Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 10 English The Servant Summary, Short Story Explanation with difficult word meanings from Tulip Book
The Servant– Are you looking for Summary and Short Story Explanation for Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 10 English Short Story 3 The Servant from Tulip Book. Get notes, summary of the Lesson followed by line by line explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.
The Servant Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 10 English
S.T. Semyonov
- The Servant Introduction
- Theme of the Lesson
- The Servant Summary
- The Servant Summary in Hindi
- The Servant Lesson Explanation
The Servant Introduction
The lesson “The Servant” by S.T. Semyonov tells us about a young man named Gerasim, who returns to Moscow during a difficult time when jobs are hard to find. It’s just before Christmas, a season when people hope for work and gifts. Gerasim has been searching for a job for three weeks without success, feeling sad and frustrated. He has lived in Moscow since he was a child, working various jobs, but now he finds himself without work and feeling like a burden on his friends and family. He is determined to find a job, even if it means asking strangers for help. This story talks about his struggles and the choices he faces as he searches for work.
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Theme of the Short Story The Servant
The theme of “The Servant” by S.T. Semyonov revolves around the complexities of social class, identity, and the human experience of longing for connection and purpose. The narrative examines the struggles of the protagonist, who deals with feelings of isolation and the desire for acceptance within a rigid societal structure. As a servant, he faces the challenges of navigating his role in a world that often devalues his contributions, reflecting on themes of dignity and self-worth. The story also highlights the contrast between ambition and reality, explaining the emotional toll that unfulfilled dreams can take on individuals. Additionally, the theme of loyalty and betrayal emerges as the protagonist faces the dynamics of power and loyalty within the household he serves.
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The Servant Summary
The lesson “The Servant” by S.T. Semyonov talks about a man named Gerasim who is a poor peasant who is having a hard time finding employment in Moscow around Christmas. He had previously been employed as a servant in Moscow, but after being called up to the military and avoiding enlistment, he came home to find himself jobless. Gerasim is in a bad condition and is struggling and desperate and therefore asksYegor, his friend, who works for a wealthy man, for help.
Yegor convinces his employer and helps Gerasim find a position as a servant in the same household as the one where he works. However, in order for Gerasim to have the position the employer would have to fire another servant, a man named Polikarpych, who also relies on his job as a servant to support his family. Gerasim overhears Polikarpych talking about his struggles with money and the lack of empathy shown by masters even after serving them for decades. He feels sorry for Polikarpych and begins questioning whether he should accept the job offer or not. As the lesson progresses he begins to understand that Polikarpych will be in the same difficult financial situation as him if he loses his job. In the end, Gerasim makes the tough decision to refuse the job, thereby putting Polikarpych’s needs above his and showcasing empathy and understanding, kindness and humility even though he is struggling himself. The choice goes on to reflect his strong moral compass towards others.
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The Servant Summary in Hindi
पाठ “नौकर” एस.टी. द्वारा, सेम्योनोव गेरासिम नाम के एक व्यक्ति के बारे में बात करता है जो एक गरीब किसान है जिसे क्रिसमस के आसपास मास्को में रोजगार खोजने में कठिनाई हो रही है। वह पहले मास्को में एक नौकर के रूप में कार्यरत था, लेकिन सेना में बुलाए जाने और भर्ती होने से बचने के बाद, वह घर आया और खुद को बेरोजगार पाया। गेरासिम बुरी हालत में है और संघर्ष कर रहा है और हताश है और इसलिए अपने दोस्त येगोर से मदद मांगता है, जो एक अमीर आदमी के लिए काम करता है।
येगोर अपने नियोक्ता को मना लेता है और गेरासिम को उसी घर में नौकर के रूप में नौकरी पाने में मदद करता है जहां वह काम करता है। हालाँकि, गेरासिम को पद पर रखने के लिए नियोक्ता को एक अन्य नौकर, पोलिकारपिच नाम के एक व्यक्ति को नौकरी से निकालना होगा, जो अपने परिवार का समर्थन करने के लिए एक नौकर के रूप में अपनी नौकरी पर भी निर्भर करता है। गेरासिम ने पोलिकारपिच को पैसे के साथ अपने संघर्ष और दशकों तक सेवा करने के बाद भी स्वामी द्वारा दिखाई गई सहानुभूति की कमी के बारे में बात करते हुए सुना। वह पोलिकारपिच के लिए खेद महसूस करता है और सवाल करना शुरू कर देता है कि क्या उसे नौकरी की पेशकश स्वीकार करनी चाहिए या नहीं। जैसे-जैसे पाठ आगे बढ़ता है, उसे यह समझ में आने लगता है कि यदि पोलिकारपिच की नौकरी चली गई तो वह भी उसी की तरह कठिन वित्तीय स्थिति में होगा। अंत में, गेरासिम नौकरी से इनकार करने का कठोर निर्णय लेता है, जिससे पोलिकारपिच की ज़रूरतें उससे ऊपर हो जाती हैं और सहानुभूति और समझ, दयालुता और विनम्रता का प्रदर्शन होता है, भले ही वह खुद संघर्ष कर रहा हो। यह विकल्प दूसरों के प्रति उनकी मजबूत नैतिक संवेदना को दर्शाता है।
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The Servant Lesson Explanation
Passage:
Gerasim returned to Moscow just at a time when it was hardest to find work, a short while
before Christmas, when a man sticks even to a poor job in the expectation of a present. For three weeks the peasant lad had been going about in vain seeking a position.
Word Meanings:
peasant (n): a person who owns or rents a small piece of land and grows crops, keeps animals, etc. on it, especially one who has a low income, very little education, and a low social position.
vain (adj.): unsuccessful; of no value
Explanation: Gerasim, a young peasant, comes back to Moscow at a difficult time to find a job. It’s just before Christmas, a time when people usually look forward to receiving gifts. During this season, many people are willing to take any job, even if it’s not good, because they hope to get some extra money as a holiday bonus. However, Gerasim had been searching for work for three weeks and hadn’t been successful.
Passage:
He stayed with relatives and friends from his village, and although he had not yet suffered great
want, it disheartened him that he, a strong young man, should go without work. Gerasim had lived in Moscow from early boyhood. When still a mere child, he had gone to work in a brewery as bottle-washer, and later as a lower servant in a house. In the last two years he had been in a merchant’s employ, and would still have held that position, had he not been summoned back to his village for military duty. However, he had not been drafted. It seemed dull to him in the village, he was not used to the country life, so he decided he would rather count the stones in Moscow than stay there. Every minute it was getting to be more and more irksome for him to be tramping the streets in idleness. Not a stone did he leave unturned in his efforts to secure any sort of work. He plagued all of his acquaintances; he even held up people on the street and asked them if they knew of a situation all in vain. Finally Gerasim could no longer bear being a burden on his people. Some of them were annoyed by his coming to them; and others had suffered unpleasantness from their masters on his account. He was altogether at a loss what to do. Sometimes he would go a whole day without eating.
Word Meanings:
brewery (n): a place where beer is made
boyhood (n): the period when a person is a boy, and not yet a man, or the state of being a boy
summoned (v): to order someone to come to or be present at a particular place, or to officially arrange a meeting of people
unpleasantness (n): the quality of being rude and angry
acquaintances (n): a person that you have met but do not know well
draft (n): to order people by law to join the armed forces
country life (n): village/ rural life
count the stones (phrase): waste time
irksome (adj.): annoying
tramp (n): to walk with heavy steps
plague (v): to irritate; to annoy; to cause pain or difficulty to someone
Explanation: Gerasim is staying with relatives and friends from his village while he searches for work in Moscow. Although he isn’t starving yet, it makes him sad that he, a strong young man, can’t find a job. Gerasim has lived in Moscow since he was a child. He started working at a brewery as a bottle-washer and later became a servant in a house. For the past two years, he worked for a merchant but had to return to his village for military duty, though he wasn’t actually called for his duty by an official order. Gerasim finds village life boring and prefers the excitement of the city, so he would rather be in Moscow, even if it meant counting stones, than stay in the village. As time passes, he becomes more frustrated with walking around without any work. He tries everything to find a job—talking to all his friends and even stopping people in the street to ask if they know of any openings, but nothing works out. Later, he feels guilty for relying on his relatives for support, especially since some of them are annoyed by his presence or have faced trouble with their employers because of him. Gerasim feels lost and helpless, and sometimes he even goes a whole day without eating, showing how desperate and bad his situation has become.
Passage:
One day Gerasim betook himself to a friend from his village, who lived at the extreme outer edge of Moscow, near Sokolnik. The man was coachman to a merchant by the name of Sharov, in whose service he had been for many years. He had ingratiated himself with his master, so that Sharov trusted him absolutely and gave every sign of holding him in high favour. It was the man’s glib tongue, chiefly, that had gained him his master’s confidence. He told on all the servants, and Sharov valued him for it. Gerasim approached and greeted him. The coachman gave his guest a proper reception, served him with tea and something to eat, and asked him how he was doing.
Word Meanings:
betook (v): (past of ‘betake’) caused oneself to go
coachman (n): a person who drives a coach or carriage
ingratiate (v): to gain favour or favorable acceptance by deliberate effort on flattery
glib (adj.): speaking in a persuasive way but without honesty
Explanation: Gerasim decides to visit a friend from his village who lives on the outskirts of Moscow, near Sokolnik. This friend works as a coachman for a merchant named Sharov and has been in his service for many years. The coachman has built a good relationship with Sharov, gaining his trust and favor because he is good at talking and reporting on the other servants. Sharov appreciates the coachman’s ability to keep him informed about his household. When Gerasim arrives, the coachman greets him warmly, offering him a proper welcome with tea and food. He shows concern for Gerasim’s well-being and asks how he is doing, showing a friendly and hospitable atmosphere.
Passage:
“Very badly, Yegor Danilych,” said Gerasim. “I’ve been without a job for weeks.”
“Didn’t you ask your old employer to take you back?”
“I did.”
“He wouldn’t take you again?”
“The position was filled already.”
Word Meanings:
employer (n): a person or organization that employs people
Explanation: Here, Gerasim expresses his difficulties to Yegor Danilych, the coachman. Gerasim admits that he has been struggling to find work for several weeks, indicating how desperate his situation has become. Yegor Danilych then suggests that Gerasim should have asked his previous employer for his job back. Gerasim confirms that he did reach out to his old employer, but unfortunately, the position was already filled by someone else.
Passage:
“That’s it. That’s the way you young fellows are. You serve your employers so-so, and when
you leave your jobs, you usually go back to them. You ought to serve your masters so that they will think a lot of you, and when you come again, they will not refuse you, but rather dismiss the man who has taken your place.”
Word Meanings:
so-so (adj.): neither very good nor very bad
Explanation: Yegor Danilych is telling Gerasim that young workers like him often don’t put enough effort into their jobs. He thinks that if Gerasim had worked hard and done a good job for his last employer, the boss would remember him well and would want to take him back if he needed help again. Yegor believes that being dedicated and serving well is important because it helps build a good reputation. If Gerasim had made a strong impression, the employer would have been more likely to welcome him back, even if someone else was in his old job.
Passage:
“How can a man do that? In these days there aren’t any employers like that, and we aren’t
exactly angels, either.”
“What’s the use of wasting words? I just want to tell you about myself. If for some reason or
other I should ever have to leave this place and go home, not only would Mr. Sharov, if I came back, take me on again without a word, but he would be glad to, too.”
Word Meanings:
wasting words (phrase): to speak or write unnecessarily or without purpose, often leading to confusion or lack of clarity.
take me on (phrasal verb): to accept a particular job or responsibility
Explanation: Gerasim is saying that it is hard to find employers who would welcome someone back after they have left a job. He feels that workers aren’t perfect either. The coachman, however, is annoyed and wants to stop talking about such things. He believes that if he ever had to leave his job and then go back, his boss, Mr. Sharov, would be happy to take him back without any problems.
Passage:
Gerasim sat there downcast. He saw his friend was boasting, and it occurred to him to gratify him.
“I know it,” he said. “But it’s hard to find men like you, Yegor Danilych. If you were a poor
worker, your master would not have kept you twelve years.”
Yegor smiled. He liked the praise.
Word Meanings:
downcast (adj.): low in spirit; dejected
gratify (v): to satisfy a wish or need
boasting (v): to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own
Explanation: In this passage, Gerasim feels sad and notices that his friend, Yegor, is bragging about how well he gets along with his boss. To make Yegor happy, Gerasim decides to compliment him. He tells Yegor that it was not easy to find good workers like him, meaning that if he were not a good worker, his boss wouldn’t have kept him for twelve years. Yegor enjoys this praise and smiles, feeling pleased with Gerasim’s words.
Passage:
“That’s it,” he said. “If you were to live and serve as I do, you wouldn’t be out of work for months and months.”
Gerasim made no reply.
Yegor was summoned to his master.
“Wait a moment,” he said to Gerasim. “I’ll be right back.”
“Very well.”
Word Meanings:
master (n): a person who employs a servant or owns a slave
summoned (v): to order someone to come to or be present at a particular place
Explanation: Yegor continues to boast about his job and how he manages to keep it. He tells Gerasim that if Gerasim lived and worked like he did, he wouldn’t have trouble finding work. However, Gerasim doesn’t respond to this comment, possibly because he feels frustrated with his own situation. Just then, Yegor is called away by his boss, but he tells Gerasim to wait for him, assuring him that he would return shortly.
Passage:
Yegor came back and reported that inside of half an hour he would have to have the horses
harnessed, ready to drive his master to town. He lighted his pipe and took several turns in the room. Then he came to a halt in front of Gerasim.
“Listen, my boy,” he said, “If you want, I’ll ask my master to take you as a servant here.”
“Does he need a man?”
Word Meanings:
halt (v): stop
harness (n): a piece of equipment with straps and belts, used to control or hold in place a person, animal, or object
pipe (n): a short, narrow tube with a small container at one end, used for smoking tobacco
Explanation: When Yegor returns, he tells Gerasim that he has to prepare the horses soon to drive his master to town. He relaxes by lighting his pipe and pacing the room. After a while, he stops and offers Gerasim a chance to work with him. He asks Gerasim if he wants him to speak to his master about hiring him as a servant. Gerasim, feeling hopeful, questions Yegor about whether his master actually needs someone.
Passage:
“We have one, but he’s not much good. He’s getting old, and it’s very hard for him to do the work. It’s lucky for us that the neighbourhood isn’t a lively one and the police don’t make a fuss about things being kept just so, else the old man couldn’t manage to keep the place clean enough for them.”
Word Meanings:
fuss (n): a show of anger, worry, or excitement that is unnecessary or greater than the situation deserves
lively (adj.): full of energy and enthusiasm; interesting and exciting
Explanation: Yegor tells Gerasim that his boss has a servant, but he isn’t doing well. The servant is old and finds it hard to do his job. Yegor mentions that they are lucky because their neighborhood is calm, and the police don’t bother them about keeping things clean. If the area were busier, the old servant wouldn’t be able to keep the place tidy enough to please the police.
Passage:
“Oh, if you can, then please do say a word for me, Yegor Danilych. I’ll pray for you all my life. I
can’t stand being without work any longer.”
“All right, I’ll speak for you. Come again tomorrow, and in the meantime take this ten-kopek
piece. It may come in handy.”
“Thanks, Yegor Danilych. Then you will try for me? Please do me the favour.”
“All right. I’ll try for you.”
Word Meanings:
kopec (n): Russian currency
Explanation: Gerasim is asking his friend, Yegor Danilych, for help in finding a job. He is desperate and tells Yegor that he can notgo on without work any longer. Gerasim promises to pray for Yegor for the rest of his life if he helps him find a job. Yegor responds kindly, saying he will speak to someone on Gerasim’s behalf and try to help him get a job. He also gives Gerasim a ten-kopek coin to help him in the meantime. Gerasim thanks Yegor and asks him to try his best. Yegor tells him that he will do his best to help.
.
Passage:
Gerasim left, and Yegor harnessed up his horses. Then he put on his coachman’s habit, and drove up to the front door. Mr. Sharov stepped out of the house, seated himself in the sleigh, and the horses galloped off. He attended to his business in town and returned home. Yegor, observing that his master was in a good humour, said to him:
Word Meanings:
sleigh (n): an open horse-drawn vehicle
gallop (n): (of a horse) to run fast so that all four feet come off the ground together
Explanation: Gerasim left the house while Yegor got the horses ready. After harnessing them, Yegor put on his coachman’s uniform and drove to the front door. Mr. Sharov came out of the house, got into the sleigh, and they sped off. While they were in town, Yegor noticed that his boss was in a good mood. This encouraged him to say something to Mr. Sharov. He might have felt it was a good time to mention Gerasim and ask if he could help him find a job.
Passage:
“Yegor Fiodorych, I have a favour to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a young man from my village here, a good boy. He’s without a job.”
“Well?”
“Wouldn’t you take him?”
“What do I want him for?”
Word Meanings:
favour (n): the support or approval of something or someone
Explanation: Yegor is speaking to his employer, Mr. Sharov. He wants to ask Mr. Sharov for a favor. He begins by saying, “Yegor Fiodorych, I have a favour to ask of you,” which shows he is respectful and seeks Mr. Sharov’s help. When Mr. Sharov responds with “What is it?” Yegor explains that he knows a young man from his village who is a good person but currently doesn’t have a job. He then asks Mr. Sharov if he would consider hiring this young man. Mr. Sharov’s response, “What do I want him for?” indicates that he is not interested in hiring anyone at the moment. This shows his reluctance to help Yegor’s friend and highlights the difficulties Gerasim faces in finding work.
Passage:
“Use him as man of all work round the place.”
“How about Polikarpych?”
“What good is he? It’s about time you dismiss him.”
“That wouldn’t be fair. He has been with me so many years. I can’t let him go just so, without any cause.”
Word Meanings:
dismiss (v): to remove someone from their job, especially because they have done something wrong
Explanation: Yegor is talking to Mr. Sharov about a young man from his village who needs a job. Yegor asks Mr. Sharov if he would consider hiring this young man to do various tasks around the house. Mr. Sharov then asks about Polikarpych, the person currently working for him. He wants to know what will happen to Polikarpych if he hires the new young man.
Yegor suggests that Polikarpych wasn’t doing a good job and that it might be time to let him go. But Mr. Sharov disagrees and says it wouldn’t be fair to fire Polikarpych without a good reason, especially since he has worked for Mr. Sharov for a long time.
Passage:
“Supposing he has worked for you for years. He didn’t work for nothing. He got paid for it. He’s
certainly saved up a few dollars for his old age.”
“Saved up! How could he? From what? He’s not alone in the world. He has a wife to support,
and she has to eat and drink also.”
“His wife earns money, too, at day’s work as charwoman.”
“A lot she could have made! Enough for them.”
Word Meanings:
charwoman (n): a cleaning woman, especially in a large building
Explanation: Yegor is talking to Mr. Sharov about Polikarpych, the man who currently works for him. Yegor thinks it’s time for Mr. Sharov to let Polikarpych go because he doesn’t do his job well anymore. Yegor argues that just because Polikarpych has worked there for many years doesn’t mean he should keep his job without any reason. Yegor responds by saying that Polikarpych has worked for him for a long time and has earned money for his work. He believes that Polikarpych should have saved some money over the years. Sharov then says that Polikarpych has a family to support, which makes it hard for him to save any money.
Yegor mentions that Polikarpych’s wife also works as a cleaner to help the family. Sharov then says that Polikarpych’s wife doesn’t earn enough money from her cleaning job to support both of them well. He believes that whatever money she makes is not a lot, and it’s not enough for them to live comfortably.
Passage:
“Why should you care about Polikarpych and his wife? To tell you the truth, he’s a very poor servant. Why should you throw your money away on him? He never shovels the snow away on time, or does anything right. And when it comes his turn to be night watchman, he slips away at least ten times a night. It’s too cold for him. You’ll see, some day, because of him, you will have trouble with the police. The quarterly inspector will descend on us, and it won’t be so agreeable for you to be responsible for Polikarpych.”
Word Meanings:
shovel (n): to take up and throw with a shovel (a tool like a spade)
descend (v): to go down or come down something
Explanation: Yegor is saying that Mr. Sharov shouldn’t worry about keeping Polikarpych as a servant. He wonders why Mr. Sharov should care about Polikarpych and his wife. Yegor believes that Polikarpych is not a good worker, so there’s no reason to feel sorry for him. Yegor lists several problems with Polikarpych’s work: he doesn’t clear the snow on time, he doesn’t do his tasks properly, and when it’s his turn to keep watch at night, he often sneaks away because of the extremely cold weather. Yegor warns Mr. Sharov that if he continued to employ Polikarpych, it could lead to trouble with the police. He suggests that eventually, an inspector will come to check on them, and Mr. Sharov will be held responsible for Polikarpych’s poor work.
Passage:
“Still, it’s pretty rough. He’s been with me fifteen years. And to treat him that way in his old age
it would be a sin.”
“A sin! Why, what harm would you be doing him? He won’t starve. He’ll go to the almshouse. It
will be better for him, too, to be quiet in his old age.”
Sharov reflected.
“All right,” he said finally. “Bring your friend here. I’ll see what I can do.”
Word Meanings:
almshouse (n): a privately financed home for the poor
Explanation: Mr. Sharov is considering the idea of letting Polikarpych go, even though he has worked for him for fifteen years. He feels it’s unfair to dismiss him, especially in his old age, because it seems harsh. Yegor argues that Polikarpych won’t starve and could go to a charity home, where he would have a peaceful life. After thinking it over, Mr. Sharov agrees to meet Gerasim, Yegor’s friend, to see if he can help him find work.
Passage:
“Do take him, sir. I’m so sorry for him. He’s a good boy, and he’s been without work for such a
long time. I know he’ll do his work well and serve you faithfully. On account of having to report for military duty, he lost his last position. If it hadn’t been for that, his master would never have let him go.”
Word Meanings:
faithfully (adv): in a loyal way or a way that can be trusted
Explanation: Yegor is asking Mr. Sharov to give Gerasim a job. He feels sorry for Gerasim because he hasn’t been able to find work for a long time. Yegor tells Mr. Sharov that Gerasim is a good young man who will work hard and be a good servant. He explains that Gerasim lost his last job because he had to go back to his village for military duty, and if that hadn’t happened, his old boss wouldn’t have let him go. Yegor wants Mr. Sharov to understand Gerasim’s tough situation and believes that he deserves another chance.
Passage:
The next evening Gerasim came again and asked:
“Well, could you do anything for me?”
“Something, I believe. First let’s have some tea. Then we’ll go to see my master.”
Word Meanings:
tea (n): (a drink made by pouring hot water onto) dried and cut leaves and sometimes flowers, especially the leaves of the tea plant
Explanation: Gerasim visits Yegor again the next evening to see if he has any news about a job. He asks Yegor if he can help him. Yegor thinks he can help but suggests they have some tea first. After having tea, they plan to go talk to Yegor’s boss, Mr. Sharov, about getting Gerasim a job. This shows that Yegor wants to help Gerasim find work and is willing to take steps to do so.
Passage:
Even tea had no allurements for Gerasim. He was eager for a decision; but under the compulsion of politeness to his host, he gulped down two glasses of tea, and then they betook
themselves to Sharov. Sharov asked Gerasim where he had lived before and what work he could do. Then he told him he was prepared to engage him as man of all work, and he should come back the next day ready to take the place. Gerasim was fairly stunned by the great stroke of fortune. So overwhelming was his joy that his legs would scarcely carry him. He went to the coachman’s room, and Yegor said to him:
Word Meanings:
allurement (n): an attractive or fascinating thing
gulp (v): to drink hurriedly or greedily
stun (v): great shock; surprise
scarcely (adverb): almost not
overwhelming (adj.): difficult to fight against
Explanation: Gerasim is really stressed to find out if he got the job with Mr. Sharov. Even though he drinks two glasses of tea at Yegor’s house, he can’t stop thinking about his future. When they finally go to meet Mr. Sharov, he asks Gerasim about where he has lived and what work he could do. After listening to Gerasim, Sharov decides to hire him as a “man of all work,” which means he will do various tasks around the place. He tells Gerasim to come back the next day to start the job. Gerasim was so happy and surprised that he could hardly walk. He rushed back to Yegor’s room to share the good news, feeling very excited about his new opportunity.
Passage:
“Well, my lad, see to it that you do your work right, so that I shan’t have to be ashamed of you.
You know what masters are like. If you go wrong once, they’ll be at you forever after with their fault-finding, and never give you peace.”
Word Meanings:
ashamed (adj.): feeling guilty or embarrassed about something you have done or about a quality in your character
fault-finding (n): to continuously criticize someone or something about small issues
Explanation: Yegor was giving Gerasim advice about his new job. He told Gerasim to make sure he did his work well so that he wouldn’t embarrass himself in front of his new employer, Mr. Sharov. Yegor explains that employers can be very critical and that if Gerasim makes a mistake, they will constantly remind him of it and criticize him. This means he should work hard and pay attention to his duties to avoid any problems and keep his employer happy.
Passage:
“Don’t worry about that, Yegor Danilych.”
“Well, well.”
Gerasim took leave, crossing the yard to go out by the gate.
Word Meanings:
yard (n): a piece of land next to a house, usually used for growing flowers, grass, and other plants
Explanation: Gerasim tells Yegor not to worry about him making mistakes at his new job. He is confident that he will do well. Yegor replies casually, indicating that he trusts Gerasim but is still a bit careful about his excitement. After they finish talking, Gerasim says goodbye and walks through the yard, feeling hopeful about starting his new job.
Passage:
Polikarpych’s room gave on the yard, and a broad beam of light from the window fell across
Gerasim’s way. He was curious as to get a glimpse of his future home, but the panes were all frosted over, and it was impossible to peep through. However, he could hear what the people inside were saying.
Word Meanings:
glimpse (v): to see something or someone for a very short time or only partly
panes (n): a flat piece of glass, used in a window or door
Explanation: Gerasim walks past a room that belongs to Polikarpych and sees a bright light coming from the window. He wants to see what his new home will be like, but the windows are covered with frost, so he can’t look inside. Even though he can’t see, he can hear the people talking inside, which makes him even more curious about his new job and where he will be living.
Passage:
“What will we do now?” was said in a woman’s voice.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” a man, undoubtedly Polikarpych, replied.
“Go begging, I suppose.”
“That’s all we can do. There’s nothing else left,” said the woman.
Word Meanings:
undoubtedly (adverb): used to emphasize that something is true
Explanation: A woman is asking what they will do now, meaning that they are in a difficult situation. A man, who is likely Polikarpych, responds that he doesn’t know what to do. The woman suggests that they might have to go begging for help. Polikarpych agrees, saying that begging is all they can do since they have no other options left. This conversation shows their hopelessness and the struggles they are facing without work.
Passage:
“Oh, we poor people, what a miserable life we lead. We work and work from early morning till
late at night, day after day, and when we get old, then it’s, ‘Away with you!’
Word Meanings:
miserable (adj.): very unhappy
Explanation: The speaker here, most probably the woman, is feeling very sad and upset about being poor. She says they work really hard from early in the morning until late at night, day after day. But when they get old, instead of being cared for, they are pushed away and forgotten. This shows how tough life can be for people who don’t have money, and how little support they get as they grow older.
Passage:
“What can we do? Our master is not one of us. It wouldn’t be worth the while to say much to him
about it. He cares only for his own advantage.”
Word Meanings:
advantage (n): a condition giving a greater chance of success
Explanation: The speaker believes that their master does not understand their struggles or care about them. To them, it seems pointless to talk to him about their problems because he only thinks about what benefits him, not about the workers or their hardships. This shows their sense of hopelessness and frustration with their situation.
Passage:
“All the masters are so mean. They don’t think of any one but themselves. It doesn’t occur to
them that we work for them honestly and faithfully for years, and use up our best strength in their service. They’re afraid to keep us a year longer, even though we’ve got all the strength we need to do their work. If we weren’t strong enough, we’d go of our own accord.”
Word Meanings:
accord (n): consent
Explanation: The speaker is saying that all bosses are selfish and only care about themselves. They don’t realize that workers like them put in a lot of hard work and dedication for many years. Even though they are still strong enough to do their jobs well, the bosses are too afraid to keep them employed for longer. If they weren’t capable of working, they would leave on their own.
Passage:
“The master’s not so much to blame as his coachman. Yegor Danilych wants to get a good
position for his friend.”
Word Meanings:
blame (v): to say or think that someone or something did something wrong or is responsible for something bad happening
Explanation: The speaker believes that the master (Mr. Sharov) isn’t the main problem; instead, it’s the coachman, Yegor Danilych. She thinks Yegor is trying to help his friend (Gerasim) get a job, which might be unfair to the older servant, Polikarpych. She believes Yegor is looking out for himself and his friend rather than considering the impact on Polikarpych, who has been working there for a long time.
Passage:
“Yes, he’s a serpent. He knows how to wag his tongue. You wait, you foul-mouthed beast, I’ll get even with you. I’ll go straight to the master and tell him how the fellow deceives him, how he
steals the hay and fodder. I’ll put it down in writing, and he can convince himself how the fellow lies about us all.”
Word Meanings:
serpent (n): a wicked or treacherous person
deceives (v): to persuade someone that something false is the truth, or to keep the truth hidden from someone for your own advantage
hay (n): grass that is cut and dried and used as animal food
fodder (n): food that is given to cows, horses, and other farm animals
Explanation: The woman is very angry at Yegor, the coachman. She thinks that Yegor is like a “serpent,” meaning he is sneaky and untrustworthy. She believes that Yegor is good at talking and tricking others. She is upset because they feel Yegor is lying about them and want to take revenge. She plans to go to their boss (the master) and tell him how Yegor is dishonest and would tell him that Yegor steals hay and fodder (food for animals). She wants to write this down so the master can see the truth about Yegor’s lies.
Passage:
“Don’t, old woman. Don’t sin.”
“Sin? Isn’t what I said all true? I know to a dot what I’m saying, and I mean to tell it straight out
to the master. He should see with his own eyes. Why not? What can we do now anyhow? Where shall we go? He’s ruined us, ruined us.”
Word Meanings:
know to a dot (phrase): to be sure
Explanation: Polikarpych warns the older woman not to act in a way that might be considered wrong or sinful. The woman responds by insisting that what she said about Yegor is true. She feels very sure about her words and wants to tell their boss (the master) everything that Yegor has done wrong. She believes that the master needs to know the truth so he can see the problems for himself. She feels frustrated and hopeless, asking what they can do now since Yegor has made their lives difficult and ruined their situation. She feels that they have no options left because of the trouble Yegor has caused.
Passage:
The old woman burst out sobbing. Gerasim heard all that, and it stabbed him like a dagger. He
realized what misfortune he would be bringing the old people, and it made him sick at heart. He
stood there a long while, saddened, lost in thought, then he turned and went back into the coachman’s room. “Ah, you forgot something?”
Word Meanings:
sob (v): to cry noisily, take in deep breaths
misfortune (n): bad luck, or an unlucky event
Explanation: The old woman becomes very upset and starts crying. Gerasim, who is listening, feels deeply hurt by her tears. He understands that by taking the job, he might be causing trouble for the old couple, which makes him feel bad and worried. He stands there for a while, feeling sad and thinking about the situation. Eventually, he decides to go back into the coachman’s room, where someone comments that he might have forgotten something.
Passage:
“No, Yegor Danilych.” Gerasim stammered out, “I’ve come, listen, I want to thank you ever
and ever so much for the way you received me and and all the trouble you took for me but I can’t take the place.”
Word Meanings:
stammered (v): to speak or say something with unusual pauses or repeated sounds, either because of speech problems or because of fear or nervousness
Explanation: Gerasim is talking to Yegor Danilych. He thanks Yegor for being kind and helping him get a job. But Gerasim says he can’t take the job after all. He feels bad because he overheard an old couple talking about how they were struggling. Gerasim is worried that taking the job would make things worse for them. He sounds nervous when he tells Yegor he can’t accept the offer, showing that he really cares about the old couple’s situation.
Passage:
“What! What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I don’t want the place. I will look for another one for myself.”
Yegor flew into rage.
Word Meanings:
rage (n): extreme anger
Explanation: Gerasim tells Yegor that he doesn’t want the job that Yegor helped him get. Yegor is shocked and asks what he means. Gerasim replies that he simply doesn’t want the job and plans to find a different one on his own. This makes Yegor very angry because he was expecting Gerasim to accept the job.
Passage:
“Did you mean to make a fool of me, did you, you idiot? You come here so meek ‘Try for me, do
try for me’ and then you refuse to take the place. You rascal, you have disgraced me!”
Word Meanings:
meek (adj.): quiet, gentle, and not willing to argue or express your opinions in a forceful way
Explanation: Yegor is very upset with Gerasim. He feels like Gerasim tricked him or made him look foolish. At first, Gerasim acted nice and asked for help to get the job, but now he refuses to accept it. Yegor calls Gerasim names like “idiot” and “rascal” because he thinks Gerasim has embarrassed him by not accepting the job.
Passage:
Gerasim found nothing to say in reply. He reddened, and lowered his eyes. Yegor turned his
back scornfully and said nothing more.
Word Meanings:
scornful (adv.): disrespectful
Explanation: Gerasim felt ashamed and didn’t know what to say to Yegor, who was angry with him. He turned red and looked down at the ground instead of looking at Yegor. Yegor, annoyed, turned his back to Gerasim and didn’t say anything more.
Passage:
Then Gerasim quietly picked up his cap and left the coachman’s room. He crossed the yard
rapidly, went out by the gate, and hurried off down the street. He felt happy and lighthearted.
Word Meanings:
lighthearted (adj.): amusing and not serious
Explanation: Gerasim quietly took his cap and left the coachman’s room. He quickly walked across the yard, went through the gate, and hurried down the street. Even though he had just refused the job, he felt happy and relaxed.