the ticket, he presents it to his own
secretary, leaving Mrs. Bixby furious and humiliated.

2. Mr. Loveday’s Little Outing

Author: Evelyn Waugh

Angela Moping, the daughter of a wealthy family, visits her father in a mental asylum where
he has been a long-term patient. During her visit, she meets Mr. Loveday, a charming and
seemingly harmless elderly man who works as her father's attendant. Mr. Loveday convinces
Angela that he has been unjustly confined for many years, and she persuades the authorities to
release him. Soon after his release, Mr. Loveday commits a heinous crime, revealing that he
had been harboring a deep-seated desire to commit murder, thus shocking Angela and
underscoring the irony and folly of her well-intentioned but naive intervention.

3. The Bucket and the Rope

Author: Theodore Francis Powys (Could you clarify the author or provide more
context? This title is not widely recognized. If it's from a specific collection or has another
title, that might help.)

4. Skeleton in the Cupboard

Author: P.G. Wodehouse

5. Fanny and Annie

Author: D.H. Lawrence

Fanny, a 30-year-old lady's maid, returns to her hometown to marry Harry, her first love, after
a series of failed relationships. As she arrives, she is engulfed by nostalgia and a sense of
doom. Harry, unchanged and unambitious, meets her at the station, and they struggle with her
luggage. Fanny reflects on her past, her high expectations, and her current disappointing
reality.
Fanny's aunt, a sympathetic figure who also married a man beneath her, hosts her. They
discuss Harry's inadequacies and Fanny's decision to settle. Despite knowing it is a mistake,
Fanny feels destined to marry Harry.

At the Harvest Festival in Morley Chapel, Fanny is overwhelmed by memories and the
physical attraction she still feels for Harry, despite her disdain for his commonness. During
the service, a woman publicly shames Harry for past indiscretions, revealing his flawed
character and Fanny's precarious position. Fanny is left in a state of shock and anger,
confronted by the harsh reality of her choices and the life awaiting her.

1. Roald Dahl

Biography: Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet,
screenwriter, and fighter pilot. He is renowned for his children's books, which include classics
like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "The BFG." Dahl's works are
characterized by their dark humor, unexpected endings, and imaginative narratives. He also
wrote adult fiction, often featuring macabre and twisty plots, as seen in collections like
"Someone Like You" and "Kiss Kiss."

Notable Works:

 "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

 "Matilda"
 "James and the Giant Peach"
 "The Witches"

2. Evelyn Waugh

Biography: Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966) was an English writer known for his novels,
biographies, and travel books. Waugh's early works are characterized by their satirical and
often darkly humorous portrayal of British society. He is perhaps best known for his novel
"Brideshead Revisited," which explores themes of faith, duty, and aristocracy. Waugh's sharp
wit and keen social observation have made him a significant figure in 20th-century literature.

Notable Works:

 "Brideshead Revisited"
 "Scoop"
 "Decline and Fall"
 "A Handful of Dust"

3. P.G. Wodehouse

Biography: P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) was an English author and one of the most widely
read humorists of the 20th century. He is best known for his Jeeves and Wooster series, which
follows the adventures of the bumbling Bertie Wooster and his sagacious valet, Jeeves.
Wodehouse's works are noted for their clever use of language, intricate plots, and light-
hearted comedy. His prolific output includes numerous novels, short stories, plays, and lyrics.

Notable Works:
  "The Inimitable Jeeves"
 "Right Ho, Jeeves"
 "The Code of the Woosters"
 "Leave It to Psmith"

4. D.H. Lawrence

Biography: D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, and literary
critic. His works explore themes of human sexuality, emotional health, and the complexities
of relationships. Lawrence's frank depiction of sexual and psychological themes in novels like
"Lady Chatterley's Lo

5 Theodore Francis Powys, commonly known as T. F. Powys, was an English

writer born on December 20, 1875, and died on November 27, 1953. He is known for his
novels, short stories, and religious-themed fiction, often exploring themes of sin, redemption,
and the darker aspects of human nature. Powys's works are noted for their distinctive style,
combining elements of rural life with allegorical and sometimes surreal elements. He was part
of the literary Powys family, which included his brothers John Cowper Powys and Llewelyn
Powys, both of whom were also writers.

Some of T. F. Powys's notable works include:

1. "Mr. Weston's Good Wine" (1927): A novel that blends fantasy and reality, it tells
the story of Mr. Weston, who sells wine in a small English village, which serves as a
metaphor for divine grace.
2. "Unclay" (1931): A novel featuring Death personified as a character who visits a
small village, examining themes of mortality and the human condition.
3. "The Soliloquy of a Hermit" (1916): A contemplative and philosophical work
reflecting on solitude and the nature of existence.
4. "Kindness in a Corner" (1930): A collection of short stories set in a rural village,
exploring the lives and moral struggles of its inhabitants.

Powys's writing is characterized by its moral depth, rich use of allegory, and the detailed
depiction of rural English life. Despite not achieving widespread fame, his works have been
appreciated for their unique voice and thought-provoking themes.

Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) was an English novelist and poet, best known for her novel
"Jane Eyre," which has become a classic of English literature. She was the eldest of the three
Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood, all of whom were renowned writers. Her works
are characterized by their strong, complex heroines and themes of social criticism, morality,
and feminism.

Early Life

Charlotte was born on April 21, 1816, in Thornton, West Yorkshire, England. She was the
third of six children born to Maria and Patrick Brontë. The family moved to Haworth when
her father was appointed curate there. The early death of her mother and two elder sisters
deeply affected the Brontë children. Charlotte, along with her siblings, Emily, Anne, and
Branwell, created imaginary worlds and stories that laid the foundation for their literary
careers.
Education and Career

Charlotte attended the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge, an experience that inspired
Lowood School in "Jane Eyre." Later, she studied at Roe Head School, where she eventually
became a teacher. She worked as a governess and later went to Brussels to study languages
and school administration, experiences that influenced her novels "Villette" and "The
Professor."

Literary Career

Charlotte's literary career began in earnest when she, along with her sisters Emily and Anne,
published a collection of poems under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Though
the collection did not achieve significant success, it paved the way for their subsequent
novels.

1. "Jane Eyre" (1847): Published under the pseudonym Currer Bell, this novel brought
Charlotte immediate success. It tells the story of an orphaned girl who becomes a
governess and falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. The novel is celebrated
for its strong, independent heroine and its critique of social class and gender
inequality.
2. "Shirley" (1849): Set during the industrial depression, the novel addresses themes of
social unrest, class conflict, and women's independence.
3. "Villette" (1853): Drawing from Charlotte's experiences in Brussels, this novel
explores themes of isolation, unrequited love, and psychological depth through the
protagonist, Lucy Snowe.
4. "The Professor" (published posthumously in 1857): This novel, the first Charlotte
wrote, also reflects her time in Brussels, focusing on the experiences of an Englishman
teaching in Belgium.

Personal Life

Charlotte Brontë's life was marked by tragedy. She lost her siblings Branwell, Emily, and
Anne to illness within a short period. In 1854, she married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father's
curate. However, she died the following year, on March 31, 1855, possibly due to
complications from pregnancy.

Legacy

Charlotte Brontë's work has had a lasting impact on literature, particularly in its portrayal of
strong female characters and its exploration of social issues. "Jane Eyre" remains a beloved
classic, and her novels continue to be studied for their literary and historical significance.