Noor Ul Ain

Roll no. 13
Enemies by Anton Chekhov
MCQs
1. What is the time in the beginning of the story?
a) 6 and 7 in the evening
b) 7 and 8 in the evening
c) 8 and 9 in the evening
d) 9 and 10 in the evening
2. Dr. Kirilov’s son died due to
a) Malaria
b) Corona
c) Influenza
d) Diphtheria
3. Aboguin thought that his wife was going to die because of
a) Thyroid problem
b) Aneurism
c) Acidity
d) Mental disorder
4. How did Aboguin’s wife deceive him?
a) By killing herself
b) By looting his wealth away
c) By running away with another man
d) By saying him on his face that she does not love him
5. Aboguin said that he loved his wife like a
a) King
b) Prince
c) Romeo
d) Flunkey
6. “An insult cannot be paid for in _____”
a) Insult
b) Money
c) Drinks
d) Fight
7. With whom did Aboguin’s wife run away?
a) Kirilov
b) Aboguin’s friend
c) Chekhov
 d) Paptchinsky
8. Chekhov’s “Enemies” has been published in English with the title
a) Tragic Evening
b) Two Tragedies
c) Doctor’s Tragedy
d) Hate
9. What is Kirilov’s attitude towards Aboguin’s wealth?
a) He obeys him
b) He is impressed
c) He is not interested
d) He becomes resentful
10. What is the age of Dr. Kirilov’s dead son’s age?
a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7

Short Questions
1) What symbolism is used by Chekhov in the short story “Enemies”?
Chekhov uses the natural setting to symbolize the progress the story. The Child’s death
in September, the time of year when according to Chekhov, the world seems to be sunk
in apathy, waiting for winter. The story is filled with darkness, the child’s death occurs
on a dark night; Aboguin appears out of the darkness, waits in the dark hall and then
with Kirilov goes out into the dark; all this darkness represents not only the the usad
environment but also the pessimistic mood of Aboguin and Kirilov. The moon is veiled in
clouds suggests that the light may well vanish; its red color indicates a possibility of
warmth or, alternatively, of blood. The only sound that the men hear is the cry of the
rooks, the night birds often associated with death, which seems to reflect their own
sorrows.
2) How is the issue of class consciousness is presented in the story?
The story also seems to be painting towards the issue of class consciousness. Dr.
Kirilov’s anger and hatred towards Aboguin heightens when he comes to know that
Aboguin belongs to the wealthy aristocratic class. Dr. Kirilov thinks that Aboguin’s
request for him to visit home is a part of a long chain of insult inflected by the rich upon
the poor. Therefore, when the Dr. Kirilov returns home, he is filled with anger for the
people belonging to that class and feels that he will not be able to forget them
throughout his life.
3) “Grief does not unite people, but separates them.” Explain with the reference
of “Enemies”.
In the short story “Enemies” we see the first character Dr. Kirilov who is in grief upon
the death of his only son then the grief of Aboguin who is in the beginning was worried
about his wife’s health and later sorrowful over her elopement with another man. We
see that both the characters are only thinking about their own situation. They are so
much filled with their own agonies that they fail to understand others sufferings. We
may think that Dr. Kirilov and Aboguin who are passing through the most difficult
moment of their lives should have been able to understand each other better. But that
does not happen in reality. Instead, they fall down to such an extent that they even
forget their self-respect.
4) How does Aboguin harass Dr. Kirilov?
Firstly, when the doctor opens the door, Aboguin takes him as of a servant of doctor, as
he is not able to recognize the doctor. Secondly, Aboguin keeps telling him about his
wife’s health issue but does not read the face of doctor. Thirdly, when the doctor tells
him about his son’s death but Aboguin does not seem like effected by this revelation
and still begs the doctor to go with him for the love of humanity. Lastly, Aboguin also
insults him when he offers his money to absolve the insult of his cuckoldry.
5) What is Aboguin’s reaction on realizing that his wife has run away?
Aboguin is completely shattered upon knowing the fact that his wife had deceived him
and has run away with his friend. He wishes that it was better if she has died. He is
repenting while saying that he has loved her so much, sacrificed everything for her,
quarreled with his family. He has given up the service and music and has not forgiven his
mother or sister. He is sorrowful over the fact that he is blindly in love with her that his
previous life is effected by her but she still deceives him.