Class 11 English Lesson 3: Reference to the context

 

Reference to the context (page 214)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80h3D7twPrw 

a.   "Well, old man," repeated the Governor, "tell me the truth: who has been digging under the wall?"

             i.            Who is that old man?

That old man is Aksionov, who has spent twenty-six years in prison.

           ii.          Which truth is the speaker asking about?

The speaker is asking about the truth of a person who has been digging under the wall of the prison.

        iii.         Which wall does the speaker mean?

The speaker means the wall of the prison where Aksionov was kept.

b.     Describe Aksionov's character.

Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov was a young, wealthy merchant of Vladimir in Russia. He had two shops and a house. He was a handsome man with fair curly hair. He was full of fun, especially very fond of singing. He used to drink much before his marriage, but later he made himself a good man with a good family. He had the virtues of faith, forgiveness, freedom, and acceptance. He was accused of murdering a fellow merchant and robbing him. So, he spent twenty-six years in a Serbian prison waiting for God’s judgement. He was mentally very strong because he endured many unfortunate events in his life, such as losing his family, his business. He devoted himself to God during the difficult situation of his life, but that situation changed his life, and he died in prison at last.

c.      What is the theme of the story?

There are many themes in the story, such as guilt, forgiveness, faith, conflict, freedom, and acceptance. Among these themes, forgiveness is one of the greatest themes because we find forgiveness of Aksionov for Makar Semyonich. Although Aksionov has spent twenty-six years in prison for a crime he did not commit, he forgives Makar, who has committed the crime. Hence, the story shows that the best form of revenge is forgiveness.

d.     Which symbols are used in the story, and what do they indicate?

There are many symbols used in the story. They are the house and shops, nightmare (grey hair), the prison, book (The Lives of the Saints). Aksionov’s house and his shops symbolize the earthly material possessions that do not remain forever. On the other hand, the terrible dream of Aksionov’s wife symbolizes the terrible fate of Aksionov. The story presents the bad results of the nightmare because the grey hair of her dream turns out to be real in Aksionov’s life. Similarly, the prison itself is a symbol of Aksionov’s sufferings. The book ‘The Lives of the Saints’ symbolizes the religious transformation of Aksionov. Because of this book, he devotes his life to God and keeps hope till the end of his life. 

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