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Questions and Answers
What was the primary activity of the man with the scar in the bar?
What was the primary activity of the man with the scar in the bar?
- Engaging in a conversation
- Playing poker with matches
- Drinking brandy
- Selling lottery tickets (correct)
What does the acquaintance of the narrator think of the man with the scar?
What does the acquaintance of the narrator think of the man with the scar?
- He is a remarkable person
- He is dangerous to be around
- He is untrustworthy
- He is not a bad fellow (correct)
What was the fate of the man with the scar after being captured?
What was the fate of the man with the scar after being captured?
- He played poker before his execution
- He escaped during the night
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment
- He was executed at dawn (correct)
What unusual method did the man with the scar and his companions use to pass time in jail?
What unusual method did the man with the scar and his companions use to pass time in jail?
How did the man with the scar react to the delay before execution?
How did the man with the scar react to the delay before execution?
What beverage did the man with the scar order at the bar?
What beverage did the man with the scar order at the bar?
What can be inferred about the man with the scar's previous life?
What can be inferred about the man with the scar's previous life?
What aspect of the man with the scar was noted by the narrator's friend?
What aspect of the man with the scar was noted by the narrator's friend?
What did the condemned rebel request before the execution?
What did the condemned rebel request before the execution?
How did the execution occur?
How did the execution occur?
What was the general's opinion of the condemned rebel's request?
What was the general's opinion of the condemned rebel's request?
How did the condemned men fall after being shot?
How did the condemned men fall after being shot?
Who was present with the general during the execution?
Who was present with the general during the execution?
What was the woman's emotional state when she arrived at the execution site?
What was the woman's emotional state when she arrived at the execution site?
What was the reaction of the soldiers when the woman ran toward the condemned rebel?
What was the reaction of the soldiers when the woman ran toward the condemned rebel?
Which phrase did the condemned rebel use to express his feelings toward the woman?
Which phrase did the condemned rebel use to express his feelings toward the woman?
What was the immediate reaction of the crowd after the stabbing incident?
What was the immediate reaction of the crowd after the stabbing incident?
What did the A.D.C. discover about the girl after she was attacked?
What did the A.D.C. discover about the girl after she was attacked?
How did the general respond to the rebel after the stabbing?
How did the general respond to the rebel after the stabbing?
What was the reason the rebel gave for stabbing the girl?
What was the reason the rebel gave for stabbing the girl?
What detail about the rebel's possession of the knife is mentioned?
What detail about the rebel's possession of the knife is mentioned?
What happened to the girl after the stabbing?
What happened to the girl after the stabbing?
What injury did the rebel sustain, as mentioned in the conversation?
What injury did the rebel sustain, as mentioned in the conversation?
What did the general offer the rebel as he was being taken away?
What did the general offer the rebel as he was being taken away?
What physical feature of the man first captures the narrator's attention?
What physical feature of the man first captures the narrator's attention?
How does the man's gambling activity relate to his character?
How does the man's gambling activity relate to his character?
What does the description of the man's scar symbolize in the story?
What does the description of the man's scar symbolize in the story?
What impression does the narrator give of the man's lifestyle?
What impression does the narrator give of the man's lifestyle?
What emotional transformation does the reader undergo regarding the man with the scar?
What emotional transformation does the reader undergo regarding the man with the scar?
What kind of suit does the man with the scar wear, and what does it suggest?
What kind of suit does the man with the scar wear, and what does it suggest?
What does the narrator imply by saying the man is 'far from clean'?
What does the narrator imply by saying the man is 'far from clean'?
What might the man's expression being described as 'artless' imply?
What might the man's expression being described as 'artless' imply?
Flashcards
What was the man's main job?
What was the man's main job?
The man's primary occupation was selling lottery tickets.
How did the narrator's friend see the man?
How did the narrator's friend see the man?
The narrator's acquaintance viewed the man with the scar as a decent person despite his flaws.
What was the man's tragic fate?
What was the man's tragic fate?
The man with the scar, after being captured, faced execution at dawn.
How did the man pass time in jail?
How did the man pass time in jail?
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How did the man react to the delay?
How did the man react to the delay?
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What did the man order at the bar?
What did the man order at the bar?
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What was the man's past like?
What was the man's past like?
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What did the narrator's friend notice about the man?
What did the narrator's friend notice about the man?
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What was the man's last request?
What was the man's last request?
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How were the men executed?
How were the men executed?
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What was the general's response to the man's request?
What was the general's response to the man's request?
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How did the men fall?
How did the men fall?
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Who was with the general?
Who was with the general?
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What was the woman's emotional state?
What was the woman's emotional state?
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How did the soldiers react?
How did the soldiers react?
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What did the man say to the woman?
What did the man say to the woman?
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What happened after the stabbing?
What happened after the stabbing?
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What was the girl's fate?
What was the girl's fate?
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How did the general respond to the stabbing?
How did the general respond to the stabbing?
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Why did the rebel stab the girl?
Why did the rebel stab the girl?
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How did the rebel carry the knife?
How did the rebel carry the knife?
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What happened to the girl after the stabbing?
What happened to the girl after the stabbing?
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What was the rebel's own injury?
What was the rebel's own injury?
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What did the general offer the rebel?
What did the general offer the rebel?
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What was the most noticeable thing about the man?
What was the most noticeable thing about the man?
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What does his gambling show about him?
What does his gambling show about him?
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What does the scar represent?
What does the scar represent?
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What is the man's life like?
What is the man's life like?
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How does the reader's feeling change?
How does the reader's feeling change?
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What does his suit tell us about him?
What does his suit tell us about him?
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What does 'far from clean' suggest about the man?
What does 'far from clean' suggest about the man?
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What does 'artless' tell us about the man?
What does 'artless' tell us about the man?
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Study Notes
Character Overview
- The man with the scar has a broad, red scar running from temple to chin, suggesting a traumatic past.
- Described as corpulent and powerful, he wears shabby clothes and has a carefree demeanor, often appearing intoxicated.
- Formerly a revolutionary general in Nicaragua, he is now an exile selling lottery tickets in Guatemala City.
Plot Summary
- Captured after a failed revolution, he faced execution alongside his comrades but was allowed a final farewell to his wife.
- In a shocking act, he kills his wife with a knife during their reunion, claiming he loved her.
- The act is viewed by others with a mix of horror and admiration, showcasing the complexities of human emotion.
Themes and Motifs
- The juxtaposition of violence and love: the man's declaration of love for his wife contrasts starkly with his violent act.
- The idea of luck and chance represented by gambling—his life has been a series of gambles, culminating in the fatal decision he makes regarding his wife.
Characterization
- The scar symbolizes both his past trauma and his moral ambiguity, creating an interesting contrast between his appearance and actions.
- His external features—shabby clothing and the scar—reflect an internal chaos and a troubled history, challenging traditional heroic ideals.
Perspective Shift
- Initial feelings toward the man oscillate from curiosity about his scar to horror at his actions; empathy develops as his backstory is revealed.
- By the end, the narrator’s perspective shifts towards a complex admiration for his bravery, as demonstrated by the general’s response.
Final Thoughts
- The title "The Man with the Scar" highlights his physical disfigurement, but suggests deeper emotional scars from his experience as a revolutionary.
- An alternative title could be "A Gamble of Love," emphasizing the risky and reckless nature of his love and actions.
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Description
Explore the complex themes and motivations in Somerset Maugham's story 'The Man with the Scar'. This quiz poses thought-provoking questions about the protagonist's actions and their moral implications. Delve deeper into the psychological and literary elements that shape the narrative.
