Chekhov Short Story Thread

[Jozanny]

It's not just that they have no compassion for her, though. It's that it's their abuse which is keeping Varka up. Therefore, when Varka searches for what's keeping her awake we, the readers, know that she's looking for the masters. That isn't to say that death and poverty are not weighing on her mind--far from it. You were right to point to those causes of misery, and I liked how you linked the father and baby. However, the misery that those cause doesn't keep her awake. Pain and death are actually what make Varka want to sleep. It's the masters who prevent this, though.



You must share DM's dark streak. I don't know how I felt about the whole thing. Ambivalent, maybe. I thought the effect was great, but if it could have been created without infanticide I think I would have preferred that.


I'm starting to read "Dreams" now, so I should have something posted on it soon.

Well, I am the kind who sheds tears when animals are shot on nature shows, or killed by humans for no reason. Hate it and it nearly makes me hate people dispassionately. Watching lions kill cubs or wolves kill coyotes isn't pretty either, but animal power plays are necessary. Humans do not need to destroy on such a scale anymore. I don't mean killing for food of course, that is necessary even if our industrialization of it isn't sustainable, and babies are irrevocably fragile--but for me that is part of the pull in the artistic sense of the word.

When I hit kitty in my power chair by accident because my guard went down, and kitty yeows and I feel terrible and buy extra treats, how far is that from the psychopath? I just like seeing what the artist or movie director does with it and what it says about human nature.

My own work is mildly on the dark side, not as good as some treatments which have made me wince. "Sleepy" did not though.

[Quark]

I have to disagree with you there. I think without it, the effect of the story would have been signifcinatly lessoned.

You're probably right. I can't see any other way to conclude the story in such a shocking way, and the shock is critical for the effect. Some people are more fond of shock that others, though. Janine, in particular, had problems with this kind of shock since she recently became a grandmother. I wasn't so opposed to it as she, but usually I don't go for the shocking stories. As you're probably already aware, I seem to go for the more lachrymose ones. What does that say about me? I don't know. It just happens to be the kind of Chekhov stories I usually read.

My own work is mildly on the dark side, not as good as some treatments which have made me wince. "Sleepy" did not though.

Did it at least make you jump? The ending still get me even though I've read it twenty times now.

[Jozanny]

Did it at least make you jump? The ending still get me even though I've read it twenty times now.

Her thought, not the act.

[Janine]

You're probably right. I can't see any other way to conclude the story in such a shocking way, and the shock is critical for the effect. Some people are more fond of shock that others, though. Janine, in particular, had problems with this kind of shock since she recently became a grandmother. I wasn't so opposed to it as she, but usually I don't go for the shocking stories. As you're probably already aware, I seem to go for the more lachrymose ones. What does that say about me? I don't know. It just happens to be the kind of Chekhov stories I usually read.

Wowy, lots of new posts here. That is great! Wecome Jozanny! I hope you take part in the next story discussion.

Quark, I am in agreement about the story 'Dreams' - I believe that is right up your alley being lacrhrymose - using those big words again, eh? Anyway, I am happy to report that I read 'Dreams' along with 'Oysters' and 'Chameleon and I liked all three. They are all are 'lachromose' I believe if I have the right definition of that word . I liked how each was a slice of life, a sad slice but still a little window into a short period in each person's life. 'Oysters' was not without it's humor, which I really liked. We had thunderstorms earlier, so it seemed a good time to read the story and after reading the one I decided to read a few more; I could not reconnect the computer in fear of a power surge; I stay cautious these days. The book is great, Quark - thanks again! I will be sending you those Chekhov CD's (set) real soon, now that I am back and able to burn them on this new computer.

Did it at least make you jump? The ending still get me even though I've read it twenty times now.

Even though I did not want to discuss this story at the time, because of my new grandma statis and sensitivity, I did read the story and it seemed to me that it was necessary to have the ending as it was - shocking. I think I knew what was coming actually, but it did kind of make me jump and feel rather depressed afterwards - it had that shocking effect as in the Hardy novel, "Jude the Obscure"; if you have read the novel you know what I am referring to...that was truly disturbing and like this story one does not ever truly forget that moment in the story. Another thing is that I did not realise the girl was so young - did you say she was only 13 yrs old?

[Dark Muse]

Yes at the very beigning of the story it says she is 13

[Janine]

Yes at the very beigning of the story it says she is 13

Thanks DM, I must have charged ahead and forgotten that part.

[Dark Muse]

It is in like the opening secentence and than it really does not get mentioned again

[Quark]

Quark, I am in agreement about the story 'Dreams' - I believe that is right up your alley being lacrhrymose - using those big words again, eh? Anyway, I am happy to report that I read 'Dreams' along with 'Oysters' and 'Chameleon and I liked all three.

Yeah, "Dreams" is not particularly cheery--definitely lachrymose. I like the characters, though, and the narration is quite beautiful through sections. I'll post an introduction right after this post to get things going.

'Oysters' was not without it's humor, which I really liked.

If you liked "Oysters" and "Chameleon," you might enjoy some of the other little jokes Chekhov came up with.

We had thunderstorms earlier, so it seemed a good time to read the story and after reading the one I decided to read a few more; I could not reconnect the computer in fear of a power surge

Protect that computer!

Even though I did not want to discuss this story at the time, because of my new grandma statis and sensitivity, I did read the story and it seemed to me that it was necessary to have the ending as it was - shocking. I think I knew what was coming actually, but it did kind of make me jump and feel rather depressed afterwards

It was certainly necessary for "Sleepy" to end with death. The story would have been kind of boring if it didn't, actually. I just meant to say that I'm sort of ambivalent about shock and infant mortality in general when it comes to fiction. It doesn't kill (sorry) a story for me if there's something like that, but it doesn't necessarily make the story either.

[Quark]

I responded to your last post Janine on the previous page.

I don't mean to prevent anyone from discussion "Sleepy," or any other story for that matter, but I do want to introduce "Dreams" since that was the agreed upon story.

"Dreams"

"Dreams" is only six or seven pages long, so the reading shouldn't be too difficult for this one. You can find the text online at LitNet here: http://www.online-literature.com/anton_chekhov/1189. As usual I'll post segments of the story for discussion whenever we're ready to discuss. This keeps the conversation focused, and makes it easier for everyone to understand what's being talked about. Just let me know when you're done with the story, and I'll post the first chunk of text.

Anyway, the story is about a tramp who is arrested by two peasant constables. The criminal refuses to give his name, and the two officers are taking him to a court which will probably exile him to Siberia. The story revolves around the conversation these three characters have, and the mutual hope and despair they each feel. I'm glad we're doing this story after having done "The Black Monk" because the nameless tramp in this story has many similarities to Kovrin from the previous story. Also, the stories share some common themes. By itself, though, the story has still the same effect. It should be a good read. Also, I also like the characters from this one, too.

Here's the picture I went with for "Dreams."

Random Picture I Found in a Google Search

It's not a famous painting, an original manuscript, or anything else inherently interesting, but I thought it shows something of what the characters would see. That's incredibly important in this story, too. The fog and dreary sameness of the scenery take on much meaning as the story progresses. The picture--while not being entirely accurate--renders the right idea.

[Dark Muse]

I haven't read the story yet, but I love that picture

[Janine]

Yeah, "Dreams" is not particularly cheery--definitely lachrymose. I like the characters, though, and the narration is quite beautiful through sections. I'll post an introduction right after this post to get things going.

Oh, goody! I had to come in and edit what I had written just now - Quark, you beat me out with your post and cool photo. That is perfect I think! I like to read your introductions, also - you did a real good job, Quark! Maybe the three trees represent the three individuals in the foggy landscape.

If you liked "Oysters" and "Chameleon," you might enjoy some of the other little jokes Chekhov came up with.

I did get a chuckle out of each of those. I can just imagine how a kid would perceive the strange unknown food and the dog story was hilarious actually.

Protect that computer!

You better believe it kiddo! Just a tiny rumble or thunder and I am heading for the plugs. Thunderstorms now seem to be out of our area so I thought I would check back in.

It was certainly necessary for "Sleepy" to end with death. The story would have been kind of boring if it didn't, actually. I just meant to say that I'm sort of ambivalent about shock and infant mortality in general when it comes to fiction. It doesn't kill (sorry) a story for me if there's something like that, but it doesn't necessarily make the story either.

Yes, if it had not ended in death it would be like "Hamlet" not ending in death. It is inevitable in both instances. The story would not have been anything without that ending and the dire act. It is not that I don't appreciate talking about tragic plays or stories - to the contrary but it was the timing on that one. I won't dispute it was a good story - well written but it was a little too sad and horrifying to me, at the time I read it, just before my grandchild was born. You know they used to claim that crib deaths were actually murders - I believe it and woman (mothers) were not treated correctly having post pardum (sp?) depression. In this case the poor girl was not treated correctly either; she was starving for sleep and no doubt her sleep deprivation caused her to be temporarily insane enough to commit murder. The baby and the girl were both victims - that was what was truly sad about it.

[Quark]

I love that picture

I like to read your introductions, also - you did a real good job, Quark! Maybe the three trees represent the three individuals in the foggy landscape.

Thanks, I wanted to keep the intro and picture to minimum this time since I didn't want to give anything away. This story reveals itself gradually, and if I opened my mouth too much here I might spoil it. The setting is told right away, so I don't think I ruining anything with the picture. Besides, the picture isn't even completely accurate. It's supposed to be mud they're walking on, and the photo above shows grass. What I wanted to get through, though, was the dreary sameness of the scene. The evenly spaced trees and damp, bleak atmosphere do that well.

Yes, if it had not ended in death it would be like "Hamlet" not ending in death.

I thought about the same thing. No, the story and play couldn't have ended differently.

The baby and the girl were both victims - that was what was truly sad about it.

Yeah, we talked a bit about how Chekhov builds our sympathy for the girl. It almost makes you feel worse for the murderer than the murdered.

[Janine]

Thanks, I wanted to keep the intro and picture to minimum this time since I didn't want to give anything away. This story reveals itself gradually, and if I opened my mouth too much here I might spoil it. The setting is told right away, so I don't think I ruining anything with the picture. Besides, the picture isn't even completely accurate. It's supposed to be mud they're walking on, and the photo above shows grass. What I wanted to get through, though, was the dreary sameness of the scene. The evenly spaced trees and damp, bleak atmosphere do that well.

Quark, Funny thing is while reading this story, I kept being reminded of this old film I just saw - old version of "War and Peace" and one big scene their are soldiers and prisoners who are drudging through the mud and then it turns to winter - all frozen, there is fog as well. I think I can percieve what a Russian landscape would look like after seeing that film. Your photo fits that mood very well, I think. The fog plays a true role in this story much as it did in "The Black Monk", don't you think?

I thought about the same thing. No, the story and play couldn't have ended differently.

Yeah, we talked a bit about how Chekhov builds our sympathy for the girl. It almost makes you feel worse for the murderer than the murdered.

I agree.

[Dark Muse]

I just finnised reading the story and I found it to be quite commical

[Janine]

WHAT - comical???? reeeealy, DM? ....you should be exiled to Siberia. hahaha....Wonder what our Quark will say about your comment.