1. What purpose does the first sentence serve?

The first sentence sets the atmosphere of the story. The climate is dull and tiring. The hero Ivan is also in such a state of mind.

2. Can you guess what story Ivan was about to tell Bourkin?

It might be a story of farmlands or someone who lives on a farm.

3. How do you feel when it rains?

We feel very pleasant and cool when it rains. We like to get wet. But after the rains, we feel sticky and irritated with wet clothes on.

4. Describe Aliokhin's appearance.

Aliokhin was a forty year old man, tall and stout with long hair. He looked more like a professor or a painter than a farmer. He was wearing a white shirt, a rope belt and pants. He was covered with dust and his boots were covered with mud and straw.

5. Why couldn't Aliokhin bathe regularly despite having a good bathing shed?

Aliokhin didn't have time to bathe regularly.

6. How did Ivan respond to the rain?

Ivan plunged into the water and swam about in the pool when it was raining. He felt that it was a delicious experience.

7. When did Ivan start narrating his story?

When Ivan, Bourkin and Aliokhin assembled in the drawing room and sat on the chairs dressed up, Ivan started narrating his story.

8. How did the brothers spend their childhood after their father's death?

The brothers lived in the country. Like the children of peasants they spent days and nights in the fields and the forests and went fishing.

9. Comment on Ivan's view on the saying that a man needs only six feet of land.

Ivan's view about land is a fatalistic view. 6 feet is the measure of land required for burying a corpse. But for farmers and rural people, more land is required for living comfortably. So we cannot agree with Ivan's view about the land.

10. 'To leave town, and the struggle and the swim of life, and go and hide yourself in a farmhouse is not life - it is egoism, laziness.' Do you agree? Why?

Life in a town and life in the country are two different ways of life. One is not superior to the other. Ivan doesn't believe in leaving the town for the country. But that is his personal opinion only. A farmer's life is equally active and challenging. A farmer cannot be lazy.

11. What was the difference in the attitudes of Ivan and Nicholai towards life?

Ivan wanted a life of action and exposure in the city. Nicholai, even though he worked hard in the city, did not like life in the city. He wanted to go back to the country and live in a dream farm full of gooseberries.

12. What was Nicholai's dream?

Nicholai dreamt of a farmland which contained amidst other plants, trees, gooseberry plants etc.

13. Mention some of the advantages of country life.

Country life helps us to watch nature and various living things in it at close quarters. We can enjoy the charms of nature, through our senses. Country life gives us fresh air and healthy surroundings.

14. 'Fixed goals help us achieve success in life.' What is your opinion?

If we have well defined goals in life we will be able to achieve success. A person should be slow and steady in his walk towards his goal. If he doesn't refix his targets he will be able to achieve his goals. Fixing of goals means fixing of decisions.

15. What were the sacrifices that Nicholai made to achieve his goal?

Nicholai lived like a miser. He saved all the money he got. He didn't even go on holidays. He worked hard and stored all the money he got.

16. Nicholai had to buy an  estate quite different from what he had dreamt of. But he didn't grieve much. How would you behave in such a situation?

Nicholai didn't grieve much because he knew how to transform a barren land into an orchard of his dreams. Initially I would be grieved and regretful in such a situation because I do not know how to cultivate. But my optimism and positive attitude will help me adopt to the new situation by and by.

17. What were the 'good works' of Nicholai? How did he care for his peasants?

Nicholai cured the peasants of their diseases using soda and Castor oil. One his birthdays he gave them a treat of vodka.

18. The gooseberries were unripe and sour, but Nicholai found them delicious. Why?

The gooseberries for Nicholai were a dream come true. Throughout his life, he had dreamt of eating the gooseberries grown in his farm house. Hence he found them delicious eventhough they were sour.

19. Was Nicholai happy with his life? How do you know that?

Nicholai was fully happy with his life. At night Ivan could hear him going to his plate of gooseberries and eating them to his fill.

20. What distinction did Ivan make between the happy and the unhappy?

A happy person is always satisfied and powerful. He displays his happiness openly. A sad person will always bear his sorrow in silence.

21. What, according to Ivan, was the relevance of freedom?

Freedom is a boon. But we must wait for attaining freedom. But Ivan also feels that there is no point in waiting too long.

22. Why did Ivan find it difficult to live in town after visiting his brother?

After visiting his brother, Ivan felt oppressed by the peacefulness and quietness of the town. He became unable to tolerate the sight of a happy family. He had grown too old for such pleasures.

23.How can happiness be achieved in life?

Ivan felt that his notion of happiness in town life was wrong. He had objected to his brother buying a farm house. But now he felt that he was a wicked sinner to have believed so.

24. What was the dream of Nicholai in life?

Nicholai wanted to buy a large farm house with a gooseberry plant in it.

25. What was Ivan's attitude towards life in a farm?

Ivan didnot like to be shut up in a farm. He thought that it was a waste of one's powers.