THE BEGGAR
The Beggar
Answers to Textbook Questions
1. Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
Lushkoff became a beggar by circumstance. Formerly, he sang in a Russian choir, but was sent away for drunkenness. This led him to beg.
2. What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?
Lushkoff said that since he was fired for being an alcoholic, he had to tell lies. And, if he told the truth no one would give him anything.
3. Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
No, Lushkoff is not a willing worker. He agrees to chop wood for Sergei not because he was hungry and wanted work but because of his pride and shame and since he had been trapped by his own words. His strength had been undermined by drinking too much vodka and he was unhealthy and did not feel the slightest inclination to do any work.
4. Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?
When Sergei got Lushkoff to work for him the first time, he wasn’t a willing worker. But after chopping wood for Sergei and helping him move houses, Sergei noticed that Lushkoff had developed a willingness to work. On seeing this, Sergei felt content that his advice had brought Lushkoff on the right path and that he wouldn’t have to beg again for a living. If Sergei had not helped Lushkoff, he would have been living on the streets begging.
5. Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?
Lushkoff was obliged to Sergei because if he had not come to Sergei, then he might still have been calling himself a teacher or a student who had been expelled and would have been begging.
By working for Sergei, he had changed his ways. He was now a notary and earned thirty five roubles a month.
6. During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?
During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. Whenever he went to Sergei’s house to chop wood she used to insult him and call him names like ‘sot’ and ‘miserable creature’ and inform him that there was nothing for him but ruin. She would sit down opposite him and grow sad, look into his face and weep calling him an unlucky man and telling him that there would be no pleasure for him either in this world or the next. She would call him a drunkard and tell him that he would burn in hell. In this way she would carry on, suffering and shedding tears for his sake. She pitied him yet kept on insulting him as she felt that was the only way to make him change.
Through all this however she used to chop the wood for him. He had not chopped a single stick of wood as she did it all for him. Her kindness and genuine concern in spite of her insults was responsible for saving him and the reason, why he changed and stopped drinking.
Her words and noble deeds were responsible for the change that took place in his heart.
She had set him right and he would never forget it.
Answers to Textbook Questions
1. Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
Lushkoff became a beggar by circumstance. Formerly, he sang in a Russian choir, but was sent away for drunkenness. This led him to beg.
2. What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?
Lushkoff said that since he was fired for being an alcoholic, he had to tell lies. And, if he told the truth no one would give him anything.
3. Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
No, Lushkoff is not a willing worker. He agrees to chop wood for Sergei not because he was hungry and wanted work but because of his pride and shame and since he had been trapped by his own words. His strength had been undermined by drinking too much vodka and he was unhealthy and did not feel the slightest inclination to do any work.
4. Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?
When Sergei got Lushkoff to work for him the first time, he wasn’t a willing worker. But after chopping wood for Sergei and helping him move houses, Sergei noticed that Lushkoff had developed a willingness to work. On seeing this, Sergei felt content that his advice had brought Lushkoff on the right path and that he wouldn’t have to beg again for a living. If Sergei had not helped Lushkoff, he would have been living on the streets begging.
5. Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?
Lushkoff was obliged to Sergei because if he had not come to Sergei, then he might still have been calling himself a teacher or a student who had been expelled and would have been begging.
By working for Sergei, he had changed his ways. He was now a notary and earned thirty five roubles a month.
6. During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?
During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. Whenever he went to Sergei’s house to chop wood she used to insult him and call him names like ‘sot’ and ‘miserable creature’ and inform him that there was nothing for him but ruin. She would sit down opposite him and grow sad, look into his face and weep calling him an unlucky man and telling him that there would be no pleasure for him either in this world or the next. She would call him a drunkard and tell him that he would burn in hell. In this way she would carry on, suffering and shedding tears for his sake. She pitied him yet kept on insulting him as she felt that was the only way to make him change.
Through all this however she used to chop the wood for him. He had not chopped a single stick of wood as she did it all for him. Her kindness and genuine concern in spite of her insults was responsible for saving him and the reason, why he changed and stopped drinking.
Her words and noble deeds were responsible for the change that took place in his heart.
She had set him right and he would never forget it.
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