Educational Notes

a. What bad habits did Aksionov have before his marriage?

Ans: Before his marriage, Aksionov had the bad habits of drinking and being involved in fights. However, he changed his lifestyle and became a good and responsible man after getting married.

b. What can be the meaning of his wife’s dream?

Ans: His wife’s dream, where she saw Aksionov with grey hair returning from town, symbolized a future filled with suffering, prison, and premature aging. It served as a foreshadowing of his wrongful imprisonment.

c. Why did Aksionov think of killing himself?

Ans: Aksionov thought of killing himself after being falsely accused of murder. He felt hopeless and believed no one would believe his innocence, not even his wife, which deeply broke his spirit.

d. Why did Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?

Ans: Makar disclosed the truth because he felt guilty and was moved by Aksionov’s kindness and forgiveness. Aksionov did not report Makar’s escape plan, which made him realize Aksionov’s noble character.

e. Why doesn’t Aksionov wish to return to his family at the end of the story?

Ans: Aksionov had spent many years in prison and had undergone spiritual transformation. He believed his time on Earth was almost over and that God had forgiven him. Thus, he had no desire to return to the worldly life.

a. "Well, old man," repeated the Governor, "tell me the truth: who has been digging under the wall?"

i. Who is that old man?
Ans: The old man is Aksionov, who has spent over 26 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

ii. Which truth is the speaker asking about?
Ans: The Governor is asking Aksionov to reveal who had been digging a tunnel to escape from the prison.

iii. Which wall does the speaker mean?
Ans: The wall refers to the prison boundary wall where Makar Semyonich had been secretly digging an escape tunnel.

b. Describe Aksionov’s character.

Ans: Aksionov is a calm, religious, and forgiving man. Though wrongly imprisoned, he chooses not to seek revenge. His patience, faith in God, and inner peace reflect a spiritually strong and morally upright character.

c. What is the theme of the story?

Ans: The story explores themes of forgiveness, faith, injustice, and redemption. It highlights how truth may be delayed, but ultimately prevails through divine justice. It also shows the power of inner transformation through suffering.

d. Which symbols are used in the story and what do they indicate?

Ans: The prison symbolizes suffering and false judgment. Aksionov’s grey hair symbolizes time and pain. His prayer book and faith symbolize spiritual strength. These symbols highlight the contrast between worldly injustice and divine truth.

a. What role does religion play in Aksionov’s life? How does he undergo a spiritual transformation in the story?

Ans: Religion gives Aksionov strength during his suffering. Through prayer, he gains peace and forgives Makar. His faith helps him endure injustice. Over time, he changes from a worldly man to a spiritually enlightened soul, devoted to God.

b. What does the story tell us about the existence of an unfair system of justice?

Ans: The story reflects how justice systems can fail the innocent. Aksionov is punished without solid evidence. His story shows that human judgment can be flawed, but divine justice works silently and ultimately reveals the truth.