A Problem

A Problem

​Literary Analysis: Characterization

Characters are the people, animals, or objects that perform the actions and experience the events of a story. An author reveals the personalities of characters in a story by using direct or indirect characterization. With direct characterization, an author makes direct statements about a character. With indirect characterization, the author reveals a character’s traits through his or her dialogue, actions, thoughts, and appearance, as well as what other people in the story think of the character.

To better understand characters, think about the information you learn about characters and how you learn it. Think also about character development—changes the character undergoes through the course of the story or new information that the author reveals about the character.

Reading: Relate Characters and Events to Your Own

Experiences to Make Inferences

An inference is something you figure out about information that is not directly stated

in a story. One way to make inferences is to relate characters and events to your own

experiences. For example, at the beginning of the story the author states that the family was careful to keep something secret from the servants. Though you may not have servants, you might be able to relate to the desire to keep your family’s personal business within the family.

By thinking about a similar situation in your own life, it can help you infer that the Uskov family is dealing with something they feel might be embarrassing if it is made public. Personal observations and experiences such as these can help you better understand characters in literature.

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of “A Problem,” the Uskov family is very careful to keep the servants from finding out the family secret. Which of the following would best help you understand why this is important to the Uskovs?

• thinking about a time when you had a particularly fun day with your friends

• thinking about how things have changed between the time the story was written and now

• thinking about how the servants must feel about being sent away

• thinking about a situation that your family prefers to keep to itself and not share with others

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a reason that Sasha cashed a false promissory note in “A Problem”?

• His friends were getting tired of him sponging off them.

• He wanted money to spend while partying with his friends.

• He wanted to pay his friends back for their generosity and kindness.

• His friends cashed false notes regularly, so he believed it was normal and acceptable.

Multiple Choice

What does Sasha’s uncle mean when he says that it would be “civic cowardice” to help Sasha?

• that Sasha is a coward

• that the family should not hide behind Sasha’s problems

• that civic duty is more important than family honor

• that by protecting Sasha from punishment they would be breaking the law

Multiple Choice

What does the Colonel argue the uncles should do about Sasha in “A Problem”?

• pay the debt to save the family’s honor and keep the story out of the papers

• not pay the debt because he believes Sasha will do the same thing again

• make him work off the debt by becoming a servant in the family’s household

• send him to military school to learn some discipline

Multiple Choice

While listening to his uncles’ discussion, Sasha feels indifferent about his fate. How does the author reveal this aspect of Sasha’s character?

• through his actions

• through his dialogue

• through his appearance

• through his thoughts

Multiple Choice

While he is sitting by the door listening to his uncles argue, Sasha experiences several negative emotions. Which of the following would most help you understand his reactions?

• thinking about how many people are in debt in the United States today

• thinking about a time you overheard strangers arguing in a public place

• thinking about how the uncles must feel as they discuss their nephew’s fate

• thinking about a time you got in trouble and had to wait for your punishment

Multiple Choice

In “A Problem,” how does Sasha convince himself at first that he is not a criminal?

• He thinks that, since he did not intend to hurt anyone, what he did was not a criminal act.

• He knows that the courts always let debtors go and never punish them.

• He listens to Ivan telling his other uncles that he has done nothing wrong.

• He thinks that, since Handrikov agreed to pay the debt for him, he is not responsible.

Multiple Choice

In “A Problem,” how does Sasha Uskov feel when leaving the Colonel’s home with his uncle after the council meeting?

• He feels grateful to his uncle for standing up for him.

• He feels humbled by his uncles’ kindness and is determined to change.

• He feels free and wants to party with his friends.

• He regrets the trouble that he has caused his family.

Multiple Choice

How does Ivan Markovitch feel at the end of “A Problem,” and why?

• ecstatic because he has convinced the uncles to pay Sasha’s debt

• sad because his dear sister is no longer alive to guide his nephew Sasha

• pleased because Sasha has invited him to go celebrate with him and his friends

• horrified because Sasha demands more money and clearly has not learned his lesson

Multiple Choice

Sasha initially rejects the idea that he is a criminal. At the end, however, he decides that he is a criminal after all. Why?

• His uncles have decided to let him go to court and take his punishment.

• He realizes that his friends are all criminals, so he thinks he must be one too.

• He realizes that he has just essentially robbed his kind-hearted uncle so that he can go to a party.

• He feels hopeless about ever getting out of debt and wants to do something wicked to help him forget his troubles.

Multiple Choice

Which line from “A Problem” best illustrates Sasha’s character?

• “In short, the family was dear to him for many reasons.”

• “It made no difference to him where he was: here in the hall, in prison, or in Siberia.”

• “And it’s not in my character to bring myself to commit a crime.”

• “When I have the money I help the poor.”

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences from “A Problem” is an example of direct characterization?

• “Ivan Markovitch talked further of family honor.”

• “He was sick of life and found it insufferably hard.”

• “‘What have I done wrong besides?’ Sasha wondered.”

• “He went out of the study and sat down again on the chair near the door.”

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of indirect characterization in “A Problem”?

• when the Treasury official is described as taciturn and dull-witted

• when the reader discovers that Sasha is twenty-five years old

• when the author states that Ivan Markovitch is kind-hearted

• when Sasha thinks to himself that he is not a criminal

Multiple Choice

Based on the events in “A Problem,” which of the following is most likely to happen next?

• Ivan will begin joining Sasha at the parties with his friends.

• Sasha will realize his mistakes and change his behavior for the better.

• Sasha will cash another false note, but this time his uncles will not help him.

• The uncles will pay off Sasha’s debt and give him a great deal of money.