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How is the ferret in "Sredni Vashtar" symbolically linked to death?

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In "Sredni Vashtar" by H.H. Munro (Saki), the ferret symbolizes death and liberation. Conradin, a sickly boy, worships the ferret as a god and imagines it as a weapon against his oppressive guardian, Mrs. De Ropp. The ferret's dangerous nature and Conradin's chants foreshadow Mrs. De Ropp's demise. Ultimately, the ferret's act of killing her frees Conradin from his restrictive life, symbolizing both death and liberation.

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In the short story "Sredni Vashtar" by H.H. Munro (Saki), the ferret is not only linked to death but also it is worshiped as a god by Conradin, the sickly ten-year-old boy, and is responsible for both of them being free at the end of the tale.

It is clear from the onset of the story that the ferret is dangerous because Conradin is scared of the "sharp-fanged beast." However, through his imagination, the creature becomes a weapon against The Woman, Mrs. De Ropp, his domineering cousin and guardian.

Conradin worships the ferret, Sredni Vastar, with celebratory festivals. When Mrs. De Ropp has a toothache, Conradin tries to convince himself it is because of the ferret. This incident foreshadows Mrs. De Ropp's death and the believed power of Sredni Vashtar, the god.

The ferret is quite literally linked to death through Conradin's chant after Mrs. De Ropp enters the shed:

"Sredni Vashtar went forth,

His thoughts were red thoughts and his teeth were white.

His enemies called for peace, but he brought them death.

Sredni Vashtar the Beautiful" (para 15).

Through Mrs. De Ropp's death, Sredni Vashtar actually frees Conradin from his prison-like existence, and both the boy and the polecat-ferret are freed from their respective confinements. Conradin enjoys his buttered toast, and Sredni Vashtar walks freely across the bridge and into the bushes.

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