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Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 1 The Suitor and Papa
-Anton Chekhov
About the Author:
Anton Chekhov was born on 29 January 1860 in Taganrog, Russia. He was a famous short story writer and dramatist. His early life was difficult, and he supported his family by writing while studying medicine. He became a doctor but continued writing and gained great success for his simple and realistic style. His stories often show human weaknesses with gentle humour. Some of his well-known plays include The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull. Chekhov died of tuberculosis on 15 July 1904 in Germany. He is remembered as one of the greatest writers in world literature.
Word Notes:
Stag Party: A celebration for a man before his wedding
Suitor: A man who wishes to marry a woman
Rumour: News or information that may not be true
Conviction: A strong belief or opinion
Hereditary: Passed from parents to children
Vice: A bad habit
Drinking bouts: Occasions of excessive drinking
Embezzlement: Stealing money entrusted to someone
Forgery: Making false documents or signatures
Convict: A person found guilty of a crime
Runaway convict: A criminal who has escaped from prison
Insanity: The state of being mentally unsound
Certificate: An official document as proof
Desperate: Willing to do anything due to worry or need
Burden: A heavy duty or responsibility
Excuse: A reason given to avoid something
Dismiss: To refuse to accept or consider
Confession: Admitting a fault or crime
Fugitive: A person running away from the law
Sensible: Showing good sense
Stubborn: Not willing to change one’s mind
Pretend: To act as something not true
Suitable: Right or proper for a purpose
Overlook: To ignore or not notice
Practical: Dealing with real situations in a sensible way
Self-centred: Thinking only about oneself
Summary of ‘The Suitor and Papa’
The story presents a humorous yet sharp portrayal of marriage negotiations in a middle-class Russian household. It revolves around a young suitor who comes to ask for the hand of a girl, but instead of a romantic or sincere proposal, the discussion turns into a series of awkward, self-serving, and materialistic exchanges with the girl’s father.
The father, often referred to as “Papa,” is not concerned with the emotional compatibility of the couple. Rather, he focuses on the financial and social advantages that the marriage may bring. He interrogates the suitor about his income, status, and prospects, treating the proposal like a business deal. The suitor, on the other hand, tries to present himself in the best possible light, often exaggerating or carefully shaping his responses to gain approval.
Chekhov uses irony and satire to expose the superficial nature of such arranged marriages. The conversation between the suitor and Papa lacks warmth or genuine human feeling. Instead, it is filled with calculation, pretension, and a subtle sense of competition. The girl herself remains mostly in the background, symbolizing how her personal wishes are ignored in the process.
The story highlights the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness of society, where marriage is reduced to a transaction. Chekhov’s simple style and realistic dialogue make the situation both amusing and thought-provoking. Beneath the humor lies a critique of social conventions that prioritize wealth and status over love and understanding.
In conclusion, The Suitor and Papa is not just a comic sketch but a reflection on human behavior and societal values. It reveals how traditional practices can strip relationships of sincerity, turning them into negotiations driven by self-interest rather than genuine affection. 0 0 0
Comprehension (Textual Questions with Answers)
I. Answer these Questions in One or Two Words
Q1. Who is the suitor in the story?
Ans: Pyotr Petrovitch Milkin is the suitor in the story.
Q1. Who is the suitor in the story?
Ans: Pyotr Petrovitch Milkin is the suitor in the story.
Q2. Who asked for a stag party?
Ans: Milkin’s friend asked for a stag party.
Q3. How many daughters did Kondrashkin have?
Ans: Kondrashkin had seven daughters.
Q4. What ‘hereditary vice’ did Pyotr refer to as an excuse to avoid getting married?
Ans: Pyotr used his habit of drinking, calling it a “hereditary vice,” as an excuse to avoid marriage.
Q5. For which crime did Pyotr say that he was on trial?
Ans: Pyotr said that he was on trial for embezzlement.
Q6. What ‘horrible secret’ did Pyotr contrive to get rid of the Kondrashkin family?
Ans: The “horrible secret” he made up was that he was a runaway convict.
Q7. Why did Pyotr meet his friend Dr Fituyev?
Ans: Pyotr met his friend Dr Fituyev to get a fake certificate declaring him mentally insane.
II. Answer these questions in a few words each.
Q1. Why did Pyotr’s friends ask for a stag party?
Ans: Pyotr’s friends asked for a stag party because they had heard that he was going to be married.
Q2. How did Kondrashkin counter Pyotr’s argument that his convictions and views were different from those of Nastya?
Ans: Kondrashkin said that it is not necessary for a husband and wife to have the same views, as understanding grows with time, like a rough road becoming smooth with use.
Q3. Why did Pyotr say that he was unworthy of Nastya? How did Kondrashkin react to it?
Ans: Pyotr said he was unworthy because he felt he was not good enough, but Kondrashkin replied that he was a suitable and deserving match.
Q4. How did Kondrashkin dismiss Pyotr’s claim that he was guilty of taking bribes?
Ans: Kondrashkin dismissed it by saying that such things are common and not serious.
Q5. Why did Kondrashkin fear that Pyotr might be sent to Siberia?
Ans: He feared this because Pyotr said he was on trial for embezzling a large amount of money, which could lead to exile.
Q6. Why did Kondrashkin call Pyotr dishonest?
Ans: He called him dishonest because Pyotr kept making excuses instead of honestly refusing the marriage.
Q7. Why did Dr Fituyev refuse to give Pyotr the certificate he wanted?
Ans: Dr Fituyev refused because he did not believe that refusing marriage was a sign of insanity.
III. Answer these questions briefly in your own words.
Q1. Why did Pyotr get so disturbed by the rumours about his marriage? What did he try to do to get rid of the disturbing situation?
Ans: Pyotr was disturbed because the rumours about his marriage to Nastya were false, and he had no intention of marrying her. To end the confusion, he went to meet her father, Kondrashkin, to explain the truth and say goodbye before leaving.
Q2. Which crimes of Pyotr, according to Kondrashkin, might land him in Siberia? How did he react to Pyotr’s ‘confession’ of these crimes and why?
Ans: According to Kondrashkin, Pyotr’s crime of embezzlement could send him to Siberia. At first, Kondrashkin was shocked, but when Pyotr claimed he was a runaway convict, he became terrified. He felt deeply disturbed and guilty for trusting him, and angrily ordered him to leave the house.
Q3. Why did Pyotr decide to adopt ‘Hamlet’s device’? Why did he fail in this venture?
Ans: Pyotr decided to pretend to be mad, like Hamlet, to avoid marriage. However, he failed because Dr Fituyev refused to declare him insane, saying that refusing marriage was not madness but a sign of sense.
IV. Give suitable answers to these questions.
Q1. Describe the character of Kondrashkin in the light of his responses and reactions when Pyotr visits his place to say goodbye.
Ans: Kondrashkin is an important character in the story. He is the father of seven daughters and is very eager to get them married. Because of this, he welcomes young men like Pyotr to his house. He seems worried about his responsibilities and wants to reduce his burden quickly. When Pyotr tries to avoid the marriage, Kondrashkin does not take his excuses seriously. He is ready to accept him as a son-in-law despite his faults. This shows that he is in a hurry and somewhat desperate, and he does not think deeply about his daughter’s happiness.
Q2. Do you think that Pyotr was more self-centred than Kondrashkin as revealed in the conversation between the two?
Ans: Yes, Pyotr appears more self-centred. He makes many excuses and even tells lies to escape the marriage. He does not care about Nastya’s feelings or the trouble he causes. On the other hand, Kondrashkin also shows selfishness because he ignores Pyotr’s faults and only wants to get his daughter married. Both think about their own needs, but Pyotr is more careless and dishonest.
Q3. Who, do you think, has won the game? Justify your answer.
Ans: Kondrashkin can be said to have won the game. Pyotr tries many tricks to escape the marriage, including pretending to be mad. However, his plan fails because Dr Fituyev refuses to call him insane. Pyotr cannot prove his excuse, while Kondrashkin remains firm. The story shows a kind of game between the two, where each tries to defeat the other, but in the end
Kondrashkin is stronger.
Additional Questions & Answers
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the suitor in the story “The Suitor and Papa”?
(a) Kondrashkin
(b) Pyotr Petrovitch Milkin
(c) Dr Fituyev
(d) Nastya
Ans: (b)
Q2. How many daughters does Kondrashkin have?
(a) Five
(b) Six
(c) Seven
(d) Eight
Ans: (c)
Q3. Why is Kondrashkin eager to marry off his daughters?
(a) He dislikes them
(b) He is poor and burdened
(c) He is strict
(d) He is ill
Ans: (b)
Q4. Why did Pyotr visit Kondrashkin’s house?
(a) To fix the wedding date
(b) To say goodbye
(c) To meet Nastya
(d) To attend a party
Ans: (b)
Q5. What was the rumour about Pyotr?
(a) He was ill
(b) He was rich
(c) He was getting married
(d) He was leaving town
Ans: (c)
Q6. Who is Nastya?
(a) Pyotr’s sister
(b) Kondrashkin’s daughter
(c) A servant
(d) A neighbour
Ans: (b)
Q7. What excuse did Pyotr first give to avoid marriage?
(a) He was poor
(b) He had different views
(c) He was ill
(d) He was busy
Ans: (b)
Q8. How did Kondrashkin react to Pyotr’s different views?
(a) He agreed
(b) He became angry
(c) He dismissed it
(d) He left
Ans: (c)
Q9. What ‘hereditary vice’ did Pyotr mention?
(a) Gambling
(b) Drinking
(c) Lying
(d) Theft
Ans: (b)
Q10. What crime did Pyotr say he had committed?
(a) Theft
(b) Murder
(c) Embezzlement
(d) Forgery
Ans: (c)
Q11. What punishment did Kondrashkin fear for Pyotr?
(a) Fine
(b) Jail
(c) Exile to Siberia
(d) Dismissal
Ans: (c)
Q12. How did Kondrashkin react to Pyotr’s confession at first?
(a) Calmly
(b) Happily
(c) Shocked
(d) Indifferently
Ans: (c)
Q13. What ‘horrible secret’ did Pyotr reveal?
(a) He was poor
(b) He was married
(c) He was a runaway convict
(d) He was sick
Ans: (c)
Q14. What was Kondrashkin’s reaction to the ‘horrible secret’?
(a) He laughed
(b) He ignored it
(c) He became frightened
(d) He agreed
Ans: (c)
Q15. What did Kondrashkin ask Pyotr to do finally?
(a) Stay
(b) Leave
(c) Marry immediately
(d) Apologise
Ans: (b)
Q16. What plan did Pyotr think of next?
(a) To run away
(b) To write a letter
(c) To pretend to be mad
(d) To apologise
Ans: (c)
Q17. Whom did Pyotr meet for help?
(a) Kondrashkin
(b) Nastya
(c) Dr Fituyev
(d) His friend
Ans: (c)
Q18. Why did Pyotr meet Dr Fituyev?
(a) For treatment
(b) For advice
(c) For a certificate of madness
(d) For money
Ans: (c)
Q19. What was Dr Fituyev’s profession?
(a) Lawyer
(b) Doctor
(c) Teacher
(d) Clerk
Ans: (b)
Q20. Why did Dr Fituyev refuse to help Pyotr?
(a) He disliked him
(b) He was busy
(c) He did not think Pyotr was mad
(d) He had no time
Ans: (c)
Q21. What did Dr Fituyev say about marriage?
(a) It is necessary
(b) It is foolish
(c) Refusing marriage is not madness
(d) It is easy
Ans: (c)
Q22. What kind of person is Pyotr?
(a) Honest
(b) Brave
(c) Careless and dishonest
(d) Kind
Ans: (c)
Q23. What kind of father is Kondrashkin?
(a) Caring and patient
(b) Strict and cruel
(c) Practical and desperate
(d) Lazy
Ans: (c)
Q24. What is the main theme of the story?
(a) Friendship
(b) Love
(c) Marriage and selfishness
(d) War
Ans: (c)
Q25. What makes the story humorous?
(a) Sad ending
(b) Serious tone
(c) Pyotr’s funny excuses
(d) Long speeches
Ans: (c)
Q26. Why does Kondrashkin continue to accept Pyotr as a suitable match even after hearing serious accusations against him?
(a) He trusts Pyotr completely
(b) He is unaware of the truth
(c) He is desperate to marry off his daughter
(d) He fears Pyotr
Ans: (c)
Q27. What is the real reason behind Pyotr’s repeated excuses and confessions?
(a) He wants sympathy
(b) He is truly guilty
(c) He wants to test Kondrashkin
(d) He wants to avoid marriage at any cost
Ans: (d)
Q28. What does Dr Fituyev’s refusal suggest about his view on marriage and sanity?
(a) Marriage is necessary for all
(b) Only married people are sane
(c) Refusing marriage is a sign of wisdom
(d) Everyone is insane
Ans: (c)
