Click Here for Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs) - The Lament by Anton
Chekhov - Class 11 - Woven Words - Elective English
Table of Content
Summary of 'The Lament' by Anton Chekov
"The Lament" by Anton Chekhov is a story about Iona Potapov, an old cab
driver, who is grieving the death of his son. The story takes place on a
snowy evening as Iona tries to share his sorrow with the people he meets
during his workday, but no one listens or shows empathy. He first attempts
to talk to an officer, then some rude young men, and later a fellow cab
driver, but each person is too busy or uninterested to engage with him.
Feeling ignored and isolated, Iona finally turns to his horse, telling it
about his son’s death. The horse becomes his only companion, silently
sharing his grief. This highlights the deep loneliness of Iona, whose
overwhelming sorrow is unnoticed by the people around him.
The story emphasizes themes of isolation, the human need for connection,
and the indifference of society towards individual suffering.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
-
Comment on the indifference that meets Iona's attempts to share his
grief with his fellow human beings?
ANSWER:
Iona the main character in the story is a poor cab driver, who has lost
his son and is mourning his death. As a human being he wants to share
his grief to his fellow human beings but non of them pay any attention
to it.
In the story he first tried to talk to the officer who hired him to go
to Viborg Way. The officer is in hurry to reach his destination and
doesn't pay any attention when Iona says "My son Barin, died this
week".
After the officer, the three young men hired his cab to go to Police
Bridge. These young men not only cursed Iona but also made fun of him.
They also expressed the least concern when Iona told them about the
death of his son and jokingly said "We must all die". The three young
men are busy arguing with each other and show no sympathy towards
Iona.
Next, Iona tries to talk to a Hall Porter but the hall porter orders him
to "move on".
Finally he tries to tell his grief to a half a sleep cab driver at the
tavern but this fellow is just interested in drinking some water and
falls a sleep soon after without paying any attention to Iona's request
to listen to his grief.
-
What impression of the character of Iona do you get from this story?
ANSWER:
When the story opens we find that the cab driver, Iona Potapov, is quite
white and looks like a phantom. He is bent doubled literally as well as
metaphorically because he is grieving the death of his son.
He is a poor man, who is struggling to earn his livelihood as a cab
driver. He is married, with two children, Kuzma the son and Anissia the
daughter.
He is a normal human being and throughout the story he is searching for
an emotional outlet to unburden his grief. He is having a very positive
and simplistic approach towards life. He does not react violently to the
disrespect and curses that his passengers hurl at him.
-
How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?
ANSWER:
The horse serves as a true friend and companion to Iona. When Iona gets
no one to share his grief, the horse comes to his rescue. It not only
listens to him but appears to lament the death of Kuzma Ionitch along
with Iona.
When Iona realized that no body was listening to him and that he had no
body to go to to grieve at his loss, he turned to his horse. He tried to
talk to his passengers, the officers, the drunkards and the young
cabdriver, about his son; how he fell ill, what did he say before he
died. It was about to be a week since the mishap and the Cabby had had
no body to talk to so far. Finally, he decided to go to look after his
horse. It was unbearably painful to him to picture his son when he was
alone. So he tried to keep himself occupied. He offered hay to the
little horse as that was all he could as he had no corn as he did not
earn much for he had lost his young son, he explained it to the horse.
Iona's feelings were too much for him. The driver goes on explaining the
whole story of his son to the horse, while the horse listened patiently
and breathed over his master's hand like a true mate.
This way the horse acts as a true friend and companion to Iona.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
-
Empathy and understanding are going out of modern society. The
individual experiences intense alienation from the society around him or
her.
ANSWER:
We have entered an era that feeds on globalization. A world that is
driven by fast technology. The age old emotions and sentiments are all
bygone. There is little time for empathy and understanding. An ordinary
human's lifestyle has evolved, changing the ethics of our society.
People are busy and work is immense and the pressure that a human
undergoes leaves no time for her/him to ponder or wonder. A state that
makes a human mechanical and lacking in sensibility, which is overtaken
by practicality. The concept of society has altered. The individual is
alienated from the society. Human does contribute to the society but not
with cultural values but only by technological advancement. The sharing
and dependence have evaporated from our culture and we have restricted
our zone by not giving way to feelings of joy, sorrow, fear or love any
way. Humans have resigned from such emotions and are resolute not to
give in to them.
-
Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole
saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to share with
others.
ANSWER:
Like Iona, every human has a portion of his/her heart unexplored. They
guard it stealing it from everyone and yet they long for it to be
uncovered; sharing it all with a companion, a friend, a mate. A human,
like a diamond has many facets. The face people wear in public is just
one of those facets. There is a child inside everyone, a male in every
female and a female in every male, unknown, hidden. They keep them
locked inside and yet crave to share it with someone. This world of
today, where we all are much wiser and practical and much more busy, get
little time to spend and share the inner self of ours with someone. The
true face behind us all is shielded carefully and it longs to be known,
understood. We all hold our souls back yet we wish to share our dark
secrets with someone. Our sufferings, our joys, our desires, our hidden
self. And in this modern world, few find that true mate with whom they
can share their personal joys and sufferings, which they keep locked
away in their hearts.
APPRECIATION
-
The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve
as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?
ANSWER:
The story of Iona Potapov is one of suffering. The setting described in
the beginning sets the mood of the reader, the atmosphere is full of
gloom and darkness as it is a day covered with snow. The author has
tried to evoke melancholy in the reader's heart through the environment
he describes so that the reader is set in tune with the mood of the
protagonist. The author describes the positions and appearance of Iona.
He appears like a phantom who is lost as if he is not interested in the
world any more, unaware of his surroundings and the snow that covered
his eyelashes and even on his horse's back. This all sets the mood
perfectly for a story that is to uncover the protagonist's loss at which
he laments.
-
Comment on the graphic detail with which the various passengers who
took Iona's cab are described.
ANSWER:
The author described the passengers that took Iona's cab defining their
character sketch. The first one was the officer. It gives an image of
the impatience that the police personnel have. These characters portray
the society we live in. How a drunkard might react to someone's grief
and how a police officer would be unconcerned about someone's loss. Even
the boy in the stable did not pay any heed to Iona's story. No body in
the busy world had the time to stop and hear to what the poor old cab
driver had to say.
-
This short story revolves around a single important event. Discuss how
the narrative is woven around this central fact.
ANSWER:
The story has a simple plot and revolves around it. Iona Potapov, an
ageing man, a poor Russian cab driver lost his dear son earlier week. A
load that he carries, weighing his heart, Iona wishes to speak and share
his grief desperately with someone. Thus, on finding no companion or
friend to mourn over his grief he tries to share it with every one he
comes across. He tries to share it with the passengers that board his
sledge only to find how disinterested everyone is in his story. His
agony grows and he is thrown into despair. All the while there is one
thing that remains constant in the story, the loss Iona suffers and his
attempt to overcome it. So, overwhelmed is the old father that he
finally decides to go on and talk his heart out to his horse. The horse
proves to be a true companion and listens to Iona's story patiently
while munching hay.
-
The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the
significance of this to the plot of the story.
ANSWER:
The story is a satire on how disengaged humans are that one has to find
a true companion in an animal. Iona from the beginning of the story is
portrayed with his horse. In the beginning, while Iona is struck with
his loss and is melancholic, he and his horse stood unmoved. It appeared
that they both shared similar grief. Both seemed unaware of their
surroundings and of the heavy snow, the horse for being a slave animal
and Iona due to his grief. The story narrates how Iona lashes his
frustration by brandishing the horse unnecessarily, yet the horse is
faithful to his master. Even by the end of the story, Iona is left
unheard and his heavy heart knows no one to release his burden to. He
finds solace in the company of his horse again. He goes up to him and
gives him hay to munch. While he goes on speaking to the silent animal
explaining how he lost his young son. He grieved, now that he is old and
poor, to make things worse, he will be having trouble earning. The
animal, not sure if understood what his master said, remained silent and
heard it all peacefully proving its faithfulness to his master.
LANGUAGE WORK:
3. Explain the associations that the colour 'white' has in the story.
ANSWER:
White is the colour of light. However, the irony in the story The Lament is
that it reflects the gloom portrayed in the story. In the beginning to show
the melancholy of Iona Potapov, the narrator says that he is so white that
he looks like a phantom. His horse also appears quiet white. Actually white
is the colour of snow. And snow reflects despondency and lethargy of the
season of winter and how the whole environment and atmosphere appears to be
thrown into utter despair. The evening is setting in and everything seems so
white and withered. The street lamps' light is also white, replacing the
brighter rays. The whole setting, while laying stress on the white
surroundings, project the solitude of the poor cab driver.
-
Explore the symbolism used in "The Lament" and its significance.
Literal Understanding:
-
What is the setting of the story, and how does it contribute to
the mood?
The story is set in a cold, snowy evening in a busy city. The harsh
weather and snow create a gloomy, isolating atmosphere, reflecting
Iona’s deep sorrow and loneliness.
-
Why does Iona Potapov feel the need to talk about his son’s death
to strangers?
Iona is overwhelmed with grief after losing his son. He desperately
wants to share his sorrow, hoping to find comfort, but has no one
close to talk to.
-
Describe the passengers that Iona picks up during the story. How
do they treat him?
Iona’s passengers, including an officer and three young men, treat
him rudely and with indifference. They are preoccupied with their
own lives and don’t care about his grief.
-
How does Iona try to communicate with others throughout the
story?
Iona repeatedly attempts to share his son’s death with various
passengers, but none of them listen or show interest, leaving him
feeling more isolated.
Inference and Interpretation:
-
Why do you think Iona chooses to confide in his horse at the end
of the story?
Iona turns to his horse because it is the only "listener" available.
Unlike people, the horse stays with him, offering silent
companionship and understanding.
-
What do the reactions of Iona’s passengers reveal about the
society he lives in?
The passengers’ reactions show a society that is indifferent,
self-centered, and lacks empathy, especially towards the suffering
of those like Iona.
-
What can we infer about Iona’s life from his interactions with
others?
Iona’s life seems lonely and difficult. His son’s death has left him
without support, and he struggles to find someone to connect with in
a busy, uncaring world.
-
How does the repeated imagery of snow and cold contribute to the
theme of isolation?
The snow and cold symbolize Iona’s emotional isolation. Just as the
snow covers everything, his grief overwhelms him, and the cold
reflects the indifference of those around him.
Character Analysis:
-
How does Chekhov portray Iona's grief?
Chekhov shows Iona’s grief as deep and unrelenting. Iona is
desperate to express it but finds no one willing to listen,
intensifying his sense of loneliness.
-
Compare and contrast Iona’s relationship with his passengers
versus his horse.
Iona’s passengers are dismissive and rude, while his horse provides
silent comfort. The horse symbolizes loyalty and companionship,
while the passengers reflect societal indifference.
-
What does Iona’s persistence in trying to share his grief suggest
about human nature?
Iona’s persistence shows that humans need connection and emotional
support. Even in despair, we seek someone to listen and understand
our pain.
Thematic Exploration:
-
How does Chekhov explore the theme of loneliness in the
story?
Chekhov illustrates loneliness through Iona’s isolation and the
indifference of the people around him. Despite his efforts to
communicate, Iona remains alone in his grief.
-
Discuss the significance of communication in the story.
Iona’s inability to communicate his grief reflects the breakdown of
human empathy and connection. His struggle to be heard highlights
how society fails to support those in need.
-
How does the title "The Lament" reflect the central theme of the
story?
"The Lament" refers to Iona’s deep sorrow and his failed attempts to
express it. The title captures the emotional weight of his unshared
grief.
Critical Thinking:
-
What does the story say about the nature of grief and how it is
perceived by others?
The story shows that grief can be deeply personal and isolating, and
it is often overlooked or ignored by others who are too focused on
their own concerns.
-
Do you think Iona’s isolation is self-imposed, or is it a result
of society’s indifference?
Iona’s isolation is largely due to society’s indifference. He tries
multiple times to share his sorrow, but people’s lack of empathy
pushes him into deeper loneliness.
-
How might the story be different if Iona had found someone
willing to listen to him?
If someone had listened to Iona, he might have felt a sense of
relief and connection. The story would convey hope and empathy
instead of isolation and despair.
