Class 9 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: The Beggar
Supplementary: The Beggar is an inspiring story written by Anton Chekhov, included in the Class 9 Bihar (BSEB) English curriculum. The chapter tells the tale of Lushkoff, a weak and destitute beggar, and how an advocate named Sergei and his cook, Olga, help him transform his life through kindness, tough love, and honest manual labor. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' comprehension of moral values, character sketching, and the impact of empathy and hard work. Questions frequently focus on the inner transformation of the protagonist and the role of Olga.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Deception and Reality
Lushkoff is introduced as a professional beggar who lies about being a disgraced schoolteacher or student to gain sympathy and money from people.
Tough Love and Discipline
Sergei does not just give Lushkoff charity; instead, he offers him hard manual labor chopping wood, believing that work is essential for rehabilitation.
The Role of Olga
Although Olga initially scolds and abuses Lushkoff for his laziness, her secret acts of pity, weeping for him, and chopping the wood herself ultimately touch his soul and bring about a change.
Dignity of Labour
The story highlights that true upliftment comes from honest work rather than begging, and earning one's livelihood restores self-respect.
Moral Transformation
By the end of the story, Lushkoff stops drinking and begging, successfully working as a notary, which proves that compassion and guidance can reform anyone.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English board examinations, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually appear as short-answer questions (SAQs) testing character traits of Sergei, Olga, or Lushkoff, and long-answer questions (LAQs) based on the theme of transformation and the moral of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lushkoff was a poor, alcoholic beggar who lied because he was too weak to work and needed money for drinks and survival.
Lushkoff was a poor beggar who lied about being a ruined schoolteacher or student to evoke pity and get alms easily.
Who actually chopped the wood for Lushkoff at Sergei's house?
Olga, the cook, secretly chopped the wood for Lushkoff out of pity because he was too weak and intoxicated to do it himself.
What was the turning point in Lushkoff's life?
The turning point was Olga's pity and harsh words combined with Sergei's offer of work, which made Lushkoff feel ashamed and inspired him to change his ways.
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