Basic Info
What's the title & author of this short story ?
The Bet by Anton Chekhov
"Two millions are nothing to me, but you stand to lose three or four of the best years of your life. I say three or four, because you'll never stick it out any longer."
The lawyer seems to value time more than money, and mentions that these are the best years of the banker's life because he is in his prime.
What does capital Punishment mean?
the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime
Where was the lawyer required to stay for the 15 years?
The garden wing of the banker's house.
In a website browser address bar, what does "www" stand for?
World Wide Web
2 milion
What does Autumn represent?
It is a transformation and reflection. The act of aging and leaving youth.
The lawyer says, "Capital punishment and life imprisonment are _____"
equally immoral
Why does the lawyer believe life imprisonment is more ideal?
The lawyer thinks "It's better to live somehow than not to live at all."
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Leonardo da Vinci
What years does the man agree to be imprisoned?
1870- 1885
“It has not the right to take away what it cannot restore when it wants to.”
It discusses the immorality of taking away life when it is something that can be restored, no matter how hard they try.
The banker says, "...in my opinion capital punishment is more ___ and more ___ than imprisonment"
moral, humane
Name at least two things the lawyer was NOT allowed to do in confinement:
See living people, cross the threshold, hear human voices, receive letters/newspapers
What does SPF in sunscreen stand for?
Sun Protection Factor
Books
“voluntary confinement is a great deal harder to bear than compulsory.”
It will never be an accurate comparison because the lawyer knows that he can leave whenever he wants, but life in prison is not voluntary and is unavoidable
What did the party guests think about capital punishment?
They disapproved and thought it to be an obsolete and immoral punishment.
Name at least four things the lawyer WAS allowed to do in confinement:
Read books, have an instrument, write letters, drink wine, smoke tobacco, communicate in silence
What singer holds the most Grammy nominations?
Beyonce (thank u Beyonce <3)
Who are the two main characters from this short story?
The banker and the lawyer.
"Execution kills instantly, life-imprisonment kills by degrees. Who is the more humane executioner, one who kills you in a few seconds or one who draws the life out of you incessantly, for years?"
The phrase "kills by degrees" emphasizes the gradual deterioration of a prisoner’s life, making it seem even crueler than a swift execution.
Was the lawyer justified in believing it's better to live somehow than not at all?
After 15 years, he ends up with immense knowledge and wisdom from his books, which he would have been able to if he had been executed.
How does the lawyer feel after being imprisoned? What does he write to the banker?
He declares that he despises "freedom, life, health, and all the blessings of the world".
Which country is the largest in the world?
Russia