With close reference to the story ‘The Bet’ by Anton Chekhov, mention the clauses of the bet as laid down between the young lawyer and the old banker. Give an account of the events that follow the bet.
Show SolutionHide Solution↓
The old banker argued that the death penalty is more moral and humane than imprisonment for life. The young lawyer said he would choose imprisonment over death.
The old banker bet two million that the young lawyer would not be able to stay in solitary confinement for five years. The lawyer himself raised the stake to fifteen years.
It was decided that the young man should spend the years of his captivity in one of the lodges in the banker’s garden. He would not see or even listen to another human being. He would not receive letters and newspapers. He was allowed to have a musical instrument, books, and was allowed to write letters, to drink wine and smoke. He could have what he wanted through a little window in the room. If he left his room even two minutes before the end the banker would not be obliged to pay him the two million.
During the first year of his confinement, the lawyer suffered from loneliness and depression. He played the piano, refused wine and tobacco. The first year he read light novels.
The second year he read classics. In the fifth year he played music and drank wine. He could be heard crying. During the sixth year the prisoner began studying languages, philosophy and history. In four years he read six hundred volumes. He learnt six languages. After the tenth year he read nothing but the Bible. In the last two years he read a large number of books.
In those fifteen years the Banker’s financial situation had changed. Gambling and reckless speculations had lead to the decline of his fortune. In paying two million to the lawyer he would be left completely bankrupt. He decided to kill the lawyer. He broke the seals off the door and entered the room.
The lawyer was sitting motionless. He looked emaciated and old. The banker thought of stifling him to death. He picked up a page that the lawyer had written and began reading. The lawyer had written that he despised freedom, life, health and all the good things of the world. He had experienced earthly life through the books he read. He realised that he despised all the blessings of the world. Everything is worthless, fleeting and illusory. Death will wipe everyone off the face of the earth.
He renounced the two million and to deprive himself of the money he decided to leave five hours before the end of the time.
The Banker felt great contempt for himself. He went out of the lodge weeping.
The next morning the watchmen informed the Banker that the prisoner had escaped from the lodge. He took the letter where the lawyer had renounced the millions and kept it in a fireproof safe.