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Class - IX [Moments] Chapter - 8: The Beggar by Anton Chekhov

 Chapter - 8: The Beggar by Anton Chekhov

Glossary

  1. Copecks: Russian coin equal to one hundredth of a rouble
  2. Intrigues: make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone
  3. Calumny: the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage his/her reputation
  4. Suppliant: a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority
  5. Mendicant: beggar
  6. obliged to: compelled, forced
  7. Disgust: a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive
  8. Swindling: cheating a person of money
  9. Fiction: falsehood
  10. Hastened: walked hurriedly
  11. Perplexity: state of being puzzled; bewilderment
  12. Irresolutely: hesitantly; undecidedly
  13. Gait: walk
  14. Inclination: interest
  15. toil: hard work
  16. Wrathfully: with hatred
  17. shoved him aside: pushed him
  18. Billet: here, a thick piece of wood
  19.  Feebly: weakly
  20. menial labour: an unskilled, inferior job
  21. Waif: a homeless person
  22. Shovel: remove snow with a shovel (a tool resembling a spade with a broad blade and typically upturned sides)
  23.  Hauling: transporting
  24. Pretence: to show something which actually does not exist
  25. jeered at him: made fun of him
  26. Timidly: in a shy or nervous way
  27. Notary: a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions
  28. Godson: a boy or a man whom one promises to bring up
  29. Roasting: here, scolding
  30. Sot: a habitual drunkard

Story Analysis

Central Idea: The story explores a meeting between a beggar and a lawyer, revealing insights about compassion, social status, and human connection.

Themes

1. Human Dignity: Poverty affects a person's sense of self-worth.

2. Social Class: Highlights the gap between rich and poor.

3. Compassion vs. Indifference: Shows the difference between ignoring and helping those in need.

4. Judgment and Prejudice: Examines how people judge others based on appearance.

5. Empathy: Emphasizes the importance of understanding others’ struggles.

6. Isolation: The beggar’s loneliness reflects societal rejection.

7. Moral Responsibility: Questions what individuals owe to one another.

Messages

• Kindness can change lives.

• Everyone deserves compassion, regardless of their status.

Underlying Messages

• We should look beyond appearances and judgments to understand others.

• Small acts of kindness can create meaningful connections.

Title Justification: The title The Beggar emphasizes the main character’s struggle and highlights societal views on poverty and dignity.

NCERT Question and Answers

Question 1: Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?

Answer: Lushkoff was a middle-aged man and belonged to the Russian choir. He was not a bom beggar. He was sacked from the choir because of his drinking habits. He became a beggar by choice as he did not like to work hard at that stage.

Question 2: What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?
Answer: Lushkoff told the truth and accepted that he was a liar. Formerly he used to be a singer. He told lies to seek the favour of others. If he had spoken the truth none would have helped him. So, he decided to tell lies.

Question 3: Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
Answer: No, he was not a willing worker. He was too weak to work. He had lost his strength and stamina due to his habit of drinking and secondly he was a middle aged man. He agreed to chop wood because of pride and shame and he had been trapped by his own words. So he had no other way but to accept Sergei’s offer.

Question 4: Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying so?

Answer: Sergei looked satisfied with the performance of the beggar and felt happy. When Lushkoff’s job of packing and hauling of the furniture was over, he praised him while handing him a rouble. But he was not right in saying so because Lushkoff had not developed the habit of working hard. He was still an idle fellow.

Question 5: Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?

Answer: Sergei played very important role in improving the condition of the beggar. It was because of Sergei that Lushkoff could earn thirty five roubles a month. He offered him the job to chop wood at his home. Later on he sent him to one of his friends to do the job of copying. Lushkoff was highly obliged to Sergei because now he was a notary because of him.

Question 6: During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?

Answer: Olga was a social and sympathetic lady. She loved humanity. She realised the condition of Lushkoff and tried her best to improve the same. She did the work of his part as she wanted to change him. She kept criticizing him in order to improve him. He realised her feelings towards him and a change took place in his heart. So, Olga was responsible for the positive change in him.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Question

Character Sketches:

Sergei is a middle-aged advocate who recognizes Lushkoff, a beggar, on the street. Instead of giving him alms, he offers him a job, believing that hard work can reform people. Over time, he provides Lushkoff with various tasks, eventually feeling proud of Lushkoff’s transformation into a respectable individual.

Olga, the advocate Sergei’s cook, appears tough but has a kind heart. She shows motherly affection towards Lushkoff, feeling pity for his situation. By chopping wood for him and offering criticism to improve him, Olga helps Lushkoff recognize his potential, inspiring him to honor her support and care.

Lushkoff is a pretentious beggar who lies about his past to elicit sympathy and alms. Despite his tattered appearance and alcohol addiction, he shows some integrity by keeping his word. Influenced by Olga’s motherly care, he transforms into a dignified individual, ultimately finding an honest path in life.

Value Based Question (VBQ)

What values are conveyed by the story?

This story explores values of life struggle, kindness, compassion and need for transformation to become better individuals. Chekhov presents the story of a beggar who lies about his identity in order to extract money from a lawyer, but ends up confessing to him instead? It follows the turn his life takes as he comes to work for the lawyer, comes in contact with his cook Olga and finally learns to take charge of his life and becomes a gentleman.





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