Samacheer Kalvi Class 12 English Solutions Chapter 1 God Sees the Truth, But Waits

Textual Questions:

1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each:

 

Question a. Why did Aksionov's wife stop him from going to the fair?
Answer: Aksionov's wife had a scary dream about him. Because of this bad dream, she tried to stop him from going to the fair, fearing something bad would happen if he went.
In simple words: His wife had a bad dream about him, so she asked him not to go to the fair.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's actions, always state the direct reason given in the story.

 

Question b. What is the importance of Aksionov's wife's dream?
Answer: Her dream was important because it showed a future event. When Aksionov returned from the town, his wife saw that his hair had turned completely grey, matching her dream. This dream hinted at a significant change in his life.
In simple words: Her dream was important because it predicted that Aksionov's hair would turn grey when he returned, showing a big change in his life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for details in a dream that connect directly to future events in the story.

 

Question c. What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?
Answer: Aksionov woke up very early. He wanted to start his journey when the morning air was still cool and fresh. This is why he left the inn before the sun came up, aiming for a pleasant travel.
In simple words: Aksionov got up early to travel when it was cool, so he left the inn before dawn.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to timing and environmental details as they often influence character decisions.

 

Question d. What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov's imprisonment?
Answer: Aksionov was imprisoned due to two main reasons. First, a knife stained with blood was found in his bag. Second, he had a past reputation for drinking and wasting time, which made him seem guilty. These pieces of circumstantial evidence contributed to his arrest and conviction.
In simple words: Aksionov was put in jail because a bloody knife was found in his bag. Also, he used to drink and waste time, which made people suspect him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that "circumstantial evidence" means indirect evidence that suggests a person's guilt but does not prove it directly.

 

Question e. Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?
Answer: Aksionov stopped sending requests to the Tsar after his wife visited him. She told him that her petition for his pardon was not accepted. More importantly, he realized that even his own wife thought he was guilty. This made him lose all hope and stop trying to prove his innocence to the Tsar.
In simple words: Aksionov stopped sending petitions after his wife visited him and he realized she also thought he was guilty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note how personal betrayal can sometimes be more impactful than external injustice.

 

Question f. Why didn't Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?
Answer: Makar did not tell anyone that he was the one who killed the merchant. He kept it a secret because he knew that admitting his crime would mean he would be sent to jail. He wanted to avoid punishment and save himself.
In simple words: Makar did not tell anyone he killed the merchant because he would be put in jail.

🎯 Exam Tip: Characters often keep secrets to protect themselves from severe consequences, especially in criminal situations.

 

Question g. Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov's story?
Answer: No, Makar did not feel bad or guilty when he heard Aksionov's sad story. Instead, he casually said that the real murderer must be the person in whose bag the knife was discovered. This showed his lack of remorse at that moment.
In simple words: No, Makar did not feel guilty. He just said the murderer must be the person with the knife in their bag.

🎯 Exam Tip: Observe a character's immediate reaction to a difficult story to gauge their true feelings.

 

Question h. What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer?
Answer: Aksionov began to suspect Makar was the true killer when Makar questioned how a knife could have been put in Aksionov's bag while he was sleeping with his head on it. This specific detail showed Makar knew too much about the crime, a detail only the murderer would know.
In simple words: Aksionov thought Makar was the murderer because Makar knew exactly how the knife was placed under Aksionov's head.

🎯 Exam Tip: Small, specific details accidentally revealed by a character can be major clues in mysteries.

 

Question i. What was Aksionov's realization by the end of the story?
Answer: By the end of the story, Aksionov understood that seeking revenge would not bring him peace or any good outcome. He realized that God knows all truths and will ensure justice in His own time. He chose to forgive Makar, which made him feel free and peaceful, attaining inner liberation.
In simple words: Aksionov realized that revenge was useless. He trusted God for justice and forgave Makar, feeling a sense of peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the protagonist's emotional and spiritual journey, especially their ultimate understanding or change.

 

Question j. Why did Aksionov's wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?
Answer: Aksionov's wife suspected him because of a dream she had. In her dream, when Aksionov returned from the town, his hair had turned grey. She begged him not to go to the fair, but he went anyway. Later, when he was accused of murder, she connected her bad dream to his situation and believed he might be involved.
In simple words: His wife suspected him because she had a dream that he would return with grey hair, which she linked to the murder accusation when it happened.

🎯 Exam Tip: Dreams in literature often serve as foreshadowing, influencing character decisions and interpretations of events.

 

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each:

 

Question a. Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
Answer: Yes, the police officer had enough proof to find Aksionov guilty. A knife stained with blood was found hidden in Aksionov's bag. When the police questioned him, he became pale and trembled, and could not properly defend himself. These clues, though not direct, were enough to make the police believe he was the murderer.
In simple words: Yes, the police had enough proof. They found a bloody knife in his bag, and he looked pale and trembled when questioned, so they thought he was guilty.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing evidence, distinguish between direct evidence (eyewitness) and circumstantial evidence (indirect clues like objects or behavior).

 

Question b. What impact did the book “The Lives of Saints” have on Aksionov?
Answer: The book "The Lives of Saints" deeply changed Aksionov in prison. He read it whenever he had free time, which helped him find peace and strength. Because of his changed behavior and peaceful nature, the prison guards admired him, and the other prisoners respected him greatly, calling him "grandfather" and "The Saint." They often asked him to settle their arguments, showing the book's profound influence on his character.
In simple words: "The Lives of Saints" greatly affected Aksionov. He read it often, which made him respected by both guards and prisoners, who even asked him to solve their problems.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about impact, describe both internal (character's feelings) and external (how others react) changes.

 

Question c. Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.
Answer: Several clues showed Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov. When Makar heard Aksionov's story about being imprisoned in Siberia, he became very excited and said, "It is wonderful that we should meet here." Later, Aksionov was certain Makar was the killer when Makar specifically asked how a knife could have been placed under Aksionov's head without waking him. This specific detail was known only to the real murderer, confirming Makar's prior knowledge and recognition.
In simple words: Makar showed excitement when he heard Aksionov's story. Aksionov recognized Makar as the killer when Makar mentioned the knife being placed under Aksionov's head, a detail only the murderer would know.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always support your answer with specific examples or dialogues from the text to show how clues are conveyed.

 

3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each:

 

Question a. Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich in the story.
Answer: Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, the main characters, are deeply contrasted. Aksionov, the protagonist, was a kind merchant falsely accused and imprisoned for twenty-six years. Despite suffering, he lived a simple, prayerful life in prison, reading holy books and earning the respect of everyone, even the guards, by helping to settle disputes. He never gave up his faith in God, even when his own wife doubted him. In the end, he showed immense forgiveness towards Makar, finding peace. This spiritual strength was his defining trait.
Makar Semyonich, on the other hand, was the true murderer, a fact revealed only later. He was the antagonist who had cunningly hidden the knife in Aksionov's bag. Initially, Makar showed no guilt, but after witnessing Aksionov's noble character and forgiveness, he felt deep remorse and begged for pardon. Their contrast highlights the story's themes of guilt, justice, faith, and the power of forgiveness, where Aksionov's suffering leads to his spiritual liberation and Makar's confession brings a form of delayed justice.
In simple words: Aksionov was a good, innocent man who spent 26 years in jail for a crime he didn't do. He stayed strong, helped others, and eventually forgave the real killer. Makar was the true murderer who felt guilty later and asked for forgiveness. The story shows how Aksionov's faith and forgiveness were stronger than Makar's crime.

🎯 Exam Tip: For compare and contrast questions, present traits of both characters side-by-side or dedicate separate paragraphs for each, then conclude with their overarching differences or shared thematic roles.

 

Question b. How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?
Answer: When Aksionov's wife suspected him of the murder, he was deeply hurt and unable to bear it. She had visited him in jail and informed him that her petition to the Tsar for his release had failed. During their conversation, she implicitly asked him about his involvement in the crime, hinting at her own doubts. Aksionov, who had already suffered immensely from false accusation and imprisonment, found it unbearable that his beloved wife also believed he was guilty. He started crying and felt so alone that he believed only God could truly know the truth and bring justice. This lack of trust from his family made his suffering even worse, leading him to fully surrender to divine will.
In simple words: Aksionov was very upset when his wife suspected him. After she visited him in jail and showed her doubts, he cried and felt that only God knew the truth. Her lack of trust was very painful for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the emotional impact on the character, especially when a loved one's actions or words cause deep pain.

 

Question c. Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.
Answer: Aksionov endured a difficult life for twenty-six years in a Siberian prison. He was flogged, his hair turned white, and he aged greatly, but he maintained a simple and peaceful existence, often praying. He learned to make boots to earn money, with which he bought and read "The Lives of Saints." On Sundays, he would read lessons and sing in the choir, which was appreciated by the prison authorities for his quiet nature. His fellow prisoners came to respect him greatly, calling him "grandfather" and "The Saint." They trusted him to be their voice for grievances and to settle their disputes, showing his esteemed position despite his wrongful imprisonment.
In simple words: Aksionov lived a hard but peaceful life in prison for 26 years. He prayed, read holy books, and earned money by making boots. He was so respected by other prisoners and guards that they called him "grandfather" and "saint."

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail both the physical hardships and the spiritual growth a character experiences in adverse conditions.

 

Question d. Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?
Answer: Aksionov decided not to tell the truth about Makar Semyonich because he chose forgiveness over revenge. After much conversation with Makar, Aksionov realized that Makar was the one who had truly committed the murder and caused him twenty-six years of suffering. Aksionov spent the entire night in prayer, deeply conflicted. He knew that revealing Makar's crime could lead to his own release from prison. However, he also knew it would cause Makar to be punished severely, possibly even death. Aksionov chose not to be the cause of Makar's ruin and instead left the judgment to God, deciding to keep silent. This act showed his deep spiritual peace and commitment to a higher justice.
In simple words: Aksionov decided not to tell the truth about Makar because he didn't want to ruin Makar's life, even though Makar was the real killer. He chose to forgive him instead of getting revenge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the character's moral reasoning and the internal conflict they face when making a difficult ethical decision.

 

Question e. Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying "God sees the truth but waits".
Answer: The saying "God sees the truth but waits" highlights a central theme in Leo Tolstoy's story: that divine justice may take a long time, but it eventually reveals itself. The importance lies in the "waits" part, meaning truth and justice do not always come quickly. Aksionov, though innocent and a respected man, suffered for 26 years before the real murderer, Makar, confessed. His death shortly after Makar's confession shows that justice arrived, but perhaps too late for Aksionov to enjoy his freedom. This phrase makes the reader consider if justice is always on time or if waiting is also part of God's plan, emphasizing patience and faith in divine timing.
In simple words: "God sees the truth but waits" means God knows everything but takes His time to reveal it. Justice for Aksionov came after 26 years, showing that truth often takes a long time to appear, even if it eventually does.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the literal meaning of the saying and its deeper significance or message within the story's context.

 

Question f. Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
Answer: Forgiveness is indeed portrayed as the best form of revenge in the story of Aksionov and Makar. Aksionov, an innocent man, was deeply wounded not only by his false imprisonment but also by his wife's suspicion. Despite his immense suffering, he chose to place his trust entirely in God, seeking divine mercy and forgiveness. When Makar Semyonich, the real murderer, confessed to him, Aksionov had the chance to expose Makar and gain his own freedom. However, Aksionov chose silence and forgiveness, stating, "God will forgive you." This act of not seeking human retribution allowed Makar to feel deep guilt and seek Aksionov's forgiveness, leading to a spiritual reconciliation. Aksionov's profound act of forgiveness brought him inner peace and demonstrated that true revenge is not about punishing others, but about liberating oneself through compassion and faith.
In simple words: Forgiveness is shown as the best revenge. Aksionov, who was wrongly jailed, chose to forgive Makar, the real killer, instead of revealing him. This act of forgiveness brought Aksionov peace and made Makar feel truly guilty, showing that letting go of anger can be more powerful than seeking revenge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use specific character actions and their outcomes from the story to clearly support the idea that forgiveness can be more powerful than traditional revenge.

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Question f. Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
Answer: The idea that forgiveness is the best revenge is clearly shown in the story of Aksionov. Aksionov was wrongly sent to prison for a murder he did not commit, and he suffered for 26 years. He was even more hurt when his own wife suspected him. Aksionov chose to put his full trust in God and patiently waited for justice and mercy from above. Later, he learned that Makar Semyonich was the actual killer. During an investigation, Aksionov had a chance to expose Makar. However, instead of taking revenge, Aksionov decided to keep quiet and let God handle the situation. This act of forgiveness and self-control deeply affected Makar, who later felt great regret and begged Aksionov for pardon. Aksionov's forgiveness brought him inner peace and showed how powerful letting go of anger can be.
In simple words: Aksionov was put in jail for a murder he did not do. He later found out the real killer, Makar. But instead of telling on Makar, Aksionov forgave him. This act of forgiveness was better than any revenge and made both men feel a sense of peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to substantiate a theme, use specific events and character actions from the story to support your points clearly and logically.