CHAPTER: - 2
TOPIC: - TOO DEAR!
LEO TOLSTOY
LEO TOLSTOY
STORY ANALYSIS
In Too Dear! by Leo Tolstoy we have the theme of governance, justice, morality and power. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme of governance. Every time that the King encounters a problem with the prisoner he calls upon his Council of State. Who in turn end up setting up committees and sub- committees in an effort to resolve the issues with the prisoner. This may be important as Tolstoy may be suggesting that the King is unable to govern on his own and is relying on others to govern the Principality of Monaco. It is also noticeable that the most important thing to the King is money. He won‟t hang the prisoner because it costs too much money. Then he won‟t have a soldier guarding the prisoner because again it costs too much money. Eventually Tolstoy borders on the ridiculous with the prisoner leaving his cell each day and going into the palace to get his own food and then returning to his cell. Still this is too expensive for the King and he offers the prisoner a pension. If anything money overrules the law as far as the King is concerned. It is cheaper for the King to get rid of the prisoner by way of pension than to kill him for the crime he committed (murder).
It is also noticeable that nobody in government questions any of the King‟s decisions. His word is law which leaves the reader wondering as to why the King needs a government at all. If he is not going to take the advice of his government ministers. All power is based around the King. If the King likes an idea and it is not going to cost him too much money. Then that is the way the King will go. Everything is driven by cost for the King regardless of what an individual‟s crime might be. At no stage in the story does the reader suspect that the King thinks any differently. He has been presented with one of the worst crimes possible and has decided it is cheaper to pension off the prisoner. If anything the prisoner has been rewarded for his actions rather than being punished. Which may leave some readers to suggest that what is happening is bizarre. Which may be the point that Tolstoy is attempting to make. He may be suggesting that the King (and his ministers) are not fit to govern.
It may also be a case that Tolstoy is highlighting the uniqueness of Monaco. Something that is noticeable by not only the treatment of the prisoner but by the fact that Monaco is the only place in Europe that has gaming houses. It is the taxes from the gaming houses that pay for a lot of the King‟s endeavors. He is reliant on the taxes from the gaming houses to keep Monaco (and himself too) afloat. Morals do not appear to be an issue for the King. Unlike in the rest of Europe where gaming houses are not allowed due to the problem that they can create. It would appear that the most important thing for the King is not to abide by the laws of Monaco but to ensure that Monaco has enough money to allow the King to live the life hewould like to. The King‟s main priority is himself and not his subjects. Which may suggest to some that the King is selfish and that his policies are driven by finances rather than by fairness. The King is not the only one who is acting selfish throughout the story. All his ministers rather than questioning the King‟s rulings support the King completely. Most likely because they do not want things to change in Monaco. They in all probability are living comfortable lives as ministers to the King. It is as though they have a thirst for power which blinds them morally. They do after all agree with the King giving the prisoner a pension. Which though ridiculous is nonetheless acceptable in Monaco. Not one minister
SUMMARY
“Too Dear!” is a story written by count Leo Tolstoy, a famous Russian writer, master of realistic fiction and is widely considered one of the world‟s greatest novelists. The story “Too Dear!” is a parody of one of the modern systems of governance. It ridicules the ways of punishing criminals and dispensing justice in modern states. The story is narrated in a matter-of fact-tone but with an undercurrent of sarcasm. Leo Tolstoy satirizes the thirst for power, exercised by men of upper class, and how it affects society. In addition, it also raises a serious question on capital punishment. All is well in the kingdom of Monaco until a man commits a murder. The king had never had to deal with the murder until the man was sentenced to death. He runs into considerable trouble trying to carry out the sentence. Monaco had neither guillotine nor an executioner, so they requested the government of France. France agreed to send the requirements for the sum of 16000 francs. This would require imposing more tax on people. So the king requested for help from the king of Italy who agreed to provide the requirements at the cost of 12000 francs. As the King found the expenses unaffordable, the death sentence was altered to imprisonment for life. Life imprisonment however presented its own set of problems. There needed to be a guard to watch the criminal and provide him food. The costs came to be 600 francs, which would still require an increase of taxes. It was decided that the guard should be dismissed, at the risk of losing the prisoner. The prisoner however did not try to escape and tackles the King on any of his decisions. As mentioned the King‟s word is law regardless of what the courts may say. To an outsider the King‟s actions are inappropriate yet nobody in Monaco will challenge the King. If anything the real winner in the story is the prisoner. He gets to leave Monaco and return when his pension is due. With the money he receives he is able to set himself up in business. Yet the same can‟t be said for the person that the prisoner killed (or their family). The prisoner has committed a crime and evaded justice all because the King of Monaco does not wish to spend the money on executing the prisoner or feeding him. It is easier and cheaper for the King to give the prisoner a pension even though he is guilty of murder. In all likelihood the King because of the cost involved in executing the prisoner is setting a precedent. continued to stay in the prison. It was then agreed to pay an annuity of 600 francs by the government and he left the King‟s domains. In the concluding paragraph the narrator comments that it is good that the prisoner did not commit his crime in a country where they do not grudge expense to get a man‟s head off or to keep him in prison for life. The author seems to question the very conviction of the rulers and about the system of law and governance instituted by them. The author seems to appreciate the courage and open-mindedness of Monaco and acknowledging their limitations and letting the prisoner free on humanitarian grounds. It is worth noting that the writer puns on the title “Too Dear!” which means either too expensive, or of great value. The author leaves it to the reader to decide whether “Too Dear!” refers to executing the criminal or saving the criminal‟s life.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. Kingdom of Monaco – Near Borders of France and Italy.
2. Shore of Mediterranean Sea
2. Shore of Mediterranean Sea
3. 7,000 Inhabitants
4. Like small country town
5. TOY KINGDOM – REAL KINGLET - Palace, Courtiers, Ministers, Laws, Courts of justice, Bishops, Generals. - Army consists of just 60 Men
5. TOY KINGDOM – REAL KINGLET - Palace, Courtiers, Ministers, Laws, Courts of justice, Bishops, Generals. - Army consists of just 60 Men
6. TAXES - Tobacco, Wine, Poll tax - Monopoly in a Gaming House – Roulette because of it Monaco Govt. rakes in money. - Problem – Youngman (Rascal) commits murder unprecedented event.
7. DECISION – 1 - His Head cut off as law HITCH IN FOLLOWING - Non availability of Guillotine and executioner unaffordable - FrenchGovt – 16,000 francs, Italian Govt – 12,000 francs - Military men do not accept proposal of executing the man
8. DECISION – 2 - Life imprisonment, Hitch, Jail, Guard, Food. Result: - Expenses – Above 600 Francs.
9. DECISION – 3 - Dismisses guard and offers safe escape - Murderer is offered 600 Francs pension for life time to leave the king‟s domain for life time - Given ⅓ of annuity in advance - Murderer buys lands and starts market gardening
10. TITLE Too Dear! Is justified because per capita income of Monaco is 2 Francs expenditure to cope up with murderer (Rascal) comes up to 600 Francs per year for his remaining life.
SHORT NOTES
1. The Kingdom of Monaco The kingdom of Monaco was near the borders of France and Italy, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It had only seven thousand inhabitants and a small army of sixty men. This toy kingdom also had a king, a palace, courtiers, bishops, generals etc. The people of the kingdom of Monaco had to pay the taxes on tobacco and wine. The people of the kingdom were peace loving and there occurred no major crime in the kingdom. The king found that he fell short of money to run the kingdom efficiently. So, he opened a gaming house in his kingdom; where roulette was played by the people of the kingdom and even by those from the neighboring countries. Thus the king could get a share out of the profits earned in the gaming house. But, once when a murder happened, the murderer was put to trial and sentenced to death. The kingdom neither had the guillotine nor the executioner. So they tried to rent it, but it proved to be a costly affair. Later they decided to give him the life time imprisonment. This also could not be afforded by them. Finally, they had to get rid of the murderer by offering him a pension of 600 francs per year.
2. The murderer‟s shrewd and practical character The murderer committed a crime in the kingdom of Monaco. He was put to trial by the court of the kingdom. After much discussion he was sentenced to death. It was declared that he should be executed; but, the kingdom neither had a guillotine, nor an executioner. The king was not ready to spend money on renting the guillotine and the executioner from Italy or France. Thus it was declared that the murderer should be imprisoned for life. A guard was appointed outside the prison that not only guarded, but also brought food for him from the palace kitchen. The annual expense of the kingdom increased due to the murderer. Thus the guard was removed. The king waited for the prisoner to run away. But to his surprise the prisoner decided to stay in the prison. He even fetched food for himself from the kitchen and locked himself back in the room. The king summoned him and asked him that why did he not run away. The prisoner was very shrewd and practical. He told the king that he had nowhere to go. He blamed the king for spoiling his name and character. He said that now he would not even get a job. He argued that he should have been executed when once declared. Thus the king had to pay him a pension of 600 francs per year to get rid of him. He got one-third of it in advance. He purchased a land at the borders of the kingdom and started market gardening. He made a point to come regularly to collect his pension.
3. The ending of the story The ending of the story was quite unusual and unexpected. The annual expense of the kingdom increased due to the murderer. Thus the guard was removed. The king waitedfor the prisoner to run away. But to his surprise the prisoner decided to stay in the prison. He even fetched food for himself from the kitchen and locked himself back in the room. The king summoned him and asked him that why did he not run away. The prisoner was very shrewd and practical.He told the king that he had nowhere to go. He blamed the king for spoiling his name and character. He said that now he would not even get a job. He argued that he should have been executed when once declared. Thus the king had to pay him a pension of 600 francs per year to get rid of him. He got one-third of it in advance. He purchased a land at the borders of the kingdom and started market gardening. He made a point to come regularly to collect his pension. According to the author, it was a good thing that the murderer did not commit his crime in a country where they do not grudge expense to cut a man‟s head off or keep him in prison for life.
4. The title of the story The title of the story is quite apt and suggestive. The story is about a king and his kingdom which finds it „too dear‟ to handle a crime and a criminal. A murderer committed a crime in the kingdom of Monaco. He was put to trial by the court of the kingdom. After much discussion he was sentenced to death. It was declared that he should be executed; but, the kingdom neither had a guillotine, nor an executioner. The king was not ready to spend money on renting the guillotine and the executioner from Italy or France. Thus it was declared that the murderer should be imprisoned for life. A guard was appointed outside the prison that not only guarded, but also brought food for him from the palace kitchen.The annual expense of the kingdom increased due to the murderer. Thus the guard was removed. The king waited for the prisoner to run away. But to his surprise the prisoner decided to stay in the prison. He even fetched food for himself from the kitchen and locked himself back in the room. The king summoned him and asked him that why did he not run away. The prisoner was very shrewd and practical. He told the king that he had nowhere to go. He blamed the king for spoiling his name and character. He said that now he would not even get a job. He argued that he should have been executed when once declared. Thus the king had to pay him a pension of 600 francs per year to get rid of him. He got one-third of it in advance. He purchased a land at the borders of the kingdom and started market gardening. He made a point to come regularly to collect his pension. Thus it proved to be too dear for the king.
I. Answer the following questions in a word, a phrase or a sentence each: -
1. Who according to the council, was the brother monarch in Too dear? Or Who is known as a brother monarch?
Ans: - King of Italy
2. How much did the French government expect for a guillotine and an executioner in Too dear? Or How much did the French Government demand in the lesson „Too Dear!?
Ans: - King of Italy
2. How much did the French government expect for a guillotine and an executioner in Too dear? Or How much did the French Government demand in the lesson „Too Dear!?
Ans: - 16,000 Francs
3. Which country in Europe stopped the Gaming Houses as mentioned in “Too Dear!”? Or Which country banned the Gaming Houses in Europe?
Ans: - Germany Sovereigns
4. The King's special revenue was from _________ in Too dear. Or What business does the king of Monaco Monopolize in „Too Dear!‟?
Ans: - Gaming houses
5. Mention one of the reasons as to why death sentence was altered to life imprisonment?
Ans: -Because they could not afford a guillotine nor an executioner
6. What was the initial punishment suggested to the criminal by the council in Too dear?
3. Which country in Europe stopped the Gaming Houses as mentioned in “Too Dear!”? Or Which country banned the Gaming Houses in Europe?
Ans: - Germany Sovereigns
4. The King's special revenue was from _________ in Too dear. Or What business does the king of Monaco Monopolize in „Too Dear!‟?
Ans: - Gaming houses
5. Mention one of the reasons as to why death sentence was altered to life imprisonment?
Ans: -Because they could not afford a guillotine nor an executioner
6. What was the initial punishment suggested to the criminal by the council in Too dear?
Ans: - Death sentence
7. Mention one of the taxes imposed by the King of Monaco. Or What were the items on which taxes were imposed? Or Mention one of the taxes imposed by the king of Monaco? Or Mention the special source of revenue to the Monaco kingdom in „Too Dear!‟? Or Name any one commodity taxed in Monaco?
7. Mention one of the taxes imposed by the King of Monaco. Or What were the items on which taxes were imposed? Or Mention one of the taxes imposed by the king of Monaco? Or Mention the special source of revenue to the Monaco kingdom in „Too Dear!‟? Or Name any one commodity taxed in Monaco?
Ans: - Tobacco/wine and spirits/poll tax/gaming houses
8. What were the duties expected of the guard in the story, Too Dear!?
Ans: - The guard was expected to watch the criminal and also fetch his food from the palace kitchen
9. What did the people play in gaming houses? Or What was the game that was played in the gaming houses? Or Name the game being played in the gaming house in Too Dear!?
Ans: - Game of Roulette.
8. What were the duties expected of the guard in the story, Too Dear!?
Ans: - The guard was expected to watch the criminal and also fetch his food from the palace kitchen
9. What did the people play in gaming houses? Or What was the game that was played in the gaming houses? Or Name the game being played in the gaming house in Too Dear!?
Ans: - Game of Roulette.
10. What is the population of Monaco? Or How many inhabitants did the kingdom of Monaco have? Or How many inhabitants are there in the kingdom of Monaco? Or What is the population of the Kingdom of Monaco?
Ans: - Seven thousand inhabitants
11. How many men did the army of Monaco have? Or How many soldiers were there in the army of Monaco?
Ans: - Sixty men.
12. What is a Guillotine?
Ans: - Guillotine is a machine used to execute the head of a criminal.
13. Monaco did not have a guillotine as well as a ___________.
Ans: - Executioner.
14. Which government was approached first in the story Too Dear!?
Ans: - The French government.
15. How much did the Italian government quote for the guillotine and the executioner?
Ans: - Twelve thousand francs, including the travelling expenses.
16. What reason did the soldiers give for not executing the criminal? Or Why did the soldiers refuse to execute the criminal?
Ans: - They soldier gave the reason that they were not trained to do so.
17. What was the amount fixed as pension for the criminal in the story Too Dear? Or How much pension would the criminal get in Too Dear? Or What was the sum fixed as pension for the criminal in Too Dear?
Ans: - 600 francs.
18. Meaning of the proverb,” You can‟t earn stone palaces by Honest Labour.”
Ans: - Honest Labour alone cannot earn riches. One has to take resort to dishonest measures in order to earn beyond means.
19. How did the man kill himself in despair in the story Too Dear?
Ans: - Drawn or Shoot himself
20. What was the punishment given to the murder in the beginning in Too Dear?
Ans: - To Head Cut off
21. Why was the prince of Monaco unwilling to put an additional tax of two francs on the people?
Ans: - The Rascal was really not worth the money.
22. How much did the criminal receive as advance before leaving Monaco in Too Dear!?
Ans: - One – Third of his annuity.
23. Why was the sentence changed to life imprisonment?
Ans: - Because execution was too expensive.
24. Name the special source of revenue in the kingdom of Monaco?
Ans: - Gaming House, where people play Roulette.
25. Where did the criminal go to fetch his dinner in Too Dear?
Ans: - Palace Kitchen.
26. How does the author describe the kingdom of Monaco?
Ans: - The kingdom of Monaco was near the borders of France and Italy, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It had only seven thousand inhabitants and a small army of sixty men. This toy kingdom also had a king, a palace, courtiers, bishops, generals etc.
27. What were the different kinds of tax that were levied on the people of Monaco?
Ans: - The people of the kingdom of Monaco had to pay the taxes on tobacco and wine.
28. What crime was committed in Monaco that had never been committed before? What was done once the crime was discovered?
Ans: - A man committed a crime of murdering someone. This had never happened before in this peace loving kingdom. The murderer was sentenced to death after the trial.
29. What punishment did the judges announce for the murderer?
Ans: - The murderer was sentenced to death for his crime. The king announced to execute the murderer.
30. What was the hitch in executing the death punishment?
Ans: - The only hitch in executing the death sentence was that the kingdom had neither the guillotine and nor the executioner.
31. When it was discovered that the punishment could not be carried out due to the absence of a guillotine, what did the ministers decide to do? What was the response they received?
Ans: - When the ministers found that they had neither the guillotine and nor the executioner, they made an inquiry in the neighboring countries to get it on rent.
32. Why was the convict‟s punishment changed from one of death sentence to life imprisonment? Ans: - The convict‟s punishment was changed from death sentence to life imprisonment because the kingdom could not afford to rent a guillotine and an executioner.
33. What arrangements were made to keep the murderer in the prison?
Ans: - The murderer was locked in a prison. A guard was appointed to keep a watch on him and fetch him food from the palace kitchen.
34. Why did the council decide to dismiss the guard?
Ans: - At the end of one year of the imprisonment of the murderer, the king found that they had to spend a lot on the guard appointed for him. So they dismissed the guard.
35. Why did the prisoner not escape from the prison? What complaints did he lodge?
Ans: - The prisoner did not escape from the prison saying that he had nowhere to go. He complained that the king had ruined his name and character. He even told the king that he had harassed him by removing the guard.
36. What was the price the government had to pay in order to make the prisoner go away?
Ans: - The government had to promise him to pay the annual pension of 600 francs and they even had to give him one third of it in advance.
37. According to the author, what was a good thing for a murderer?
Ans: - According to the author, it was a good thing that he did not commit his crime in a country where they do not grudge expense to cut a man‟s head off or keep him in prison for life.
II. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 80 – 100 words each:
III. Answer the following questions in about 200 words:
1. What made the king alter his decisions in dealing with the criminal?
Or Why did the authorities in Monaco fail to carry out the death sentence of the criminal?
Ans: - The authorities in Monaco failed to carry out the death sentence because there was neither a Guillotine nor an executioner. Though they tried to borrow a machine and an expert from France and Italy, they realized that it would cost a huge sum of money and the king would be forced to collect nearly two francs more per head on taxes. Therefore, the authorities cancelled the idea of carrying out the death sentence.
2. How does the narrator describe the Toy Kingdom in Too Dear? Or Describe briefly the Toy Kingdom in Too Dear? Or Describe the Monaco Kingdom. Or Briefly describe the kingdom of Monaco mentioned in Too Dear?
Ans: - The narrator begins by telling about the location of Monaco. It was located near the borders of France and Italy on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a small kingdom which just has seven thousand inhabitants and if all the land in kingdom were divided there would not be even an acre for each inhabitant. The narrator calls it a toy kingdom as it did not have that glory, splendor and strength of a large kingdom. In this kingdom there was a kinglet and he had palace and courtiers, ministers and a Bishop and generals and an army. The kingdom in all had only sixty men as army. There were also taxes in the kingdom. The items that were taxed were tobacco, wine and spirits and poll tax.
3. Describe the different levels of punishment meted out to the criminal at different times?
Ans: - As though to disrupt peace murder was committed in the kingdom. The council and the king sentence the criminal to life sentence. But due to the lack of Guillotine and an executioner the sentence is reduced to life imprisonment. After a period of six months the king notices a new item of expenditure and he notices that the amount was spent on the criminal. Again the council was summoned and they decide to dismiss the guard so that the prisoner will run away from the prison but unfortunately the prisoner does not run away but he takes food from the palace kitchen and again locks himself up in the cell. Finally, the council asks him why he did not go away when there was no guard to watch over him and the criminal gives his own reasons as to why he did not go away from the prison. Finally, the council and king pay pension to the criminal and send his away from the prison. So we see at various times the council and king gives different sorts of punishment to the criminal.
4. Why was the criminal reluctant to go out of the prison in Too Dear? Or Why was the murderer reluctant to run away from the prison? Or Why did the prisoner refuse to go out of imprisonment? Explain. Or Why was the prisoner reluctant to go out of the prison in the story Too Dear? Or Why was the criminal refuse to escape from the prison in Too Dear?
Or Why did the murderer refuse to go out of the prison in Too Dear? Or Why was the murderer unwilling to run away from the prison in Too Dear? Or Mention the reasons stated by the prisoner in Too Dear for not going out of the prison.
Ans: - The prisoner refused to escape from the prison because the judgment given by the king of Monaco had ruined his character as he was termed „A Murderer‟ and the people of Monaco would turn their backs on him. Beside, nobody would employ him and he had to go without work. He felt that he was treated badly and it was not fair to ask him to move out of prison. He said that, first as he was sentenced to death, he must have been executed. It did not happen and he had not complained about the same. The judgement was changed and he was sentenced for life and a guard was put to bring him the food, but he too was removed with the changing judgement for the third time. This time, he was asked to go away from the prison which he was not willing to do, as he found his life secured inside the prison.
5. „The criminal leads a comfortable life after his release‟. Explain with reference to Too Dear? Or How did the criminal lead his life after his release in Too Dear? Or How did the prisoner lead his life after his release? Or How did the criminal benefit from the pension he was offered in the lesson Too Dear?
Or What benefits did the crimainal enjoy in the lesson „Too Der!‟? Ans: - The king of Monacooffered a pension of 600 Francs to get rid of the criminal who had committed a murder. The criminal agreed to go away from the kingdom on the condition that he has to receive his pension regularly on time. The prisoner received one – third of his annuity in advance. He emigrated and settled just across the frontier. He brought a piece of land and started market – gardening and lived comfortably. Regularly, he went to draw his pension enjoyed gaming and lived peacefully and happily.
6. „Though gaming is a dirty business, why does the king of Monaco resort to it?
Ans: - The king of Monaco levied taxes on tobacco, wine and spirit, apart from a poll tax. But there were such a few people in the country that the tax earned by these sources was not enough for the king to maintain his courtiers and official and his kingdom. Therefore, he had to resort to the tax obtained from gaming houses.
7. Describe the attempts made by the ministers in solving the problems of cutting off the criminal‟s head?
Ans: - Monaco, the kinglet though had well co – ordinated legal system but there was absence of means of execution to cut off the criminal‟s head. The king did not have a Guillotine machine and an executioner in his kingdom so he tried buying it from France but that would cost 16,000 Francs. Then, the king approached Italy, but Italy also quoted 12,000 Francs. Both these amounts were too high and could not have been accepted so the king asked his general to find a solider in his army who could cut the head roughly. But the solders replied that they were not trained to do so. So the king changed his punishment to life imprisonment and kept a guard to watch him. But after one year, the king met him in the prison. Then he was asked to run away but he refused to do so till they promised him annual lifelong pension of 600 Francs.
8. Inspite of all their efforts the king and his team failed in punishing the criminal. How is it narrated in the story Too Dear?
Ans: - Monaco is a small kingdom with hardly seven thousand inhabitants. The writer describes it as a „Toy Kingdom‟. But it had a king and ministers and his army. The problem is the kingdom started when a murder was committed. The prisoner was tried in the court of law and was given death sentence. His head was to cut off. But the state had neither Guillotine nor the executioner. So they thought of buying it from France and Italy, their neighboring countries. France asked for 16,000 Francs while Italy quoted 12,000 Francs. The king decided that it was too expensive and not worth it so the punishment was changed to life imprisonment but after a year the king realized that they were spending 600 Francs on the prisoner. Again they found it too expensive and the prisoner was asked to run away, but he didn‟t till they promised him annual lifelong pension of 600 Francs. The decision of the king and the advice given by the ministers, both were worth a laugh. Moreover, the maintenance of criminal in prison and the amount spent by the state on them is also mocked at. To get rid of the criminal only after promising a lifelong annual pension of 600 Francs. The criminal who was supposed to be punished by the state now enjoyed his life on state‟s money. He gambled in gaming house and spent a happy life thereafter.
9. What were the arguments put forth by the prisoner for not running awayfrom the prison?
Ans: - The Prisoner did not show any signs of running away and this got the ministers worried. The criminal was brought the Minister of Justice. He suggested to the prisoner to run away. The prisoner told the minister that he had nowhere to go and accused them of ruining his character by sentencing him to death. The prisoner told them that having been confined to the prison, he had given up his habit of working. He actually resented their action in not executing him. He finally told them that he would not like to agree to their proposal that he should run away and escape. The ministers decided to pay the prisoner a fixed sum of 600 Frans as pension. On receiving the news, the prisoner told them that he would go away on that condition but they must undertake to pay it regularly. The prisioner received one-third of his annuity in advance and left the king‟s dominions.
22. How much did the criminal receive as advance before leaving Monaco in Too Dear!?
Ans: - One – Third of his annuity.
23. Why was the sentence changed to life imprisonment?
Ans: - Because execution was too expensive.
24. Name the special source of revenue in the kingdom of Monaco?
Ans: - Gaming House, where people play Roulette.
25. Where did the criminal go to fetch his dinner in Too Dear?
Ans: - Palace Kitchen.
26. How does the author describe the kingdom of Monaco?
Ans: - The kingdom of Monaco was near the borders of France and Italy, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It had only seven thousand inhabitants and a small army of sixty men. This toy kingdom also had a king, a palace, courtiers, bishops, generals etc.
27. What were the different kinds of tax that were levied on the people of Monaco?
Ans: - The people of the kingdom of Monaco had to pay the taxes on tobacco and wine.
28. What crime was committed in Monaco that had never been committed before? What was done once the crime was discovered?
Ans: - A man committed a crime of murdering someone. This had never happened before in this peace loving kingdom. The murderer was sentenced to death after the trial.
29. What punishment did the judges announce for the murderer?
Ans: - The murderer was sentenced to death for his crime. The king announced to execute the murderer.
30. What was the hitch in executing the death punishment?
Ans: - The only hitch in executing the death sentence was that the kingdom had neither the guillotine and nor the executioner.
31. When it was discovered that the punishment could not be carried out due to the absence of a guillotine, what did the ministers decide to do? What was the response they received?
Ans: - When the ministers found that they had neither the guillotine and nor the executioner, they made an inquiry in the neighboring countries to get it on rent.
32. Why was the convict‟s punishment changed from one of death sentence to life imprisonment? Ans: - The convict‟s punishment was changed from death sentence to life imprisonment because the kingdom could not afford to rent a guillotine and an executioner.
33. What arrangements were made to keep the murderer in the prison?
Ans: - The murderer was locked in a prison. A guard was appointed to keep a watch on him and fetch him food from the palace kitchen.
34. Why did the council decide to dismiss the guard?
Ans: - At the end of one year of the imprisonment of the murderer, the king found that they had to spend a lot on the guard appointed for him. So they dismissed the guard.
35. Why did the prisoner not escape from the prison? What complaints did he lodge?
Ans: - The prisoner did not escape from the prison saying that he had nowhere to go. He complained that the king had ruined his name and character. He even told the king that he had harassed him by removing the guard.
36. What was the price the government had to pay in order to make the prisoner go away?
Ans: - The government had to promise him to pay the annual pension of 600 francs and they even had to give him one third of it in advance.
37. According to the author, what was a good thing for a murderer?
Ans: - According to the author, it was a good thing that he did not commit his crime in a country where they do not grudge expense to cut a man‟s head off or keep him in prison for life.
II. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 80 – 100 words each:
III. Answer the following questions in about 200 words:
1. What made the king alter his decisions in dealing with the criminal?
Or Why did the authorities in Monaco fail to carry out the death sentence of the criminal?
Ans: - The authorities in Monaco failed to carry out the death sentence because there was neither a Guillotine nor an executioner. Though they tried to borrow a machine and an expert from France and Italy, they realized that it would cost a huge sum of money and the king would be forced to collect nearly two francs more per head on taxes. Therefore, the authorities cancelled the idea of carrying out the death sentence.
2. How does the narrator describe the Toy Kingdom in Too Dear? Or Describe briefly the Toy Kingdom in Too Dear? Or Describe the Monaco Kingdom. Or Briefly describe the kingdom of Monaco mentioned in Too Dear?
Ans: - The narrator begins by telling about the location of Monaco. It was located near the borders of France and Italy on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a small kingdom which just has seven thousand inhabitants and if all the land in kingdom were divided there would not be even an acre for each inhabitant. The narrator calls it a toy kingdom as it did not have that glory, splendor and strength of a large kingdom. In this kingdom there was a kinglet and he had palace and courtiers, ministers and a Bishop and generals and an army. The kingdom in all had only sixty men as army. There were also taxes in the kingdom. The items that were taxed were tobacco, wine and spirits and poll tax.
3. Describe the different levels of punishment meted out to the criminal at different times?
Ans: - As though to disrupt peace murder was committed in the kingdom. The council and the king sentence the criminal to life sentence. But due to the lack of Guillotine and an executioner the sentence is reduced to life imprisonment. After a period of six months the king notices a new item of expenditure and he notices that the amount was spent on the criminal. Again the council was summoned and they decide to dismiss the guard so that the prisoner will run away from the prison but unfortunately the prisoner does not run away but he takes food from the palace kitchen and again locks himself up in the cell. Finally, the council asks him why he did not go away when there was no guard to watch over him and the criminal gives his own reasons as to why he did not go away from the prison. Finally, the council and king pay pension to the criminal and send his away from the prison. So we see at various times the council and king gives different sorts of punishment to the criminal.
4. Why was the criminal reluctant to go out of the prison in Too Dear? Or Why was the murderer reluctant to run away from the prison? Or Why did the prisoner refuse to go out of imprisonment? Explain. Or Why was the prisoner reluctant to go out of the prison in the story Too Dear? Or Why was the criminal refuse to escape from the prison in Too Dear?
Or Why did the murderer refuse to go out of the prison in Too Dear? Or Why was the murderer unwilling to run away from the prison in Too Dear? Or Mention the reasons stated by the prisoner in Too Dear for not going out of the prison.
Ans: - The prisoner refused to escape from the prison because the judgment given by the king of Monaco had ruined his character as he was termed „A Murderer‟ and the people of Monaco would turn their backs on him. Beside, nobody would employ him and he had to go without work. He felt that he was treated badly and it was not fair to ask him to move out of prison. He said that, first as he was sentenced to death, he must have been executed. It did not happen and he had not complained about the same. The judgement was changed and he was sentenced for life and a guard was put to bring him the food, but he too was removed with the changing judgement for the third time. This time, he was asked to go away from the prison which he was not willing to do, as he found his life secured inside the prison.
5. „The criminal leads a comfortable life after his release‟. Explain with reference to Too Dear? Or How did the criminal lead his life after his release in Too Dear? Or How did the prisoner lead his life after his release? Or How did the criminal benefit from the pension he was offered in the lesson Too Dear?
Or What benefits did the crimainal enjoy in the lesson „Too Der!‟? Ans: - The king of Monacooffered a pension of 600 Francs to get rid of the criminal who had committed a murder. The criminal agreed to go away from the kingdom on the condition that he has to receive his pension regularly on time. The prisoner received one – third of his annuity in advance. He emigrated and settled just across the frontier. He brought a piece of land and started market – gardening and lived comfortably. Regularly, he went to draw his pension enjoyed gaming and lived peacefully and happily.
6. „Though gaming is a dirty business, why does the king of Monaco resort to it?
Ans: - The king of Monaco levied taxes on tobacco, wine and spirit, apart from a poll tax. But there were such a few people in the country that the tax earned by these sources was not enough for the king to maintain his courtiers and official and his kingdom. Therefore, he had to resort to the tax obtained from gaming houses.
7. Describe the attempts made by the ministers in solving the problems of cutting off the criminal‟s head?
Ans: - Monaco, the kinglet though had well co – ordinated legal system but there was absence of means of execution to cut off the criminal‟s head. The king did not have a Guillotine machine and an executioner in his kingdom so he tried buying it from France but that would cost 16,000 Francs. Then, the king approached Italy, but Italy also quoted 12,000 Francs. Both these amounts were too high and could not have been accepted so the king asked his general to find a solider in his army who could cut the head roughly. But the solders replied that they were not trained to do so. So the king changed his punishment to life imprisonment and kept a guard to watch him. But after one year, the king met him in the prison. Then he was asked to run away but he refused to do so till they promised him annual lifelong pension of 600 Francs.
8. Inspite of all their efforts the king and his team failed in punishing the criminal. How is it narrated in the story Too Dear?
Ans: - Monaco is a small kingdom with hardly seven thousand inhabitants. The writer describes it as a „Toy Kingdom‟. But it had a king and ministers and his army. The problem is the kingdom started when a murder was committed. The prisoner was tried in the court of law and was given death sentence. His head was to cut off. But the state had neither Guillotine nor the executioner. So they thought of buying it from France and Italy, their neighboring countries. France asked for 16,000 Francs while Italy quoted 12,000 Francs. The king decided that it was too expensive and not worth it so the punishment was changed to life imprisonment but after a year the king realized that they were spending 600 Francs on the prisoner. Again they found it too expensive and the prisoner was asked to run away, but he didn‟t till they promised him annual lifelong pension of 600 Francs. The decision of the king and the advice given by the ministers, both were worth a laugh. Moreover, the maintenance of criminal in prison and the amount spent by the state on them is also mocked at. To get rid of the criminal only after promising a lifelong annual pension of 600 Francs. The criminal who was supposed to be punished by the state now enjoyed his life on state‟s money. He gambled in gaming house and spent a happy life thereafter.
9. What were the arguments put forth by the prisoner for not running awayfrom the prison?
Ans: - The Prisoner did not show any signs of running away and this got the ministers worried. The criminal was brought the Minister of Justice. He suggested to the prisoner to run away. The prisoner told the minister that he had nowhere to go and accused them of ruining his character by sentencing him to death. The prisoner told them that having been confined to the prison, he had given up his habit of working. He actually resented their action in not executing him. He finally told them that he would not like to agree to their proposal that he should run away and escape. The ministers decided to pay the prisoner a fixed sum of 600 Frans as pension. On receiving the news, the prisoner told them that he would go away on that condition but they must undertake to pay it regularly. The prisioner received one-third of his annuity in advance and left the king‟s dominions.
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:
There were seven thousand people in the kingdom of Monaco.
There was a real kinglet. He collected revenue from the gaming house people played roulette.
There were taxes on tobacco, wine and spirit and apoll-tax.
A man committed a murder in Monaco.
He was sentenced to death.
But Monaco had no guillotine and executioner.
So they sought the help of France.
France demanded 16,000 francs to send.
So the king sought the help of Italy.
Italy demanded 12,000 francs.
It was also too much.
Then the criminal was given life imprisonment.
A guard was needed to look after him.
The man had to be fed.
The yearly costs were 600 francs.
It was too much. So the guard was dismissed.
The criminal ate the food from the palace kitchen.
He did not try to escape as his character was ruined.
He was finally given yearly pension He remained in exile just outside of the country.
RECAPITULATION:
Monaco- a tiny little kingdom
Various taxes Gaming house- a special source of income
Murder- the unusual incident Death sentence
No guillotine or an expert
King writes to France and Italy but proved costly
Change of death sentence into life imprisonment
600 francs annual maintenance
The criminal does not want to leave
Pension/one third of annuity in advance
The criminal leaves
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