The Verger by Somerset Maugham
1. Albert Edward was a habitual smoker.
Ans: False.
2. Albert Edward was a very particular
about his gowns.
Ans: True.
3. The churchwardens were young men.
Ans: False.
4. The verger learnt to read and write
only upon entering into business.
Ans: True.
B. Answer these questions in one or two
words.
1. For how long had the verger been at
St Peter’s?
Ans: For 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: 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: The Verger was a
page boy in the house of a merchant prince, for a year he served as a single-handed
butler to a widowed peeress. Then he worked as a butler with two men under him
in the house of a retired ambassador and finally he joined St. Peter’s church
as a Verger.
2. What did the new vicar discover?
Ans: The new vicar
discovered that the verger was illiterate man and was unable to read or write.
3. What is the opinion of the verger
regarding the new vicar?
Ans: The verger did
not like the new vicar. He thought that the new vicar wanted to control
everything according to his own way. The verger regretted his predecessor
because the new vicar always wanted to rule every activity of the church.
4. What does the bank manager suggest
to Albert Edward?
Ans: The bank manager
suggested to Albert Edward that he should invest his money as he had saved a
large amount in the bank.
D. Answer these questions briefly.
1. What was the condition put forth by
the new vicar to the verger?
Ans: The condition
laid down before the Verger by the vicar and the two church wardens was that
the Verger must learn letters within three months. Failing to do so, he would
lose his job as they could not take the risk of some accident caused due to his
lamentable ignorance.
2. Briefly describe the verger’s
attitude towards his gowns.
Ans: The Verger was very much fond of his gowns as he considered them dignified symbol of his office. He had never thrown away his old gowns rather he kept them in the bottom drawer of his wardrobe. He used to wrap them in a brown paper. He had a succession of such old gowns, in a complete series.
Ans: The sentence
"The vergers of St Peter's, like the Popes of Rome, were there for
life" highlights the significance of the role of the vergers at St
Peter's, drawing a parallel to the lifelong tenure of Popes in Rome.
The comparison to the Popes of Rome
emphasizes the permanence and stability associated with the position of the
vergers at St Peter's. Just as the Popes held their position for life, the
vergers, who are responsible for the care and maintenance of the church, were
also appointed to serve in their role indefinitely.
This sentence underscores the
long-standing tradition and continuity in the institution of St Peter's. It
suggests that the position of a verger was not a temporary or rotating role but
rather a lifelong commitment, implying a deep sense of dedication, loyalty, and
responsibility to the church and its community.
4. How did the manager react upon his
discovery that Mr Foreman could neither read nor write?
Ans: The manager
reacted positively and saw potential in Mr. Foreman when he discovered that he
couldn't read or write. Instead of being disappointed or critical, the manager
proposed a solution to help Mr. Foreman learn these skills, showing support and
encouragement.
5. Briefly describe the career of
Albert Edward.
Ans: The Verger,
Albert Edward Foreman, had a simple and dedicated nature. He faithfully
performed his duties as the Verger of St. Peter's church for sixteen years,
diligently taking care of all the manual tasks. He took great pride in his job,
and there were no complaints about his work until a new vicar discovered that
he was unable to read or write. Despite the vicar's insistence that he learn
these skills or risk losing his job, the Verger, being an independent man,
chose to maintain his dignity and refused the proposal. Instead, he decided to
resign, believing that it was too late for him to learn.
Undeterred by his lack of education,
Foreman embarked on a new venture and opened a tobacco shop, which turned out
to be incredibly successful. He eventually owned a total of ten shops,
showcasing his resilience and adaptability in overcoming challenges. Despite
his financial success, the Verger remained humble and content with a simple
life. He recognized that being illiterate did not hinder his ability to full-fill
his duties.
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 served St. Peter’s church as a verger for sixteen years. He
accomplished the duties of the office to the satisfaction of everybody
concerned. Everything was going on smoothly until the new vicar came.
The new vicar was an educated man. When
he came to know that the verger was an illiterate man, he was shocked. So, one
afternoon the vicar asked the verger to come to the vestry. In the vestry, the
verger wondered with slight uneasiness what could be the matter as he found the
two churchwardens already sitting there with the vicar. The troubled look of
the two churchwardens led the verger to think that the vicar had been nagging
them and might have jockeyed them into doing something against their will while
he was wondering about the situation, the vicar told the verger that he had
something unpleasant to say to him.
The vicar admitted that the verger had accomplished the duties of the office to the satisfaction of everybody concerned. But he was astonished to find the verger to be an illiterate person. In that case, the verger could not be allowed to continue his job in a prestigious church like St. Peter’s. Hence, as the vicar said, the verger must learn to read and write within three months or leave his office. But the verger refused to take the offer and preferred to resign believing that it was too late now to learn.
Ans: Yes, the new
vicar’s chance discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy can be considered a blessing
in disguise for the verger.
Foreman’s illiteracy, which led to his
dismissal as the verger, initially seems like a setback. However, it becomes a
catalyst for personal growth. His forced departure from the church compels him
to explore new avenues and challenges him to overcome his limitations. This
opportunity allows him to tap into his entrepreneurial spirit and open a
successful tobacconist’s shop. Through this new venture, Foreman not only
achieves financial success but also gains a sense of independence and
fulfilment that he might not have experienced while working as a verger.
Foreman’s illiteracy, which was deemed
unacceptable by the church authorities, actually liberates him from the
constraints of traditional employment. The dismissal opens doors to a world
beyond the church, where his skills, resourcefulness, and work ethic can flourish
in new ways. As a tobacconist, Foreman can utilize his knowledge and expertise
in a field that suits his strengths. This newfound freedom allows him to
control his own destiny, pursue his own ambitions, and build a prosperous life
on his terms.
In conclusion, the new vicar’s chance
discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy, although initially viewed as a setback,
ultimately becomes a blessing in disguise. It opens doors to new opportunities,
frees Foreman from traditional constraints, uncovers his hidden potential, and
allows him to find happiness and fulfilment in a new career path. Foreman’s
journey exemplifies the power of embracing unexpected changes and turning them
into catalysts for personal growth and success.
ADDITIONAL QUESTION & ANSWERS
A. Very Short Answer Type Question:
1. Who is the author of the prose
piece, “The Verger”
Ans: William Somerset
Mangham is the author of the prose piece “The Verger”.
2. Who is the Verger in the lesson?
Ans: Albert Edward
Foreman is the Verger in the lesson.
3. Where does the Verger work?
Ans: The Verger worked
at St. Peter’s church at Neville Square.
4. Where is St. peter’s church located?
Ans: St. Peter’s
church is located at Neville Square.
5. What was the occasion that
particular afternoon?
Ans: That afternoon
there had been a christening at St. Peter’s church.
6. What was the Verger’s gown made of?
Ans: The Verger’s gown
was made up of alpaca.
7. Who were the people that frequented
St. Peter’s, Neville Square?
Ans: The people that
frequented St. Peter’s church.
8. For how long had the verger been
working at St. Peter’s?
Ans: The Verger had
been working for last sixteen years at St. Peter’s church.
9. What is a vestry?
Ans: Vestry is a room
attached to a church or chapel used for keeping vestments, vessels and records.
10. Where had the new vicar come from?
Ans: The new vicar had
come from the East End.
B. Short Answer Type Question:
1. How do fact and fiction work in Maugham’s work?
2. On what occasions did the verger use
his new gown?
Ans: The verger used
his new gowns for funerals and weddings. He used his second best for
christening and other ceremonies. He wore it with complacence as it was the
dignified symbol of his office.
3. How did the verger regard his
official dress?
Ans: On the Verger
regarded his official dress as the dignified symbol of his office. Without it
he had the sensation of being somewhat insufficiently clad.
4. On the day of the christening, what
did the verger compliment the new video on?
Ans: The day of the
christening, what did the verger compliment the new vicar that it was a very
nice christening. Even the baby stopped crying when the vicar looks him and
settled him in the crook of his surpliced arm.
5. Who were awaiting the verger and the
vicar in the vestry?
Ans: In the vestry,
two church wardens who were elderly men, were awaiting the verger and the
vicar.
6. How long had the two church wardens
been there at St.
Ans: The two church
wardens had been there almost as long as Albert Edward had been verger. They
had been there for last sixteen years.
7. Who had brought in the handsome
refectory table at the church and from where?
Ans: The old vicar had
brought in the handsome refectory table at the church. He had brought it from
Italy.
HS 2024
1. What is vestry?
Ans: Vestry is a room
in a church for keeping the garments worn by the clergy.
2. What was the only thing Foreman
could write?
Ans: The only thing Albert Edward Foreman could write was his
own name.
3. What is the lamentable ignorance'
discovered by the new vicar?
Ans: The "lamentable ignorance" discovered by the
new vicar is the fact that Albert Edward Foreman can neither read nor write.
Despite, Foreman having served flawlessly as the verger
for sixteen years, the new, modern vicar is shocked by his illiteracy.
4. What was the new vicar's talent?
Ans: The new vicar's special talent was his remarkable ability
to instantly quiet a crying infant during christening ceremonies. He knew
exactly how to hold a whimpering baby in the crook of his arm to soothe them, a
skill he took great pride in.
5. Does the verger regret his inability
to read and write? Is it impacting his life in anyway?
Ans: No, the verger does not regret his inability
to read and write in the slightest.
While his illiteracy drastically impacted his life, it ultimately did so in an overwhelmingly positive way. Initially, his inability to read and write costs him his beloved job. Despite having served flawlessly as the verger of St. Peter's for sixteen years, the new vicar considers his illiteracy a "lamentable ignorance." When Foreman refuses to learn, he is forced to resign, losing his steady income, his uniform, and a position he took great pride in.
Foreman realizes that if he had possessed basic literacy, he would have remained a simple church servant for the rest of his life. Because he was uneducated, he was forced to rely on his street smarts, observation, and business acumen, which made him a wealthy and independent man. Therefore, his illiteracy was not a handicap, but the very key to his extraordinary success.
6. Reference to the context:
He always said there was a great deal
too much education in the world for is taste
Reference: These lines are taken from W. Somerset Maugham’s
short story, "The Verger".
Context: Albert Edward Foreman, the verger of St. Peter’s
Church, speaks these words to the new vicar and two churchwardens. He says this
after the new vicar discovers his illiteracy and insists him to learn to read
and write to keep his job.
Explanation: When confronted about his inability to read or
write, Foreman feels no shame. Instead, he defends himself by quoting the previous vicar, who valued Foreman’s practical skills
and flawless service over formal education. The old vicar believed society was
becoming far too obsessed with book-learning.
By sharing
this, Foreman proudly asserts that he has managed his duties perfectly for
sixteen years without literacy. This quote highlights the sharp contrast
between the rigid, modern new vicar and the practical, old-school former vicar.
Furthermore, it foreshadows the story's central irony: Foreman's ultimate
success as a wealthy tobacconist proves the old vicar right—formal education is
not the only path to intelligence, capability, or success.
Word meaning
Deportment - the
manner in which one carries oneself; behaviour
HS 2025
1. Where from had the new vicar come?
Ans: The new vicar had come from the East End of London.
2. On what occasion did the verger use
his new gown?
Ans: In W. Somerset Maugham's "The
Verger", Albert Edward Foreman strictly reserved his new gown for weddings
and funerals.
Because St.
Peter's, Neville Square was a church frequently chosen by fashionable and
aristocratic people for these major ceremonies, he felt it was appropriate to
wear his absolute best.
3. What business did Albert Foreman set
up and where?
Ans: In W. Somerset Maugham's "The Verger", Albert Edward Foreman set up a tobacconist and sweet shop.
He opened his very first shop in a long street where he noticed there was no place to buy cigarettes while taking a walk to calm his nerves after resigning from the church. Building on the success of this first location, he eventually expanded and set up a chain of ten shops scattered all over London.
4. On the day of the christening, what
did the verger compliment the new vicar on?
Ans: In W. Somerset Maugham's "The Verger", Albert Edward Foreman
complimented the new vicar on his remarkable ability to instantly
quiet a crying baby.
Following
the ceremony, the verger politely noted how the infant had stopped whimpering
the very moment the vicar took the child into the crook of his arm.
5. Why was the verger asked to step down? Do you think this was a fair decision? Give reason.
Even though Foreman had served
the church flawlessly for sixteen years, the energetic and modern new vicar
considered his inability to read and write an unacceptable "lamentable
ignorance" for a church official.
He gave Foreman an ultimatum to
either learn to read and write within three months or resign.
No, the decision was highly unfair and unjust. Foreman had executed his duties impeccably for
sixteen years under the previous vicar without a single complaint, mistake, or
issue.
The new vicar showed a complete lack of
compassion. He entirely disregarded Foreman's long, loyal service and
unquestionable character, choosing instead to rigidly enforce a modern standard
that had no actual bearing on the quality of the verger's work.
6. Word meaning
Quiver - to shake; tremble
HS 2026
1. What is the full name of the verger?
Ans: The full name of the verger is Albert Edward
Foreman.
2. At what age did the verger go into service?
Ans: The verger went into service at the age of twelve.
3. How did the verger keep his gowns?
Ans: The verger took great
care of his gowns by pressing and ironing them himself so they remained stiff
and dignified. He never threw away his old gowns, keeping them neatly wrapped
in brown paper in the bottom drawer of his bedroom wardrobe.
4. What did the verger feel about the
old vicar?
Ans: The verger, Albert
Edward Foreman, held the old vicar in high regard, considering him a true
gentleman of the "old school." He deeply respected the previous vicar
because he valued Foreman's flawless practical service and irreproachable
character over formal education and literacy.
5. Give a gist of the conversation
between the verger and the vicar.
Ans: The pivotal
conversation takes place in the church vestry between the new vicar, two senior
churchwardens, and the verger, Albert Edward Foreman.
The new vicar begins by acknowledging
Foreman’s impeccable sixteen-year track record at St. Peter's. However, he
quickly transitions to the main issue, revealing his shock upon discovering
that Foreman can neither read nor write.
The modern, reforming
vicar views this illiteracy as a "lamentable ignorance" that is
unacceptable for an official of the church. He issues a strict ultimatum:
Foreman must learn to read and write within three months, or he will be forced
to give up his position.
Foreman shows no
embarrassment. He politely but firmly defends himself, explaining that he has
managed perfectly well without literacy.
Foreman states that at fifty-eight years old,
he is to set in his ways to start learning his letters, humorously adding that
he wouldn't know what to do with the knowledge anyway.
Realizing the new
vicar will not compromise, Foreman chooses to retain his dignity. He gracefully
resigns on the spot, agreeing to hand over the keys once a suitable replacement
is found.
6. Reference to the context:
Reference:
These lines are taken from W.
Somerset Maugham’s short story, "The Verger".
Context: Albert Edward Foreman, now a highly successful
and wealthy tobacconist, speaks these words to his bank manager. The manager
has just advised Foreman to invest his massive fortune of thirty thousand
pounds and handed him some documents to read and sign.
Explanation: The bank manager naturally assumes that a man who
has built such a large, successful business empire must be well-educated. When
Foreman casually confesses his complete illiteracy, the manager is profoundly
shocked. Foreman explains that he only learned to write his own signature out
of sheer necessity after opening his shops.
This quote highlights the story's ultimate irony. It proves that practical intelligence, observation, and hard work were far more valuable to Foreman's success than formal book-learning. This revelation directly leads to the story's famous punchline, where the astounded manager asks what Foreman might have become if he could read, and Foreman proudly replies that he would merely be the verger of St. Peter's Church.
7. Word meaning
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