A Chameleon Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 12 English Chapter 2 – A Chameleon Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from A Rainbow of English Book (Section C)
A Chameleon Summary – Are you looking for the summary, theme and lesson explanation for Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 12 A Rainbow of English Book (Section C) Chapter 2 – A Chameleon. Get Lesson summary, theme, explanation along with difficult word meanings
PSEB Class 12 English (Section C) Chapter 2- A Chameleon
Anton Chekhov
The lesson ” A Chameleon ” by Anton Chekhov is a meaningful story that showcases how people change their behaviour according to others’ status and the power they possess in society. The lesson is about a police officer named Otchumyelov, who throughout the lesson keeps on changing his opinion about a dog bite case depending on who owns the dog. Through this story, Chekhov teaches us not to be unfair and shows how some people are dishonest and lack justice when dealing with the rich and the poor.
Related
A Chameleon Summary
The lesson ” A Chameleon ” by Anton Chekhov talks about a police officer named Otchumyelov who keeps on changing his behaviour depending on who he is dealing with, just like a chameleon changes its colour depending upon its situation. One day, Otchumyelov is walking through the market square with a policeman. Suddenly, they hear a dog barking and crying. A man named Hryukin, a goldsmith, is chasing a small white puppy and says that the dog has bitten his finger. Many people gather around to watch. Initially, Otchumyelov becomes very angry and says the dog should be killed and its owner should be punished. He acts very strict and powerful in front of the audience. But when someone says that the dog might belong to General Zhigalov, a rich and important man, Otchumyelov’s attitude suddenly changes. He becomes kind and gentle, saying that such a small dog could not have bitten anyone. Later, someone says that it is not the General’s dog, and Otchumyelov becomes angry again, saying it must be a stray dog that should be killed. The General’s cook, Prohor, comes and says the dog belongs to the General’s brother. Immediately, Otchumyelov changes his attitude again, he starts praising the dog and scolding Hryukin instead. In the end, the cook takes the dog away, and the crowd laughs at Hryukin. Otchumyelov proudly walks off, happy to please the General’s family.
Summary of the Lesson A Chameleon in Hindi
एंटोन चेखव का पाठ “एक गिरगिट” ओचुमेलोव नाम के एक पुलिस अधिकारी के बारे में बताता है, जो अपने व्यवहार को बदलता रहता है, ठीक वैसे ही जैसे गिरगिट अपनी परिस्थिति के अनुसार अपना रंग बदलता है। एक दिन, ओचुमेलोव एक पुलिसकर्मी के साथ बाज़ार के चौराहे से गुज़र रहा था। अचानक, उन्हें एक कुत्ते के भौंकने और रोने की आवाज़ सुनाई दी। ह्रुकिन नाम का एक सुनार, एक छोटे से सफ़ेद पिल्ले का पीछा कर रहा था और कहता है कि कुत्ते ने उसकी उंगली काट ली है। कई लोग यह देखने के लिए इकट्ठा हो गए। शुरुआत में, ओचुमेलोव बहुत क्रोधित हुआ और कहा कि कुत्ते को मार दिया जाना चाहिए और उसके मालिक को सज़ा दी जानी चाहिए। वह दर्शकों के सामने बहुत सख्त और दबंग व्यवहार करता है। लेकिन जब कोई कहता है कि कुत्ता जनरल ज़िगालोव का हो सकता है, जो एक अमीर और महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति है, तो ओचुमेलोव का रवैया अचानक बदल जाता है। वह दयालु और सौम्य हो जाता है और कहता है कि इतना छोटा कुत्ता किसी को नहीं काट सकता। बाद में, कोई कहता है कि यह जनरल का कुत्ता नहीं है, और ओचुमेलोव फिर से क्रोधित हो जाता है, कहता है कि यह कोई आवारा कुत्ता होगा जिसे मार देना चाहिए। जनरल का रसोइया, प्रोहोर, आता है और कहता है कि कुत्ता जनरल के भाई का है। तुरंत, ओचुमेलोव का रवैया बदल जाता है, वह कुत्ते की तारीफ़ करने लगता है और ह्रीयुकिन को डाँटने लगता है। अंत में, रसोइया कुत्ते को ले जाता है, और भीड़ ह्रीयुकिन पर हँसती है। जनरल के परिवार को खुश करके ओचुमेलोव गर्व से वहाँ से चला जाता है।
Theme of the Lesson A Chameleon
The lesson “A Chameleon” by Anton Chekhov revolves around the following themes:-
Hypocrisy and Abuse of Power
The central theme of the lesson is how people in authority often misuse their power and behave differently with the rich and the poor. Otchumyelov, the police superintendent, keeps changing his opinion depending on who owns the dog. His hypocrisy shows the lack of fairness and justice in society.
Social Inequality and Injustice
Chekhov exposes the deep social divide where the powerful are always protected, and the common man is humiliated. Hryukin, the goldsmith, becomes a victim of this unfair system when Otchumyelov defends the dog only because it belongs to a General’s family.
Moral Weakness and Cowardice
The story also shows how fear of authority and desire for personal safety make people morally weak. Otchumyelov’s changing behaviour reveals his cowardice and lack of principles. Chekhov criticizes those who change their beliefs to please powerful people instead of standing for truth and justice.
A Chameleon Explanation
Passage: The police superintendent Otchumyelov is walking across the market square wearing a new overcoat and carrying a parcel under his arm. A red-haired policeman strides after him with a sieve full of confiscated gooseberries in his hands. There is silence all around. Not a soul in the square…. The open doors of the shops and taverns look out upon God’s world disconsolately, like hungry mouths; there is not even a beggar near them.
“So you bite, you damned brute?” Otchumyelov hears suddenly. “Lads, don’t let him go! Biting is prohibited nowadays! Hold him! ah…ah!”
Word Meanings:
superintendent (n): a police officer with a high position
overcoat (n): a long thick coat that you wear in cold weather
strides (v): walks with big steps
sieve (n): a type of kitchen tool that has a metal or plastic net
confiscated (v): officially taken away from a law-breaker as a punishment
gooseberries (n): a small green fruit that is covered in small hairs and has a sour taste
taverns (n): a place where alcohol is sold and drunk
disconsolate (adj.): unhappy and disappointed
brute (n): a person who is offensive and rude, and often violent
prohibited (v): to say that something is not allowed by law
Explanation of the passage: The lesson begins with police officer Otchumyelov walking through the market square. He is wearing a new coat and carrying a parcel under his arm. A red-haired policeman walks behind him, holding a bag full of gooseberries that were taken from someone. The market is very quiet and empty. There are no people around. The shops and pubs are open but look sad and lonely, as if they are waiting for customers. Suddenly, Otchumyelov hears shouting. A man shouts angrily at the dog and tells others to catch it because biting is not allowed anymore. This loud noise breaks the silence of the market.
Passage: There is the sound of a dog yelping. Otchumyelov looks in the direction of the sound and sees a dog, hopping on three legs and looking about her, run out of Pitchugin’s timber-yard. A man in a starched cotton shirt, with his waistcoat unbuttoned, is chasing her. He runs after her, and throwing his body forward falls down and seizes the dog by her hind legs. Once more there is a yelping and a shout of “Don’t let go!” Sleepy countenances are protruded from the shops, and soon a crowd, which seems to have sprung out of the earth, is gathered round the timber-yard.
Word Meanings:
yelping (v): crying in pain
timber (n): wood from trees that is used for building, or trees grown for this use
starched (adj.): to make clothes stiff by washing them with starch
hind legs (n): the back legs of a four-legged animal
countenances (n): faces
protruded (v): pushed out
sprung (v): to jump or move quickly
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov hears a dog in pain and looks to see what is happening. He sees a dog running on three legs out of Pitchugin’s yard, looking around nervously. A man wearing a cotton shirt chases the dog. He runs after it, falls forward, and grabs the dog by its back legs. The dog screams again in pain, and the man shouts to not let the dog go. People in the shops start peeking out with sleepy faces. Soon, a crowd gathers around the yard, as if they appeared from nowhere.
Passage: “It looks like a row, your honour…” says the policeman.
Otchumyelov makes a half turn to the left and strides towards the crowd.
He sees the aforementioned man in the unbuttoned waistcoat standing close by the gate of the timber-yard, holding his right hand in the air and displaying a bleeding finger to the crowd. On his half-drunken face there is plainly written: “I’ll pay you out, you rogue!” and indeed the very finger has the look of a flag of victory. In this man Otchumyelov recognises Hryukin, the goldsmith. The culprit who has caused the sensation, a white puppy with a sharp muzzle and a yellow patch on her back, is sitting on the ground with her fore-paws outstretched in the middle of the crowd, trembling all over. There is an expression of misery and terror in her tearful eyes.
Word Meanings:
row (n): a noisy quarrel
aforementioned (adj.): mentioned before, in an earlier sentence
rogue (adj.): behaving differently from other similar people or things, often causing damage
goldsmith (n): a person who makes, repairs or sells articles made of gold
muzzle (n): nose and mouth
fore-paws (n): the front paws of a four-footed animal
trembling (v): to shake, for example because you are cold, scared, etc.
misery (n): great unhappiness or suffering
terror (n): extreme fear
Explanation of the passage: A policeman tells Otchumyelov that it looks like a fight is happening. Otchumyelov turns slightly to the left and walks quickly toward the crowd. He sees the man is standing near the gate of the yard. The man holds up his right hand and shows his bleeding finger to the crowd, and his half-drunk face shows that he wants to get revenge. The finger looks like the sign of victory for him. Otchumyelov recognizes the man as Hryukin, the goldsmith. The white puppy that caused the trouble is sitting on the ground in the middle of the crowd, with her front paws stretched out. She is scared, and her eyes show fear and tears.
Passage: “What’s it all about?” Otchumyelov inquires, pushing his way through the crowd. “What are you here for? Why are you waving your finger…? Who was it shouted?”
“I was walking along here, not interfering with anyone, your honour,” Hryukin begins, coughing into his fist. “I was talking about firewood to Mitry Mitritch, when this low brute for no rhyme or reason bit my finger…. You must excuse me, I am a working man…. Mine is fine work. I must have damages, for I shan’t be able to use this finger for a week, may be…. It’s not even the law, your honour, that one should put up with it from a beast…. If everyone is going to be bitten, life won’t be worth living….”
Word Meanings:
firewood (n): wood used for burning on fires
shan’t (v): shall not
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov pushes through the crowd and asks what is happening. He asks why everyone is gathered, why the man is showing his finger, and who shouted earlier. Then, Hryukin begins to explain. He says that he was walking along quietly without bothering anyone and was talking to Mitry Mitritch about some wood when the dog suddenly bit his finger for no reason. He says politely that he is a working man and that his job requires fine work with his hands. Because of the bite, he says he will not be able to use his finger for a week and wants to be paid for the injury. Hryukin also says that it is not fair or legal to let animals bite people, and that if everyone keeps getting bitten, life will become unbearable.
Passage: “H’m. Very good,” says Otchumyelov sternly, coughing and raising his eyebrows. “Very good. Whose dog is it? I won’t let this pass! I’ll teach them to let their dogs run all over the place! It’s time these gentry were looked after, if they won’t obey the regulations! When he’s fined, the blackguard, I’ll teach him what it means to keep dogs and such stray cattle! I’ll give him a lesson!… Yeldyrin,” cries the superintendent, addressing the policeman, “find out whose dog this is and draw up a report! And the dog must be strangled. Without delay! It’s sure to be mad…. Whose dog is it, I ask?”
“I fancy it’s General Zhigalov’s,” says someone in the crowd.
Word Meanings:
sternly (adj.): severe, or showing disapproval
gentry (n): people belonging to a high social class
regulations (n): an official rule that controls how something is done
blackguard (n): a dishonest person with no sense of what is right or wrong
cattle (n): a group of animals that includes cows, buffalo, and bison, that are often kept for their milk or meat
strangled (v): killed by squeezing the throat
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov clears his throat, coughs, and says that this is a serious matter and asks whose dog it is. He warns that he will not ignore the matter and promises to punish anyone who lets dogs run loose. He says it is time to make the rich follow the rules, and that the owner will be fined and taught a lesson. Then he calls the policeman Yeldyrin and tells him to find out who owns the dog and write a report. He orders that the dog must be killed at once because it might be mad. Upon hearing this, someone in the crowd says the dog might belong to General Zhigalov.
Passage: “General Zhigalov’s, h’m…. Help me off with my coat, Yeldyrin… it’s frightfully hot! It must be a sign of rain…. There’s one thing I can’t make out, how it came to bite you?” Otchumyelov turns to Hryukin. “Surely it couldn’t reach your finger. It’s a little dog, and you are a great hulking fellow! You must have scratched your finger with a nail, and then the idea struck you to get damages for it. We all know… your sort! I know you devils!”
“He put a cigarette in her face, your honour, for a joke, and she had the sense to snap at him…. He is a nonsensical fellow, your honour!”
Word Meanings:
frightfully (v): very
hulking (adj.): large, heavy and threatening (bull-like)
nonsensical (adj.): ridiculous; without meaning
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov hears that the dog might belong to General Zhigalov. He tells Yeldyrin to help him take off his coat because it is very hot, and he thinks that it might rain. However, this sudden heat could be because he is nervous and eager to appear calm and respectful after hearing the General’s name.Then he turns to Hryukin and says that he cannot understand how the dog could have bitten him. He points out that it is a small dog and Hryukin is a big man, so maybe Hryukin scratched his own finger and then tried to get the money. He says he knows people like Hryukin and calls them devils. Otchumyelov’s sudden change in opinion happens because he thinks the dog belongs to an important person, General Zhigalov. He does not want to offend someone powerful, so he quickly changes sides and blames Hryukin instead of the dog or its owner. Someone then explains that Hryukin had put a burning cigarette near the dog’s face as a joke, and the dog in his defense tried to bite at him. He says that Hryukin is a foolish man.
Passage: “That’s a lie, Squinteye! You didn’t see, so why tell lies about it? His honour is a wise gentleman, and will see who is telling lies and who is telling the truth, as in God’s sight…. And if I am lying let the court decide. It’s written in the law…. We are all equal nowadays. My own brother is in the police… let me tell you….” “Don’t argue!” “No, that’s not the General’s dog,” says the policeman, with profound conviction, “the General hasn’t got one like that. His are mostly setters.” “Do you know that for a fact?” “Yes, your honour.”
Word Meanings:
profound (adj.): felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way
conviction (n): a very strong opinion or belief
setters (n): large hunting dogs, high breed dogs
Explanation of the passage: The man is accused of lying because he did not see what had happened. Another man says that the man should not tell lies and that Otchumyelov is a wise man who will find out the truth. He says that if he is lying, the court can decide, because the law is written and everyone is equal now. He also says that his brother works in the police. Someone tells them not to argue. The policeman then says firmly that the dog is not the General’s because the General keeps mostly high-breed dogs and not stray dogs, like the one who bit the goldsmith. When asked if he knows this for sure, the policeman answers that he does.
Passage: “I know it, too. The General has valuable dogs, thoroughbred, and this is goodness knows what! No coat, no shape…. A low creature. And to keep a dog like that!… where’s the sense of it. If a dog like that were to turn up in Petersburg or Moscow, do you know what would happen? They would not worry about the law, they would strangle it in a twinkling! You’ve been injured, Hryukin, and we can’t let the matter drop…. We must give them a lesson! It is high time….!”
Word Meanings:
thoroughbred (n): of good breed
In a twinkling: in a matter of seconds, quickly
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov agrees and adds that the General keeps expensive, pure‑bred dogs. He says this dog has no proper fur or shape and calls it a low, useless animal. He asks why anyone would keep such a dog. Otchumyelov then compares the town to big cities like Petersburg or Moscow and says that there they would not bother with the law, and that such towns would kill such a dog at once. He reminds everyone that Hryukin was hurt and says they cannot ignore the matter and that they must punish the owner and teach people a lesson because it is about time something was done.
Passage: “Yet maybe it is the General’s,” says the policeman, thinking aloud. “It’s not written on its face…. I saw one like it the other day in his yard.”
“It is the General’s, that’s certain!” says a voice in the crowd.
“H’m, help me on with my overcoat, Yeldyrin, my lad… the wind’s getting up…. I am cold…. You take it to the General’s, and inquire there. Say I found it and sent it. And tell them not to let it out into the street…. It may be a valuable dog, and if every swine goes sticking a cigar in its mouth, it will soon be ruined. A dog is a delicate animal…. And you put your hand down, you blockhead. It’s no use your displaying your fool of a finger. It’s your own fault….”
Word Meanings:
yard (n): an area outside a building, usually with a hard surface and a wall or fence around it
swine (n): an unpleasant foolish person
cigar (n): a roll of dried tobacco leaves that people smoke
blockhead (n): a stupid person
Explanation of the passage: Upon hearing this, the policeman says that maybe the dog does belong to the General, because he once saw a dog like it in the General’s yard. Someone in the crowd then says for sure that it is the General’s dog. Otchumyelov asks Yeldyrin to help him put his overcoat back on because he feels cold. He tells Yeldyrin to take the dog to the General’s house and ask about it. He says to tell them that he found the dog and sent it. He also tells Yeldyrin to warn them not to let the dog out into the street again, because it may be valuable and people might spoil it by teasing it. Otchumyelov then calls the man stupid and says it is no use showing the injured finger, as it is the man’s own fault, suddenly becoming careful and polite once he thinks the dog belongs to someone important.
Passage: “Here comes the General’s cook, ask him… Hi, Prohor! Come here, my dear man! Look at this dog…. Is it one of yours?”
“What an idea! We have never had one like that!”
“There’s no need to waste time asking,” says Otchumyelov. “It’s a stray dog! There’s no need to waste time talking about it…. Since he says it’s a stray dog, a stray dog it is…. It must be destroyed, that’s all about it.”
“It is not our dog,” Prohor goes on. “It belongs to the General’s brother, who arrived the other day. Our master does not care for hounds. But his honour is fond of them….”
Word Meanings:
hounds (n): a type of dog that is used for hunting or racing
Explanation of the passage: The General’s cook then comes running towards them and someone calls him out and asks him to come and look at the dog. They call him Prohor and ask if the dog belongs to his master. Prohor replies that they have never had a dog like that. Otchumyelov says there is no need to ask more questions and decides the dog is a stray and belongs to the streets. He says the dog must be killed. Prohor then explains that the dog does not belong to the General but to the General’s brother, who arrived a few days ago. He also says that the General does not like hounds, but his brother likes them.
Passage: “You don’t say his Excellency’s brother is here? Vladimir Ivanitch?” inquires Otchumyelov, and his whole face beams with an ecstatic smile. “Well, I never! And I didn’t know! Has he come on a visit? “Yes.” “Well, I never…. He couldn’t stay away from his brother…. And there I didn’t know! So this is his honour’s dog? Delighted to hear it…. Take it. It’s not a bad pup…. A lively creature…. Snapped at this fellow’s finger! Ha- ha-ha….Come, why are you shivering? Rrr… Rrrr…. The rogue’s angry… . a nice little pup.” Prohor calls the dog, and walks away from the timber-yard with her. The crowd laughs at Hryukin. “I’ll make you smart yet!” Otchumyelov threatens him, and wrapping himself in his greatcoat, goes on his way across the square.
Word Meanings:
ecstatic (adj.): showing great enthusiasm /joy
delighted (adj.): extremely pleased
lively (adj.): full of energy, interest, excitement, etc.
shivering (v): to shake slightly, especially because you are cold or scared
threatens (v): to warn that you may hurt or punish somebody if they do not do what you want
Explanation of the passage: Otchumyelov is surprised to hear that the General’s brother, Vladimir Ivanitch, is in town. His face lights up with a big smile. He wonders if the brother has come to visit, and when he is told yes, he is pleased. He realizes that the dog belongs to the General’s brother and feels happy about it. He says the dog is not bad, is full of energy, and laughs at how it snapped at Hryukin’s finger. Prohor calls the dog and walks away from the yard with it. The crowd laughs at Hryukin. Otchumyelov warns Hryukin that he will make him pay for the trouble, wraps himself in his coat, and walks away across the square.
Conclusion
This post provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of Chapter 2 A Chameleon By Anton Chekhov from the PSEB Class 12 English A Rainbow of English Book. It provides the students with the introduction, theme, summary, lesson explanation with word meanings, ensuring that the students comprehend the chapter effectively.