NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English ‘ The Hack Driver ‘
“The Hack Driver” by Sinclair Lewis
Introduction:
“The Hack Driver” is a humorous short story by Sinclair Lewis, part of his larger work Main Street and Other Stories. It is a light-hearted tale with a surprising twist that underscores themes of deception, human gullibility, and the small-town charm juxtaposed with clever trickery. The story narrates the experiences of a young, inexperienced lawyer on his first case, where he learns a valuable lesson about human nature and trust.
Plot Summary:
1. The Young Lawyer’s Assignment:
The narrator, a fresh graduate working as a junior assistant in a law firm, is tasked with serving a summons to a man named Oliver Lutkins. Lutkins is a key witness in a case and resides in the small village of New Mullion. The narrator is excited about visiting a countryside town, imagining it to be picturesque and filled with kind-hearted people.
2. Arrival at New Mullion:
Upon reaching New Mullion, the narrator finds the town less picturesque than he expected. However, he meets a friendly hack driver, who introduces himself as Bill. Bill offers to help the narrator find Lutkins. Bill’s cheerful demeanor and easygoing nature immediately charm the narrator, making him feel at ease in the unfamiliar town.
3. The Search for Lutkins:
Bill takes the narrator on a tour of the town in search of Lutkins. They visit various places, including Fritz’s shop, the barber’s shop, and Gray’s store, but Lutkins is always a step ahead, narrowly escaping their reach. Bill humorously explains Lutkins’s crafty behavior, painting him as a notorious trickster who loves avoiding people.
4. Bill’s Role as a Guide:
Throughout the search, Bill engages the narrator in friendly conversation and even shares some amusing anecdotes about the people of New Mullion. The narrator, charmed by Bill’s simplicity and humor, trusts him completely and enjoys his company, despite failing to find Lutkins.
5. The Twist:
At the end of the day, after an unsuccessful search, the narrator returns to his city office, embarrassed about not completing the task. The following day, his employer sends him back to New Mullion with another colleague who knows Lutkins personally. To his shock and dismay, the narrator discovers that Bill, the friendly hack driver, was actually Oliver Lutkins himself! Lutkins had cleverly fooled the narrator, taking advantage of his inexperience and naivety.
Themes:
1. Deception and Gullibility:
The central theme of the story revolves around how appearances can be deceptive. Lutkins’s ability to trick the narrator highlights the dangers of blind trust and naivety, especially when dealing with strangers.
2. Human Nature and Trust:
The story explores the complexities of human nature. Lutkins, despite being deceitful, is portrayed as a likable and witty individual. This duality makes the reader question moral absolutes and sympathize with his cleverness.
3. Humor in Everyday Life:
Sinclair Lewis uses humor to highlight the absurdity of the narrator’s situation. The hack driver’s playful antics and the narrator’s gullibility create a lighthearted yet impactful narrative.
4. Small-Town Charm vs. Trickery:
The narrator initially romanticizes small-town life, expecting honesty and warmth. However, his experience reveals that deception and cunningness can exist anywhere, even in seemingly idyllic settings.
Character Analysis:
1. The Narrator:
- A young, inexperienced lawyer full of enthusiasm and curiosity.
- Naive and overly trusting, which makes him an easy target for Lutkins’s trickery.
- Learns a valuable lesson about human nature and the importance of critical thinking.
2. Oliver Lutkins (The Hack Driver):
- A clever, quick-witted man who pretends to be someone else to avoid the summons.
- Charming and humorous, he easily wins the narrator’s trust.
- Represents the idea that intelligence and craftiness can outwit formal education and authority.
3. Supporting Characters:
- The townsfolk (shopkeepers, barbers, etc.) add depth to the story by participating in Lutkins’s ruse, showing the collective humor and camaraderie of small-town life.
Writing Style:
Sinclair Lewis’s writing is marked by simplicity, wit, and vivid imagery. He uses conversational language and humor to make the story engaging. The narrative flows naturally, and the twist at the end leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The depiction of New Mullion and its inhabitants adds a rustic charm to the story.
Key Incidents:
- Meeting the Hack Driver:
The narrator’s first encounter with Bill (Lutkins) sets the tone for the story. Bill’s friendly demeanor and quick wit immediately establish trust, laying the groundwork for the twist. - The Search Around Town:
The narrator and Bill’s fruitless chase for Lutkins across New Mullion creates humor and builds suspense. Each stop introduces quirky townsfolk and adds to the story’s charm. - The Revelation:
The climactic moment when the narrator discovers Bill’s true identity serves as the story’s turning point. It delivers the moral lesson and highlights the narrator’s gullibility.
Moral of the Story:
The story teaches readers to be cautious and critical when dealing with new people or situations. It emphasizes the importance of experience and wisdom in navigating the complexities of human behavior. Blind trust, though endearing, can lead to embarrassing or even damaging consequences.
Important Quotes:
- On the Narrator’s Expectations:
- “I was looking for Lutkins but not for anything like the town.”
This reflects the narrator’s preconceived notions about small-town life, which are soon challenged.
- “I was looking for Lutkins but not for anything like the town.”
- Bill’s Description of Lutkins:
- “He’s a hard fellow to catch. Always up to something or the other.”
Bill humorously foreshadows the twist while maintaining his charade.
- “He’s a hard fellow to catch. Always up to something or the other.”
- The Narrator’s Realization:
- “And there stood Bill, the hack driver, with his cheerful smile.”
This moment of revelation captures the narrator’s shock and Lutkins’s cleverness.
- “And there stood Bill, the hack driver, with his cheerful smile.”
Lessons for Readers:
- Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover:
The narrator’s initial impression of Bill as a helpful and honest man contrasts with Lutkins’s true intentions. - Experience Matters:
The narrator’s inexperience makes him vulnerable to deception. Practical wisdom often outweighs theoretical knowledge. - Humor as a Survival Tool:
Lutkins uses humor and charm to navigate a difficult situation, showing the power of wit and quick thinking.
Relevance in Today’s Context:
Even in modern times, the story remains relevant as it highlights universal themes of trust, deception, and the gap between appearances and reality. It serves as a reminder to remain cautious in unfamiliar situations, especially in an era where online scams and misinformation are rampant.
Conclusion:
“The Hack Driver” by Sinclair Lewis is a delightful tale that combines humor, irony, and a sharp observation of human nature. Through the narrator’s misadventures in New Mullion, the story underscores the importance of discernment, the pitfalls of naivety, and the enduring charm of clever storytelling. The twist ending not only entertains but also leaves a valuable lesson for readers to carry forward in life.
1. Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?
Ans: The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve a summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case.
He had expected the place to be a sweet and simple country village.
2. Who befriends him? Where does he take him?
Ans: The lawyer was befriended by a delivery man who introduced himself as Bill. He told him that he knew Lutkins and would help the lawyer in finding him. He took him to all the places where Lutkins was seen or was known to hang out. He took the lawyer to Fritz’s shop, where Lutkins played a lot of poker; to Gustaff’s barber shop and then to Gray’s barber shop; to the poolroom and several other places before finally taking him to Oliver’s mother’s farm. However, Oliver Lutkins was not found.
3. What does he say about Lutkins?
Ans: Bill told the lawyer that Lutkins was a hard fellow to catch. He was always up to something or the other. He owed money to many people, including Bill, and had never even paid anybody a cent. He also said that Oliver played a lot of poker and was good at deceiving people.
1. What more does Bill say about Lutkins and his family?
Ans: Bill told the lawyer that he knew Lutkins’ mother. He said that she was a terror. He narrated an incident when he took a trunk to her once and she almost took his skin off because he did not treat it like a box of eggs. He also said that she was about nine feet tall and four feet thick. She was very quick and could talk a lot. He said that Oliver must have heard that somebody was chasing him and consequently, would have gone into hiding at his mother’s place.
2. Does the narrator serve the summons that day?
Ans: No. The narrator did not serve the summons that day.
3. Who is Lutkins?
Ans: The hack driver himself was Oliver Lutkins.
1. When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think Bill came up with his plan for fooling the lawyer?
Ans: Lutkins’s act of taking the lawyer for a ride indicates that he is a very cunning person. It is his natural behavior to not disclose his true identity to unknown persons. Moreover, being a cheat as he is it seems his regular practice to dupe people who are newcomers.
2. Lutkins openly takes the lawyer all over the village. How is it that no one lets out the secret? (Hint: Notice that the hack driver asks the lawyer to keep out of sight behind him when they go into Fritz’s.)Can you find other such subtle ways in which Lutkins manipulates the tour?
Ans: Lutkin never allows the lawyer to the place where the imaginary Lutkins is supposed to be present at a given time. The way he weaves stories about Lutkin’s vagabond nature and the way he scares the lawyer about Lutkin’s mother are great tools applied by Bill.
3. Why do you think Lutkins’ neighbors were anxious to meet the lawyer?
Ans: Lutkin’s neighbors were not anxious to meet a person who could be easily duped. They wanted to enjoy the lawyer’s predicament.
4. After his first day’s experience with the hack driver the lawyer thinks of returning to New Mullion to practice law. Do you think he would have reconsidered this idea after his second visit?
Ans: After his first day’s experience with the hack driver, the lawyer had considered returning to New Mullion to practice law. However, he realized during his second visit that he had been taken for a ride by the hack driver (who himself was Lutkins). In this, Lutkins was helped by the townspeople. After becoming the laughingstock of the town, it is most likely that the lawyer would have reconsidered his initial idea of working there.
5. Do you think the lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being taken for a ride?
Ans: The lawyer seems to be a simpleton and inexperienced person. He has yet to come to grips with the way the bad world functions. He could have done his homework better before going to the village. He could have taken a photograph of Lutkin if available. Before relying on Bill he could have cross-checked with other people as well. He could have avoided sending Bill alone to search Lutkin.
https://readspot.in/chapter-2-3/
