AHSEC| CLASS 12| ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH| THE VERGER
UNIT
– 1
VIBGYOR
PROSE
(THE VERGER)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: -
William Somerset Maugham (25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was a
British writer of the early 20th century. He wrote many plays, novels, and short stories. He started his career as a physician but later left his career to become a full-time writer. His first novel was Lisa of Lambeth, published in 1897. He also served in the Red Cross during World War I and was recruited by the British Secret Intelligence Service in 1916. He also worked in Switzerland and Russia. Of all his works, Of Human Bondage is considered a masterpiece. It was a semi-autobiographical novel published in 1915. His other notable works include. The Moon and Sixpence (1919), Cakes and Ale (1930) Razor's Edge (1944). His short story collections are Orientations (1899), Ashenden (1928), The Book Bag (1932), The Mixture as Before (1940). Most of his works contain a mixture of fact and fiction which has become a distinctive feature of his writings. In his work "The Summing Up" (1938), Maugham admits, "Fact and fiction have become so mixed in my work that now, when I look back, I can hardly distinguish one from the other".CHAPTER SUMMARY
Somerset Maugham's short story The Verger relates the circumstances
that led to the resignation of Albert Edward Foreman, a verger of St Peter's
Neville Square. Foreman was a gentleman and distinguished man who had served St
Peter's Church for sixteen years. With his hard work and dedicated service, he
became the head of the church. Albert began his career as a page boy in the
household of a merchant prince. But from a footman to a one-handed butler to a
widowed female co-worker, some rose. He later became Verger at St. Verger's
eligibility was later challenged with the appointment of a new chaplain at
Peter's in Neville Square. The day after the christening ceremony the new
pastor called Verger into the vestry, where two elder wardens were already
waiting for him. The clergy praised Albert for his honesty and ability to work,
but he ignored the wisdom gained from his long years of dedicated service and
experience, based on Albert's illiteracy. Albert is shocked but defends himself
by saying that the previous priest had no objection. He said that he can handle
everything well even without education. But the priest was determined. He gave
Verger the option of learning the alphabet within three months. By doing so,
the latter will have to lose his job. Verger declined the offer and preferred
to resign, believing it was too late to learn. Vergar became sad after
resigning. He was not ready to be a servant again because he was his own
master. He wanted cigarettes but could not find any shop. Foreman decided to
become a tobacco salesman and news-agent. He started with a small shop, later
he opened another shop and hired a manager. Within ten years, he had acquired
at least ten stores. He earned a lot and deposited it in the bank. He was
amazingly successful. Years later, when Foreman is asked to sign some papers at
the bank and invest his money, Foreman learns that he is illiterate. The
manager was amazed at what this man had accomplished without the ability to
read. When he asked the foreman what he would do if he could read, the foreman
simply said that he would be able to read.
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