A Defenseless Creature by Anton Chekhov (Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

In the bustling town of Nevsky Prospect, there stood an imposing structure known as the Grand Bank of Nevsky, where the town’s wealth was kept secure behind vaults of iron and stone. The bank was managed by Mr. Chubukov, a stern man who prided himself on his meticulous nature and unyielding adherence to rules.

 

On a bleak winter’s day, a figure cloaked in a tattered shawl, her face lined with the marks of hardship, pushed through the revolving doors of the bank. She was known as Mrs. Khryukina, a widow whose life had been as stormy as the gales that now pounded the cobblestones outside.

 

“Good day, Mr. Chubukov,” she began, her voice trembling yet determined. “I beseech you, sir, for I am in dire need of the funds my late husband left under your care, supposedly secured within these walls.”

 

Mr. Chubukov, barely looking up from his ledger, responded with a sigh, “Madam, without the proper documents, there’s nothing I can do. Regulations are the lifeblood of order.”

 

Unfazed, Mrs. Khryukina returned day after day, each time with tales more elaborate than the last, clutching an assortment of notes and letters frayed at the edges. “Behold,” she would declare, flourishing a letter from someone of importance, which Mr. Chubukov dismissed as mere paper.

 

“Madam, these trifles you parade before me hold no weight in the grand scheme of finance,” he would retort, his patience thinning like the waning winter light.

 

But the widow’s spirit was indomitable. One day, she arrived with the backing of an impassioned crowd, their voices echoing through the marble halls. “People of Nevsky, I stand before you, a mere shadow pitted against this bastion of wealth, seeking what is rightfully mine!”

 

Moved by her plight and her unyielding resolve, the townspeople rallied to her side. Mr. Chubukov, feeling the piercing gaze of the gathered crowd, knew he could no longer dismiss this affair lightly.

 

With a heart burdened by bureaucracy, he admitted, “Upon further examination, there are indeed no records of any funds left by your husband, Mrs. Khryukina. I must ask you to seek your claim elsewhere.”

 

Mrs. Khryukina, her face a mask of defiance, replied, “Then I shall return, Mr. Chubukov. Again and again. For every day that passes, my resolve grows stronger. I will not be silenced by walls of stone and hearts of iron.”

 

As she turned and walked out, the crowd murmured among themselves, impressed by her courage but dismayed by the unyielding nature of their society's institutions. Mrs. Khryukina’s battle continued, a symbol of the struggle against an indifferent system, reminding everyone that some quests for justice stretch on, tireless and unresolved.

 

This story teaches us that those in power must wield their authority fairly and listen to all voices, highlighting the importance of perseverance in the face of injustice. It reminds us that individual struggles, no matter how small they may seem, can lead to significant societal changes. Ultimately, it encourages us all to contribute to a more just society by recognizing and acting against social injustices.

 

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/914608019/a-defenseless-creature-by-anton-chekhov-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

 

Bank (noun) - A financial institution where people store and manage their money.

Widow (noun) - A woman who has lost her spouse.

Funds (noun) - Resources in the form of money or capital.

Ledger (noun) - A book or other collection of financial accounts.

Documents (noun) - Papers or files that record or prove information.

Impassioned (adjective) - Showing or filled with intense emotion or passion.

Indomitable (adjective) - Impossible to subdue or defeat; showing great courage.

Bureaucracy (noun) - A system within organizations controlled by strict rules and routine procedures.

Unyielding (adjective) - Not giving way to pressure; firm or inflexible.

Heart burdened by (phrase) - To feel weighed down or oppressed by something.

Piercing gaze (phrase) - A look that is so intense that it seems to see through whatever it is observing.

Walls of stone and hearts of iron (idiom) - Describing a situation or attitude that is extremely tough and unyielding.

 

Questions

1. What is the main setting of the story?

A. A small village in the countryside

B. The bustling town of Nevsky Prospect

C. A castle on a hill

D. A forest clearing

 

2. Who is the main antagonist in the story?

A. The town mayor

B. Mr. Chubukov, the bank manager

C. A mysterious stranger

D. The widow’s late husband

 

3. What does Mrs. Khryukina repeatedly ask Mr. Chubukov to do?

A. Give her a job at the bank

B. Help her find her lost son

C. Release the funds left by her late husband

D. Invest her money into the bank’s funds

 

4. How does the crowd react to Mrs. Khryukina’s plight?

A. They are indifferent and ignore her

B. They support her and rally to her side

C. They report her to the authorities

D. They mock her and drive her away

 

5. What does the Grand Bank of Nevsky symbolize in the story?

A. The safety and security of family

B. The oppressive power of institutional authority

C. The generosity of the townspeople

D. The resilience of nature against urbanization

 

6. What theme is best represented by Mrs. Khryukina’s repeated attempts to claim her husband’s funds?

A. The unpredictability of life

B. The futility of persistence

C. The importance of legal documentation

D. The struggle against systemic injustice

 

AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. Discuss how the author uses the setting of the Grand Bank of Nevsky to enhance the story's themes of power and control. Consider elements such as architectural descriptions, the bank’s policies, and the interactions within its walls.

2. Analyze the character of Mrs. Khryukina, focusing on her determination and how it drives the plot of the story. Consider how her actions impact the other characters and the resolution of the story.

3. Examine the role of community in the story. Write an essay on how the townspeople’s reactions contribute to the development of the story’s central themes, and what their support for Mrs. Khryukina signifies in the context of societal norms and values.

Answer Keys

1. B. The bustling town of Nevsky Prospect

2.B. Mr. Chubukov, the bank manager

3. C. Release the funds left by her late husband

4. B. They support her and rally to her side

5. B. The oppressive power of institutional authority

6. D. The struggle against systemic injustice

 

Sample Writing Answers

1.The Setting of the Grand Bank of Nevsky as a Symbol of Power and Control

In the narrative "The Widow and the Banker," the Grand Bank of Nevsky stands as a formidable symbol of power and control, reflecting the overarching themes of the story. The bank’s architecture, described as an "imposing structure," immediately sets the tone for a place of authority and significant influence within the town of Nevsky Prospect. This depiction aligns with the bank's role in the community—not just as a financial institution but as a bastion of order and regulation, governed by the stern bank manager, Mr. Chubukov.Mr. Chubukov's interaction within the walls of the bank further amplifies this theme. His meticulous nature and strict adherence to rules manifest the bank’s rigid policies that prioritize documents and regulations over individual circumstances, underscoring the institution's lack of flexibility and compassion. This approach to banking is not just a backdrop but a central force in the story, driving the conflict between Mr. Chubukov and Mrs. Khryukina.The architectural grandeur and the strict policies of the bank serve as physical and metaphorical barriers that Mrs. Khryukina must overcome. Her struggle against these barriers highlights the oppressive nature of institutional authority that prioritizes procedure over people. The bank, with its vaults of iron and stone, symbolically and literally represents the cold, hard aspects of societal systems that often disregard individual suffering and need.Through the setting of the Grand Bank of Nevsky, the author not only develops a vivid backdrop but also cements the thematic expression of power and control. The bank’s imposing structure and the interactions within tell a story of a struggle between individual resilience and institutional rigidity, making the setting a critical element in understanding the narrative's deeper meanings.

2. Character Analysis of Mrs. Khryukina

Mrs. Khryukina, the protagonist of "The Widow and the Banker," is characterized by her indomitable spirit and unyielding determination, which play pivotal roles in advancing the plot and influencing other characters. Her repeated visits to the Grand Bank of Nevsky to claim the funds left by her late husband are met with bureaucratic indifference by Mr. Chubukov, the bank manager. Each interaction between Mrs. Khryukina and Mr. Chubukov deepens the central conflict and highlights her resilience in the face of institutional apathy.Mrs. Khryukina's determination is not a mere stubborn insistence but a representation of her struggle for justice. Her character is a beacon of hope and strength, rallying the townspeople to her cause and influencing their perceptions of justice and authority. This shift in the community’s sentiment, from passive observers to active supporters, underscores her impact on those around her.Furthermore, her actions lead to a climactic moment where the power dynamics within the town are openly challenged. Her resolve to return "again and again" despite being repeatedly turned away showcases not only her personal courage but also her role as an agent of change. This persistence ultimately does not resolve her immediate plight but leaves a lasting impact on the community's collective conscience.Mrs. Khryukina’s character thus serves as a crucial narrative force, driving the story forward and compelling other characters, especially Mr. Chubukov, to confront their moral and ethical boundaries. Her plight and persistence illuminate the broader themes of the story, such as the struggle against systemic injustice and the power of individual agency in challenging oppressive structures.

3. The Role of Community in "The Widow and the Banker"

In "The Widow and the Banker," the community plays a significant role in the development of the story's central themes of justice and resistance against oppressive systems. Initially, the townspeople of Nevsky Prospect are mere bystanders in the conflict between Mrs. Khryukina and the Grand Bank of Nevsky. However, as the narrative progresses, their evolution from passive observers to active participants highlights a crucial thematic shift.Mrs. Khryukina’s plight resonates with the community, and her indomitable spirit becomes a catalyst for change. When she stands in the bank with the backing of an impassioned crowd, it signifies not just a personal battle but a communal call to action. The townspeople's support for Mrs. Khryukina shifts the dynamics of power, illustrating how collective support can challenge institutional authority.This communal reaction is pivotal as it showcases the societal norms and values at play. The support Mrs. Khry

 

 

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