The Beggar

1.0About The Author

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian playwright and short story writer who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short fiction in history. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics.

2.0Central Idea

The story is based on the theme of transformation of a depraved alcoholic through kindness, compassion and selflessness. Another theme that runs through the story is gratitude. Lushkoff had become weak because of alcoholism and was no longer able to work. He resorted to telling lies and begging in order to survive.

3.0Plight Of A Beggar

The Beggar is the story of a poor alcoholic beggar named Lushkoff who used to beg on roads as he was unable to find work. He resorted to begging in order to survive. One day, he met Sergei, a wealthy advocate and asked him for some work. He was wearing a ragged, tanned, tattered overcoat and had dull drunken eyes with a red spot on either cheek. He claimed that he had been a school teacher in a village earlier and lost his job due to a conspiracy against him. So, he started begging to feed himself and survive.

Sergei immediately recalled that he had seen the beggar on another street, the other day. At that time, he had said that he was a student who had been expelled. The lawyer was filled with disgust and threatened to hand over the beggar to the police for cheating people by telling lies. Hearing this, Lushkoff broke down and admitted that he was lying to people so that they would take pity on him for his condition. He confessed that he used to sing in a Russian choir and was fired for his drinking habit. Hence, he requested Sergei to give him some work so that he could make a living for himself.

Sergei asked him if he could chop wood for him at his house. Lushkoff instantly agreed and Sergei hastened and called out his cook.

Olga took the poor man into the wood-shed and let him chop wood. Olga did so as she looked at Lushkoff with contempt. Although he had become very weak due to his drunkenness, he tried chopping wood as instructed.

4.0The Reformation Of A Beggar

When Sergei looked at him, he felt sorry and ashamed of himself for making the sick man do menial labour in such a cold weather. An hour later, Olga informed that the wood had all been chopped. Sergei ordered her to give Lushkoff half a rouble for his work. Eventually, he would come once in a month to do the work and leave after receiving his wage.

Soon, Sergei moved to a new house and employed Lushkoff who was now a sober and courteous fellow, for packing and hauling the furniture. Although he used to shiver in the cold, he did his work properly. Seeing his dedication, Sergei offered him a cleaner employment and asked if he could write. Lushkoff replied in the affirmative and Sergei gave a letter to be sent to a friend where he would need to do some copy work. Sergei reminds him to work hard, be sober and remember his words. Sergei is happy at having set Lushkoff on the right path. Lushkoff takes the letter, but he never returned to Sergei's place.

5.0A Reformed Man

Two years passed and one evening Sergei saw Lushkoff at the ticket counter of a theatre paying for his seat. He was well-groomed and looked sophisticated. Sergei was astonished seeing his transformation and asked about him. Lushkoff replied that he was working as a notary and was paid thirty-five roubles every month. Sergei was happy that he could help Lushkoff become a responsible human being and felt good for showing him the right path.

Lushkoff thanked Sergei for his kindness and helping him when he was a mere beggar. Besides, he mentioned that he was more grateful to Olga for her compassionate nature. He revealed that she was the one who used to chop the wood that was assigned to him. Being a kind-hearted lady, she would give away the money to him for the wood-chopping task done by her.

Although she would often chide him, she would also weep at his poor condition. She had advised him to give up his alcoholism and was responsible for helping him to mend his ways. Owing to her kind words and noble deeds, Lushkoff had a change of heart. He stopped drinking completely and started working hard to earn his livelihood. She set a right example before him and he said that he would always remain indebted to her for her kindness and cooperation.

6.0Recall

• Advocate Sergei once met a beggar. He was wearing a tattered coat and looked pale, sunken and drunk.
• The beggar tells him that he has been offered a job in Kaluga province but he is short of money.
• The advocate recognised him that he was the one who was telling himself a student the day before yesterday.
• The advocate lawyer scolds him for his bad habits and advises him to find some work for himself.
• Later, the beggar agrees to work for him and chop wood at his house.
• Sergei tells his cook Olga to take the beggar in the wood shed and show him the work.
• The work is done and the beggar was given half a rouble.
• From then onward the beggar would visit the lawyer frequently and do all other odd jobs.
• The lawyer was impressed, the way, the beggar had worked for him.
• The lawyer asked him to go to one of his colleague.
• After two years the lawyer met Lushkoff.
• Sergei was happy because he had put a man on the right path, who earns five copecks daily.
• Lushkoff thanked Sergei for what he had done for him. He also told Sergei that because of Olga's actions, there was a change in his heart. He was unable to forget Olga.