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The Beggar
Summary
Learning Objectives
- Understand the impact of words on individuals' lives.
- Analyze the relationship between Lushkoff and Sergei.
- Discuss the role of Olga in Lushkoff's transformation.
- Explore methods to assist beggars and address the issue of begging.
Detailed Notes
Chapter Notes: The Beggar
Overview
- The story revolves around Lushkoff, a beggar who reflects on his past and the influences that led to his change.
Key Characters
- Lushkoff: A mendicant who was once a village schoolteacher.
- Sergei: An advocate who helps Lushkoff.
- Olga: Sergei's cook, who plays a crucial role in Lushkoff's transformation.
Themes
- Redemption: Lushkoff's journey from a beggar to a more hopeful individual.
- Influence of Kindness: Olga's compassion significantly impacts Lushkoff's life.
Important Quotes
- Lushkoff acknowledges Olga's role: "God bless that good and noble woman!"
- Sergei reflects on his influence: "I gave you a push along the right path."
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| mendicant | beggar |
| swindling | cheating a person of money |
| perplexity | state of being puzzled; bewilderment |
| irresolutely | hesitantly; undecidedly |
| sot | a habitual drunkard |
Diagram Descriptions
- Illustration of Conversation: Depicts two men in a public setting, one gesturing while the other appears thoughtful. No scientific labels or structures are present.
- Artistic Sketch: Shows two people sitting on a bench with a dog, surrounded by flowers. The scene is rendered in pink and black with no scientific elements.
Discussion Questions
- Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
- What reasons does he give Sergei for his telling lies?
- Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes and Exam Tips
Common Pitfalls
- Misunderstanding Characters' Motivations: Students often misinterpret why Lushkoff changes his ways. It's crucial to recognize that his transformation is largely influenced by Olga's compassion and words, not just external circumstances.
- Ignoring Contextual Clues: Failing to pay attention to the details of Lushkoff's past can lead to confusion about his character. For example, he claims to be a village schoolteacher but has also lied about being a student.
Tips for Exam Preparation
- Focus on Character Development: Pay close attention to how characters influence each other. For instance, understand how Olga's actions and words impact Lushkoff's change.
- Analyze Dialogue: Examine the conversations between characters for deeper meanings. Sergei's confrontation with Lushkoff reveals important themes of honesty and redemption.
- Reflect on Themes: Consider the broader themes of compassion and the impact of kindness on individuals. This can help in answering essay questions effectively.
Practice & Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
A.
By providing him with financial support.
B.
By scolding him and showing genuine concern for his well-being.
C.
By teaching him how to chop wood efficiently.
D.
By finding him a permanent job.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Olga's scolding and genuine concern for Lushkoff's well-being led to a change in his heart, as he himself admitted.
A.
Sergei's scolding and guidance.
B.
His own realization of the need for change.
C.
Olga's compassionate actions and words.
D.
The job opportunity in Kaluga.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Lushkoff attributes his change in character primarily to Olga's compassionate actions and words, which deeply affected him and led to his transformation.
A.
She provides financial support to Lushkoff.
B.
She secretly chops the wood for Lushkoff.
C.
She introduces Lushkoff to a new job opportunity.
D.
She encourages Lushkoff to pursue education.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Olga influences Lushkoff's transformation by secretly chopping the wood for him, which makes Lushkoff realize the impact of her kindness and leads to his change.
A.
He wants to gain sympathy and financial help.
B.
He is ashamed of his past as a choir singer.
C.
He believes Sergei will not help him if he tells the truth.
D.
He is trying to test Sergei's character.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Lushkoff lies about his background because he believes that no one will help him if he tells the truth, as he mentions that he cannot get along without lying.
A.
He was indifferent and ignored him.
B.
He was surprised and pleased to see Lushkoff's progress.
C.
He was angry that Lushkoff had not returned to work for him.
D.
He was disappointed in Lushkoff's lack of progress.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sergei was surprised and pleased to see Lushkoff's progress when he encountered him at the theater, recognizing the positive change in his life.
A.
Lushkoff's ability to earn a stable income.
B.
Lushkoff's acknowledgment of Sergei's influence.
C.
Lushkoff's transformation into a notary.
D.
Lushkoff's gratitude towards Olga.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sergei feels satisfied with Lushkoff's progress when he learns that Lushkoff has become a notary, as it shows that Lushkoff has made a significant change in his life.
A.
He was a victim of calumny.
B.
He was expelled for lying.
C.
He chose to leave the position.
D.
He was caught stealing.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Lushkoff claimed he lost his position due to calumny, which means he was a victim of false and defamatory statements.
A.
He was a student expelled for poor grades.
B.
He was a village schoolteacher dismissed for theft.
C.
He was a singer in a Russian choir dismissed for drunkenness.
D.
He was a carpenter who lost his job due to injury.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Lushkoff admitted to Sergei that he was formerly a singer in a Russian choir and was dismissed for drunkenness.
A.
He was amused.
B.
He was indifferent.
C.
He was angry and threatened to call the police.
D.
He was sympathetic.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sergei was angry and accused the beggar of swindling, threatening to call the police.
A.
He was still a beggar.
B.
He was dressed in a new suit.
C.
He was now a notary earning thirty-five roubles a month.
D.
He was working as a ticket seller.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sergei noticed that Lushkoff was now a notary earning thirty-five roubles a month.
A.
He needed help with household chores.
B.
He wanted to test Lushkoff's sincerity.
C.
He felt sorry for Lushkoff's situation.
D.
He wanted to teach Lushkoff a lesson about hard work.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Sergei offered Lushkoff the job of chopping wood to teach him a lesson about hard work, as he was frustrated with Lushkoff's dishonesty and wanted him to earn his keep.
A.
Twenty roubles
B.
Thirty-five roubles
C.
Fifty roubles
D.
Seventy roubles
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
After changing his ways, Lushkoff was earning thirty-five roubles a month.
A.
He was genuinely eager to work.
B.
He was hungry and needed money.
C.
He was trapped by his own words and felt ashamed.
D.
He wanted to impress Sergei.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Lushkoff agreed to chop wood because he was trapped by his own words and felt ashamed, not because he was eager to work.
A.
Sergei
B.
Olga
C.
The police
D.
The ticket seller
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Olga, Sergei's cook, was responsible for the positive change in Lushkoff.
A.
A schoolteacher.
B.
A woodcutter.
C.
A notary.
D.
A clerk.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Two years later, Lushkoff is working as a notary, earning thirty-five roubles a month.
A.
It provided him with a network of contacts.
B.
It was a source of shame due to his dismissal for drunkenness.
C.
It gave him the skills needed for his job as a notary.
D.
It was irrelevant to his current situation.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Lushkoff's past as a choir singer contributed to his current situation as it was a source of shame due to his dismissal for drunkenness, which led to his downfall.
A.
Gardening
B.
Chopping wood
C.
Cleaning the house
D.
Cooking
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sergei offered Lushkoff the job of chopping wood.
A.
A village schoolteacher.
B.
A student at a university.
C.
A singer in a Russian choir.
D.
A woodcutter.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Lushkoff admits to Sergei that he was formerly a singer in a Russian choir and was dismissed for drunkenness.
A.
Village schoolteacher
B.
Student
C.
Wood-chopper
D.
Notary
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Lushkoff claimed to have been a village schoolteacher before he became a beggar.
A.
Copying documents
B.
Chopping wood
C.
Cleaning the yard
D.
Selling tickets
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sergei initially offered Lushkoff work chopping wood.
A.
He realized Lushkoff was too weak to chop wood effectively.
B.
He felt guilty for exploiting Lushkoff's situation.
C.
He discovered Lushkoff was a skilled worker.
D.
He saw Olga doing the work instead of Lushkoff.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Sergei felt ashamed after observing that Lushkoff, weakened by alcohol, struggled with the physical labor.
A.
He offered him a job.
B.
He ignored him.
C.
He recognized him and asked about his well-being.
D.
He scolded him for not working.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sergei recognized Lushkoff at the theatre and inquired about his well-being.
A.
By giving him money
B.
By scolding and showing empathy towards him
C.
By teaching him to read and write
D.
By finding him a new job
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Olga scolded Lushkoff and showed empathy, which contributed to his transformation.
A.
She provided him with food and shelter.
B.
She scolded him, which motivated him to change.
C.
She secretly did his work for him, showing him kindness.
D.
She found him a job as a notary.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Olga played a crucial role in Lushkoff's life by secretly doing his work for him and showing him kindness, which ultimately motivated him to change.
A.
He continued chopping wood
B.
He helped with packing and hauling furniture
C.
He became a notary
D.
He started teaching again
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
After Sergei moved to another house, Lushkoff helped with packing and hauling furniture.
A.
By scolding him and showing concern.
B.
By giving him money.
C.
By finding him a new job.
D.
By teaching him to read and write.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Olga influenced Lushkoff by scolding him and showing genuine concern for his well-being.
A.
He believed lying was easier than working.
B.
He thought it was the only way to get help.
C.
He wanted to test Sergei's kindness.
D.
He was forced by circumstances beyond his control.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Lushkoff admitted that he lied because he believed it was the only way to get help, as no one would assist him if he told the truth.
A.
Shovel snow
B.
Chop wood
C.
Clean the house
D.
Write letters
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sergei initially offered Lushkoff the task of chopping wood.
A.
By giving him money
B.
By scolding and encouraging him
C.
By finding him a job
D.
By providing him shelter
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Olga helped Lushkoff change his ways by scolding him and showing concern for his future.
A.
A permanent job as a woodcutter.
B.
A letter of recommendation for a job.
C.
Cleaner employment involving writing tasks.
D.
A place to stay in his home.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sergei offered Lushkoff a job involving writing tasks, recognizing his potential for cleaner employment.
A.
Because Lushkoff was lying about his past.
B.
Because Lushkoff refused to chop wood.
C.
Because Lushkoff stole money from him.
D.
Because Lushkoff was rude to Olga.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Sergei was angry because Lushkoff was lying about being a student and a schoolteacher.
A.
A permanent job as a woodcutter.
B.
A letter for a copying job.
C.
A position as his personal assistant.
D.
A loan to start his own business.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sergei offers Lushkoff a letter to secure a copying job, recognizing his ability to write and potential for honest work.
A.
Sergei's scolding and guidance
B.
Olga's compassion and actions
C.
Lushkoff's own determination
D.
A job offer in the province of Kaluga
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Lushkoff attributes his transformation to Olga's compassion and actions. Despite Sergei's initial scolding, it was Olga's kindness and her efforts to help him that truly changed his life.
True or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sergei expressed happiness that his words had taken effect, indicating he believed he influenced Lushkoff positively.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Olga was the one who actually chopped the wood for Lushkoff, and her actions and words inspired him to change his life.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Lushkoff later became a notary and was paid thirty-five roubles a month, indicating his successful change in life.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Lushkoff revealed that it was Olga, Sergei's cook, who was responsible for the positive change in him.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
After Sergei offered Lushkoff a job involving copying work, Lushkoff did not return to the yard for manual labor.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Lushkoff claimed he was a village schoolteacher before losing his position due to intrigues.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Lushkoff was dishonest with Sergei about his past, claiming to be a student and a schoolteacher, which were false.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Olga played a significant role in Lushkoff's transformation by scolding him and showing concern for his well-being.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Lushkoff confessed to Sergei that he was lying about being a student or a schoolteacher.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sergei remembered Lushkoff claiming to be a student who had been expelled, which was a lie as Lushkoff later admitted.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
After Sergei offered Lushkoff a job as a notary, Lushkoff did not return to the yard for work.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sergei suggested that Lushkoff chop wood for him as a means of earning money through honest work.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Lushkoff told Sergei that he was a village schoolteacher who lost his position due to intrigues.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Lushkoff expressed gratitude to Sergei for his kind words and deeds, acknowledging the positive impact on his life.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Lushkoff changed his ways primarily due to the influence and actions of Sergei's cook, Olga, who helped him by chopping wood for him and showing compassion.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Olga played a significant role in helping Lushkoff by chopping wood for him and showing concern for his well-being.