H. H. Munro (aka Saki)’s story Hermann the Irascible is a classic example of the use of reverse psychology to achieve a desired result. The story first appeared in 1909 at the height of the suffrage movement in Britain. As in the story, this involved mass demonstrations (of both man and women) across the country. Many readers are critical of the story because they feel that it trivializes women’s rights. The point they miss is that Saki’s use of satire is so “over the top” here that, rather than mocking the cause, the story highlights and supports it.
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