THE WIFE

The Wife

Is it the wife? Or the husband? What is going on? You are required to become a veritable Sigmund Freud in this story.

The husband and wife have "issues".  As all husbands and wives invariably do. But, hey, this is a Chekhov story -- so let's a take a ride, shall we?

The starving peasants. The wife wants meaning to her dull and unhappy life (at some point in their arguing the wife bemoans their miserable state and says something like -- we could have had it all -- and I'm reminded of Adele's song Rolling in the Deep) and she finally finds her meaning -- her calling -- by trying to help the peasants. So is she really interested in helping the peasants or is she just using them to give her life some use? Does it matter? I mean does it matter to the peasants -- after all -- they can use the help. Or is this a moral point for us to think about? After all, the real problems facing the peasants require a lot more than just the good intentions of a few individuals -- and it's convenient for someone to believe that they can solve a massive problem -- especially if it gives them the satisfaction that they are doing good. So the person helping feels good because they feel they are helping -- but the problems of the peasants don't really change -- and the societal shift in priorities (Sounds like Obama versus Tea Party) that needs to happen never does happen because those who might be inclined to lead the societal shift are feeling satisfied that they are doing their part and no societal shift in priorities is in fact needed. Get it?

And just when you think -- this story is too much -- too psychological -- too obtuse -- the real world stumbles in -- been keeping up with the accusations against Greg Mortenson and his Three Cups of Tea and the charity he runs -- and the whole question of charity and motivation and meaning and calling and all the questions that are raised in this story seem very relevant to the Mortenson saga. Which shows that Chekhov's stories are truly timeless and universal. Even if at times they are too much.

The husband has no soul. He hates everyone. He has all the accouterments of society but he is empty inside. The wife hates him. He might even hate himself.

And then finally some clarity. The husband has a satori. He resigns himself to the fates. He gives up his material concerns and is suddenly freed. He can concentrate on his writing and isn't hindered by guilt. The wife stops hating him -- at least we hope so. But the husband may no longer care.

Ah, yes, guilt. It plays a strong part in many of Chekhov stories. How can someone enjoy life and material things when the world is full of suffering and pain and poverty? Well, the husband apparently finds the answer. Give it all up. (Tolstoy, anyone?)

And the wife still searching to relieve her guilt or to maintain her meaning in life -- or something else -- keeps giving the husband's possessions away. And when they finally become poor will they finally be content and peaceful -- or just plain poor?

The Middle Way?