MY LOST DOLLAR
Answer the following questions in a sentence
or two.
1) Why was the author reluctant to ask Todd
to return the amount?
Ans: The author felt that asking his
dear friend Todd for
the return of the 'one
dollar' loan could look mean and greedy. Todd could get offended by such a request.
2) Why do you think Todd didn’t pay back the
one dollar he owed the author?
Ans: It would be reasonable to assume
that Todd had forgotten about the loan. He was a major in the army, and was not
short of funds. The second assumption is that he felt was too small to be
refunded.
3) What sort of person the author was?
Ans: The author was a man of principle.
He was sensitive, courteous, and had a sense of self-respect. Despite his
nagging indignation at Todd’s failure to return the dollar, the author didn’t
allow the loss to affect their friendship.
4) Who is Todd? What kind of relationship
exists between Todd and the narrator?
Ans: Major Todd is a friend of the
narrator. They are good friends with
mutual respect for one another.
5) When and why Todd borrow a dollar from the
narrator? How much time has passed since then?
Ans: Todd wanted some small change to pay
off the taxi. He didn’t have any. So, he borrowed it from his friend, the
narrator. Twelve months elapsed, but Todd was yet to refund the one dollar
loan.
6) Why has Todd failed to return a loan? What
does it tell us about him?
Ans: Apparently, Todd felt the one-dollar
loan to be too small to be repaid to his dear friend. The other reason could be
that Todd was forgetful in nature. Anyway, the reader does not take the lapse
not very approvingly.
7) When did Todd borrow dollar from the
narrator?
Ans: Todd borrowed the dollar from the speaker on the 8th of April just
as Todd was about to leave for Bermuda.
8) What ‘painful’ thought has begun to come
into the narrator’s mind?
Ans: The painful thought that rather comes in the narrator's mind is that if
Todd has borrowed a
dollar from the narrator in similar
manner the narrator would have also taken a dollar from
anyone but the narrator does
not want to give the dollar to the person whom he has borrowed a dollar from.
9) How do we know that Todd has forgotten
about the dollar?
Ans: The narrator explains that Todd
meets him in the same frank friendly way as always. This indicates that he
doesn’t remember the dollar.
10) Will their friendship be affected by one
dollar?
Ans: No, he mentions that the one lost dollar
will not make a difference
to their friendship.
11) How does the author feel about his lost
dollar?
Ans: The author feels miserable about the dollar that his friend
owes him. He says that he will carry
the recollection of it to his grave.
However he also mentions that the one lost dollar will not make a difference to their friendship.
12) Why did Todd borrow a dollar from the
narrator?
Ans: Todd wanted some small change to pay
off the taxi. He didn’t have any. So, he
borrowed it from his friend, the narrator.
13) What did Todd send the narrator from
Bermuda?
Ans: The narrator received a note from Hamilton, Bermuda sent by Todd. The narrator thought it was his dollar but much to his
disappointment, it was a note describing the temperature of Bermuda.
14) Did the narrator directly seek his
dollar from Todd?
Ans: No, the narrator did not directly seek his dollar from Todd.
15) What tone does the narrator employ to
describe his situation?
Ans: The narrator employs a humorous tone to describe his situation.
16) Why was the narrator willing to pay for
Todd?
Ans: Todd needed
a dollar in change to
pay for his taxi ride so he borrowed the
same from the narrator.
17) Do you think the narrator is obsessed
with the loss of his dollar?
Ans: Yes, the narrator seems to be obsessed with his lost dollar.
18) What details did the narrator seek from
Todd about his trip?
Ans: The narrator asked Todd about
the currency used in Bermuda in a hope
to remind him of the one American dollar that Todd owed him. Further, he asked Todd how much the trip to Bermuda cost him.
19) Why does the narrator bear no grudge?
Ans: The narrator had lent his friend Todd a dollar which the
latter has forgotten
to pay back. In this reference, the narrator mentions that despite Todd forgetting about his dollar,
he bears Todd no grudge.
20) What kind of list has the narrator made?
Ans: The narrator has a list of men who owe him a dollar and who have forgotten to repay
it. Having understood
that Todd will never repay the dollar too, the narrator has added him to this list.
II. Explain the following statements with
reference to their context.
1) “I should never pay it, on this side of
the grave.”
Ans: The
narrator is trying to explain that if he had taken a dollar and had forgotten
about it, and does not have a recollection of it so far then he will never
remember in this life. Todd is a Major in the army and the narrator’s
friend, who had borrowed a dollar from the narrator a year ago. Todd and the
narrator seem to be close friends because they meet each other frequently and
the issue of the borrowed dollar does not make any difference in their trust
and friendship for each other. Todd
borrowed a dollar from the narrator to pay his taxi fare because he did not
have any change with him. One year had passed since he borrowed the dollar from
the narrator. Todd has failed to return the loan because of forgetfulness. This
tells us that Todd is a careless and forgetful man. It means that the
narrator’s friend’s act of borrowing a dollar and then forgetting to pay it
back would not make any difference to their friendship. The narrator means to
say that if somebody borrows something from him, he will remember it throughout
his life. The human memory is strong in the case of lenders, whereas it
diminishes with time in the case of the borrowers. For example, the narrator
not only remembers that he had lent a dollar to his friend, Todd, but also the
exact date on which he had lent the dollar. But, the borrower, i.e., the
narrator’s friend, Todd not only forgets of having borrowed a dollar, he does
not even get any hint from a number of indirect references made by the narrator
about debts.
2) Let us remember that the greatest nations
were built upon the rock basis of absolute honesty.
Ans: The narrator reminds the readers that the greatest
nations of the world were built upon the solid foundation of absolute honesty. In
the story "My Lost Dollar", the narrator hoped that if he mentioned
about Poland to Todd, he would be able remind Todd about the dollar he had not
paid him. Poland was connected to what the narrator was thinking because Poland
who too borrowed money from him didn't return her the money. He hoped that Todd
would be reminded of his debt if he mentioned about Poland to him. The narrator had lent his friend Todd a
dollar which the latter has forgotten to pay back. In this reference, the
narrator mentions that despite Todd forgetting about his dollar, he bears Todd
no grudge. He does not give a reason for it except that there are quite a few
of his other friends too who owe him a dollar and have forgotten about
it.
3) My dollar has clean gone out of his mind.
I fear there is little prospect of his ever returning it.
Ans: Todd is
the narrator’s friend who owes him a dollar. Todd doesn’t remember that he owes
the narrator some money. The narrator explains that Todd meets him in the same
frank friendly way as always. This indicates that he doesn’t remember the
dollar. The author feels miserable about the dollar that his friend owes him.
He says that he will carry the recollection of it to his grave. However he also
mentions that the one lost dollar will not make a difference to their
friendship. The narrator employs a humorous tone to describe his situation. He
uses exaggeration and a bit of satire to begin his story and explain that Todd
has forgotten to pay him back a dollar he owes. The narrator says that
although Todd may have forgotten about the dollar, he (the narrator) will
remember it to his grave.
4) “Let me have a dollar, will you!”
Ans: The speaker’s friend Todd borrowed the
dollar last year on the 8th of April, just as he was about to leave for
Bermuda. He needed a dollar in change to pay his taxi fare and the speaker lent
him the dollar that moment. All this happened quite simply and naturally and
the speaker hardly realized it until it was all over. Todd merely said, “Let me
have a dollar, will you?” The speaker replied, “Certainly. Is a dollar enough?”
The speaker believes that when Todd took that dollar he certainly meant to give
it back later. But it has been twelve month since then. Todd has probably
forgotten that he owes a dollar to the speaker.
5) I said, “Certainly, Is a dollar enough?
Ans: Todd needed a dollar in change to pay
for his taxi ride so he borrowed the same from the narrator. When Todd
asked for the dollar, the narrator felt with certainty that Todd meant to pay
it back to him, he therefore gave it to Todd willingly. The narrator
received a note from Hamilton, Bermuda sent by Todd. The narrator thought it
was his dollar but much to his disappointment, it was a note describing the
temperature of Bermuda. When someone borrows money, they ought to return
it. With this principle in his mind, the narrator frets and fumes over how Todd
has forgotten to pay him back. He makes several assumptions about how he is
never going to get his money back from Todd. He explains how Todd doesn't
remember borrowing the dollar at all and keeps meeting him as usual. It is thus
evident that the narrator exaggerates the case of his lost dollar.
6) I was thinking of the dollar but of course
I didn’t refer to it one simply can’t.
Ans: The narrator never asked Todd directly
to return his dollar but instead expected Todd to remember that he owed him a
dollar. When the narrator asked Todd how much he spent on his trip, Todd told
him that he kept no accounts. This practically proved that since the man
doesn't manage his finances well he would never have remembered the single
dollar he once borrowed. Therefore, the narrator realized that he would never
get his dollar back from Todd. the narrator seems to be obsessed with his
lost dollar. He mentions the dollar throughout the story. In fact, every time
he comes across Todd, he only thinks of his dollar, although he never directly
asks for it and claims that it will not stand between their friendship. The narrator asked Todd about the
currency used in Bermuda in a hope to remind him of the one American dollar
that Todd owed him. Further, he asked Todd how much the trip to Bermuda cost
him. The narrator made such several indirect references to money hoping that he
would remember that one dollar he owes him. However, all the attempts made by
the narrator failed miserably and he could never get his dollar back. When the narrator asked Todd how much he spent on his
trip, Todd told him that he kept no accounts. This practically proved that
since the man doesn’t manage his finances well he would never have remembered
the single dollar he once borrowed. Therefore, the narrator realized that he
would never get his dollar back from Todd.
7) “On the other hand I know that I shall
remember all my life… carry the recollection of it to the grave.”
Ans: In the
story "My Lost Dollar" by Stephen Leacock, Todd is introduced in it
as a friend of the narrator. He is a major in the army and a member of the
University Club of Montreal. Major Todd shares an intimate relationship with
the narrator. He is a close acquaintance of the narrator who borrows a dollar
from him to pay the taxi fare as he is about to leave for Bermuda. Major Todd
borrowed a dollar from the narrator to pay his taxi fare because he did not
have any chance with him. One year has passed since he has borrowed the dollar
from the narrator. Todd was about to leave for Bermuda who did not have the
change to pay the taxi fare. Therefore he borrowed a dollar from the narrator.
Todd has failed to return the loan because of his nature of forgetfulness. This
event about Todd tells us that he is a careless and forgetful man. The narrator
doesn't have any hope of getting the money back because whenever the narrator
met with his friend, Todd the dollar did not come into the mind of him that he
had borrowed from the narrator. Sometimes the narrator tried to remind his
friend about the dollar indirectly but Todd did not pay any attention to it.
Answer the following questions in 300 words.
1) Explain the theme of honesty, hypocrisy,
appearance, letting go, frustration and acceptance in the story “My Lost
Dollar”.
Ans: In My Lost Dollar by
Stephen Leacock we have the theme of honesty, hypocrisy, appearance, letting
go, frustration and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man
the reader realizes after reading the story that Leacock may be exploring the
theme of letting go. The narrator appears to be unable to let go of the fact
that Todd owes him a dollar. Though he has never directly alluded to the dollar
with Todd himself it is clear to the reader that the narrator hasn’t forgotten
about it. It is as though the narrator feels as though a wrong has occurred yet
it is interesting that the narrator himself on occasion has borrowed money and not
paid it back. Which may leave some readers to suspect that the narrator is
being hypocritical. He wants Todd to honour his debt to him yet the narrator on
the other hand will not return the thirty cent he received to buy a bottle of
plain soda. If anything the narrator is able to justify the non-payment of that
loan. Which is interesting as the man the narrator borrowed the money off may
not necessarily feel the same. As to why the narrator doesn’t simply ask Todd
outright for the money is also interesting. It is possible that the narrator is
concerned about how it will look and how he will look should he ask Todd for
the dollar. Which if anything would play on the theme of appearance. The
narrator does not wish to be judged by Todd in a negative light. He values the
friendship yet he would still like the return of his dollar. Something which is
problematic for the narrator as eventually the reader realizes that the
narrator has only two options. He can either directly ask Todd for the dollar
or he can accept that Todd won’t be giving him the dollar back. The narrator
has a decision to make due to his inability to let go of the fact that he has
lent Todd a dollar that he may never see again. If anything the narrator is in
a no-win situation. Should he ask for the dollar back he might lose his
friendship with Todd. He’ll still have his dollar but it cost him his
friendship with Todd. At no stage does the reader feel that the narrator has
accepted that the dollar is gone forever. That Todd won’t be paying it back.
The narrator’s generosity also shouldn’t be questioned. He didn’t hesitate to
give Todd the dollar when he needed it and was even prepared to lend Todd more
than a dollar if he had asked for it. For the narrator the issue is a matter of
principle. He believes that everybody should honour their debts though again it
is possible that the narrator is being hypocritical. Which may be the point
that Leacock is attempting to make. He may be suggesting that the standard that
the narrator sets for others. The narrator himself cannot meet these standards.
If anything it would be easier for the narrator to accept his loss and forget
the fact that Todd will not be paying him back. If he doesn’t accept the loss
the narrator’s friendship with Todd could be in jeopardy. It is also noticeable
that the narrator is not judging Todd’s character by the fact he owes the
narrator a dollar. It is simply an issue which the narrator cannot let go of.
If anyone is frustrated by the events that are playing out it is the narrator. Todd
is completely unaware of how the narrator is feeling. The reader also suspects
that the narrator’s plans to set up a Back to Honesty movement are driven by
the frustration he feels over the dollar. As to whether the movement would be a
success is another thing as it would appear that there are no guidelines. Which
would leave the movement open to corruption. Though this is not something that
the narrator has thought out. His main objective is not repaying others but
getting others (Todd) to repay him. At all stages of the story the focus has
been on the narrator and the difficulties he felt he has incurred over the loss
of his dollar. The fact that the narrator also considers that the ‘greatest
nations were built up on the rock basis of absolute honesty’, is admirable.
Though it is impractical when it comes to one individual owing individual
money. The narrator himself is being select on who he pays back money to. Being
able to justify some loans and yet being hesitant on naming others he might
have borrowed money from. Though the narrator might claim he has forgotten
about outstanding loans he owes to people ironically he cannot forget the one
dollar that Todd owes him. The reader left suspecting that the narrator may not
necessarily be telling the truth. Yet he wants honesty from others. Again the
narrator is looking for a standard from others that he himself cannot meet.
2) Sketch the character of the narrator of
the story.
Ans: In the
short story My Lost Dollar, the narrator describes his discomfort about living
with the fact that his friends whom he had lent money have totally forgotten
about the same. The author’s character at first appears to be a light-hearted
one who can move on in life with the help of humour. However, as the story
proceeds, it is seen that the author is rather sarcastic about Todd’s poor
memory in relation to the lost dollar. Although he says that he will never hold
a grudge against him over a dollar, his thoughts wander in the direction of his
dollar every time the two meet. Deep within his heart, he wants his dollar back
and makes many futile attempts at reminding Todd of the same. However, he keeps
his attitudes and behaviour intact with Todd despite his problem of the lost
dollar. When nothing worked out, he seemed to have written this story to
express his feelings. He tells his readers to circulate the story wisely, as if
trying to hint that if the story, with Todd’s name clearly in it, is read by
Todd, he may remember to pay back the author his dollar after all.
3) What hints did the narrator give to remind
Todd that he had borrowed a dollar from him? Did the hints work?
Ans: The
narrator asked Todd about the currency used in Bermuda in a hope to remind him
of the one American dollar that Todd owed him. Further, he asked Todd how much
the trip to Bermuda cost him. The narrator made such several indirect
references to money hoping that he would remember that one dollar he owes him. After
receiving Todd at the train, the narrator took him to the Club. He didn’t refer
to his dollar but asked Todd what currency is used in Bermuda and whether the
American Dollar goes at par. He put a slight emphasis on the American Dollar to
give his friend a gentle but unsuccessful hint. A few days later, he asked Todd
what his trip had cost him. Todd replied that he didn’t keep accounts. A little
later, he asked him if he felt settled down after his trip. Todd replied that
he had practically forgotten about it. When all his hints failed to land at the
target, the narrator realized that his dollar was gone for good.
4) Explain the attempts made by the narrator
to get his dollar back.
Ans: Todd
borrowed one dollar from the narrator when he was to leave for Bermuda. He
needed it for paying the taxi fare. After three weeks, Todd came back. The
narrator went to the railway station to receive him. He hoped that the mention
of the taxi would remind Todd that he had borrowed a dollar for taxi fare. That
is why he suggested taking a taxi. But Todd said that he would prefer to walk.
The author gave another hint. He asked him about the currency of Bermuda. But
Todd still failed to recollect the borrowed dollar. The narrator met Todd daily
at the Club. Then one day he asked Todd how much money he had spent on his trip
to Bermuda. To this, Todd replied that he had not kept any accounts. And then
he asked him how he was feeling after his trip. Todd said that he had
practically forgotten about it. Thus at last the narrator realized that it was
all over with his dollar. In spite of all his efforts, he failed to get the
dollar back. He now believed that Todd had completely forgotten to pay back the
dollar. None of the hints given by the narrator could work.
5) Sketch the character of Todd.
Ans: Todd was a careless fellow
and lived in his own way and he was also a very forgetful person. He owed a
dollar from the author and the time asked was 12 months however since he was a
forgetful person he forgot to pay the dollar back and his friend(author) tried
to remind him through incidents and not directly because he was a friend of the
author. However the author had belief in his friendship with Todd and was assured
that he would return the dollar back. Todd was a pleasure loving person. He was very care
free about his life. And he does not care for anything. He owes a dollar from
his friend and forgot to repay it. It shows that he was a irresponsible person.
6) Justify the title “My Lost Dollar.”
Ans: The story, ‘My Lost Dollar’,
begins by the mention of the speaker’s friend, Major Todd and the dollar that
he owed to the speaker. It had been a year and the speaker thought he would
never return it. The speaker realized that Todd had completely forgotten about
his loan because he met the speaker in the frank and friendly way as usual. Though
the lost dollar did not matter much to the speaker, he thought that he would
carry the recollection of it to the grave. It was not in his nature to forget
about such things so easily. Then he mentioned how his dollar was lost. It was
on the 8th of April last year. Todd was about to leave to Bermuda. He needed a
dollar in change to pay for his taxi. He did not have it and asked the speaker
to pay for him. The speaker gave it to him quite willingly. Todd came back
after three weeks and the speaker went to receive him. From that day, he kept
dropping hints for Todd so that he might remember his loan of one dollar.
However, Todd never understood any of the hints. It took some time for the
speaker to realize that he had completely forgotten the dollar. Nevertheless,
he bore no grudge against Todd. He had simply added him to the list of men who own
him a dollar and had forgotten about it. There were quite a few of them but
this had not changed the speaker’s behaviour towards them. He only wished that
he could forget his lost dollars. Meanwhile, a rather painful thought had begun
to come into the mind of the speaker. He had begun to think that like Todd had
forgotten about the dollar, it was possible that he too might own such dollars
and had completely forgotten about them. Hence, he wanted to start a ‘Back to
Honesty’ movement, so that such lost dollars could be repaid to their rightful owners.
He wanted the people to remember that the greatest nations were built upon the
rock basis of absolute honesty. Thus, we see that the whole story revolved
around the dollar that the speaker had lost. Moreover, he mentioned all such
dollars and talked about the probability of himself owing such dollars.
Therefore, the title is justified.
