Tamil Nadu 12th Standard English Book Answers | God Sees the Truth But Waits

12th English : God Sees the Truth But Waits

Unit 1.3 > God Sees the Truth But Waits

Warm Up

If you are punished for a prank your classmate played, how would you react to the situation?

I will surely feel angry and try to escape from the situation. I will try to explain to the authorities I am not responsible for the prank. I can explain what I was doing at the time of happening. But I will not betray my classmate.

While many would seek vengeance or feel sorry for themselves, some may put their trust in God, forgive others for the wrongs done to them and move on in life. What is your take on this? Discuss.

Basically I am a believer in God. I believe nothing will happen to me without God’s will. If something happens to me due to the wrongs done to me by others, God will be my protector. I will put my trust in God and pray to him to save me from the situation. God may test me but at the end, he will reward me.

Glossary

• go on a spree – indulging in something actively in an unrestrained way
• porch – portico
• samovar – a Russian metal urn for making tea
• troika (in olden Russia) – a cart pulled by a team of three horses
• stammer – to speak haltingly, fumble for words.
• betray – fail, let one down
• despair – hopelessness
• downcast – depressed
• flog – to beat with a whip or stick
• mirth – cheerfulness
• sledge – a vehicle pulled by horses for transportation on snow
• wretched – dejected
• vengeance – revenge

1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the story. 

a) Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?

Aksionov’s wife saw a bad dream. She saw her husband’s hair went grey. So she stopped him from going to the fair.

b) What is the importance of Aksionov’s wife’s dream?

In the dream Aksionoy’s wife saw her husband’s hair went grey and it so happened to him in prison.

c) What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?

It was Aksionoy’s habit to get up early. So he got up early and wanted to travel while it was cool.

d) What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov’s imprisonment?

Akisonoy stayed in the next room. He left the inn early. He gave doubtful answers to the questions of the officers. The blood-stained knife was in his baggage.

e) Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?

Aksionov did not get any reply for his peritions. He thought he could get mercy only from God. So he gave up sending petitions.

f) Why didn’t Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?

Makar did not disclose that he had killed the merchant because he did not want to get the punishment for murder.

g) Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story?

At first he did not feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story.

h) What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer?

Makar seemed to know Aksionov somehow, leading the latter to wonder if Makar knew anything about the murder of the merchant. Makar’s reply led Aksionov to begin to suspect that it was Makar who had in fact committed the crime.

i) What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?

Aksionoy realised by the end of the story that he had been suffering because he was worse than Makar who had killed the merchant.

j) Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?

Circumstantial evidences and his character in the past were against Aksionov. So she suspected that her husband must have got involved in the murder.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

a) Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?

The police officer had sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov. Akisonov stayed in the next room. He left the inn early. He gave doubtful answers to the questions of the officers. The blood-stained knife was in his baggage.

b) What impact did the book “The Lives of Saint” have on Aksionov?

While imprisoned, he became a boot-maker, thus earning enough money to buy a book called The Lives of the Saints. He read this book whenever possible. On Sundays he took a prominent role in the religious services, and he sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility, and the other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.”

c) Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.

Makar was from Vladimir which was the place of Aksionov. When Maker heard that Aksionov was arrested for the murder of a merchant and the bloody knife was found in his baggage he recognised Aksionov. He was surprised and said, “Wonderful. Really wonderful.”

3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph in about 150 words each.

a) Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich.

Leo Tolstoy – two characters – attractive merchant Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov – wild in youth – now settled down – lived with wife and children – decided to go to a fair – could sell merchandise – wife had bad dream – wrongly accused of a murder – sent to prison – Makar Semeyonich the real murderer – sent to prison for another crime – Makar realised – Aksionov punished for his crime – not willing to accept – Aksionov accepted the situation – helped Makar – he asked pardon from Akisionov

Leo Tolstoy in his short story ‘God sees the Truth but Waits’ presents two characters – Aksionov and Makar Semeyonich. In Russia during the nineteenth century, a young, attrctive businessman named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lived with his wife and children. Although he had been a bit wild in his youth, he had now settled down and lived a responsible, productive life. One day he decided to make a trip to a fair where he could sell some of his merchandise. Although his wife had had a bad dream about this trip, Aksionov decided to proceed. He was a very plain minded man but unfortunately he was wrongly accused of a murder. He was sent to a prison in Siberia. In the later part Makar was introduced as the real culprit of the murder. This time he was caught for another crime and came to Siberia. Makar realised that Aksionov was punished for his crime but he was not willing to reveal this. Aksionov became very composed and accepted his situation. Once he had a chance to stand against Makar but he did not do it. This touched the heart of Makar and made him ask pardon from Aksionov.

Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much. – Oscar Wilde

b) How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?

Aksionov punished wrongly – wife believed evidence – he wept – God knew the truth – expected mercy from God – stopped appealing to the government – sent to the mines in Siberia – 26 years of imprisonment – happiness disappeared – weak – prayed to God

Leo Tolstoy in his short story ‘God Sees the Truth But Waits’ describes the story of Aksionov, who was wrongly punished for a murder. Although Aksionov strongly said that he was not guilty, he was arrested and charged with the murder. Even his wife wondered if he might have been involved, since the circumstantial evidence was so striking. When his wife suspected him he hid his face in his hand and wept. He said to himself that only God alone seemed to know the truth. It was only to Him alone he could appeal. Only from God could he expect mercy. Then he stopped writing any appeal for mercy to the government. He only prayed to God. After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During his twenty-six years of imprisonment there, his hair turned white, his happy-go-lucky personality disappeared, and his body began to weaken. He never showed any sign of happiness and he frequently prayed to God.

Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much

c) Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.

Akisonov punished wrongly – flogged – sent to Siberia – 26 years of imprisonment – lost happiness – prayed to God – a boot maker – bought ‘The Lives of the Saints’ – interested in religion – sang in choir – appreciated by wardens and guards – was respected – ‘Grandfather, Saints’ – did not prove his innocence – died in prison

Leo Tolstoy in his short story ‘God Sees the Truth But Waits’ describes the story of Aksionov,who was wrongly punished for a murder. Although Aksionov strongly said that he was not guilty, he was arrested and charged with the murder. After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During his twenty-six years of imprisonment there, his hair turned white, his happy-go-lucky personality disappeared, and his body began to weaken. He never showed any sign of happiness and he frequently prayed to God. In prison, he became a boot-maker, thus earning enough money to buy a book called ‘The Lives of the Saints’. He read this book whenever possible. On Sundays he took a prominent role in the religious services, and he sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility, and the other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.” Though he had a chance to prove his innocence he preferred to spend his last days in prison. At last he died in prison.

Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much

d) Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?

Leo Tolstoy in his short story ‘God Sees the Truth But Waits’ describes the story of Aksionov, who was wrongly punished for a murder. Although Aksionov strongly said that he was not guilty, he was arrested and charged with the murder. After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. In prison, he became a boot-maker, thus earning enough money to buy a book called ‘The Lives of the Saints’. He read this book whenever possible. On Sundays he took a prominent role in the religious services, and he sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility, and the other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.” Once a new set of prisoners came and then Aksionov realised that one of the prisoners, Makar, who was the real murderer. But later he decided to accept the punishment. Then he had a chance to stand against Makar but he did not do so. He did not want to see Makar harshly punished and even began to wonder if he had wrongly suspected Makar of murdering the merchant.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

e) Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God Sees the Truth But Waits”.

Aksionov punished wrongly – wife doubted his innocence – he wept – God knew the truth – expected mercy – God – prayed to God – God allows innocent sufferings – 26 years of imprisonment – God waits to reveal the truth – Maker in the prison – the real culprit – refused to accept – Makar surrenders

Leo Tolstoy in his short story “God Sees the Truth But Waits” presents a good merchant who was punished wrongly for a murder due to circumstantial evidence. Even his wife wondered if he might have been involved, since the circumstantial evidence was so striking. When his wife suspected him he hid his face in his hand and wept. He said to himself that only God alone seemed to know the truth. It was only to Him alone he could appeal. Only from God could he expect mercy. Then he stopped writing any appeal for mercy to the government. He only prayed to God. In this story only God knows the true criminal but He allows the innocent Aksionov to suffer in prison. Aksionov also accepts the imprisonment. He spent nearly twenty six years in prison. God waits to reveal the truth. Now Makar the real culprit came to the same prison but refused to accept his hand in the murder. At the end he was made to surrender. Thus God knows the truth but waits to reveal it.

Forgiveness is God’s command – Martin Luther

f) Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.

Leo Tolstoy in his short story “God Sees the Truth But Waits” describes a good merchant who was punished wrongly for a murder due to circumstantial evidence. He was sent to Siberia prison and he spent twenty six years there. Then the real culprit Makar came to prison for some other crime. Aksionov understood that he was the culprit but Makar refused to accept it. Once Aksionov had caught Makar trying to dig a tunnel to escape the prison. Aksionov could easily have reported this deed to the authorities, but he chose to keep quiet, even after Makar threatened him. When the tunnel was eventually discovered, no one would identify Makar as the culprit who had been doing the digging. Aksionoy did not reveal this to the governor. He forgave Makar. Later that night, Makar came to Aksionov’s bed and begged the old man for forgiveness. He confessed that he had indeed killed the merchant and had hidden the bloody knife in Aksionov’s belongings. He offered to confess to this crime so that Aksionov could be released from prison and go back to his home and family. Thus it is proved that forgiveness is the best form of revenge.

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds
on the heel that has crushed it.

– Mark Twain

4. Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.

Aksionov, a young and attractive business man, lived with his wife and children. One day he decided to go on a trip to the fair. But his wife persuaded him not to go because she had a bad dream. Laughing at the sign of bad omen, he proceeded. He stayed in an inn. The next day he ‘started early in the morning. On the way, he was stopped by the local police officer. He was charged with murder and imprisoned. He felt devastated because the appeal for mercy was rejected.

He was then sent to Siberia, where he suffered a lot. He grew old. The book, ‘The Lives of the Saint’ transformed his life in prison. The inmates began to respect him on account of his gentle behaviour.

One day he met Makar, the real culprit. He found out the truth about him. He forgave Makar and said that he was a hundred times worse than him. Makar confessed his guilt. But when the order for his release came, Aksionov was already dead.

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