Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger

Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger Question answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters Assam Board HS Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger and select needs one.

Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger

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Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 3 The Verger Solutions for All Subject, You can practice these here.

The Verger

Chapter: 3

PROSE ( Section One )

TEXTUAL QUESTION & ANSWERS

A. State whether these sentences are True or False.

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.

3. Explain the significance of the following sentence: ‘The vergers of St Peter’s like the Popes of Rome, were there for life’.

Ans: The sentence, “The vergers of St Peter’s like the Popes of Rome, were there for life,” carries significant meaning within the context of the story. The sentence draws a parallel between the vergers of St Peter’s (referring to the church in the story) and the Popes of Rome, who are known for their lifelong tenure. By comparing the two, the sentence elevates the importance and permanence of the verger position. It suggests that being a verger at St Peter’s is a prestigious role, akin to the prestigious and esteemed position of the Pope. The phrase “were there for life” implies that the vergers of St Peter’s committed themselves to the position for their entire lives. 

This highlights the dedication and loyalty expected from the vergers, emphasizing their unwavering service and attachment to the church. It further suggests that this commitment is highly valued and esteemed within the church’s traditions. The sentence also indicates a sense of permanence and stability within the institution of the church. Just as the Popes of Rome are known for their lifelong leadership, the verger position is portrayed as a stable, long-term role. This notion aligns with the traditional and unchanging nature often associated with religious institutions, where positions and roles are seen as enduring and resistant to change.

4. How did the manager react upon his discovery that Mr Foreman could neither read nor write? 

Ans: In “The Verger” by W. Somerset Maugham, the story revolves around Albert Foreman, a dedicated verger (caretaker of a church) who is dismissed from his job because he cannot read or write. The manager’s reaction to this discovery is not explicitly described in the story, but we can speculate based on the circumstances.

Considering the time period and societal norms when the story was written (1930s), it is likely that the manager would have been shocked or surprised upon learning that Mr. Foreman lacked basic literacy skills. In those days, literacy was considered an essential requirement for most jobs, and the inability to read or write would have been seen as a significant limitation. The manager might have felt a mixture of disappointment, disbelief, and even frustration because Mr. Foreman had been a dedicated employee who had served the church faithfully for many years.

5. Briefly describe the career of Albert Edward. 

Ans: In “The Verger” by W. Somerset Maugham, Albert Edward, commonly known as Albert Foreman, is the central character whose career is depicted in the story. Albert is the Verger of St Peter’s Church in Neville Square, London. Albert’s career as being verger spans over sixteen years. During which he faithfully serves the church. He takes pride in his work and is diligent in his duties, maintaining the church premises, overseeing weddings, funerals, and other religious ceremonies. Albert’s commitment and attention to detail earn him a good reputation among the parishioners. However, his career takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that his lack of literacy, the inability to read or write, is deemed unacceptable by the church authorities. The manager dismisses him from his position as the verger due to this perceived deficiency, despite Albert’s long and dedicated service. After being dismissed, Albert refuses to let his lack of education hinder him. He capitalizes on his knowledge of the tobacco business and opens a successful tobacconist’s shop, demonstrating his resourcefulness and ability to adapt to new opportunities outside the church. In summary, Albert Edward, or Albert Foreman, has a devoted career as the verger of St Peter’s Church before his dismissal due to his illiteracy. The story highlights his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit as he transitions into a new chapter of his life.

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.

2. Would you consider that the new vicar’s chance discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy was a blessing in disguise for the verger? Write a persuasive answer.

Ans: Yes, the new vicar’s chance discovery of Foreman’s illiteracy can be considered a blessing in disguise for the verger. 

Here are some persuasive arguments to support this viewpoint:

(a) Opportunity for Personal Growth: 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.

(b) Liberation from Conventional Constraints: 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.

(c) Unleashing Hidden Potential: Foreman’s illiteracy, while initially perceived as a limitation, ultimately unveils his hidden potential. Had he remained as the verger, he might have continued in his comfortable yet limited role without exploring his untapped talents and aspirations. The unexpected turn of events pushes him out of his comfort zone, compelling him to discover and utilize his entrepreneurial abilities. This newfound path allows Foreman to thrive and showcases his resilience, adaptability, and ability to overcome challenges.

(d) Happiness and Fulfilment: The shift from being a verger to becoming a successful tobacconist brings Foreman a sense of happiness and fulfilment that might have eluded him otherwise. By pursuing a career that aligns with his passions and skills, Foreman experiences a deeper satisfaction in his work and personal life. The journey he embarks on, propelled by the discovery of his illiteracy, and leads him to a life of contentment and accomplishment that he might not have found within the confines of the church.

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? 

Ans: In Maugham’s work fact and fiction are so inter mingled that one could hardly distinguish one from other. The intensely close relationship between the fictional and the real became a characteristics traits in his 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 look 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, ie. 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.

8. What was the expression on the face of the two church wardens and the vicar? 

Ans: The vicar’s red face bore an expression of resolute benignity while the two church warden’s face bore an expression that was slightly troubled.

9. Where did the verger head to after his meeting with the two church wardens?

Ans: After his meeting with the two church wardens, Albert Edward walked slowly back to the vestry and hung up his gown. Then he walked down the aisle and locked the church door behind him. But deep in his thought he took the wrong street.

10. How much time is offered to the verger to learn his letters? 

Ans: The vicar offered three months time to the verger to learn his letters and if at the end of that time he could not read and write then he would loose his post of verger.

11. Why didn’t Albert Foreman want to go back to doing domestic service?

Ans: Albert Foreman did not want to go back to doing domestic service because he had been his own master for so many years and had run St. Peter’s Neville Square as a Verger. So he could not demean himself by going back to domestic service.

12. What was Albert Foreman looking for in the street where he mistakenly ventured into? Did he find it there? 

Ans: Albert Edward Foreman had been looking for a shop in the street where he could buy a packet of Gold Flakes. No he did not find it there. 

13. What idea came to Albert Foreman’s mind as he walked along the street looking for cigarettes? 

Ans: While walking along the street looking for cigarettes, Albert Edward Foreman did not get it. He found it very strange and thought that he could not be the only man walking along that street and wanted a fag. So he had an idea to start a little shop there of tobacco and sweets.

14. What business did Albert Foreman set up and where? 

Ans: Albert Edward Foreman set up in business as a tobacconist and news agent. He set up business of tobacco and sweets. He started it in a long street where there were no tobacconist.

15. What was the reaction of Albert Foreman’s wife to his new venture?

Ans: Albert Edward Foreman wife did not like his new venture. As per her it was a dreadful come down after being verger of St. Peter’s. 

16. Why did the manager of the bank want to see Albert Foreman?

Ans: The Verger was making money hand over fist and kept the money in bank. So the manager of the bank wanted to meet the verger to talk with him about the money he had deposited in the bank. He also wanted to suggest him to invest his money as he had saved a large amount in the bank.

17. What did the manager suggest Albert Foreman? 

Ans: The manager suggested Albert Foreman to invest a part of his savings on buying securities which would earn a much higher rate of interest. Albert did not want to take the risk. The manager told him that there was no cause for anxiety as they would make out a list of absolutely gilt-edged securities.

C. Long Answer Type Question:

1. Attempt a character sketch of the verger. 

Ans: The Verger Albert Edward Foreman was a simple man. He did his duties with honesty and dedication. He had been the verger of St. Peter’s church for sixteen years, doing all the menial and manual duties. He loved his job and there was no complain about him until a new vicar discovered that he could not read and write. But Verger was a man on his own. When vicar told him to learn the letters failing to do which he would lose his job. The verger maintained his dignity and refused vicar’s proposal. He preferred to resign believing that it was too late to learn. He realised that his illiteracy would never interfere with his duties, Foreman than started a tobacco shop and was amazingly successful. Even the banker was astonished to see his calibre without education. He had no less than ten shops. In fact the verger was a strong man who adopted to his problems by becoming successful businessman. Even he did not aspire for social success and led a simple life, though he had enough money to lead a luxurious life. He realised that he was better off being illiterate. He had little learning but plenty of worldly wisdom obtained through intelligent observation of the world.

Verger had practical thinking dedication and capacity to do hard work which strengthened his position. These were the qualities of verger formed wanting in the vicar.

2. Describe the circumstances under which the verger had to lose his job.

Ans: The verger named Albert Edward Foreman was conscientiously carried out his duties in a church for sixteen years. He had ascended to the respectable office of the verger by dint of his dedicated service and hard labour. With the appointment of the new Vicar the eligibility of the Verger was challenged. One day after christening ceremony the new Vicar, summoned the verger to vestry where two churchwardens were waiting for them. At first vicar praised the verger for his sincerity and capability of doing the work. But then he disregarded long years of his dedicated service on the ground that the verger could not read and write. The new 5 vicar was shocked to know that the verger was illiterate. Albert was shocked but he defended himself by saying that the previous vicar did not mind it, Even he could manage everything without education. But the vicar was resolute. He told the verger that he had no right to take the risk of some accident that might happen due to the verger’s lamentable. ignorance. He asked him if he could not learn. The Verger then divided. The Vicar gave the Verger an option to learn the letters failing to do which he would loose his job. Even the verger was resolute. He refused to accept the offer and preferred to resign believing that it was too late to learn at that stage. So the verger resigned from his respectable office due to lack of education in this way he lost his job.

3. What was Albert Foreman’s reply to the question of the bank manager? What does his answer reflect? 

Ans: The verger was making money handover fist and kept the money in bank. The bank manager asked Foreman to invest his money. He asked him that for this he had to sign some papers after going through these papers. Verger told him that he was illiterate, he could only write his name and nothing else. The manager then asked him what he have done if he were educated. To this question, verger replied that in that case he would have been the verger of a church.

This answer reflects the irony of the situation. The irony of the situation. The manager expected Albert to be a greater business man had he been literate. While Foreman knew that in that case he would not have lost his job of verger, so he would have been the verger of St. Peter’s church at Neville Square. He was fired from the church on the ground of his illiteracy.

4. Why was Albert Foreman troubled to hear about stocks and shares?

Ans: Albert Foreman was troubled to hear about stocks and shares because he hesitated to invest his money even though the bank manager assured him absolutely gilt-edged securities. As the verger was quite a Simple man he never had anything to do with stock and shares. Moreover he was illiterate, so he could not read the papers related to share market and he could not know what he was signing. He had to leave it all in bank manager’s hand. All these things related to share and stocks troubled him.

5. What are the positive thoughts that come through in the story, The Verger’?

Ans: In the story ‘The Verger’ Somerset Maugham dealt with the circumstances which could bring a change in one’s life. Albert Edward Foreman, the Verger of St. Peter’s Neville Square lost his job on the ground of illiteracy. He had ascended to the respectable office of the verger by dint of his hard labour and dedicated service. Though he lost his job, he set up himself as a tobacconist and amassed a large fortune. The story how practical thinking, dedication and hard work go a long way in strengthening one’s position. The verger was a strong man who adopted to his problem and set up a business empire. In crisis a person must not give up rather he should labour hard with dedication. Little learning but plenty of wordily wisdom obtained through intelligent observation of the world could pave the way to success.

Dev Kirtonia

Hi, I’m Dev Kirtonia, Founder & CEO of Dev Library. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.