The Servant | Story 3 | Short Stories | English 10th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 10th | Tulip Series |

 

The Servant | Story 3 | Short Stories | English 10th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

Short Summary

            "The Servant" by S.T. Semyonov is a poignant short story that delves into the themes of power dynamics, poverty, and the human condition. The story revolves around a young, poor man named Gerasim who is hired as a servant by his master, a wealthy landowner. Gerasim is deeply grateful for the job, as it is his only means of survival. However, the story takes a turn when Gerasim’s master decides to fire him on a whim, only to rehire him again after seeing Gerasim’s desperate situation. This cycle of hiring and firing highlights the power imbalance between the master and the servant, showing how the wealthy can control the lives of the poor with little regard for their humanity. The story ends on a note of despair, as Gerasim realizes that he is trapped in a life of servitude with no hope of escape. The master’s arbitrary decisions underscore the lack of agency and dignity afforded to those in Gerasim’s position, making "The Servant" a powerful commentary on social inequality and the dehumanizing effects of poverty.

 

Thinking about the Text

Question 1. Why had Gerasim been going about in vain in the village?

Answer: Gerasim had been going about in vain in the village because he was desperately looking for work but couldn't find any. His return from the city left him in a vulnerable position, and despite his efforts, he was unable to secure a job to sustain himself.

Question 2. Where had Gerasim been working? Why did he return to his village?

Answer: Gerasim had been working in the city as a servant. He returned to his village because the job he had in the city ended, leaving him without work. He hoped to find employment in his village, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

Question 3. What did the coachman tell Gerasim when he narrated his story?

Answer: When Gerasim narrated his story, the coachman told him that he might be able to help him find a job with his master. The coachman empathized with Gerasim’s situation and offered to speak to his master on Gerasim’s behalf, suggesting that he could potentially be employed as a servant.

Question 4. How did the coachman persuade his master to employ Gerasim?

Answer: The coachman persuaded his master to employ Gerasim by highlighting Gerasim’s dire situation and his willingness to work hard. He appealed to his master’s sense of compassion and practicality, explaining that Gerasim was a capable worker who desperately needed a job to survive.

Question 5. Why was the master reluctant to disengage the old servant?

Answer: The master was reluctant to disengage the old servant because the servant had been with him for many years and had served him loyally. The master felt a sense of obligation and loyalty towards the old servant, making it difficult for him to dismiss him despite the coachman’s request to employ Gerasim.

Question 6. What did Gerasim hear while crossing the yard?

Answer: While crossing the yard, Gerasim overheard the old couple talking about the master’s decision to fire him. They discussed how the master had made the decision to retain the old servant instead of hiring Gerasim. This conversation made Gerasim realize that he had little hope of securing the job he so desperately needed.

Question 7. What did the old couple think about the master?

Answer: The old couple thought that the master was generally kind and fair but was in a difficult position when it came to choosing between his old servant and Gerasim. They recognized that the master was torn between his loyalty to the old servant and his desire to help Gerasim.

Question 8. What was the effect of the old couple's conversation on Gerasim?

Answer: The old couple's conversation deeply saddened and demoralized Gerasim. It made him realize that his chances of getting the job were slim, as the master was unlikely to dismiss the old servant. This realization intensified Gerasim’s feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Question 9. How does the story reflect the humility of Gerasim?

Answer: The story reflects the humility of Gerasim through his willingness to accept any work, his gratitude towards those who tried to help him, and his acceptance of his fate even when things didn’t go his way. Despite his dire circumstances, Gerasim remained humble and did not hold any resentment towards the old servant or the master. His humility is also shown in his quiet endurance of his hardships and his continued hope for a better future, even in the face of overwhelming difficulties.

 

Language Work

I. Vocabulary

Study this sentence:

Someone has to attend the meeting.

In the above sentence, the underlined word 'someone' means 'somebody from the staff.

Now study this sentence:

Some one of the staff has done this.

In this sentence, 'some one' means 'one particular person'.

In the above sentences, the underlined words 'someone' and 'some one' are compound words which may be either written as one word or as two separate words depending on the context.

Now use your dictionary to learn the difference between the below given compound words.

After this, use them in the sentences.

1. Everyone, every one.

2. Anyone, anyone.

3. Into, into.

4. Whoever, who ever.

5. Indifferent, in different.

 

Answer:

1. Everyone, Every one

Everyone enjoyed the concert last night.

Every one of the students submitted their assignments on time.

 

2. Anyone, Any one

Anyone can join the club if they are interested.

Any one of these books could be helpful for your research.

 

3. Into, In to

She walked into the room without knocking.

He logged in to his account to check his messages.

 

4. Whoever, Who ever

Whoever finishes the project first will receive a bonus.

Who ever would have thought that she would win the competition?

 

5. Indifferent, In different

The teacher was indifferent to the students' complaints.

The two proposals were presented in different formats for comparison.

 

II. Rearrange the words to form meaningful sentences:

1. walked /1 / house / the / through / garden / into the.

2. Matilda/ a/ rich/had/ friend/ name / was / whose/ Mme Forestier.

3. why / Matilda / unhappy / was?

4. Sulekha / the / was / fourth / of / Numberdar / daughter / Ramlal.

5. teacher / took / Bholi's / special / in / her/ interest

6. heart / her / throbbing / was / a new / hope / with and / a new life/

7. tree / of/ a / killing / is / a / process / painful/the.

8. A / episode / curious / occurred / in / a / study.

9. was/a/ Griffin/scientist/lawless.

10. took / only / It / minute / Griffin / a / to / off/ throw / bandages / whiskers / spectacles / and

 

Answer: Here are the rearranged sentences:

1. I walked through the garden into the house.

2. Matilda had a rich friend whose name was Mme Forestier.

3. Why was Matilda unhappy?

4. Sulekha was the fourth daughter of Ramlal, the Numberdar.

5. Bholi's teacher took special interest in her.

6. Her heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life.

7. The process of killing a tree is a painful one.

8. A curious episode occurred in a study.

9. Griffin was a lawless scientist.

10. It took Griffin only a minute to throw off the bandages, whiskers, and spectacles.

 

Writing Work

Compare and contrast the characters of Gerasim and the coachman.

Answer: Gerasim and the coachman are two characters who embody different qualities and attitudes towards work and life.

Gerasim is portrayed as a humble, hardworking, and loyal individual. He returns to his village after losing his previous job, not out of pride but out of necessity. Gerasim's humility is evident in how he patiently searches for work and how he willingly accepts whatever task is given to him. He is a simple man, uncomplaining and accepting of his circumstances, reflecting his deep sense of duty and responsibility. Gerasim's character is a model of perseverance and quiet dignity, traits that make him endearing and trustworthy.

The coachman, on the other hand, is more pragmatic and perhaps a bit more cunning in his approach. He recognizes Gerasim’s potential as a good worker and, sensing an opportunity, convinces his master to hire him. The coachman is persuasive, understanding the dynamics of his master's household, and he uses this knowledge to help Gerasim secure a job. Unlike Gerasim, who is straightforward and earnest, the coachman displays a degree of manipulation, albeit for a good cause.

In summary, while Gerasim embodies humility, hard work, and simplicity, the coachman represents pragmatism, shrewdness, and a strategic approach to solving problems. Both characters are essential in the story, highlighting different but complementary aspects of human nature.

 

Discussion

Imagine you have been working somewhere and you lost your job. Where would you like to go and why? And what would you do there?

Answer:

If I were to lose my job, I would likely return to my hometown, where I have roots, family support, and a sense of familiarity. The decision to return would be driven by the comfort of being in a known environment and the emotional support I could receive from my family and friends during a difficult time.

In my hometown, I would first take some time to reflect on my skills, experiences, and passions to determine my next steps. Depending on my circumstances, I might consider pursuing further education or training to enhance my qualifications. Alternatively, I might explore opportunities for starting a small business or engaging in freelance work, leveraging the connections and knowledge I have of the local market.

Being in a familiar place would also allow me to reconnect with my community, perhaps getting involved in local projects or initiatives that align with my interests. This period could be an opportunity to rediscover my purpose and direction in life, with the added benefit of being in a supportive and understanding environment.

 

Suggested Reading

• God Sees The Truth But Waits by Leo Tolstoy

• How much Land Does a Man Need by Tolstoy

• Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky