Chekhov Short Story Thread

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

They may not be happy with their lives but they are still free. After they deliver the tramp, they can return to thier own homes, and live out thier life. They are not being exiled or imprisoned.

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Even though they aren't being led off to prison, isn't there still a sense in which they are not free. It says "The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived." This indicates the life they are leading now isn't free. I think Chekhov is trying to include more than just these three characters in the not-free category, as well. It seems like he's trying to say that we all are not free--in the sense that our minds are more unbounded than our circumstances. That appears to be the contrast here. Dreams can show us an indefinite number of possibilities which taunt us in our limited state. Chekhov starts showing this in the obvious example of the tramp, but he subtly expands the message by including the constables.

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

It is hard to say, though the impression I get, is that it is not meant to indicate he his truly hiding anything, the way in which it is used. I think it is meant to relate to his dreams. Though I wonder if he is guilty about being caught dreaming. Or of Nickdr makes me feel guilt about having such naive dreams. Makes him feel like a child by scolding him for dreaming such things.

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That makes sense. The word "guilty" is just strange here. Maybe it's a quirk of the translation, but you would think that they mean something like "ashamed" perhaps instead of "guilty."

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Originally Posted by Quark

Even though they aren't being led off to prison, isn't there still a sense in which they are not free. It says "The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived." This indicates the life they are leading now isn't free. I think Chekhov is trying to include more than just these three characters in the not-free category, as well. It seems like he's trying to say that we all are not free--in the sense that our minds are more unbounded than our circumstances. That appears to be the contrast here. Dreams can show us an indefinite number of possibilities which taunt us in our limited state. Chekhov starts showing this in the obvious example of the tramp, but he subtly expands the message by including the constables.

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I can see where Chekov is trying to convey that idea, but it is just something I cannot really buy into. Everyone has dreams of things that may likely never be, and not everyone always gets everything they want in life.

But this idea, that they are not truly free, to me is just self-pitying and self-vicimtizing, they are making the choice not to be free by having that attitude. They are simply choosing to wallow in the misery of the things they do not have.

I do not think thier lack of freedom is truly legetimate. They are just unhappy with thier lot in life.

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Originally Posted by Quark

That makes sense. The word "guilty" is just strange here. Maybe it's a quirk of the translation, but you would think that they mean something like "ashamed" perhaps instead of "guilty

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Yes, the word ashamed here might work better than guilty

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

But this idea, that they are not truly free, to me is just self-pitying and self-vicimtizing, they are making the choice not to be free by having that attitude.

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It's probably a little overly dramatic to say that they are not free. I only meant that there is a split between what we can imagine and what is possible, and that the difference between the two can sometimes be depressing. That's what the story is hitting on in this part, I think. It's not that the characters don't have freedom of will; it's that the character don't have the ability to chase all their dreams. Should they? I don't know. What I will say, though, is that it can be sadenning to note all the things one could do, but can't because of one reason or another. The story reminds me of this--at least the end does.

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

Yes, the word ashamed here might work better than guilty

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Which makes me wonder why the word is there. I'll check my other translation to see if it's there also.

Where is Quark? Aren't we going to finish up this story soon; I am just curious ...or are we finished? I will try to comment on Q's last entry tonight.

I am not sure where he has been

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Originally Posted by Quark

It's probably a little overly dramatic to say that they are not free. I only meant that there is a split between what we can imagine and what is possible, and that the difference between the two can sometimes be depressing. That's what the story is hitting on in this part, I think. It's not that the characters don't have freedom of will; it's that the character don't have the ability to chase all their dreams. Should they? I don't know. What I will say, though, is that it can be sadenning to note all the things one could do, but can't because of one reason or another. The story reminds me of this--at least the end does.

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I think that is a fair observation and good way of putting it, Quark. I think it is sad that one would have these dreams and never be able to realise them; because of fate or life circumstances.

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Which makes me wonder why the word is there. I'll check my other translation to see if it's there also.

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You reading two translations?
DM, hoping that posting a comment will bring him here soon. Hope we can finish up this story soon.

Will we ever finish up this story or is it now considered finished?

I am not sure, sense Quark as been MIA

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

I am not sure, sense Quark as been MIA

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That he has....:lol:

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Originally Posted by Janine

Where is Quark? Aren't we going to finish up this story soon; I am just curious ...or are we finished? I will try to comment on Q's last entry tonight.

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I thought we done with this one. Interest appeared to be fizzling and we were approaching the end of the story. That's why I took off for a while. It seemed like all the short story threads were closed.

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Originally Posted by Quark

I thought we done with this one. Interest appeared to be fizzling and we were approaching the end of the story. That's why I took off for a while. It seemed like all the short story threads were closed.

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Well, Hello Quark, how have you been? I was just thinking about you and wondering where you ran off to. I asked Virgil the other day; we just figured you were super busy with grad work. Maybe this story had fizzled, not sure - it just seemed to drop off at some point. I don't even recall which story it was now.

No, we didn't stop all short story threads, that I knew of. We talked about a month's break in the Lawrence thread. Virgil posted the next story last Sunday and now we are reading it; discussion is to begin on Monday. The story is a longer one - about 30 pages, so I don't know if you can swing it this time around.

If you want to delay this thread another month or even untill January, it would fine with me; I am a little bogged down right now, anyway. I thought you wanted to keep Chekhov going since, you mailed me the book, and you are such a Chekhov advocate. I haven't read anymore stories, because I was holding off, until you picked the next one - whenever that might be, as I said. I hope in the future we can still discuss some more of Chekhov's fine short stories.

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Originally Posted by Janine

I asked Virgil the other day; we just figured you were super busy with grad work.

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Something like that, yes. I have been quite busy, and it's been hard to make time. I still have some papers to write before the end of the semster, but other than that I should be able to post--at least until next semster starts.

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Originally Posted by Janine

it just seemed to drop off at some point. I don't even recall which story it was now.

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If you're ever confused about which story we're on, all you have to do is look down to my signature. I'm usually pretty good about updating it to whatever story we're doing.

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Originally Posted by Janine

The story is a longer one - about 30 pages, so I don't know if you can swing it this time around.

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I'll be a little late, but I think I could read it by Friday. I know this is one we've been meaning to do for some time, so I probably shouldn't entirely miss it.

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Originally Posted by Janine

If you want to delay this thread another month or even untill January, it would fine with me

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I'll try to get a discussion going sometime during my winter break, which starts early to mid December--still not sure which story to pick, though.

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Originally Posted by Quark

Something like that, yes. I have been quite busy, and it's been hard to make time. I still have some papers to write before the end of the semster, but other than that I should be able to post--at least until next semster starts.

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I must be going crazy. I thought I answered this post last night. I think I did write in your profile page so I got that confused most likely. Well, welcome back! Glad things will be easing up for you. Understandable that you have been busy.

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If you're ever confused about which story we're on, all you have to do is look down to my signature. I'm usually pretty good about updating it to whatever story we're doing.

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Great idea and now I see it. I will always have to check out your messageor quote at the bottom.

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I'll be a little late, but I think I could read it by Friday. I know this is one we've been meaning to do for some time, so I probably shouldn't entirely miss it.

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That is ok, I might be a little late myself although I have read the story now -twice. It goes along pretty quickly.

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I'll try to get a discussion going sometime during my winter break, which starts early to mid December--still not sure which story to pick, though.

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That sounds perfect. Can you pick a fairly short one...around the holidays is hard for me; I do all the family's decorating, but we don't do tons of shopping anymore - however I will be shopping for my grand-baby:) this year.

PS: I will burn your third Chekhov CD tonight and send that set off to you and to Virgil soon. I found your return address from when you sent me the book. Il- right?

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Originally Posted by Janine

Can you pick a fairly short one

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I promise nothing too ambitious.

Of course, you know you could just read the stories only once, instead of your usual thorough twice or thrice-time over memorization. Sometimes I merely skim. Normally, if you say something too outlandish, someone else will correct you. I plan to say many such things in the L discussion this weekend.

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Originally Posted by Quark

I promise nothing too ambitious.

Of course, you know you could just read the stories only once, instead of your usual thorough twice or thrice-time over memorization. Sometimes I merely skim. Normally, if you say something too outlandish, someone else will correct you. I plan to say many such things in the L discussion this weekend.

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I never have been able to skim a book or a story. Currently I have taken on too much so I won't be reading any anytime soon. I will read it just once, if you insist:lol:, after you announce the one in Dec or Jan - whichever story comes next.
I probably will say some stupid outlandish things, as you pointed out, since that is the time I am usually going a little 'wacky' trying to decorate for the holidays. Of course, Quark, that does not mean I am not normally a little wacky anyway. ;):lol:

As to the Lawrence thread, we welcome any insane or outlandish remarks you make this week...:lol:

I was ill last night and did not get to download the last Chekhov CD; but I promise you it is coming one of these days with the other two. I think you will enjoy the set, if nothing more than a good cure for insomnia.;)