Discuss in groups and answer the following in two or three paragraphs. (100-150 words)
Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it'?(Pick out at least three; think about what happens, as well as how it is described.)
Yes, this story is undoubtedly a humorous one. The central idea of ‘packing’ is not only amusing because of the utter funny business involved but the way the author narrates the story is all the more interesting.
First of all the funny episodes in the story includes the instance where Jerome’s expectations of bossing George and Harris in packing go completely opposite and he is the only one left to work with the other two complacently sitting idle and only pointing him to put the things he forgot.
Secondly, the entire situation where in George and Harris began packing the hampers was not only chaotic but extremely entertaining. Harris’s act of sitting on the butter and then both of them searching every nook and corner for it and eventually finding him at his back was among the funniest elements. In addition to this, the smashing of the pies kept inside by putting heavy things on the top reflected their mindless behaviour.
Thirdly, the entry of Montmorency, the highly mischievous element of all, was the ultimate icing on the cake in the end. His troublesome acts of sitting on things to be packed, the destruction of lemons in the hamper and the act of putting his leg inside the jam were among the most notorious episodes of this story.
Thus, the story presented a good series of humorous incidents time and again.