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Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger
–W S Maugham
About the Author
W. Somerset Maugham was a famous English novelist, short story writer, and playwright, born on 25 January 1874 in Paris. His full name was William Somerset Maugham. He lost both his parents at an early age and was brought up by his uncle in England. He was educated at King’s School, Canterbury, and later studied medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
Although he trained as a doctor, he soon developed a strong interest in writing and decided to pursue it as a career. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth, was published in 1897
and gained attention. He went on to become one of the most popular and highest-paid writers of his time, known for his clear style and keen observation of human nature.
Maugham wrote many successful novels, plays, and short stories. Some of his well-known works include Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Razor’s Edge. His short stories, such as The Verger, are admired for their irony and simple yet powerful storytelling.
He travelled widely, and his experiences in different countries influenced his writings. During the First World War, he also worked as a secret agent. Maugham spent the later
part of his life in the French Riviera and continued writing. He died on 16 December 1965 at the age of 91, leaving behind a rich literary legacy.
Word Notes
Verger: A church attendant who manages services and maintains order in the church.
Illiteracy: The inability to read and write, which plays a crucial role in the story.
Dismissal: Removal from a job, as seen when Albert Edward loses his position.
Self-reliance: Trusting one’s own abilities rather than depending on formal education.
Determination: The strong will that drives Foreman to succeed in life.
Opportunity: A favourable chance that helps Foreman begin his business.
Business acumen: Skill in understanding and managing business effectively.
Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality, central to the story’s message.
Dignity: Maintaining self-respect even in challenging situations.
Success: Achieving prosperity through effort and smart decisions.
Social status: One’s rank or position in society, which changes for Foreman.
Practical intelligence: The ability to use common sense and experience wisely.
Independence: Being self-sufficient and not relying on others.
Transformation: A significant change in life, as seen in Foreman’s journey.
Moral: The lesson that success is not solely dependent on formal education.
Enterprise: The initiative and courage to start and manage a business.
Confidence: Belief in one’s own abilities, which helps Foreman grow.
Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new situations after losing his job.
Prosperity: The state of becoming successful and financially stable.
Humility: A modest attitude despite achieving success.
Summary
The Verger by W. Somerset Maugham is a simple yet deeply meaningful story that explores the relationship between education, social values, and success. It centres on Albert Edward Foreman, a devoted verger at St Peter’s Church, who is dismissed from his position because he cannot read or write.
The story begins by presenting Foreman as a dignified and efficient church official who takes great pride in his work. His life changes when a new vicar arrives and discovers his illiteracy. Despite acknowledging Foreman’s long and faithful service, the vicar insists that such a shortcoming is unacceptable. He gives Foreman three months to learn reading and writing or resign. Foreman, valuing his self-respect and unwilling to learn at his age, chooses to leave the job.
After his dismissal, Foreman’s life takes an unexpected turn. While walking through the streets, he notices the absence of a tobacconist shop and decides to open one. Through hard work, practical intelligence, and keen observation, he expands his business and becomes a wealthy man, owning several shops and accumulating a large fortune.
The story is marked by strong irony. The very reason for Foreman’s dismissal— his illiteracy—becomes the cause of his success. If he had been educated, he would have remained a verger all his life. This irony is highlighted in the final scene when the bank manager expresses surprise at Foreman’s success, and Foreman replies that if he had been able to read and write, he would still have been the verger.
Critically, the story questions society’s overemphasis on formal education and social status. Maugham shows that qualities such as determination, practical wisdom, and initiative can be equally, if not more, important. The narrative also reflects on class distinctions and the rigid attitudes of authority figures like the vicar.
In conclusion, The Verger is a powerful story that uses irony and realism to convey that success does not depend solely on education, but also on character, effort, and the ability to seize opportunities.
Comprehension: Textual Question-Answers
A. State whether these sentences are True or False.
1. Albert Edward was a habitual smoker.
Ans: False. (He was not a regular smoker, though he would occasionally smoke when tired).
2. Albert Edward was very particular about his gowns.
Ans: True.
3. The churchwardens were young men.
Ans: False. (They were elderly men).
4. The verger learnt to read and write only upon entering into business.
Ans: False. (He only learned to sign his name and remained otherwise illiterate).
B. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. For how long had the verger been at St Peter’s?
Ans: Sixteen years.
2. In the course of how many years did Albert Edward own ten shops?
Ans: Ten years.
3. From where did the new vicar hail?
Ans: The East End.
4. How much money did Albert Edward have at the bank?
Ans: Thirty thousand pounds.
5. Which brand of cigarettes did the verger want to buy?
Ans: Gold Flake.
6. How much time did the new vicar propose to give the verger to learn reading and writing?
Ans: Three months.
C. Answer these questions in a sentence or two.
1. What did Albert Edward do before he became the verger at St Peter’s?
Ans: Before becoming a verger, Albert Edward served in domestic work, gradually advancing from a page-boy to a butler in wealthy households.
2. What did the new vicar discover?
Ans: The new vicar found out that Albert Edward Foreman was unable to read or write despite his long service.
3. What is the opinion of the verger regarding the new vicar?
Ans: The verger disliked the new vicar, considering him interfering and not suited to the refined nature of the church.
4. What does the bank manager suggest to Albert Edward?
Ans: The bank manager advised him to invest his money in safe securities to earn better interest.
D. Answer these questions briefly.
1. What was the condition put forth by the new vicar to the verger?
Ans: The new vicar required Albert Edward to learn reading and writing within three months or resign from his post.
2. Briefly describe the verger’s attitude towards his gowns.
Ans: The verger took great pride in his gowns, maintained them carefully, and kept even the old ones properly stored.
3. Explain the significance of the following sentence: ‘The vergers of St Peter’s, like the Popes of Rome, were there for life’.
Ans: This statement emphasizes that the position of the verger was traditionally permanent, making his dismissal unexpected and significant.
4. How did the manager react upon his discovery that Mr Foreman could neither read nor write?
Ans: The bank manager was greatly astonished and found it remarkable that an illiterate man could accumulate such wealth.
5. Briefly describe the career of Albert Edward.
Ans: Albert Edward began in domestic service, became a butler, then served as a verger for sixteen years. After losing his job, he started a business, expanded it successfully, and
built a large fortune.
E. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Describe, in detail, how Albert Edward lost the job of the verger at St Peter’s.
Ans: Albert Edward Foreman lost his position because of the strict views of the newly appointed vicar. One day, the vicar called him to the vestry, where the churchwardens were also present. He informed Foreman that he had recently come to know that he was unable to read or write. Although he appreciated Foreman’s good conduct and efficient service, he considered it unacceptable for such an important church to have an illiterate verger. He therefore gave him a choice: either learn to read and write within three months or leave the job. Foreman, believing that he was too old to learn and wishing to preserve his self-respect, declined the offer. He stated that he had managed well throughout his life without education and then quietly resigned, thus losing the post he had served with pride for sixteen years.
2. Would you consider that the new vicar’s chance discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy was a blessing in disguise for the verger? Write a persuasive answer. (AHSEC 2022)
Ans: Yes, the vicar’s discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy can clearly be seen as a blessing in disguise. Though losing his job was painful at first, it eventually led him to a far more successful and independent life. Firstly, the dismissal forced him to explore new opportunities. If he had continued as a verger, he would have lived a stable but limited life with little financial growth. However, after losing his job, he noticed a lack of a tobacconist shop in a particular street, which inspired him to start his own business. This single decision changed his entire future.
Secondly, the story highlights that practical intelligence can be more valuable than formal education. Foreman’s inability to read and write did not prevent him from running a successful business. On the contrary, it indirectly pushed him toward entrepreneurship. Had he been literate, he might have remained satisfied in his old job and never discovered his true potential.
Finally, the irony at the end of the story reinforces this idea. When asked what he would have been if he had been educated, Foreman replies that he would still have been the verger. This shows that his illiteracy, which caused his dismissal, ultimately led to his prosperity. Thus, what appeared to be a misfortune turned out to be the foundation of his success.
Additional Questions and Answers
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What was Albert Edward Foreman’s position at St Peter’s?
(a) Priest
(b) Verger
(c) Clerk
(d) Sexton
Ans: (b)
2. For how many years had Foreman served as a verger?
(a) Ten years
(b) Twelve years
(c) Sixteen years
(d) Twenty years
Ans: (c)
3. Why was Foreman dismissed from his job?
(a) He was dishonest
(b) He was late to work
(c) He was illiterate
(d) He was rude
Ans: (c)
4. Who discovered that Foreman could not read or write?
(a) The churchwarden
(b) The old vicar
(c) The new vicar
(d) A parishioner
Ans: (c)
5. From where did the new vicar come?
(a) West End
(b) East End
(c) North End
(d) South End
Ans: (b)
6. How much time was given to Foreman to learn reading and writing?
(a) One month
(b) Two months
(c) Three months
(d) Six months
Ans: (c)
7. What did Foreman do after losing his job?
(a) Became a teacher
(b) Opened a shop
(c) Moved to another church
(d) Became a clerk
Ans: (b)
8. What kind of shop did Foreman first open?
(a) Grocery shop
(b) Bookshop
(c) Tobacconist’s shop
(d) Clothing shop
Ans: (c)
9. What item did Foreman want to buy when he got the idea for his business?
(a) Bread
(b) Newspaper
(c) Cigarettes
(d) Tea
Ans: (c)
10. How many shops did Foreman own after some years?
(a) Five
(b) Eight
(c) Ten
(d) Twelve
Ans: (c)
11. How much money did Foreman have in the bank?
(a) Ten thousand pounds
(b) Twenty thousand pounds
(c) Thirty thousand pounds
(d) Forty thousand pounds
Ans: (c)
12. What did the bank manager suggest to Foreman?
(a) Spend his money
(b) Invest his money
(c) Lend his money
(d) Save less money
Ans: (b)
13. How did the bank manager react to Foreman’s illiteracy?
(a) He was angry
(b) He was amused
(c) He was astonished
(d) He was indifferent
Ans: (c)
14. What did Foreman say he would have been if he could read and write?
(a) A businessman
(b) A clerk
(c) A manager
(d) The verger of St Peter’s
Ans: (d)
15. What is the central theme of the story?
(a) Importance of wealth
(b) Value of education only
(c) Success through determination and practical skill
(d) Power of luck alone
Ans: (c) 0 0 0
