CBSE Class 10 English Notes: The Hack Driver
This chapter by W. Somerset Maugham is a short story that revolves around human cunning, deception, and practical intelligence. It tells the story of a city man who faces unexpected cleverness from a country hack driver.
Summary
- The story is set in a small town where a city gentleman visits and encounters a hack driver, an experienced local cabman.
- The city man hires the hack driver to take him to his destination, assuming the driver is simple and inexperienced.
- During the journey, the driver shows cleverness and practical intelligence, subtly teaching the city man a lesson about underestimating others.
- The city man tries to trick or cheat the driver in small ways, but the driver anticipates his moves and counters him cleverly.
- The journey becomes a series of small strategic interactions, demonstrating wit, observation, and practical intelligence.
- In the end, the hack driver outsmarts the city man, highlighting the moral that experience, local knowledge, and cleverness can overcome arrogance and assumptions.
- The story emphasizes the theme of human intelligence, humility, and respect for experience.
Character Sketch
The Hack Driver
- Experienced, clever, and observant local cabman.
- Uses wit and practical intelligence to handle situations.
- Teaches a lesson about humility and respecting knowledge and experience.
The City Man
- Arrogant, impatient, and overconfident.
- Assumes he knows better than the local driver.
- His attempts to deceive or cheat are countered by the driver’s cleverness.
Themes
- Cleverness and Practical Intelligence: The story highlights wit, observation, and strategic thinking.
- Experience vs Arrogance: Practical knowledge and experience triumph over arrogance and assumptions.
- Humility and Respect: Emphasizes respecting others’ skills and experiences.
- Human Interaction: Demonstrates the dynamics of trust, cunning, and strategy in human relationships.
Important Extracts
“The city man assumed he knew better, but the hack driver’s local knowledge proved invaluable.”
Highlights the central conflict between arrogance and experience.
“Each attempt to deceive was anticipated and countered by the driver, teaching a subtle lesson in humility.”
Shows the cleverness of the hack driver and the theme of intelligence over arrogance.
“Experience and observation often triumph over overconfidence and assumptions.”
Emphasizes the story’s moral and thematic message.
Moral / Lessons
- Practical intelligence, wit, and experience are valuable and should not be underestimated.
- Arrogance and overconfidence can lead to mistakes and lessons in humility.
- Observation, strategy, and cleverness can solve real-life problems effectively.
- Respecting others’ skills and knowledge is important in human interactions.
Vocabulary & Key Terms
- Cleverness: Quickness and skill in thinking or responding.
- Arrogance: Overbearing pride or self-importance.
- Humility: Modesty and respect for others.
- Observation: Careful attention to detail.
- Experience: Knowledge or skill gained over time.
- Deception: Act of misleading or tricking someone.
- Practical Intelligence: Ability to solve problems using common sense and experience.
Exam Tips
- For summary, focus on the city man’s arrogance, the hack driver’s cleverness, and the journey’s incidents.
- For character analysis, highlight the driver’s wit and the city man’s overconfidence.
- Use extracts to illustrate themes of intelligence, humility, and experience versus arrogance.
- Explain moral lessons emphasizing respect for knowledge and practical skills.