Short Stories Analysis: The Verger, The Happy Prince, The Chameleon, A Pair Of Silk Stockings, The Death Of Hired Man

Story: The Verger

In this story, we have seen corruption of the verger as well as the old vicar because he appointed the verger in St Peter, Neville Square even though he couldn’t fulfill the obligation to read and write. This can be seen in the following few lines from the story;

• ‘‘At a church like St Peter Neville square we cannot have a verger neither read nor writes.’’

“The last vicar knew that sir”, he replied. He didn’t make any difference.

This reference to the text tells us that the old vicar is not a fair person but rather corrupt. As he doesn’t bother that the verger is not eligible for this post of verger at St Peter Neville square as he is unable to fulfill the obligation to read and write. But he worked there for about sixteen years under the old vicar.

• “I discovered to my astonishment that you could neither read nor write.”

The verger’s face betrayed no sign of embarrassment.

This reference explains that the verger is incapable but he didn’t consider his weakness. Instead of admitting his own faults he considered the new vicar to be bad. Neither he realized his mistake nor did he try to work on his own flaws rather he said;

• “I think these young fellows waste a rare lot of time reading when they might be doing something useful”, said the verger.

It clearly shows that his thought processes were so riddled with exceptions that he starts ignoring the logic.

Story: The Happy Prince

As indicated by ‘The Happy Prince,’ most of mankind leads lives of extraordinary hopelessness and enduring so as to help the eagerness of the few with cash and power. The voracious of the wealthy cause enormous misery and this story takes a lightening position against the condition of imbalance that pushes so many people in lives of despondency and misery.

As issues of corruption gain momentum in the eyes of the public, solutions to this disparity require recognizing the flaws in their qualities.

The town’s government and social assistance workers use their capacity to show narrow-mindedness and degenerate reasons rather than fulfilling their obligations to serve the larger network. Wilde describes “town councillors” in the most negative light. In the beginning of the story, they are displayed as individuals with egotistical inspirations. Like the councillor;

• “who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes.”

This accentuation of his notoriety releases at the same time narcissism and a discretion which supports his needs – the adviser does not exclusively abstruse of his political duties, his relation to the know-how is in addition brought only by the appearances.

• “For he did not approve of children dreaming.”

Indeed, even the instructors and police officers answerable for youngsters ignore their torment.

• Later, in winter, “two little boys were lying in one another’s arms to try and keep themselves warm.” When they complain of hunger, a passing Watchman merely shouts in reply, “You must not lie here.”

In both of these cases, the very individuals depended with social welfare ignore the honest enduring of kids out of their own dislike.

· In the winter, the Swallow flew “and saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses, while the beggars were sitting at the gates.”

Despite the fact that the rich could look directly and see the affliction, they remain ignorant.

• The Mayor remarks, “how shabby the Happy Prince looks!” Even worse, “How shabby indeed!” cried the Town Councilors, who always agreed with the Mayor.” The Mayor calls the Prince a “beggar”.

The self-centeredness and folly appeared by special people in this story uncover the profound blemishes behind hubris and pride. Human voracity and fixation on appearances bring about underhanded and genuine offensiveness. These corrupt propensities stretch out to all pieces of society, from training to governmental issues to workmanship and equity—checking them necessitates that all individuals open their eyes to the substances ‘at the entryways”

Story: The Chameleon

‘The Chameleon’ expresses a profound truth about human behavior in a detailed framework.

• The police superintendent Otchumyelov is walking across the market square wearing a new overcoat and carrying a parcel under his arm.

The bundle that the cop was conveying under his arm was the payoff he may have taken from somebody.

• “H’m. Very good,” says Otchumyelov sternly, coughing and raising his eyebrows. “Very good. Whose dog is it? I won’t let this pass! I’ll teach them to let their dogs run all over the place! It’s time these gentry were looked after, if they won’t obey the regulations! When he’s fined, the blackguard, I’ll teach him what it means to keep dogs and such stray cattle! I’ll give him a lesson! . . . Yeldyrin,” cries the superintendent, addressing the policeman, “find out whose dog this is and draw up a report! And the dog must be strangled. Without delay! It’s sure to be mad. . . . Whose dog is it, I ask?”

“I fancy it’s General Zhigalov’s,” says someone in the crowd.

“General Zhigalov’s, h’m. . . . Help me off with my coat, Yeldyrin . . . it’s frightfully hot! It must be a sign of rain. . . . There’s one thing I can’t make out, how it came to bite you?” Otchumyelov turns to Hryukin. “Surely it couldn’t reach your finger. It’s a little dog, and you are a great hulking fellow! You must have scratched your finger with a nail, and then the idea struck you to get damages for it. We all know . . . your sort! I know you devils!”

The reference from the text shows that the policeman was a corrupt fellow. The state of mind of the police chief, Otchumyelov, is contrasted. In addition, he modifies his attitude according to each situation. Firstly Otchumyelov supports Hryukin saying that this should be done at the first opportunity. The owner of the dog must be discovered, he must record a report on it and the need for it. When the police officer came to know that it was General’s dog, Otchumyelov changes his state of mind and supports the dog. He betrays Hryukin and asks him to exercise caution. He also added that he is lying and trying to be discerning. It confirms that the chief of Police was a corrupt person.

• “I’ll make you smart yet!” Otchumyelov threatens him, and wrapping himself in his greatcoat, goes on his way across the square.

We can perceive how the one in power persecute the others for claim advantage. It shows the the excessively hierarchical and leveled nature of society.

Story: A Pair of Silk Stocking

Chopin uses her main character to investigate the shallow corruption of an American class structure that declared twofold good models—from one perspective empowering extreme spending, and on the other expecting common laborers ladies to live unadulterated, sacrificial, and humble lives.

• When the shop assistant in the store invites Mrs. Sommers to examine a pair of silk stockings, “[Mrs. Sommers] smiled, just as if she had been asked to inspect a tiara of diamonds with the ultimate view of purchasing it.”

It uncovered the class disparity and social disappointment experienced by regular workers ladies.

This demonstrates the profanation of tip top, because of which poor middle-class workers are becoming increasingly unhappy. The contrast between silk gloves and ‘a diamond tiara’ suggests that they are, for sure, an extravagance and a thing for the rich.

The story indicates how society spots weight on the functioning ladies to satisfy the requests of consumer culture.

Story: The Death of Hired Man

This play draws attention to Silac’s degenerate and casual behavior. He is not responsible and dutiful in any way. Like;

• “Off he goes always when I need him most.

In haying time, when any help is scarce.

In winter he comes back to us. I’m done.’’

This reference demonstrates the conduct of Silac is degenerate. He just goes to his lord at whatever point he needs or by his very own will.

Play: The Marriage Proposal

There is no corruption in this play.