Chekhov Short Story Thread

[Dark Muse]

I hope to be able to comment soon upon the latest section that Quark has posted, as that has not yet been addressed I do not think.

[Jozanny]

I read the story before the upgrade, and I think the word I'd use for the landscape and the constables is surreal--what gave me trouble with the piece though, is, if the fugitive really was a seven year old convicted for conspiracy to murder, well, I know this is Czarist Russia in the 19th century, but Chekov is either stretching credibility or the gent is a charlatan, not sure which--but it was a bit too schematic for me. Most 19th century short stories are, but it was still a little too stagey.

[Dark Muse]

I wanted to address some of the things within the last segment of the text that was posted, before we move one to the next part of the text.

First of all, one of the things I noticed about this story, is that there seems to be a certain element of mystery which is offered within the story, particularly in regards to the tramp. There is the initial introduction in which we are told he is not what one would expect a tramp to be and speculation upon his true identity, as well there is his namelessness, and as more of his life starts to be reveled bit by bit, at first it seems to just add to the mystery that surrounds him.

The other thing that I really noticed in the section of the text that was more recently posted (I don't want to repost it all again), is when we begin to discover the somewhat nobel upbringing of the tramp and learn a bit more about his past. This seems to have a two-fold effect. In some ways it adds to the comic aspect of the story and the character. Making him this sort of mix-match, adds to a certain ridiculousness about him, and well there were moments in which the way he was described, made him seem almost a Fool/Jester. He is sort of a mockery of himself, being the bastard son of a peasant woman, but dressed in fine clothes and schooled like a gentleman.

But it also almost seemed to suggest that because of his upbringing he should be more sympathetic than a "mere" peasant would be, because he is use to having fine things in life and was raised to expect fine things. There seems to be some classicism within this section, as the tramp is painted to appear almost as being "superior" to the lowly peasants.

Here it states:

If it had not been for my beloved mamma I should have been a peasant with no sort of understanding!

This seems almost to suggest that if he was raised like a peasant than somehow he would be less affected by his current position, that because he was raised like a nobel he is more aware of his fate and suffers more because of his "proper" upbringing.

Another man will take no pleasure in anything but vodka and lewd talk, but when I have time I sit in a corner and read a book. I read and I weep and weep."

And here it seems to be suggesting that he is better than most men, perhaps even more "human" which would lend one to view his situation all the more dire. While other men simply waste themselves in drinking, he reads and presents himself as being much more sensitive, for than it is truly absurd, that he cries because he finds the books in such poor quality.

"What do you weep for?"

"They write so pathetically! For some books one gives but a five-kopeck piece, and yet one weeps and sighs exceedingly over it."

[Quark]

At the moment I don't have internet at my apartment, so unfortunately I can't post regularly. I hope to have a connection by the end of this week, though.

[Janine]

At the moment I don't have internet at my apartment, so unfortunately I can't post regularly. I hope to have a connection by the end of this week, though.

Oh gosh, you are going through what I went through a month ago. I am still working to have my files taken off my old hard drive and infact tried to extract the unit from the old computer today but could not get the screws out...didn't have the right tool. I had to drag the whole tower into the shop to have them remove it. It should be done a few days from now.

Anyway, that is ok, Quark, we can wait, can't we Dark Muse? I will try and address what you wrote tomorrow, DM....I was out tonight and did not get back until an hour or so ago and watched some Olympics. We started the Lawrence thread also, but we will go slowly this week and you can catch up if you have the time to do the story this month. It is a short one but you can wait till Sept if that is more convenient for you. Fully understandable. Glad you are in your new place; I know it takes time to get settled.

[Dark Muse]

Hehe yes, I can wait

[Janine]

Hehe yes, I can wait

Good, because I have one eye open again - that means one is closed...I am really tired out now.

[OlgaG]

My first impression was the sad contrast between our “Dreams” and reality. Chekhov told me how unreachable our dreams are. It’s not enough that the desirable place doesn’t even exist; but if it was, you still wouldn’t be able to get there because of the physical weakness, or other reason.
About elements of mystery, noticed by Dark Muse. I thought that the trump’s dreams were not only about his future, but about his past as well. It least two hits gave me that impression. First, his story about getting seven years as accomplice for handling a glass to the master (unbelievable even for Czarist Russia); second, he talks a very simple language (unfortunately, lost somehow in translation) He made up his life story with the help of books: “when I have time I sit in a corner and read a book. I read and I weep and weep."

[Janine]

My first impression was the sad contrast between our “Dreams” and reality. Chekhov told me how unreachable our dreams are. It’s not enough that the desirable place doesn’t even exist; but if it was, you still wouldn’t be able to get there because of the physical weakness, or other reason.
About elements of mystery, noticed by Dark Muse. I thought that the trump’s dreams were not only about his future, but about his past as well. It least two hits gave me that impression. First, his story about getting seven years as accomplice for handling a glass to the master (unbelievable even for Czarist Russia); second, he talks a very simple language (unfortunately, lost somehow in translation) He made up his life story with the help of books: “when I have time I sit in a corner and read a book. I read and I weep and weep."

OlgaG, You pointed out some good impressions; well expressed. I hope you stick around for the whole discussion. It is moving along rather slowly this month, so be patient. Our fearless leader, Quark, just moved into a new appartment, so we are waiting for his return to post more text. He will resurface soon, I believe. He is busy also with school I believe.
And... OlgaG, Welcome to the forum! I see you are new. I know you will enjoy these threads and discussion groups; this is a great site!

Dark Muse, I will try and comment on what you wrote last about the story...probably tonight.

[Quark]

I just heard that my internet is getting hooked up sometime on Saturday afternoon. I should be able to post that night. In the meantime, it's rather hard for me to post because the library is only open during the hours I'm supposed to be at a training class.

Quark, just moved into a new appartment, so we are waiting for his return to post more text.

If you're through with what's been posted so far, you can go ahead and post more. I wouldn't mind. I'll catch up on the weekend.

[Janine]

I just heard that my internet is getting hooked up sometime on Saturday afternoon. I should be able to post that night. In the meantime, it's rather hard for me to post because the library is only open during the hours I'm supposed to be at a training class.


If you're through with what's been posted so far, you can go ahead and post more. I wouldn't mind. I'll catch up on the weekend.

Quark, that is ok, we fully understand, or at least I do. I went through the same ordeal over a month ago - library, limited hours, incovenience, etc. Take your time and we can wait for you to post the next part. I am super busy, also. Sat or Sun will be fine with me. Anyway, I still need to comment on what Dark Muse observed about the text you did post. Good luck with everything.

[Quark]

Okay, I'm completely back now. I've got home internet and everything. I'm not seeing much activity on the thread at the moment, though, so I'm not sure if we should go on with the discussion. Were you all just waiting for me? If so, I can post more text from the story. If not, we might hold off on this thread for a while and focus more on the Lawrence thread. What do you guys think?

[Dark Muse]

Good to see you back, I think Janine was waiting for you

[Quark]

Good to see you back

Thanks, it's good to be back. I wasn't expecting to be without internet for so long, but it turned out to be an entire week before Comcast sent someone out here to hook my place up.

I think Janine was waiting for you

I hope not. I was trying to get everyone to go on without me.

[Janine]

Good to see you back, I think Janine was waiting for you

DM, Could be I was...or maybe Janine was too busy, with the new forum upgrades, not to mention getting involved in 6 Social Groups, also starting a blog (I have no idea what I am doing in there) and also continuing to taylor this computer to my particular needs, such as installing supportive software for my antiquated devices, and a few newer ones - not an easy task, and very time-consuming. I have had to read a lot of 'help' menus...I really need tech education.

Anyway, Quark, It is good to see you back again but still take your time; I guess I was waiting now for your return, and the next section to discuss of the actual text. The L thread is just creeping along so you can definitely catch up there.

Quark, do you recall the photo of a painting that I posted in here awhile ago? It was when we discussed 'Misery'. I was online and saw the artist sitting in front of the painting (which by the way, is huge!). I copied it and will post it to show you. I think it is of St. Petersburg and painted by a prominent artist, whose work I particularly like.