Q.1 Describe how the young lawyer was deceived by Oliver Lutkins in ‘The Hack Driver’.
Answer: The young lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case. On reaching the village, he met a friendly hack driver named Bill Magnuson who offered to help him find Lutkins. Trusting his cheerful and helpful nature, the lawyer allowed Bill to guide him around the village. Bill took him to several places like Fritz’s shop, Gustaff’s barber shop, Gray’s barber shop and even to Lutkins’ mother’s farm, pretending that Lutkins had just left each place.

In reality, Bill himself was Oliver Lutkins. He cleverly kept the lawyer out of sight while making enquiries so that no one would reveal his identity. The lawyer was completely fooled by Lutkins’ friendly behaviour and country charm. Only on his second visit did he discover that the hack driver and Lutkins were the same person. This experience taught him how easily appearances can be deceptive.

Q.2 Give a character sketch of Oliver Lutkins.
Answer: Oliver Lutkins is a clever, witty and resourceful man. He is known in the village for his dishonesty and for not paying his debts. He is good at deceiving people and enjoys playing tricks. Disguised as Bill Magnuson, he takes the young lawyer all around the village in search of himself, misleading him at every step. His ability to act naturally and confidently shows his intelligence and quick thinking.

At the same time, Lutkins is humorous and lively. Even after his trick is exposed, he laughs heartily and invites the lawyer for coffee. He does not appear to be cruel or harmful but rather playful and mischievous. His character adds humour to the story and highlights how smartly he manipulates situations to his advantage.

Q.3 Describe the narrator’s first impression of New Mullion and how it changes during the day.
Answer: When the young lawyer first reached New Mullion, he felt disappointed. He had imagined a sweet and simple countryside, but instead he saw muddy streets and dull wooden shops painted brown or left without paint. The village appeared dirty and unattractive, and his eager expectations were shattered.

However, as he spent the day with Bill, listening to his lively descriptions of the villagers and enjoying the peaceful countryside, his impression changed. He began to appreciate the simplicity and warmth of rural life. By the end of the day, he even thought of returning to practise law there. His change in attitude shows how personal experiences can alter our perceptions.

Q.4 Narrate the incident at Lutkins’ mother’s farm.
Answer: After searching the village unsuccessfully, Bill suggested that Lutkins might have gone to his mother’s farm. He warned the lawyer that she was a fierce woman. When they reached the farm, they were met by a large and energetic old woman. Bill told her that the young man represented the court and had the legal right to search for Lutkins.

The woman became furious and seized a hot iron from the stove, threatening to burn them if they searched the house. Frightened by her aggressive behaviour, they stepped back. Although they checked the house, barn and stable, they did not find Lutkins. Later, the lawyer realised that the entire episode was part of Lutkins’ clever trick.

Q.5 Why did the lawyer consider returning to New Mullion to practise law? Do you think his idea was practical?
Answer: After spending the day with Bill, the lawyer felt refreshed by the simplicity and warmth of village life. Bill’s cheerful nature and wise observations about the villagers impressed him deeply. The peaceful surroundings of meadows and woods made him compare rural life favourably with the harsh and unpleasant life of the city.

However, his idea was not practical. On his second visit, he discovered that he had been completely deceived. The same villagers whom he admired had helped Lutkins in fooling him. This experience showed him that village life was not as simple and honest as he had imagined.

Q.6 How did the office react to the lawyer’s failure to serve the summons?
Answer: When the lawyer returned to the city without serving the summons, he did not feel much worried at first. However, the office was extremely upset because the case was coming up in court the next day and Lutkins was an important witness. His failure put the case at risk and created serious trouble for the firm.

The Chief scolded him harshly and even suggested that he might be better suited for digging ditches. The lawyer was ordered to return to New Mullion immediately with a man who knew Lutkins. This reaction shows the seriousness of his mistake and the importance of responsibility in professional life.

Q.7 Do you think the young lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being fooled?
Answer: Yes, the young lawyer was somewhat gullible. He trusted the hack driver too quickly without verifying his identity. His inexperience and eagerness to believe in the goodness of rural people made him careless. He allowed Bill to handle all the enquiries and even kept himself out of sight, which made it easier for Lutkins to continue his deception.

He could have avoided being fooled by making independent enquiries and by not depending entirely on one stranger. If he had shown the summons openly or asked directly about Lutkins himself, he might have discovered the truth earlier. His experience serves as a lesson about being cautious and practical.

Q.8 What is the main message of the story ‘The Hack Driver’?
Answer: The main message of the story is that appearances can be deceptive. The young lawyer assumes that rural people are simple and honest, but he learns that they can be clever and cunning. Lutkins’ trick teaches him that one should not judge people based on outward behaviour alone.

The story also highlights the importance of experience and practical wisdom. The lawyer’s education and city background could not protect him from being deceived. Through humour and irony, the author shows that intelligence and common sense are often more valuable than formal knowledge. 

Q.9 Why did the lawyer hate his job in the beginning? How did this assignment to New Mullion affect him?
Answer: In the beginning, the young lawyer hated his job because instead of preparing legal briefs, he was sent to serve summons like a cheap private detective. He had to visit dirty and shadowy corners of the city and sometimes even faced rude and violent people. The work was unpleasant and far from the respectable legal career he had imagined for himself.

However, when he was sent to New Mullion, he felt relieved and happy. He thought it would be a pleasant change from the harsh city life. Though he was later deceived, the visit gave him new experiences and exposed him to a different way of life.

Q.10 How does Sinclair Lewis create humour in ‘The Hack Driver’?
Answer: Sinclair Lewis creates humour mainly through irony and situation. The greatest irony lies in the fact that the lawyer spends the whole day searching for Lutkins with Lutkins himself. The readers understand the trick at the end, which makes the entire situation amusing and clever.

The descriptions of Lutkins’ mother, the barber shops, and Bill’s witty comments about villagers also add to the humour. Even when the lawyer is frightened or embarrassed, the tone remains light and comic, making the story enjoyable.

Q.11 Describe the relationship between Lutkins and the villagers.
Answer: Lutkins appears to be well-known in the village. Though he owes money to several people and is considered dishonest, the villagers do not seem to dislike him seriously. They cooperate with him in fooling the lawyer and do not reveal his secret.

This shows that Lutkins shares a friendly bond with them. They treat his tricks as harmless fun rather than serious wrongdoing. Their behaviour reflects a sense of unity and shared humour among the villagers.

Q.12 What lesson did the lawyer learn from his experience in New Mullion?
Answer: The lawyer learned that people cannot be judged merely by their appearance or friendly behaviour. He trusted Bill completely because he seemed open and kind. However, that same person cleverly deceived him throughout the day.

He also learned the importance of being careful and practical in professional matters. His inexperience and blind trust caused him embarrassment. The incident became an important lesson in his early legal career.

Q.13 Describe Bill Magnuson’s personality as seen by the lawyer.
Answer: To the lawyer, Bill Magnuson appeared cheerful, friendly and helpful. He seemed to enjoy the company of others and spoke with warmth and simplicity. His lively descriptions of the villagers and his country wisdom impressed the lawyer deeply.

Bill appeared honest and generous, even suggesting a simple lunch from home instead of an expensive restaurant. However, beneath this pleasant personality was a clever and mischievous man who enjoyed fooling the young lawyer.

Q.14 Why was the lawyer impressed by rural life during his first visit?
Answer: During his first visit, the lawyer was impressed by the peaceful surroundings of meadows, woods and open fields. After the unpleasant city experience, the calm village life felt refreshing and attractive to him.

Bill’s cheerful nature and wise observations about people made rural life seem meaningful and simple. The lawyer even imagined practising law there and leading an honest and happy life.

Q.15 How did Lutkins’ mother contribute to the success of the trick?
Answer: Lutkins’ mother played her part perfectly in the drama. She pretended not to know anything about her son and acted fiercely when the lawyer and Bill came searching for him. Her aggressive behaviour frightened the lawyer and made the situation appear real.

By threatening them with a hot iron and shouting loudly, she convinced the lawyer that Lutkins was not there. Her dramatic performance helped Lutkins continue his deception successfully.

Q.16 Why did the lawyer’s chief react so strongly to his failure?
Answer: The lawyer’s chief reacted strongly because the case was to be presented in court the very next day. Lutkins was an important witness, and without him the case could suffer. The lawyer’s failure showed irresponsibility and lack of seriousness.

The chief feared professional embarrassment and loss of reputation. Therefore, he scolded the lawyer harshly and immediately sent him back to New Mullion with someone who knew Lutkins.

Q.17 How does the story highlight the theme of deception?
Answer: The story revolves around deception from beginning to end. Lutkins disguises himself as Bill Magnuson and misleads the lawyer at every step. The lawyer believes he is being helped, while in reality he is being fooled.

Even the villagers and Lutkins’ mother cooperate in the plan. The lawyer’s false assumptions about village simplicity add to the theme. The story shows how easily people can be deceived when they are inexperienced and overconfident.

Q.18 Why did Lutkins and his mother laugh at the lawyer when he finally served the summons?
Answer: When the lawyer finally discovered the truth and served the summons, Lutkins and his mother laughed because they had successfully fooled him the previous day. They found his innocence and seriousness amusing.

Their laughter showed that they considered the entire episode a harmless joke. The lawyer felt embarrassed, but for them it was an entertaining incident that added excitement to their routine village life.

Q.19 How is the young lawyer’s character portrayed in the story?
Answer: The young lawyer is portrayed as educated but inexperienced. He is sincere in his duty but lacks practical wisdom. His eagerness to believe in people’s goodness makes him trust Bill without suspicion.

He is also imaginative and emotional, as seen when he dreams of settling in New Mullion. However, his failure teaches him maturity and caution. His character represents youthful innocence confronted with real-world cleverness.

Q.20 Do you think Lutkins was a harmful criminal or just a mischievous trickster? Give reasons.
Answer: Lutkins does not appear to be a dangerous criminal. Although he avoids paying debts and plays tricks, his actions seem more mischievous than harmful. He does not threaten or seriously harm the lawyer.

His cheerful behaviour and friendly invitation for coffee suggest that he treats the incident as playful fun. Therefore, he can be seen more as a clever trickster than a serious criminal, adding humour rather than danger to the story.