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Why does the banker feel that he will be ruined after the bet

Sagot :

This question refers to Anton Chekhov's short story "The Bet".

Answer:

The banker feels that he will be ruined after the bet because he is no longer rich. By losing the bet, he will have to pay the lawyer 2 million.

Explanation:

In "The Bet" a lawyer and a rich banker make a bet. The lawyer will try and spend 15 years living in a solitary. His point is to prove that life in prison is better than being punished with death. He thinks that living in miserable conditions is better than not living at all. The banker, who thinks death is more merciful, is willing to pay the lawyer 2 million if he really can spend all those years living like that.

However, in that time, both men end up changing a lot. The banker is not as rich as he used to be. He fears losing the bet and having to pay the lawyer, since giving away two million would ruin him. He decides to kill the lawyer but, upon entering his room, he finds only a letter. The lawyer has left. After 15 years reading, studying, and learning, he realizes there is more to life. He now despises little men who can only value material things, such as money.