The Killers by Hemingway

Summary

The story “The Killers” is about the idea that crime does not pay. Criminals try to escape the consequences of their crimes, but they cannot. They have to face them resignedly. Nobody can help them. They are alone and their own.

It is five o’clock. Two men enter a restaurant. Their names are Al and Max. They are killers. They have come to kill Ole Anderson. Ole is a customer. George, Nick, and Sam are members of the staff of the restaurant.

The two men sat at the counter. They order for a heavy dinner. George tells them that it is five O’clock and they can get the heavy dinner at six O’clock. They talk to the members of the staff rudely. They make fun of them and call them bright boys.

After eating his meal, Al takes Nick and Sam to the kitchen. He makes them hostages at the gunpoint. Max sits with George at the counter to handle the situation. Max asks George to tell the customers that the cook is off. Fortunately, Ole does not come. After waiting almost two hours, they leave the restaurant.

After their departure, Nick goes to Ole’s residence to tell him about the killers. However, Ole listens about the killers very casually. He tells him that nothing can be done. He thanks Nick on his coming and telling him about the killers. Nick returns and tells George about Ole. Nick is afraid of and wants to leave the town. George agrees to it.

1. Discuss the start of the story with a special relevance to the two killers.OR What time do the two men enter the restaurant? Tell about their physical appearance and dress. How do they order for food?

It is five O’clock when two men enter the restaurant. It is getting dark and streetlights come on. When they come in, they find George and Nick at the counter. They are talking to each other. Both the men are of the same size. No doubt, their faces are different but they are wearing the same kind of dresses. Because of the same dresses, they look like twins. They are wearing very tight overcoats and gloves.

George asks them what they want to eat but they give a very strange answer. They tell George that they do not know what they want to eat. Then they order for a heavy dinner. George tells them that it is 5 O’clock and they can get the dinner at 6 O’clock. Then they talk about the clock that is 20 minutes fast.

The two men change their order but George again tells them that they will get that at 6 O’clock. They get angry and use harsh words. They change their order for the third time and George agrees to serve them their desired dishes. Then the killers order for some drink. George tells them that he has no bitter drink for them. It appears that the two men are strangers there because they do not know the name of the town. (219)

2. How do the Killers treat the members of the staff of the restaurant?

The two killers treat the members of the staff very rudely. They make fun of them. They make them hostages and threaten to kill them.

Firstly, we see that they talk very rudely and their favourite word is “hell” that they use too often. Max says about the clock, “Oh, to hell with the clock…” This sentence clearly shows their way of speaking. They do not let them talk. They even do not let them to look at them. When they eat and George looks at them, they do not like it. Max says to George, “what are you looking at?” George says, “Nothing.” Max says, “The hell you were.” When George laughs, Max says, “You don’t have to laugh.”

Secondly, they make fun of them. They call them bright boys. Al calls George ‘dumb’ and ‘thinker’. He calls Nick a bright boy too. Max says, “The town’s full of bright boys.”

Thirdly, they make them hostages and threaten to kill them. Max asks Nick to go to the other side of the counter. At this Nick says, “What’s the matter?” Al says, “You better go around, bright boy.” Al threatens George. He says that he will blow his head off. When they are about to leave Al asks Max, “What about the two bright boys and the nigger?” Actually, he wants to kill them, but Max does not agree. They frighten them to death. (235)

3. What was the reaction of Ole Anderson when he heard about the killers who had come to kill him? What were the feelings of Nick Adams after that?

When we read the story “The Killers” carefully, we find that the reaction of Ole was very casual when Nick told him about the Killers. The writer has described his reaction and condition very beautifully.

When Nick told Ole about the killers, he said nothing. Nick told him that the killers wanted to shoot him, but still Ole said nothing. He looked at the wall. His looking at the wall shows his indifference to the serious situation. Nick told him that George had asked him to come to him and tell him about the killers. Ole said, “There isn’t anything I can do about it.”

He also said that he did not want to know what the killers were like. He thanked Nick for his coming and telling him about the killers. He told him that going to the police and running out the town would not do any good.

He knew that the killers would kill him and it was not a bluff. He said to Nick, “There ain’t anything to do now.” He was talking in the same flat voice. When Nick left, he saw Ole lying on the bed and looking at the wall. Therefore, Ole listened to the news very indifferently and casually. He was resigned to his fate. He knew that the killers would kill him and there was no escape. (226)

4. What is the theme of the story “The Killers”?

The theme of the story “The Killers” is that crime does not pay. Criminals try to escape the consequences of their crimes, but they have to face them. Nobody can help them. They are alone and on their own.

Firstly, Ole’s present condition clearly tells us that crime does not pay. Two professional killers are after him and want to kill him. Perhaps he has double-crossed someone who has sent these killers. His crime has put him in a horrible situation. He is alone in his room and lying on his bed. He has lost interest in everything, even in his life. His looking at the wall shows that. 

Secondly, he cannot escape the consequences of his crime. We can guess that these killers have been chasing him for a long time. Ole Anderson has been doing everything to get rid of these killers. Now he has come to know that he will have to face the consequences. That is why, he tells Nick, “I’m through with all that running around.” He thanks Nick for his coming and telling him about the killers. He plainly says, “There ain’t anything to do now.” We find resignation in his actions. He has accepted the fact that the killers will kill him.

Thirdly, we see that nobody can help him. He tells Nick that going to the police and getting out of the town will not do any good. Nick cannot help Ole.

Therefore, the theme of the story is that crime does not pay. A criminal has to face the consequences of his crime after all. (264)

5. Bring about the horror in the story “The Killers” by Ernest Hemingway.

The story “The Killers” is full of elements of horror. When we read the story, we find that the elements of horror are very dominant at four different places in the story.

Firstly, we find horror when the killers make the members of the staff of hostages. Al takes Nick and Sam to the kitchen at the gunpoint. He ties them back-to-back. He gags them with towels. Max stays with George at the counter. Al threatens George indirectly that he would blow his head off. This is a very horrible situation for the people like George, Nick, and Sam. They are frightened to death.

Secondly, when the killers go back, Al asks Max, “What about the two bright boys and the nigger?” Actually, he wants to kill the members of the staff of the restaurant, but Max does not agree. We see that Al is so cruel that he wants to kill three innocent people. It is horrible to kill people without any excuse.

Thirdly, the helpless condition of Ole is very fearful. He looks so much helpless that the reader takes pity on him. He feels that nobody can do anything about it. Ole’s condition is very horrible. He is lying on his bed and is looking at the wall. He is waiting for his death. He knows that he cannot escape the killers by running away and going to the police. He feels that nobody can help him. He is waiting for his death.

Fourthly, the talk between George and Nick also creates horror. Nick is so much afraid that he wants to leave the town. He says, “I’m going out of this town.” At this George says, “That’s good thing to do.” Sam is so afraid that he does not want to listen to anything relating to Ole and the killers. This is really a horrible situation. (310)

6. Bring out the elements of suspense and irony in the story “The Killers.”

The writer has made the story “The Killers” powerful with the help of suspense and irony.

The elements of suspense are found right from the start of the story. The sudden start of the story creates a lot of suspense. The reader wants to know about the two men. He also wants to know why they are being so rude. The way they order the waiter keeps the suspense alive. They make fun of them. They call them bright boys. They particularly make fun of George, call him a thinker, and dumb. They do not let him laugh and look at them. These things add to the suspense of the story.

The suspense reaches the highest point when the killers make the hostages. The reader wants to know why they have done so. However, the suspense is not fully satisfied when he comes to know that they want to kill Ole Anderson. At this point, the reader wants to know why they want to kill Ole Anderson. He is given only a clue that Ole might have double-crossed somebody. He also wants to know whether the killers will be able to kill Ole. We see that he does not get the answer. There was suspense that the armed men might rob money and things and someone might be injured or killed.

Irony in the story is that after committing some crime, Ole thinks that he will escape its consequences. At the end, we find him fully resigned to death. Despite of much suspense and horror, the end of the story is sudden and unexpected. (264)

7. The story “The Killers” reflects some of the darkest aspects of the modern society. Discuss.

No doubt, the story “The Killers” reflects some of the darkest aspects of the modern American society.

When we go through the story, we find that there appears to be no hold of law and order in the modern American society. It is very easy to kill and to make hostage to anyone. Gun is the order of the day. The killers have a gun and they make the members of the staff hostages. They control the situation in the restaurant for more than two hours and there is no police around. People are killing each just to oblige their friends. They do not need any serious excuse.

People are helpless against these killers. They cannot escape the killers even by running away and leaving towns. They cannot get help from the police. In the story, Nick advises Ole to get help from the police, but Ole says, “That wouldn’t do any good,” and “There ain’t anything to do.” This is the darkest aspect of the modern American society.

Even innocent people are helpless against the killers. They cannot get help from the police either. The best they can do is to leave towns.

At the end of the story, we find that everybody is afraid. Sam, the cook, even refuses to listen to anything relating to Ole. Nick says, “They’ll kill him,” and George says, “I guess they will.” These sentences show the situation of law and order in the modern American society.

Therefore, we can conclude that the story, “The Killers” reflects some of the darkest aspects of the modern American society. (264)

8. What kind of understanding does “The Killers” impart to the reader?

The story “The Killers” imparts the understanding to the reader that crime does not pay. Criminals try to escape the consequences of their crimes, but later they have to face them. Nobody can help them. Secondly, it imparts the understanding that there is no hold of law and order in the modern American society.

When the reader goes through the story, he finds Ole Anderson lying on his bed and looking at the wall. Two professional killers are after him and want to kill him. It appears that Ole has done something wrong. The reader can guess that these killers have been chasing him for a long time.

The reader also comes to know that Ole has tried everything to get rid of these killers, but has failed. Ole plainly tells Nick, “There ain’t anything to do now.” He tells him that going to the police and getting out the town will do nothing. When the reader reads this, he understands that criminals cannot escape the consequences of their crimes.

The story imparts another understanding to the reader that the modern American society has some dark aspects. It appears to him that there is no hold of law and order. Innocent peoples are at the mercy of killers. The best they can do is to leave towns.

Therefore, this is the understanding the story, “The Killers” imparts to the reader. (230)

9. “The Killers” is a powerful modern short story. Discuss.

No doubt, “The Killers” is a powerful modern short story. It has all the elements that make a short story powerful. It has a sudden start and unfinished ending. It has a good plot, the best-conceived characters, and a lot of suspense, irony, and satire. Moreover, the writer has not given his personal feelings anywhere in the story.

The abrupt start of the story creates a lot of suspense. The reader wants to know who these men are, why they are being so rude, and why they have come to the restaurant. He also wants to know why the killers have made the members of the staff hostages. The suspense is satisfied when the reader knows that they have come to kill Ole.

At this point, the reader wants to know why they want to kill Ole. The reader is given only a clue that he might double-cross somebody. We do not know whether they will kill Ole. Hence, the suspense remains alive even after the end of the story.

Irony in the story is that after committing some crime, Ole thinks that he will escape its consequences. Satire is on the modern American society. It appears that there is no hold of law and order. Innocent people are at the mercy of killers. The best they can do is to leave town.

Therefore, we can say that “The Killers” is a powerful modern short story. (236)

10. Discuss the attitude and the opinion of other characters of the story, except the two killers, about Ole Anderson. Give your own opinion too.

When we read the story “The Killers” carefully, we find that all other characters of the story except the two killers have very high opinion about Ole. For the members of the staff he is a good, nice, and regular customer. They do not know that he has double-crossed someone. That is why they cannot understand why the two killers are after him and why they want to kill him.

They like him so much that they are ready to risk their own lives to save his. George asks Nick to go to Ole’s residence to tell him about the killers. Actually, he wants to tell Ole about the killers. Nick goes there and offers his help. He advises Ole to get out of the town. This shows that he has very high opinion about Ole.

The same is the case with Mrs. Bell. She thinks that Ole is a very nice man. When she finds that Ole is not well, she advises him to go for a walk to feel better.

I also have a very high opinion about Ole. He is really a nice man. Although he is fully resigned to death, yet he thanks Nick on his coming and telling him about the killers. He may have done something wrong but we are not sure about it. Like other characters of the story, except the two killers, I also like Ole. (234)

CHARACTER SKETCHES

Ole Anderson

In fact, Anderson represented many old men of his time who did not find anything interesting or worth attention in life after their active years. Life and death were now equal to him. In an extreme way, in all the surrounding dullness, boredom, and emptiness, Anderson might have thought of death as an escape like many dissatisfied, disenchanted people who even committed suicide. This is one result of highly industrial societies where active people in business leave lonely persons like Anderson to themselves. Anderson’s life, then, symbolizes some of the darkest aspects of American life or of the advanced Western civilizations. Inner peace and spiritual satisfactions are what religion alone can provide.

He may be a middle-aged fellow. He is a tall man. He has been a heavyweight boxer.

He is a polite fellow, and people like him. Mrs. Bell, the housekeeper, likes him. When George comes to tell him about the killers, he thanks him.

Two killers are after him and want to kill him. He has been running from town to town, but now he is ready to die. He has realized that nobody can help him and he will have to face his death. Nick asks him, “Isn’t there something I could do?” He answers, “No. There ain’t anything to do.” This answer shows his mental condition.

Therefore, we can say that he is a polite and good fellow. He may have done something wrong in Chicago. Now he is ready to face his death. (248)

The New Constitution

Summary

The story “The New Constitution” conveys the idea that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It also tells the reader about the true feelings of the common people of India for the British.

Ustad Mangu is a tongawala and lives in Lahore. He is illiterate. He is in the habit of overhearing his fares. Once he overhears from his fares about the communal violence. He is worried and tells his friends about the reason of this communal violence.

He hates the English because of their arrogance and insulting behavior. Once a gora soldier insults him and Ustad bears the insult silently. In rage, he abuses the English.

Once he overhears about the introduction of the new constitution. He is very happy. He returns to the Tonga stand and tells his companions about the news. After that, he overhears about the changes. He overhears that the Indians would be free. He thought that the new constitution would force the English to go back to England. The Indian would have elected assemblies. They would have equal rights. He waits for the introduction of the new constitution very impatiently.

On 1 April, he gets up early in the morning and comes on road to see the new constitution in force. However, he is disappointed to see no change. He meets a Gora soldier there and picks up a quarrel with him. He beats the Gora soldier. Two police officers lock him up. They tell him that nothing has changed and it is the same old constitution. (254)

1. What were the expectations of Ustad Mangu? Did these expectations come true?

Ustad Mangu was a tongawala. He was illiterate and did not know what the new constitution was. All his expectations were based on what he overheard from his fares. The most striking point is that he believed in all those expectations. He was sure that these expectations would come true.

He expected that a lot would change. The Indians would be free. The new constitution was going to be like boiling hot water, which would destroy the moneylenders. The new constitution would force the English to go back to England and they would not infest the earth anymore. The Russian king was bound to show them his paces. The things were going to open up.

The Indians would have elected assemblies and people would get government jobs. Everyone would be able to lay his hand on something. The number of thousands of unemployed graduates would reduce. The present system of allotting Tonga number plates would change.

He also expected that Indians would have equal rights. Ustad Mangu beat the Gora soldier under this illusion. According to Ustad Mangu now, it was the new constitution and he had the same rights as the Gora soldier had. If he could beat Ustad Mangu, so could Ustad. However, it was surprising for Ustad Mangu that he was locked up.

Therefore, all these were the expectations of Ustad Mangu and none of these came true. (231)

2. What were the feelings of the people of common working class of India for the English?

Write about the feelings of people like Ustad Mangu for the English.

The Indians hated British Imperialism. Discuss.

People like Ustad Mangu hated the British and their imperialistic system. Ustad Mangu was a tongawala and belonged to a lower working class of India. People like him were illiterate. They were unaware of the changes that were being made in India. They hated the British because of their personal insults.   The English used to abuse the Indians as if they were some lower creation of God, even worse than a dog. The English were proud too.

Under the circumstances, the Indians hated the British and their imperialistic system. Even after abusing them for hours, they used to feel enraged. They used to call them lepers, something dead and rotting. They wanted to knock them all out. They were sick of their arrogance. The English were just like human monkeys to them. The English treated the Indians as if the Indians were their father’s slaves.

The people of lower working class felt that the English were ruling India against the will of the Indians. According to Ustad Mangu, “Came to the house to fetch a candle and before you knew, they had taken it over.” For the Indians, the English were usurpers and they did not have any right of ruling India. They wanted them to leave India and set the Indians free. They were so sick of the English that they used to experience near nausea when they met them.

These were the real feelings of the people of common working class of India against the English. (248)

3. Why did Ustad Mangu hate the British?

Ustad Mangu was a tongawala. He lived in Lahore before the establishment of Pakistan. The English were ruling India then. He hated the English because of a personal reason. Once it happened that Ustad Mangu had a quarrel with a drunken Gora soldier. The Gora soldier abused Ustad Mangu. Ustad had to bear the insult silently. This made him depressed for days and he developed feelings of hatred towards the English.

He used to tell his friends that he hated the British because they were ruling Hindustan against the will of the Indians. Besides, they missed no opportunities to commit atrocities. However, the true reason was his personal insult.

This hatred went on increasing because of the treatment of the English. They used to treat him as if he were some lower creature of God, even worse than a dog. They were very proud. They ordered him as if he was their father’s slave.

Therefore, we can conclude that the Gora soldier of the cantonment was responsible for Ustad Mangu’s hatred. This hatred went on increasing. Later it changed into a hatred for the British. (185)

4. What did Ustad Mangu look forward to on 1 April?

What did Ustad Mangu expect on 1 April?

Ustad Mangu looked forward to many things on the first April.

On the first April, he was very happy because he was going to see the coming of the new constitution with his own eyes. He wanted to see colour and light. He expected that everything would change. The shop signs, the lampposts, and even people would change. He wanted to see something colourful and dramatic. He wanted to see the new constitution as clearly as he could see his horse. He wanted to see the new constitution brought out with razzle-dazzle.

His most important expectation was that the Indians would have equal rights. Ustad Mangu beat the Gora soldier under the illusion that he had equal rights after the enforcement of the new constitution.

He also expected that the new constitution was going to be like boiling hot water. It would destroy the moneylenders who sucked the blood of the poor. The new constitution would force the English to go back to England. They would not infest the earth any more. The Russian king would show them his paces. The things were going to open up. The Indians would have elected assemblies. The unemployed graduates would get government jobs. Everyone would be able to lay hands on something. The present system of allotting Tonga number plates would change.

Therefore, Ustad Mangu was looking forward to these changes on 1 April. The most important thing was that he thought that the Indians would be free. They would have equal rights and everything would change. (254)

5. What was Ustad Mangu’s reaction to communal violence between the Hindus and the Muslims?

Ustad Mangu looked disturbed on communal violence between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Actually, Ustad Mangu was not an educated person. He did not know exactly what was going on in India. All his knowledge of things depended on what he overheard from his fares. His fares were just like newspapers to him. The most interesting point is that he believed in all what he overheard. That was why he was looking disturbed after overhearing from his fares about the communal violence.

He sat down with his friends. He took a long drag on the Hookah. He removed his khaki turban and gave his own reason of the communal violence. He believed that the communal violence acts were the result of a holy man’s curse. Then he told the whole story to his friends. According to him, once Akbar Badshah showed disrespect to a saint. That saint cursed him. He said that his Hindustan would always be troubled by riots and disorder.

Therefore, we conclude that Ustad Mangu was worried about communal violence. He believed that they were the result of a holy man’s curse. (185)

6. How was Ustad Mangu disillusioned about “The New Constitution”?

How did Ustad Mangu come to know that he was wrong about the New Constitution?

How was Ustad Mangu disappointed about the New Constitution?

Disillusion means disappointed in somebody or something that one had admired and believed in.

When we go through the story “The New Constitution”, we find that Ustad Mangu had many wrong expectations about the new constitution. He was illiterate and did not know exactly what the new constitution was. All his wrong expectations were based on what he overheard from his fares. The most interesting point is that he believed that all these expectations would come true.

His first wrong expectation was that the Indians would have equal rights. He English would not be able to infest the earth any more. Ustad Mangu beat the Gora soldier under the illusion that he had equal right after the enforcement of the new constitution. The same Gora soldier had abused Ustad Mangu. Ustad Mangu had to bear the insult. However, this time he thought that it was now the new constitution in force and he had the same right as the Gora soldier had. If Gora soldier could beat Ustad Mangu, so could he; but he was disillusioned. He was locked up. He was told that it was the same old constitution.

Therefore, that was how he was disillusioned of his false belief of equal rights. He also had the false belief that everything would change, but he was disillusioned of that too. He came to know that nothing had changed. Even it was the same old constitution. (236)

7. Discuss that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing in the context of the story “The New Constitution”.

When we read the story “The New Constitution” carefully, we conclude that it is a fact that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

At the start of the story, the writer talks about the knowledge of Ustad Mangu very ironically. According to the writer, “He had never seen the inside of a school, and in strictly academic terms was no more than a cipher, but there was nothing under the sun he did not know something about.”

We find that Ustad Mangu had a little knowledge about things. We see that he was in the habit of overhearing his fares. His fares were just like newspapers to him. The most important thing was that he believed in all what he used to overhear from his fares. He was illiterate so he did not know exactly what was going on around him.

Firstly, he believed that communal violence between the Muslims and the Hindus was because of some holy man’s curse. It was just lack of knowledge. Secondly, he believed that every country was ruled over by a king. The new constitution was being introduced because of the Russian king.

Thirdly, he wrongly expected that because of the new constitution everything would change. He would have equal rights after the enforcement of the new constitution. Nevertheless, the new constitution was not just that. Ustad had a little knowledge about that too. Because of this little knowledge, he did a very dangerous thing. He beat the Gora soldier and he was locked up.

Therefore, we can conclude that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (264)

8. What kind of man is Ustad Mangu? Discuss his ideas.

Ustad Mangu is the central character of the story “The New Constitution”. He is a middle-aged person and is illiterate. He is a tongawala. He lives in Lahore. He is in the habit of overhearing his fares. That is why he knows something about everything. He shares these things with his friends.

Ustad has many friends and cuts jokes with them. In normal circumstances, he is a humorous fellow.

Ustad Mangu hates the English. He does not like their arrogance. Once, a Gora soldier abuses him. From that point onward, he also starts abusing them. He remains depressed for hours. He wants to get rid of the English. He wants equal rights. For this reason, he greets the new constitution warmly.

He knows very little about what is going on around him in India. He believes that the communal violence is because of some holy man’s curse. He also believes that a king rules every country. He is interested in communist system.

Therefore, we can say that Mangu is a good character. He is simple. He hates the English and wants India free. He believes that he will get equal rights because of the new constitution. (196)

9. Describe Ustad Mangu’s observations on 1 April.

On 1 April, Ustad Mangu got up early in the morning. He set up his Tonga and took to road. He wanted to see the introduction of the new constitution with his own eyes.

He was disappointed to see that nothing had changed. Everything had the same old and worn-out look. He wanted to see colour and light. However, there was nothing. Even the lampposts looked the same. The shop signs had not changed. People were moving here and there as if nothing new had happened. Then he thought that was no change because it was very early in the morning. Most of the shops were closed.

In front of the Government College, he saw many students. They were nicely dressed but it appeared to him that they were wearing dirty clothes. Ustad Mangu wanted to see something colourful and dramatic. He reached Anarkali but he saw nothing new. He saw shopkeepers busy with their customers as usual. He wanted to see the new constitution as clearly as he could see his horse. He also wanted to see it brought out with razzle-dazzle.

He picked up a fare and started towards the cantonment. He was hopeful that he might learn something about the new constitution there. However, he was disillusioned and did not see anything that could prove that the new constitution had been introduced. (225)

10. Describe the quarrel of Ustad Mangu with the Gora soldier.

Ustad Mangu was a tongawala. He lived in Lahore. The English were ruling India then. The English were very arrogantly and treated the Indians as if they were their father’s slaves. The Indians did not like their attitude.

Once, a Gora soldier abused Ustad Mangu without any excuse. Ustad Mangu bore the insult because he knew that he would not get any justice from an English judge.

On 1 April, he was in the cantonment when he saw the Gora soldier. The Gora soldier asked to take him somewhere. Ustad Mangu recognized him. The same Gora soldier had abused him one year ago. He again talked to Ustad Mangu in the same arrogant manner.

On 1 April, the situation was different for Ustad. He thought that the new constitution was in force and now he had equal rights. Now if the Gora soldier could beat him so could he. Therefore, under the wrong impression he picked up a quarrel with the Gora soldier. Ustad wanted to take a revenge of his previous insult. He demanded five rupees as fare. The Gora soldier could not believe it. He came close to Ustad Mangu. He also recognized Ustad Mangu. He decided to beat Ustad Mangu with his stick.

Ustad Mangu was a strong and well-built man. He started beating the Gora soldier with his powerful blows. He was in rage. The Gora soldier tried to save himself but could not. He could not believe that Ustad Mangu was beating him. In desperation, he began to shout for help. A crowd had gathered.

Two policemen appeared from somewhere. They rescued the Gora soldier from Ustad with great difficulty. Ustad Mangu was very angry and was shouting, “New constitution, new constitution!” but the two policemen told him that it was the same old constitution. He was locked up. (304)

11. What did Ustad Mangu overhear about political changes in India?

What did Ustad Mangu overhear from his fares?

No doubt, Ustad Mangu was illiterate and just a tongawala, but he was greatly interested in political changes in India. He had his own views about everything. He was in the habit of overhearing his fares. The most important was that he believed in what he used to overhear from his fares. They were just like newspapers to him. Sometimes his fares discussed things in English, but even then, he tried to make something out of it.

Once, Ustad Mangu picked up to moneylenders. They started discussion about government of India Act 1935. Ustad Mangu gathered from their discussion that this Act would be introduced on the 1 April and because of this Act, many things would change. The moneylenders were not sure about interest and they wanted to ask a lawyer about it. Ustad was very excited on listening to this discussion. He thought that the Russian king had forced the English to introduce this Act.

After some days, he picked up to barristers. They were arguing about the new constitution. One of them was saying that he could not understand section 2 of the Act. He said that it related to the freedom of India. No such federation existed, so it would be a disaster from a political angle. As their discussion was going on in English, Ustad could not follow it. However, it was his idea that they were against the new constitution. He did not like them.

Three days later, he picked up three students. They were discussing about the new constitution. They said many good things about the Act. They said that because of the Act, things were going to open up. The Indian would have elected assemblies. They would get government jobs. Everybody would be able to get something. Unemployed graduates would get jobs. After that, he heard many things about changes. Some fares talked in favour and some talked against them. (318)

Breakfast by John Steinbeck

Summary

The story “Breakfast” throws light on the fact that the most important thing is contentment. If man has contentment, he can be happy even if he has no house, no permanent job, and no good food to eat.

Once, the writer is going somewhere. On his way, he sees a young woman working outside her tent. The writer is feeling cold and hunger. He goes to the tent. He finds the woman preparing breakfast.

An old man and a young man came out of the tent. They offer the writer to join them for breakfast. The writer agrees. All of them sit on the ground and enjoy a good breakfast. The old man and the young man thank God for that good breakfast. They have been eating good food only for twelve days, but they are happy.

After the breakfast, the young man offers the writer a job, but the writer denies and departs saying thanks for the breakfast. At the end, the writer expresses his feelings.

1. What is the theme of the story “Breakfast”?

The theme of the story “Breakfast” is that if man has contentment, he can be happy even if he has no house, no permanent job, and no good food for long.

The writer relates his personal experience to prove that things do not bring happiness. It is our attitude towards life and God that ensures it. Once, the writer met a family. This family was living in a tent just like gypsies who do not have any permanent job or house. These gypsies are always on the move. They pitch up their tent where they find work.

This family was just like them. This family did not have a grand house. They were poor. When they sat to eat, they used a packing box as a table. They sat on the ground to eat because they do not have any chairs, but they were happy. They did not have any complaint or anger against any person or agency because of their poverty. They were happy with the little living they had.

They had been eating good food just for twelve days, but they were grateful to God. The older man said while eating, “God Almighty, it’s good.” Contentment and gratefulness to God was their wealth. After working for twelve days, they were able to get good clothes. They were happy. It was very easy for them to become happy on little favours from God. They did not need much to be happy.

Therefore, the story presents the theme that we are at wrong when we think that things bring happiness. The writer has proved that money is not wealth, but contentment is. (272)

2. Elaborate the last remark in the story “Breakfast”.

What were the reasons that it was pleasant and there was some element of beauty in it?

In his last remarks, the writer has talked about the theme of the story very beautifully. He has not tried to draw the theme for the reader. He has just given the hint that there is some element of beauty in the story.

The writer has narrated a very short and common event. This event does not have any thrill, surprise of suspense in it. However, something has made this event pleasant. There is some element of great beauty. A long time has passed but this element of beauty still fills his heart with pleasure whenever he thinks of it.

When we go through the story, we find that the element of great beauty was contentment of those people. Besides, they were simple, and were thankful to God on what they had. We see that the family presented by the writer lived in a tent just like gypsies. This family did not have any permanent house or job. The two men pitched up their work where they found work.

They were so much poor that when they sat to eat, they used a packing box as a table. They sat on the ground to eat because they did not have any chairs, but they were happy. They had been eating food just for twelve days, but they were grateful to God. The older man said while eating, “God Almighty, it’s good.” The family did not need much to be happy. This was the element of beauty in the story, which the writer has mentioned in the last lines of the story. (261)

3. Read the story “Breakfast” carefully and describe the experience and feelings of the writer about the family of cotton pickers.

Describe in your own words the writer’s chance meeting with the family of cotton pickers.

The writer had an experience of meeting with the family of cotton pickers. That experience had an everlasting impact on the writer.

One day, the writer was walking down a country road. He was feeling cold. He saw a grey tent at a distance. A woman was preparing breakfast nearby. The writer approached the tent. After some time two men came out of the tent. One was young while the other was old. They said good morning to the writer. The young man said “Keerist” when he smelt the hot bread.

They offered the writer to join in the breakfast. The writer accepted the offer. They all sat down on the ground and ate to their fill. The young and the old man both were happy at their new dungarees. The old man thanked God. When the writer thanked the cotton picker for the breakfast, he waved his hand in a negative. The young man offered the writer to join in their work, but the writer told them that he had to go along.

The writer expressed his feelings at the start and at the end of the story. According to the writer, this short event still brings curious warm pleasure. He indirectly refers to his pleasant feeling on the simplicity and contentment of cotton pickers. He was impressed by their thankfulness to God. (225)

4. “Breakfast” is a criticism on the materialistic modern age particularly on city people. Discuss.

No doubt, the story “Breakfast” is a criticism on the materialistic modern age, particularly on city people.

In this story, the writer has indirectly criticized the people who think that only things can bring happiness. The writer relates his own personal experience to prove that things do not bring happiness. It is our attitude towards god and life that ensures it.

Once, the writer met a family. The family was living in a tent just like gypsies who do not have any permanent house or job. These gypsies are always on the move. They pitch up their tent where they find work. This family was just like them. They did not have a grand house. They were poor. When they sat to eat, they used a packing box as a table. They sat on the ground to eat because they did not have any chairs, but they were happy.

They did not have any complaint or anger against any person or agency because of their poverty. They were happy with the little living they had. They had been eating good food just for twelve days, but they were grateful to God. The older man said while eating, “God Almighty, it’s good.” Contentment and gratefulness to God was their wealth. They were able to buy new clothes, after working for twelve days. It was very easy to them to become happy on little favours from God. They did not need much to be happy.

Therefore, the story is a criticism on the materialistic modern age, particularly on city people who think that things bring happiness. (264)

5. Write a note on the atmosphere and setting of the story.

The setting of a story means time, place, and social circumstances in which its action occurs. When we read the story, we find that the time of the story is present. The writer wants to promote the idea that things do not bring happiness. Nevertheless, it is our attitude towards God and life that ensures it.

The place of the action of the story is a hilly area or a village. The family of cotton pickers is living in a tent just like gypsies. They pitch up their tent where they find work. When they sit to eat, they use a packing box as a table. They sit on the ground because they do not have any chair. They have been eating good food just for twelve days. However, they were happy and have contentment and gratefulness to God.

In this story, the writer presents the social circumstances of a poor family. He presents their poverty by describing the things like the tent, the rusty stove, packing box, the humble food and the cotton skirt of the woman. The action of the story takes place outside the tent where the family meets the writer. They have their breakfast there. (199)

6. What did the younger man offer the writer in the story? What effect did this offer has on his mind?

Discuss the attitude of cotton pickers with the writer.

Why does the writer decline the offer of a job but could never forget these people?

After having breakfast, the younger man offered the writer to join in their work of cotton picking, but the writer rejected the offer. However, he thanked for the breakfast.

The writer expressed his feelings at the start and at the end of the story. At the start of the story, the writer says that the remembrance of the offer of work and the attitude of the cotton pickers fill him with pleasure. He can remember these in the smallest detail. This memory is so good that he finds himself recalling it repeatedly. Each time he remembers something new. He gets curious warm pleasure.

At the end, he thinks that there was a great element of beauty. That element of great beauty makes him happy whenever he thinks about it.

Therefore, we see that the offer of work and the attitude of the family of cotton pickers had a very good effect on the writer. He still remembers it and it appears that he will always remember it. Whenever he remembers it, he gets happiness.

He is impressed by the simplicity, contentment, and the sincerity of the cotton pickers. They had only twelve days of work; still they offer the writer to join in. They were very kind with the writer. Although the writer was a complete stranger to them, yet they received him very kindly. They exchanged greeting with the writer and received him with a smile. They were very poor but they offered the writer to join in the breakfast. (251)

7. Write a note on the characters of the story “Breakfast”.

Characters are the persons presented in a story. A character may remain unchanged in his outlook from beginning to end or he may change. If a character remains unchanged, it is called a flat or type character and if it changes it is called a round character.

When we read the story “Breakfast” carefully, we find that the characters presented in the story are flat. They remain unchanged from the beginning to the end. There are five characters in the story. The members of the family of cotton pickers represent village people. The fifth one is the writer himself. He takes the role of a narrator. He receives the favours of the family of cotton pickers.

The first quality of the cotton pickers is that they are kind and good-hearted people. Their circumstances do not allow them to offer a stranger to join in the breakfast. They are very poor and they have been eating good food just for twelve days. They have seen and tasted good food after a long time. It is very difficult to offer somebody else. However, they are not just ordinary people. They are symbols of good qualities. The writer has presented them to prove that a person can be kind even to a stranger if he wants to. It is not difficult at all.

Their second quality is their contentment. They are contented people. They are so poor that they live in a tent just like gypsies. When they sit to eat, they use a packing box because they do not have any table. They sit on the ground to eat because they do not have any chair. However, they are happy and smile when they look at each other.

Their third quality is their gratefulness to God. In spite of all their poverty, they are happy and grateful to God on his favours.  Their gratefulness to God is very touching and impresses the writer very much.

In the present circumstances, it is very difficult to find such people. However according to the writer there are such people in the world. One may come across them on one’s way. (355)   

8. The story “Breakfast” is a symbolic story. Discuss.

The story “Breakfast” has an allegorical interpretation. Discuss.

The qualities are personified in the story “Breakfast”

No doubt, the story “Breakfast” is a symbolic story and it has an allegorical interpretation. In this story, the good qualities of contentment and gratefulness to God have been personified as persons. The writer has presented a family of cotton pickers. The writer has not told the names of the characters because they are type characters. They are symbol of contented and grateful village people.

Firstly, they are symbol of kindness and good-heartedness. Their circumstances do not allow them to offer a stranger to join in breakfast. They are very poor and eating good food only for twelve days. They have seen and tasted good food after a long time. It is very difficult to offer someone else. However, they are not just ordinary people. They are the symbol of good qualities. The writer has presented them to prove that a person can be kind even to a stranger if he wants to.

Secondly, they are the symbol of contentment. They are contented people. They are so poor that they live in a tent just like gypsies. They pitch up their tent where they find work. When they sit to eat, they use a packing box because they do not have any chair. However, they are happy and smile when they look at each other.

Thirdly, they are symbol of gratefulness to God. In spite of all their poverty, they are happy and grateful to God on His favours. Their gratefulness to God is very touching and impresses the writer very much.

In the present circumstances, it is very difficult to find such people. However, according to the writer, there are such people in the world. One may find them on one’s way. Such people are really symbol of good qualities. (291)