The Verger Summary

Introduction

In this short story by W. Somerset Maugham, Albert is a guy who has dedicated 16 years to serving as a church official. A new priest informs Albert that he must resign from the position after learning that he cannot read or write. Albert decides to explore the streets instead of heading straight home while attempting to come up with the solutions. He decides to start a company while out on an adventure. He immediately demonstrates that success may be achieved without a strong education. All you need is the capacity for innovative thought and the guts to stand behind your proposals.

About Author

William Somerset Maugham , a British author of novels, short stories, and plays, was honoured as the highest-paid author of the 1930s. Before he became a well-known writer, he had an unusual career that influenced a lot of his work.

By 1914, Maugham had written ten books and ten plays. British and American critics first rejected "Of Human Bondage," a semi-autobiographical book that is today regarded as one of his finest works, as an excessively sentimental romance story.

Summary- The Verger

The Verger, a short story by Maugham, is the story of the unassuming Albert Edward Foreman. He served as a verger at St. Peter's Church in Neville Square, doing his responsibilities with enthusiasm and devotion. The new vicar's entry inside the church interrupts his normal duties. He wants everything to be flawless, so as soon as he learns that the foreman is illiterate, he acts immediately. The priest believes that characteristics like reading and writing ability speak well of St. Peter's.

Despite having an excellent track record, the foreman still loses his job. The foreman will have three months of grace from the vicar to learn how to read and write. However, he declines the offer, claiming that he is too young to learn.

Because the foreman is illiterate, the parish has chosen to terminate his employment, the vicar says. Foreman had never expected to suffer such a severe blow as a result of the priest's choice. He had believed that his position as a verger was permanent when he was appointed sixteen years earlier. However, he suddenly loses his job after a lengthy sixteen-year of career. By accepting any household duties outside the heavenly church service, he doesn't want to humiliate himself.

Foreman is really unhappy and distressed when he exits the church. He makes a wrong decision and travels away from his house. He moves slowly along the lengthy road, carefully considering what he should do next. He has a pitiful sum of money, but it is not enough to support his family's needs without working. He doesn't smoke, but he likes a cigarette when he's upset or worn out. He wants to smoke, which would make him feel better. In the lengthy street, he is unable to locate a tobacco store.

He thinks that it sounds odd. He believes that a tobacco business would be successful in such a location. He follows through with his plan on the following day. He launches his tobacco company by renting a suitable store. All is good. After turning a profit, he opens ten branches around London in ten years. He develops into a successful businessman, and his bank account reaches £30,000.

The bank manager gives him advice one day to put his money in certain secure assets. Albert claims he doesn't want to take any chances and prefers to keep his money secure in the bank. In addition, he has no idea how or in what securities he may invest. The manager responds that all he needs to do is a sign and that he is there to care for his money. Albert has gained the ability to sign since starting the company. How does he know where he is investing? He queries the manager. The manager claims that he is able to read the paper and then sign it. Albert recognizes his lack of literacy.

His confession surprised the management. Albert has accumulated an enormous amount of money despite not being able to read or write. What he may have accomplished if he had been educated and read. Albert replies lightly, though, that if he knew how to read and write, his only job would be as a verger at St. Peter's Neville Square.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What was the vicar in the vestry telling the verger?

Solu- The vicar informed the verger that he had negative news for him in the vestry. The vicar recognized that the verger had performed the obligations of the position to everyone's satisfaction. But he was shocked to learn that the verger was illiterate. In that situation, it would be inappropriate to permit the verger to keep his position at a prominent church like St. Peter's. As a result, the verger must acquire reading and writing skills within three months or risk losing his job.

Q2. What kind of work did the verger start after leaving the church?

Solu- After leaving the church, the verger started working as a tobacconist and magazine seller.

Q3. What perception did the verger have for the newly installed vicar?

Solu- The new vicar was perceived negatively by the verger because he was strict and asked for a piece of every pie. The new vicar from the East End was not well received by the verger, but he thought it would take him some time to settle into the cautious ways of the wealthy St. Peter's Church community