8. My Tailor by Stephen Leacock
1. The Character Sketch of the Tailor
Q. No. 1: Draw the character sketch of the tailor. OR What qualities of his tailor does Leacock describe in the essay “My Tailor”? OR How does Leacock try to make the reader sympathetic with tailor? OR “He always stands there ……………………… and has stood there for thirty years …………………… waiting to greet me”. Comment. OR Discuss “My Tailor” as humorous essay. OR The humour of is mixed with pathos. OR The humour of the essay is based on characterization rather than incidents. Comment.
Answer: In the essay “My Tailor,” Stephen Leacock depicts a humorous character but with touches full of pathos. The writer has actually divided the essay into two parts. In the first part, we see how he deals with the customers in his tailoring shop. The writer always finds him at the same place. He has only one way to welcome the writer and other customers and that is his smiling face to welcome them. He always offers two choices of serge and tweed to the customers. He cajoles the writer saying him that his chest has increased by half an inch. The writer observes no change in his behaviour. His inner life remained hidden.
But in the second part, he narrates that after the tailor’s death, he was greatly shocked. He comes to know that tailor was a religious man. He had a daughter and wife whom he left in very poor condition. Throughout their relationship with each other, he had never found the tailor discussing his problems with him. Therefore, the writer thinks that his tailor was somewhat immortal. (Words: 179)
3. The Theme of the Essay
Q. No. 2: What is the theme of the essay? OR What is the moral of this essay? OR “There is I am certain, a deep moral in this. But I will not try to draw it. It might appear too obvious”. Discuss.
Answer: The writer says at the end of his essay: “There is I am certain, a deep moral in this. But I will not try to draw it. It might appear too obvious.” The writer does not draw a moral. But a deep and analyzing study of the story exposes its moral. The moral lesson of the essay is: “We never try to understand our fellow beings. We do not try to share others weal and woe.”
First the writer draws the character sketch of his tailor. The writer discusses about his activities and his behaviour. The writer always finds him at the same place. He has only one way to welcome the writer and other customers and that is his smiling face to welcome them. He also speaks about pleasant weather. But in the second part, he comes to know about the sad death of tailor. The writer comes to know that the tailor had a wife and a daughter who are badly left off. The writer is shocked to hear about the death of his tailor. Actually, the writer wants to point out the hollowness which is found in our relation with our fellow beings.
(Words: 195)
3. The Tailor as an Immoral Character
Q. No. 4: Why does Leacock regard the tailor as “Immortal”? OR “And they told me that he was dead. It came to me with a strange shock. I had not thought it possible. He seemed …………. He should have been …………………….. Immortal.” Explain.
Answer: When the writer comes to know of his tailor’s sudden death, he is greatly shocked. He thinks that the tailor should have lived forever. He believes that he was immortal. Why does he think so? It is his past experience with the writer that makes him think so. He has been in contact with the writer for the last thirty years. He always finds him at the same place. He has only one way to welcome the writer and other customers and that is his smiling face to welcome them. He cajoles the writer saying him that his chest has increased by half an inch. He speaks about pleasant weather.
The writer observes no change in his behaviour. His inner life remained hidden. After the tailor’s death, the writer comes to know that tailor was a religious man. He was a sides man in church. He had a daughter and wife. Tailor had never discussed his worries and cares. He kept himself calm and composed. Therefore, the writer thinks that his tailor was somewhat immortal. (Words: 175)