📑 Table of Contents

• About the Author
• Detailed Summary
• Character Sketches
• Themes & Message
• Important Question-Answers
• Glossary

✍️ About the Author

Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) was a Russian playwright and short story writer, regarded as one of the greatest writers of short fiction in history. His stories often focus on human nature, social struggles, and moral lessons, told with realism, empathy, and subtle humor.

📖 Detailed Summary

“The Beggar” by Anton Chekhov is a poignant story about Lushkoff, a beggar who once was a village schoolteacher but lost his position and dignity due to intrigues. Struggling to survive, he becomes dependent on lies to gain help from strangers. Lushkoff’s physical weakness, alcoholism, and lack of employment opportunities make him appear helpless, yet his pride prevents him from begging outright for work.

One day, Lushkoff approaches Sergei, an advocate, asking for help. Sergei initially recognizes the beggar’s lies about being a student and schoolteacher, and reprimands him for dishonesty. However, instead of punishing him, Sergei offers Lushkoff practical work — chopping wood. Although weak, unskilled, and hesitant, Lushkoff accepts. His initial struggles with the labor, due to inexperience and physical frailty, evoke sympathy from Sergei, who realizes the man’s predicament is not mere laziness but genuine weakness and misfortune.

Lushkoff is gradually introduced to regular work, performing small tasks such as shoveling snow, organizing the woodshed, and cleaning. He earns small wages and slowly becomes disciplined, learning the value of work and responsibility. With encouragement and support, his life begins to improve. He eventually secures copying work, allowing him to earn a living honestly, and sobriety replaces his dependence on alcohol.

Years later, Sergei encounters Lushkoff again, now a notary earning a steady income. Lushkoff gratefully credits Sergei and his cook, Olga, for inspiring change in his life. Olga’s stern yet caring guidance, combined with the opportunities provided by Sergei, enabled Lushkoff to reform and regain dignity. The story underscores that a combination of compassion, discipline, and opportunity can transform a person’s life, while also highlighting human vulnerability, societal neglect, and redemption.

👤 Character Sketches

• Lushkoff – Former schoolteacher, now a beggar; weak, alcoholic, prideful, but capable of change.
• Sergei – Advocate; compassionate, practical, encourages Lushkoff to reform through work.
• Olga – Sergei’s cook; stern yet kind, instrumental in Lushkoff’s moral and practical reform.

🌟 Themes & Message

• Power of compassion and guidance in transforming lives.
• Redemption through work and discipline.
• Human vulnerability, poverty, and societal neglect.
• Hope and resilience can overcome adversity.

📌 Important Question-Answers

📚 Glossary

• Copeck – Russian coin equal to one hundredth of a rouble.
• Calumny – False statements made to damage someone’s reputation.
• Suppliant – A person making a humble plea to someone in power.
• Mendicant – Beggar.
• Swindling – Cheating someone of money.
• Perplexity – State of being puzzled or confused.
• Irresolutely – Hesitantly; undecidedly.
• Billet – A thick piece of wood.
• Waif – Homeless or abandoned person.
• Sot – Habitual drunkard.
• Roasting – Scolding or reprimanding informally.