Write answers in brief on the following :
i. What was the couple’s initial reaction to
possibility of winning the lottery ticket in the story “The Lottery
Ticket”?
Ans. The story “The Lottery Ticket” is written
by Anton Chekhov. The couple, Ivan Dmitritch and his wife, Masha, in the story were
initially excited and thrilled at the possibility of winning the lottery
ticket. They started fantasizing about the things they could buy and how their
lives would change with the money. However, their excitement quickly turned to
anxiety and suspicion as they started to doubt each other’s intentions and
became consumed by their own greed.
ii. What was Ivan’s gracious and poetical picture
as he imagined about himself in the story “The Lottery Ticket”?
Ans. In the story “The Lottery Ticket,” Ivan imagined himself as a
wealthy man who was no longer a lowly clerk. He dreamed of being admired by
others, surrounded by luxury, and able to travel the world. He saw himself as a
romantic figure, riding in a carriage with his wife, and attending grand balls.
Ivan’s imagination painted a lavish and opulent picture of his life if he were
to win the lottery ticket.
iii. What does Ivan think about cloudy, gloomy
weather that follows St. Martin’s summer?
Ans. Ivan thinks that the cloudy and gloomy weather following St. Martin’s
summer is depressing and sad. He sees it as a symbol of the end of the good
times and the start of the long, harsh winter.
iv. What were the pleasures of travelling alone as
shown in the story “The Lottery Ticket?”
Ans. In the story “The Lottery Ticket,” the pleasures of travelling
alone were solitude, independence, and the ability to think and reflect without
any distractions. The protagonist, Ivan Dmitritch, enjoyed the peace and
quietness of being alone while travelling on a train. He could observe the
landscapes, read a book, or simply rest without anyone bothering him.
Additionally, he could daydream and imagine a more fulfilling life, which gave
him a sense of satisfaction and happiness.
v. What did Ivan in “The Lottery Ticket”
think of his wife in train? Write your answer in brief and in simple English.
Ans. In “The Lottery Ticket,” Ivan thought his wife looked bored and
unattractive during their train journey. He also believed that she lacked
intelligence and was unable to appreciate the beautiful scenery outside.
vi. Why was Marsha angry against her husband?
Ans. In the story “The Lottery Ticket”, Marsha was angry against her
husband because he didn’t want to share the winnings of the lottery ticket with
her and wanted to use all the money himself. She felt that he was being selfish
and that they should enjoy the wealth together.
vii. Bring out the element of irony in the story
“The Lottery Ticket”.
Ans. In the story “The Lottery Ticket,” the element of irony is that
the couple, Ivan and Marsha, spend their time dreaming and discussing what they
would do if they won the lottery, but they become miserable when they think
they have won the prize. They start quarrelling over how to divide the winnings
and become suspicious of each other’s intentions. The irony lies in the fact
that their long-held dream of winning the lottery brings them nothing but
unhappiness and misery. The story shows that sometimes what we wish for may not
always bring us happiness.
viii. Give the character sketch of Ivan in the
story “The Lottery Ticket.”
Ans. Ivan is a daydreamer who fantasizes about wealth and prosperity. He is a
clerk in a government office, which he finds dull and tedious. Ivan is married
to Marsha, who is also a daydreamer like him. He has a tendency to romanticize
his life and imagine himself as a wealthy man. Ivan is a sensitive and
emotional person who feels deeply about the things that matter to him. When he
thinks he has won the lottery, he becomes ecstatic and dreams of all the things
he can do with the money. However, when he finds out that the ticket was not
the winning one, he becomes depressed and disappointed. Ivan is portrayed as a
sympathetic character who is caught up in his own illusions and desires.
ix. Comment on the relationship of Ivan and Marsha
as depicted in “The Lottery Ticket.”
Ans. In the story “The Lottery Ticket,” the relationship between Ivan
and Marsha appears to be one of emotional distance. Ivan and Marsha have been
married for twelve years, but there is little to suggest that they are close to
each other. In fact, their conversation in the story seems to revolve around
trivial matters like the weather, and they seem to have very little in common.
Ivan is
portrayed as being more interested in daydreaming about the money they could
win from the lottery ticket than in spending time with his wife. On the other
hand, Marsha appears to be more practical and grounded, and she is concerned
about the fact that they might end up losing the ticket or that the money might
change their lives for the worse.
Overall, the
relationship between Ivan and Marsha seems to lack warmth and connection, and
the story hints that the prospect of wealth from the lottery ticket might not
be enough to bridge the gap between them.
