Class 9 English - KERALA
Supplementary: The Beggar
Supplementary: The Beggar by Anton Chekhov is a touching story about transformation, compassion, and the power of honest labour. It tells the tale of Lushkov, a ragged beggar who is reformed not by harsh scoldings or pity, but through the firm yet kind intervention of a successful advocate, Sergei, and the quiet, selfless kindness of Sergei's cook, Olga. For Kerala SCERT Class 9 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding. Questions frequently focus on moral lessons, character growth, and the underlying message that hard work and dignity can change a person's life.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Transformation Through Labour
The story highlights how physical work and earning an honest living can reform a person, turning a habitual drunkard into a productive member of society.
Tough Love and Compassion
Sergei provides the initial strict discipline and employment opportunities, while Olga offers emotional support through her harsh words and secret kindness, proving that care can come in unexpected ways.
Role of Olga
Though she appears stern and miserable, Olga chops the wood for Lushkov while weeping for his plight, proving that true empathy often lies in quiet, selfless actions rather than grand gestures.
Deception and Redemption
Lushkov starts as a professional liar who begs by playing on people's sympathies, but ultimately finds true self-respect and redemption through actual employment as a notary.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala (SCERT) Class 9 English examinations, supplementary chapters like 'The Beggar' typically carry around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include paragraph-based questions on character sketches (especially Olga and Lushkov), short answers about the turning point in the story, and value-based questions regarding the importance of hard work and empathy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually reformed Lushkov in the story?
While Sergei gave him the job, it was Olga's secret kindness—chopping the wood for him while crying for his wretched state—that touched his heart and truly reformed him.
Why did Lushkov lie in the beginning of the story?
Lushkov lied about being a ruined student or school teacher because he was weak, unhealthy, and addicted to alcohol, making begging an easier way to survive than working.
What was Lushkov's final profession at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, Lushkov became a notary, earning thirty-five roubles a month and living a respectable life.
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