The Hack Driver Summary with Themes Characters and Important Points
The Hack driver is an amusing tale written by American novelist Sinclair Lewis. The author, in this story, talks about a young lawyer who was working as an assistant clerk with a famous firm in the city after completing his graduation. He wasn’t fond of the job of serving summons because sometimes he had to face harsh situations due to it. One day, he had to give the summons to Oliver Lutkins, a key witness in some cases who lived in a small village New Mullion. The lawyer was happy to go to the village but the village looked very dull and lifeless. A hack driver was seen by the narrator on a cheerful platform. On enquiring about Lutkins he came to know that he was a shrewd man and had taken loans from many people. The hack driver cunningly extracted from the lawyer that he has come here to offer a court summon to Lutkin.
The lawyer decided to rent Bill’s hack and search for Lutkins. The lawyer was manipulated by Bill who made him visit different places in search of Lutkins. He always went ahead and inquired about Lutkins. They had been to Fritz’s shop to catch Lutkins where he plays poker and wherein they were told that he has gone to Gustaff barber for shaving. At Gustaff’s place also they could not meet him and were told by somebody that he was seen in the pool room. He was not found there and told that he left the poolroom after buying cigarettes. Bill asked the lawyer to buy food from his wife as it would be cheaper than a restaurant in the afternoon. After which they had their lunch at a beautiful place called Wade’s hill.
By now the lawyer was fully convinced that Bill is a generous and helpful person. His friendly behavior made him fond of the village and its people. He started comparing the city people and villagers. The hack driver suggested to the lawyer that they should look for Lutkin’s at his mother’s place. Then, later on, they went to Lutkin’s mother’s house and found out she was a horrible lady and was threatening to burn them with a hot iron rod. They both escaped to save themselves. At last, the lawyer had to leave without serving to summon Lutkins. The next day, the lawyer was badly scolded by his Chief and was sent to New Mullion again with a colleague who knew Lutkins. As they needed Lutkin’s as an important witness in their case. On reaching the station Bill was happily acknowledged by the lawyer as he helped him in searching Lutkins. At this point, the lawyer was told by his colleague that the hack driver was none other than Oliver Lutkins which made him feel ashamed of himself.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Chapter 8 - The Hack Driver in NCERT Book of English.
The book's name is Footprints without feet.
It's a Supplementary Reader for Class 10
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Chapter Names
Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery
Chapter 2: The Thief’s Story
Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor
Chapter 4: A Question of Trust
Chapter 5: Footprints without Feet
Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist
Chapter 7: The Necklace
Chapter 8: The Hack Driver
Chapter 9: Bholi
Chapter 10: The Book That Saved the Earth.
The Hack Driver
Hack Driver indicates a cab driver. In the story, a lawyer is sent to New Mullions to serve a summons to a witness named Lutkins.
Need for Supplementary Readers for Students
The Supplementary reader helps students to know varieties of text and vocabulary which enhances their reading and critical skills. Thus, studying this book and solving its exercises can help you to be more confident regarding the English language. NCERT provides great solutions to the students chapter-wise in detail. Hence these books have many benefits.
Benefits of Main Course Books and Supplementary Books for Students
The English books are designed in a very systematic manner covering every detail of basics regarding vocabulary, passages, prose, poetry, and grammar. The main course book contains various versions of information regarding fields of art and literature. Grammar Books are prepared by taking a lot of factors into consideration like their application and uses of grammar by keeping exams into consideration. Almost every topic of grammar is covered in the books.
Conclusion
The story teaches us to be alert and aware of the people around us and not fall into a trap by trusting any stranger easily.
FAQs on The Hack Driver Summary and Analysis for Students
1. What is the summary of The Hack Driver?
The summary of The Hack Driver is about a young lawyer who is tricked by a clever hack driver named Bill into believing he is helping him find a man called Oliver Lutkins.
- The lawyer goes to a village called New Mullion to serve a summons to Lutkins.
- Bill, the hack driver, offers to help him search for Lutkins.
- Bill takes him around the village but never finds Lutkins.
- Later, the lawyer discovers that Bill himself was Oliver Lutkins.
2. Who wrote The Hack Driver?
The story The Hack Driver was written by Sinclair Lewis, a famous American novelist and short story writer.
- He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1930.
- He is known for his realistic and satirical portrayal of American society.
3. Who is Oliver Lutkins in The Hack Driver?
In The Hack Driver, Oliver Lutkins is the man whom the young lawyer is sent to serve with a summons, but he is actually disguised as Bill, the hack driver.
- Lutkins pretends to help the lawyer find himself.
- He cleverly fools the innocent lawyer all day.
- He is described as friendly, talkative, and witty.
4. Why did the lawyer go to New Mullion?
The lawyer went to New Mullion to serve a legal summons on Oliver Lutkins.
- He was a junior assistant at a law firm.
- His task was to deliver official legal papers.
- He expected the village to be peaceful and cooperative.
5. How did the hack driver trick the lawyer?
The hack driver tricked the lawyer by pretending to search for Oliver Lutkins while actually being Lutkins himself.
- He introduced himself as Bill.
- He took the lawyer to different places in the village.
- At every place, he claimed Lutkins had just left.
- He earned money by driving the lawyer around.
6. What is the theme of The Hack Driver?
The main theme of The Hack Driver is deception and the contrast between appearance and reality.
- It shows how easily appearances can mislead people.
- The lawyer’s innocence contrasts with Lutkins’ cleverness.
- The story also highlights rural cunning versus urban simplicity.
7. What kind of person is the young lawyer in The Hack Driver?
The young lawyer in The Hack Driver is innocent, inexperienced, and somewhat naive.
- He trusts Bill without suspicion.
- He believes the villagers are simple and honest.
- He fails to question Bill’s repeated excuses.
8. Why does the lawyer return to New Mullion?
The lawyer returns to New Mullion because his chief sends him back with someone who knows Oliver Lutkins personally.
- The lawyer reports that Lutkins could not be found.
- His chief doubts his efforts.
- On returning, the lawyer learns that Bill was Lutkins.
9. What is the irony in The Hack Driver?
The irony in The Hack Driver lies in the fact that the lawyer spends the entire day searching for Lutkins with Lutkins himself.
- The lawyer believes Bill is helping him.
- Readers later realize Bill and Lutkins are the same person.
- This situation creates situational irony.
10. What message does The Hack Driver convey?
The message of The Hack Driver is that people should not judge others by appearances and should remain cautious in unfamiliar situations.
- Outward friendliness does not always mean honesty.
- Experience and awareness are important in practical life.
- Overconfidence can lead to embarrassment.
