Chekhov Short Story Thread

[Quark]

Just wait tell I start school again which will be soon. I will not be around as much as I have been over the summer.

You say that like it's reassuring, but it's quite the opposite actually.

Oh, and Janine I replied to your post earlier.

[Dark Muse]

Hehe, just thought I would let you guys know you are not the only ones who are going to be busy, I should still be able to keep up with everything.

I will have to go back and take a look, and I still need to respond to the latest part of the text you posted.

[Quark]

I still need to respond to the latest part of the text you posted.

As do I, but it seems like I've been talking about this section the whole time, so I don't know how much I will have to add. Whenever I review a text, though, I always come away with something more, so maybe I'll notice something new this time. At the very least, I could compare the LitNet translation with the differing translation in my book. There are some notable changes from one version to the other.

[Dark Muse]

I agree - I thought that fact set up a good contrast to his present state and also make it even seem worse for him to endure. It is a kind of fall from grace, even though he probably wasn't exactly wealthy. I am sure now being reduced to a tramp is pretty humiliating to him and his former stature....at least personally, to himself.

In some ways I think this makes him a less sympathtic character, at least to me personally, becasue he seems to see his life at a higher vaule than others based upon his education.

I tend to agree with this idea since Chekhov did write this sort of fiction with much pathos and sadness. I think he would know that people could identify with these sorry states and therefore they did like the sadder fiction as opposed to lighter, and perhaps meaningless, stories. The deeper meaning of this story kind of hits one at the end. It has impact in the finale.

Reading over the line again, I can see where it could be interepted to mean that the stories were sad and moving even though they were cheap.

[Janine]

In some ways I think this makes him a less sympathtic character, at least to me personally, becasue he seems to see his life at a higher vaule than others based upon his education.

DM, I sort of think when I was reading the story I did not sympathise with him entirely; something about him made me question his tale and the validity of it.

Reading over the line again, I can see where it could be interepted to mean that the stories were sad and moving even though they were cheap.

Could be. I was just agreeing more or less with Quark, I think.

[Quark]

In some ways I think this makes him a less sympathtic character, at least to me personally, becasue he seems to see his life at a higher vaule than others based upon his education.

Yes, I'm also split about whether his story makes him more sympathetic. The fact that he was imprisoned for doing something he didn't intend certainly makes his case sad, but there are other parts of his story that do make him appear superior. Looking over the whole story, though, I think it humanizes him in a way that makes his character more pitiable. Even if you don't like his attitude, just the fact that he has an attitude makes him more sympathetic. This isn't just some person being sent of to Siberia; it's a human being with a past, a personality, and, yes, even an arrogant attitude.

I'll get to the section I most recently posted section tomorrow. I'm a little busy with work at the moment.

[Dark Muse]

Yes, I'm also split about whether his story makes him more sympathetic. The fact that he was imprisoned for doing something he didn't intend certainly makes his case sad, but there are other parts of his story that do make him appear superior. Looking over the whole story, though, I think it humanizes him in a way that makes his character more pitiable. Even if you don't like his attitude, just the fact that he has an attitude makes him more sympathetic. This isn't just some person being sent of to Siberia; it's a human being with a past, a personality, and, yes, even an arrogant attitude.

I understand what you are saying about "humanizing him" though his arrogant superior attitude makes me inclined to care less about what is going to happen to him. Not to see he deserves to be exiled to Siberia for being arrogant, but it just does not make him very endearing so I am not really overly saddened by it. He is not a particularly "likeable" character, not to say I necessarily hate him either.

Also I am inclined to question his story a bit, and wonder, is really as completely innocent as he says he is?

After all isn't it a little suspect that when he is telling his story he first claims that his mother "accidentally" gave than master arsenic? Did anyone upon reading that actually believe that, even before they read further to the other possible explanation for the mothers actions.

So if he would lie about his mother, isn't it possible that he would also lie about himself?

[Janine]

Just popping in to check on things. I did read all the posts. I better mention, Quark, so he appears soon to save this story and the thread. I was going to let you two debate the above topic. Also, I believe Quark promised to post more text, to keep things rolling along towards the end of this story. I am sure he is super busy. I know that Virgil is away on vacation, so that is why he is not present in the L thread. This time of year is slow on here, I believe...oh well, can't be helped.

[Quark]

Also I am inclined to question his story a bit, and wonder, is really as completely innocent as he says he is?

While I do think he frames the story to make himself look good, I'm not sure I believe he's guilty of murder. It's possible--because as we've been saying he's quite unreliable--but I don't think it's likely. He seems pretty meek. Plus, he's head is filled with notions of gentility and religion. It's hard to see him murdering someone.

I better mention, Quark, so he appears soon to save this story and the thread.

Yes, here I am on cue. I've been racking my brains on what to say about the section I last posted, but there isn't much to say that I haven't already said. The one thing I could add is that I think this sections is probably the most beautiful part of the story. I get drawn into his vision just as the constables do. The quote that I used for my signature sums it up nicely, but what's great about this part is that Chekhov doesn't just describe dreams. He draws you into one here.

Also, I believe Quark promised to post more text, to keep things rolling along towards the end of this story.

There's only one last section to post. Here's the reaction of the constables:

The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived; whether they vaguely recalled the images of stories heard long ago or whether notions of a free life had been handed down to them with their flesh and blood from far-off free ancestors, God knows!

The first to break the silence was Nikandr Sapozhnikov, who had not till then let fall a single word. Whether he envied the tramp's transparent happiness, or whether he felt in his heart that dreams of happiness were out of keeping with the grey fog and the dirty brown mud -- anyway, he looked sternly at the tramp and said:

"It's all very well, to be sure, only you won't reach those plenteous regions, brother. How could you? Before you'd gone two hundred miles you'd give up your soul to God. Just look what a weakling you are! Here you've hardly gone five miles and you can't get your breath."

The tramp turned slowly toward Nikandr, and the blissful smile vanished from his face. He looked with a scared and guilty air at the peasant's staid face, apparently remembered something, and bent his head. A silence followed again. . . . All three were pondering. The peasants were racking their brains in the effort to grasp in their imagination what can be grasped by none but God -- that is, the vast expanse dividing them from the land of freedom. Into the tramp's mind thronged clear and distinct pictures more terrible than that expanse. Before him rose vividly the picture of the long legal delays and procrastinations, the temporary and permanent prisons, the convict boats, the wearisome stoppages on the way, the frozen winters, illnesses, deaths of companions. . . .

The tramp blinked guiltily, wiped the tiny drops of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, drew a deep breath as though he had just leapt out of a very hot bath, then wiped his forehead with the other sleeve and looked round fearfully.

"That's true; you won't get there!" Ptaha agreed. "You are not much of a walker! Look at you -- nothing but skin and bone! You'll die, brother!"

"Of course he'll die! What could he do?" said Nikandr. "He's fit for the hospital now. . . . For sure!"

The man who had forgotten his name looked at the stern, unconcerned faces of his sinister companions, and without taking off his cap, hurriedly crossed himself, staring with wide-open eyes. . . . He trembled, his head shook, and he began twitching all over, like a caterpillar when it is stepped upon. . . .

"Well, it's time to go," said Nikandr, getting up; "we've had a rest."

A minute later they were stepping along the muddy road. The tramp was more bent than ever, and he thrust his hands further up his sleeves. Ptaha was silent.

I know we'll have at least one disagreement here: the degree to which the constables are affected. I think he actually gets through to the constables at this point, but, if I remember, DM disagrees.

[Dark Muse]

While I do think he frames the story to make himself look good, I'm not sure I believe he's guilty of murder. It's possible--because as we've been saying he's quite unreliable--but I don't think it's likely. He seems pretty meek. Plus, he's head is filled with notions of gentility and religion. It's hard to see him murdering someone.

I am not sure if I really think he is guilty of murdur, but knowing he is trying to gain more sympathy for himself, and considering how close he seemed to be to his mother. I cannot help but wonder if he knew more than he lets on.

I will come back later to coment upon the section of posted text.

[Quark]

I cannot help but wonder if he knew more than he lets on.

Even that seems to clash with his character. It's hard to see him helping to kill someone.

I'll come back later to talk about the last section. I particularly want to comment on why Nikandr tries to make the tramp see reason.

[Dark Muse]

Yes I noticed that too and wondered about it. I had wanted to talk about that section, but than I have not yet been able to get around to doing so

[Dark Muse]

The first to break the silence was Nikandr Sapozhnikov, who had not till then let fall a single word. Whether he envied the tramp's transparent happiness, or whether he felt in his heart that dreams of happiness were out of keeping with the grey fog and the dirty brown mud -- anyway, he looked sternly at the tramp and said:

"It's all very well, to be sure, only you won't reach those plenteous regions, brother. How could you? Before you'd gone two hundred miles you'd give up your soul to God. Just look what a weakling you are! Here you've hardly gone five miles and you can't get your breath."

I found this part to be a bit curious, as it seems that Nikandr is bitter toward the tramp about his dreams, or envious of them in someway, when he tries and bring the tramp back into "reality" and chastises him for the dreams he has, and shows their impossibility.

Though from the beginning he is seen as more sever, I really do not think he is doing this purely to be malicious for no other reason.

Yet I question, why would the constables really be jealous of the tamps dreams, when they know the truth? For really the constables are free, while they know the tramp is not actually going to get to live the life he foresees for himself.

Are they so unhappy within their own lives, that they feel the need to crush the Tramp's mere imaginary life.

The tramp turned slowly toward Nikandr, and the blissful smile vanished from his face. He looked with a scared and guilty air at the peasant's staid face, apparently remembered something, and bent his head. A silence followed again. . . . All three were pondering. The peasants were racking their brains in the effort to grasp in their imagination what can be grasped by none but God -- that is, the vast expanse dividing them from the land of freedom. Into the tramp's mind thronged clear and distinct pictures more terrible than that expanse. Before him rose vividly the picture of the long legal delays and procrastinations, the temporary and permanent prisons, the convict boats, the wearisome stoppages on the way, the frozen winters, illnesses, deaths of companions. . . .

I found this passage to be currious, as it seems as if it is death itself in which the Tramp is now pondering, and the idea that death is the freedom from the wretechedness of life.

The peasants were racking their brains in the effort to grasp in their imagination what can be grasped by none but God -- that is, the vast expanse dividing them from the land of freedom.

To me this seems to be suggusting that Paradise is the land of freedom, becasue it is what only God can truly grasp, and life seems to be the expanse which devides them from it.

As it continues

Into the tramp's mind thronged clear and distinct pictures more terrible than that expanse. Before him rose vividly the picture of the long legal delays and procrastinations, the temporary and permanent prisons, the convict boats, the wearisome stoppages on the way, the frozen winters, illnesses, deaths of companions.

These are all concerns of the flesh, of mortality and the physcial living world in which the Tramp is faced with. The things which keep him from his freedom.

The tramp blinked guiltily, wiped the tiny drops of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, drew a deep breath as though he had just leapt out of a very hot bath, then wiped his forehead with the other sleeve and looked round fearfully.

Why does the tramp seem to feel guilty about his Dreams? As when Nikandr first called him on his dreams, it said the tramp looked scared and guilty, and once more when faced with the truth, it makes him feel guilt and he looks around fearfully.

[Quark]

it seems that Nikandr is bitter toward the tramp about his dreams, or envious of them in someway

I think so, too. The peasants are small minded, and it appears they envy the tramp's larger imagination, his ability to see beyond the circumstances.

For really the constables are free, while they know the tramp is not actually going to get to live the life he foresees for himself.

Are the constables free? If they were I don't think they would be able to commiserate with the tramp. When Chekhov says "The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived" it seems like he's saying that they too are not free.

Interestingly, though, Chekhov makes their dreams ambiguous:

whether they vaguely recalled the images of stories heard long ago or whether notions of a free life had been handed down to them with their flesh and blood from far-off free ancestors, God knows!

We don't know where their dreams come from. They could just derive from the culture surrounding them. We never know whether there actually is such a thing as freedom or whether it's just an image created by culture. Maybe their life is fine and they're just tormented by fictitous stories they've heard? Chekhov like to pull the rug out from under the reader at moments like this, so I think we need to consider the possibility that they characters are creating their own misery here.

To me this seems to be suggusting that Paradise is the land of freedom, becasue it is what only God can truly grasp, and life seems to be the expanse which devides them from it.

Literally, that sentence tells us that only God is capable of understanding the expanse that seperates us from freedom, so I'm not sure whether that means freedom is only with God. The sentence seems to lead us to believe that there could be freedom on Earth--it's only the distance that separates freedom from the rest that is unclear. It's the truth of the situation that is understood by God.

Why does the tramp seem to feel guilty about his Dreams? As when Nikandr first called him on his dreams, it said the tramp looked scared and guilty, and once more when faced with the truth, it makes him feel guilt and he looks around fearfully.

That's a good question. I hadn't noticed that it said "guilty." Does that mean that he actually is guilty of something he's hiding? Or, is he just guilty of being caught dreaming?

[Dark Muse]

Are the constables free? If they were I don't think they would be able to commiserate with the tramp. When Chekhov says "The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived" it seems like he's saying that they too are not free.

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.

That's a good question. I hadn't noticed that it said "guilty." Does that mean that he actually is guilty of something he's hiding? Or, is he just guilty of being caught dreaming?

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.