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5.Answer the following questions.
1. Why did the writer hesitate to give advice?
2. Why do politicians think it possible to force upon the people
measures that must alter their life?
3. Why did Stephens come to the writer for advice?
4. What signs showed that Stephens was embarrassed?
5. Why was Stephens embarrassed?
6. What was Stephens’ background?
7. Why did Stephens decide to change his life?
8. What did he look like?
9. What might the writer mean by saying “It’s not like Carmen”?
10. Could the writer’s words be considered as indirect advice to go to
Spain? Why?
11. Was Stephens a success in Spain?
12. What could prove that Shephens was satisfied with his life in Spain?
13. What compensations did he receive in Spain?

6.Make up a dialogue between
a) the writer and Stevens in London;
b) the writer and Stevens in Servile.

7.Draw a character sketch of Stephens.

8.Discuss the following quotes with reference to the story and everyday life.
a) It is a dangerous thing to order the lives of others.
b) I know little enough of myself.
c) Politicians, reformers and such like are prepared to force upon their
fellows measures that must alter their manners, habits and points of
view.
d) How can one advise another how to act unless one knows that other
as well as one knows oneself? Heaven knows, I know little enough of
myself: I know nothing of others.
e) Each one of us is a prisoner in a solitary tower and he communicates
with the other prisoners, who form mankind by conventional signs
that have not quite the same meaning for them as for himself.
f) And life, unfortunately, is something that you can lead but once;
mistakes are often irreparable… Life is a difficult business.
g) But there are men who flounder at the journey’s start, the way before
them is confused and hazardous and on occasion, however
unwillingly, I have been forced to point the finger of fate.
h) Your whole future is concerned: you must decide for yourself.
i) Life is full of compensations.