Mings Biggest Prey

Author
Patricia Highsmith
Novelist
Patricia Highsmith was an American novelist and short story writer, known for her
psychological thrillers, which led to more than two dozen film adaptations.

Background
Patricia Highsmith was an American writer of psychological thrillers. Her most famous books
are the Tom Ripley novels collectively called Ripliad. Her stories are often macabre ones,
touched by black humor and satire. She had a special feeling for animals, cats being her
favorites. She is also said to have kept about three hundred snails in her garden.
Relevance of the Title
Ming, the cat, is the protagonist of the story and Teddie is his biggest prey. Till now, Ming
had caught only birds and mice, but now he has managed to kill a man using his perfect sense
of timing, taking his prey by surprise.
Main Themes
The main themes are greed and jealousy. Teddie is jealous of Ming because of his closeness
to Elaine. He is also a thief. Ming surprises Teddie when he is stealing the diamond necklace.
Teddie and Ming share poor vibes, each not trusting the other. Mings mistrust of Teddie is
proved right at the end.
Characters
Ming
Ming is a consummate cat. He is hedonistic right from the start, enjoying life to the fullest,
being fed the choicest morsels by Elaine and Concha. He is aloof like all cats are and does
not like it when his life is disturbed by people. He likes only one human, Elaine. Ming is a
good judge of character; he knows that Teddie is up to no good. Ming has razor sharp
reflexes; he can sense danger before it reaches him. Does Ming plan the attack knowing that
Teddie is tipsy and unsteady on his feet or does he make an opportunistic attack? More likely
it is the first.

Teddie
Teddie was never in love with Elaine. He was out to have a good time with Elaine, sailing the
White Lark and having fun at parties. He was just a charming thief. He was also jealous of
Ming who seemed to receive the bulk of his mistresss love. Ming did not argue with Elaine
unlike Teddie. Teddie was not sure he would find favor with Elaine. When opportunity
presented itself, he stole Elaines diamond (presumably) necklace. When opportunity
presented, Ming charged at Teddie and his ensuing fall killed him. We need not waste our
sympathies on Teddie. He tried his best to kill Ming for less honorable reasons.
Plot
Ming is the cat that belongs to Elaine and Teddie is her current boy friend. Teddie and Ming
detest each other and one tries to outsmart the other. Teddie tries to throw Ming overboard
from the boat; he is saved when Elaine unexpectedly arrives on the deck. One night Ming
surprises Teddie when he is stealing Elaines diamond necklace. Later that night, Ming
notices that Teddie is slightly drunk and unsteady on his feet. Elaine isnt around and he tries
to grab Ming. But Ming is smart; he waits his chance and charges Teddie. He loses his
balance and falls off from the terrace and dies. At the hospital, Elaine is given the diamond
necklace that Teddie had in his pocket. She realizes that Ming has tried to help her.
Summary
Ming gets picked by Elaine from a pet shop and then his good fortune begins. He has a
pampered existence till the arrival of Teddie on the scene as Elaines boy friend. Teddie hates
Ming because Elaine dotes on it. Ming hates and fears Teddie because he knows that Teddie
may harm him. They have had a few run-ins already. Elaine and Teddie arent friendly all the
time; frequently Ming hears them argue; Ming knows from the tone of their voices. Teddie
ill-treats Ming when Elaine isnt around. Once he nearly throws it overboard when sailing on
Elaines boat. Elaines timely arrival saves Ming. One night Ming sees Teddie stealing
Elaines diamond necklace. Later, he narrowly misses being grabbed by Teddie. When the
opportunity is right (Teddie is slightly drunk and unsteady on his feet), Ming ambushes him.
Teddie falls off the terrace to his death. Elaine calls for the ambulance and Teddie is removed
to the hospital. The diamond necklace which is found in his pocket is returned to Elaine.
When she is home, Elaine expresses her gratitude to Ming.
Language
The reader is the omniscient presence in this story. Only the reader and Ming know exactly
what has happened in the story and both cannot talk. The reader follows the characters around
like an invisible presence. Highsmith is a master of a vibrant prose that conveys the danger
that lurks for Ming. The story is written by a cat-lover, thats for sure.