Class 9 English - MAHARASHTRA
Supplementary: The Beggar
Supplementary: The Beggar by Anton Chekhov is an insightful Class 9 English prose piece prescribed by the Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE). The story explores the transformation of an impoverished, habitual drunkard named Lushkoff through the strict discipline and compassion of a wealthy advocate, Sergei, and his cook, Olga. This chapter is vital for board exams as it tests narrative comprehension, character analysis, and moral values such as empathy, dignity of labor, and the power of positive influence. Students frequently encounter questions based on character sketches, message interpretation, and sequence of events from this lesson in their English literature papers.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Deception and Despair
Lushkoff starts as a beggar who lies about his past as a village schoolteacher and student to gain sympathy and alms.
Tough Love and Discipline
Sergei refuses to give alms without work, employing Lushkoff to chop wood to teach him self-reliance and break his cycle of alcoholism.
Transformative Compassion
Olga, the cook, initially scolds and weeps for Lushkoff, but her hidden acts of cutting the wood for him spark a profound emotional awakening in his soul.
The Dignity of Labor
The story emphasizes that honest work, no matter how menial, builds character and self-respect, ultimately saving Lushkoff from total ruin.
Irony of Transformation
Sergei believes his strictness reformed Lushkoff, but it is actually Olga's selfless compassion and tears that drive the real change.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 9 English paper, supplementary reader chapters generally carry around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include short-answer questions, character sketches of Sergei, Olga, and Lushkoff, and value-based questions testing the core moral of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the true savior of Lushkoff in the story?
Although Sergei believes his scolding and physical work orders reformed Lushkoff, it was actually his cook, Olga, who chopped the wood out of pity, and her emotional tears transformed Lushkoff's inner conscience.
Why did Lushkoff lie about his past when Sergei met him?
Lushkoff lied because he was a victim of alcoholism, lost his job as a schoolteacher, and became a destitute beggar. He told fabricated stories to evoke sympathy and collect money for drinks.
What was Lushkoff's profession at the end of the story?
By the end of the story, Lushkoff became a notary public, earning a respectable salary of thirty-earners a month.
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