The Ant and the Grasshopper

The Ant and the Grasshopper by Somerset Maugham

Summary:

Somerset Maugham is one of the well-known English writers. His short story "The Ant and the Grasshopper" is a striking example of life’s little ironies, where he cleverly subverts the moral of the traditional fable. In the original fable, the ant diligently gathers food during the summer while the grasshopper wastes time. When winter arrives, the grasshopper begs the ant for sustenance. However, Maugham is skeptical of this moral and presents a different scenario in his story.

The tale is narrated by an unnamed storyteller. George Ramsey is a diligent, hardworking man who saves money for a secure retirement. In contrast, his brother Tom is carefree and irresponsible, avoiding work to indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle. Tom even abandons his wife and children, borrows money from many people, and leaves George to settle some of his debts to protect the family's reputation. George expects Tom to face a bleak future due to his lack of savings.

Unexpectedly, Tom becomes engaged to an older woman who eventually dies, leaving him half a million pounds. George feels a sense of injustice, as Tom's situation mirrors the ant (George) versus the grasshopper (Tom) scenario. Despite making no provisions for the future, Tom ends up enjoying a better life than his responsible brother.

When George shares the news of Tom's newfound fortune, the narrator laughs heartily, reflecting society’s attitude. In modern times, people often overlook the means of someone’s success. This story reveals the uncomfortable truth that hard work does not always lead to success. While it highlights the darker aspects of life, it also exposes the profound shifts in societal values regarding success and effort.

 Questions and Answers:

I. One line Answers:

1. What lesson does the fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper" give to the young people?

The fable teaches that industry and hard work are rewarded while laziness and frivolity are punished.

2. What is the gist of the fable that the author has based his story on?

The fable contrasts the hardworking ant who prepares for the future with the carefree grasshopper who does not, highlighting the consequences of their different choices.

3. Why was George Ramsay in deep gloom?

George was in deep gloom because his brother Tom, despite his irresponsible and dissolute life, had unexpectedly inherited a large fortune from an older woman he was engaged to.

4. What kind of a relationship did George Ramsay share with his brother Tom?

George and Tom had a strained relationship. George was responsible and hardworking, often bailing out his irresponsible and charming brother Tom, who took advantage of him.

5. What was Tom’s attitude towards life?

Tom's attitude towards life was carefree and hedonistic. He prioritized enjoying himself and spending money on luxuries, with little regard for work or responsibility.

6. How did Tom begin his life?

Tom began his life decently; he went into business, got married, and had two children, seemingly on track for a respectable career.

7. Why does George help Tom at first? Why does he wash his hands of Tom then?

George helps Tom initially out of a sense of family duty and hope that Tom might reform. He eventually washes his hands of Tom after realizing that Tom will never change and continues to exploit him.

8. How does Tom blackmail his brother?

Tom blackmails George by threatening to take up menial jobs, such as shaking cocktails in George's favorite bar or driving a taxi outside his club, which would embarrass George.

9. How does Tom get the money for his trip to Monte Carlo?

Tom gets the money for his trip to Monte Carlo by convincing George to pay five hundred pounds to settle a legal issue where Tom had cheated a man named Cronshaw. Tom and Cronshaw then use the money to enjoy themselves in Monte Carlo.

10. How does Tom finally get rich?

Tom finally gets rich by becoming engaged to an older woman who dies and leaves him her entire fortune, including half a million pounds, a yacht, and properties in London and the country.

11. Why was George so upset by Tom’s good fortune at the end of the story?

George was upset because, despite his own lifetime of hard work and responsibility, it was his irresponsible and dissolute brother Tom who ended up with great wealth and comfort, which George found profoundly unfair.

II. Short Answers: (Same questions)

1. What lesson does the fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper" give to the young people? or

What is the gist of the fable that the author has based his story on?

The fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper" teaches that hard work and diligence are rewarded, while laziness leads to hardship. It shows young people the importance of preparing for the future and being industrious. In the story, the ant works hard all summer to gather food, while the grasshopper sings and plays. When winter comes, the ant is comfortable and well-fed, but the grasshopper is starving and regretful. This moral emphasizes the value of planning and effort for future security. The story aims to instill the virtues of foresight and responsibility in the young. Maugham's story, however, highlights that life's outcomes can be unpredictable despite one's efforts.

2. Why was George Ramsay in deep gloom?

George Ramsay was deeply gloomy because his irresponsible brother Tom had received a large inheritance, which seemed unfair to George. George had always worked hard, saved diligently, and lived respectably, yet he felt unrewarded and burdened by Tom's continuous irresponsibility. Tom lived a carefree life, relying on charm and manipulation. The inheritance Tom received from an older woman he was engaged to highlighted the disparity in their life outcomes. George's frustration came from the perceived injustice that his diligence and virtue did not bring him the same success and comfort as Tom's unearned fortune, deepening his sense of disillusionment and gloom.

3. What kind of a relationship did George Ramsay share with his brother Tom?

George and Tom Ramsay had a strained and imbalanced relationship. George, the responsible and hardworking brother, often bailed out Tom, who was charming, irresponsible, and carefree. Despite Tom's continuous failures and reckless behavior, George helped him out of a sense of family duty and hope for reform. However, Tom frequently exploited George's generosity, showing little regard for his brother's sacrifices. This dynamic created tension and resentment, as George felt burdened by Tom's actions and their impact on his own life. Meanwhile, Tom continued his hedonistic lifestyle, indifferent to the strain he placed on George. Their relationship was a cycle of hope, disappointment, and exploitation, leaving George increasingly disillusioned over time.

4. What was Tom’s attitude towards life?

Tom's attitude towards life was carefree and focused on immediate pleasure rather than responsibility or long-term planning. He rejected regular work and family life, choosing to enjoy luxuries instead. Tom believed in having fun and spent money freely on non-essentials, often relying on friends and family for support. He found work and saving boring and restrictive. His charm allowed him to manipulate others into supporting his lifestyle, despite his lack of responsibility. Tom's focus on personal enjoyment and disregard for societal expectations defined his approach to life. This attitude led to his unexpected fortune, reinforcing his belief that leisure could be more rewarding than hard work.

5. How did Tom begin his life?

Tom started his life in a conventional and respectable way by going into business, getting married, and having two children. Initially, he seemed set for a successful career, following his family's respectable path. However, Tom soon became unhappy with the routine and responsibilities of work and marriage. He decided he didn't like working and wasn't suited for marriage, so he left his family and career. With a small amount of money, he spent two carefree years traveling around Europe, enjoying pleasures and luxuries. His actions shocked his family, who had expected him to lead a stable and respectable life. This early departure from a conventional life set the stage for Tom's later carefree and hedonistic lifestyle.

6. Why does George help Tom at first? Why does he wash his hands of Tom then?

George helps Tom at first out of family duty and the hope that Tom might eventually reform and settle down. He believes that by providing financial support, he can help Tom become responsible. However, after many disappointments and realizing that Tom will never change, George decides to stop helping him. Despite George's efforts and sacrifices, Tom continues to exploit his generosity without improving. George becomes increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with Tom's behavior, seeing that his help only enables Tom's reckless lifestyle. This realization prompts George to distance himself from Tom and stop supporting him financially. Ultimately, George's decision to cut ties shows that he recognizes Tom's behavior won't change and that further assistance would be pointless.

7. How does Tom blackmail his brother?

Tom blackmails his brother George by threatening to take on low-status and embarrassing jobs that would harm George's reputation. For example, Tom threatens to make cocktails at George's favorite bar or drive a taxi outside his club, actions that would be deeply humiliating for the respectable lawyer. By using the potential embarrassment and social stigma, Tom forces George to give him money to avoid these scenarios. George, worried about his reputation and the shame it would bring to the family, reluctantly pays Tom to stop these threats. This blackmail takes advantage of George's fear of public disgrace. Tom's unscrupulous tactics show his willingness to manipulate and exploit his brother for money.

III. Write short notes on the following:

1. The character of Tom Ramsay:

Tom Ramsay is depicted as a charming, irresponsible, and hedonistic individual. He rejects conventional work and family life in favor of a carefree existence, pursuing pleasure and luxury without regard for consequences. His charm and charisma allow him to manipulate people, especially his brother George, who frequently bails him out. Tom is adept at making friends and securing loans, living off the generosity of others. Despite his flaws, Tom is likable and charismatic, which often helps him get away with his behavior. Ultimately, his unexpected inheritance reinforces his belief that a life of leisure can be more rewarding than one of hard work.

2. The Life of George Ramsay:

George Ramsay leads a life defined by hard work, responsibility, and respectability. He is a diligent lawyer who takes minimal holidays, dedicating himself to his career and family. George embodies traditional values, saving a significant portion of his income with the goal of a comfortable retirement. His life, though blameless and industrious, is marred by stress and frustration, particularly due to his brother Tom's behavior. Despite his sacrifices, George feels unrewarded and deeply wronged when Tom's dissolute lifestyle results in unearned wealth. This disparity underscores the story's irony and challenges the conventional moral lesson of diligence and thrift.

3. George and Tom—a study in contrast:

George and Tom Ramsay have very different life philosophies and outcomes. George is diligent, responsible, and follows societal norms, working hard and saving for the future. He leads a respectable life, characterized by long hours at work, dedication to family, and careful financial planning. In contrast, Tom is reckless, charming, and hedonistic, rejecting responsibilities for immediate pleasure. He enjoys a carefree lifestyle of travelling, socializing, and spending lavishly without thinking about the consequences.

Despite their different approaches, Tom ends up with unexpected wealth, challenging the idea that hard work always leads to success. George feels frustrated and sees it as unfair that, while he sacrifices and struggles, Tom enjoys an easy life and inherits a fortune. This contrast questions the fairness of life's rewards and whether diligence or leisure is more valuable. Their different paths show that success and failure can be unpredictable and sometimes seem arbitrary.