The Goal: Read. Reflect. Respond. Over two hundred Chekhov stories. Constance Garnett translations.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
AT CHRISTMAS TIME
Parents worried.
Daughter has married and left to the big city.
No word from her.
They hire someone to write a letter for them.
Next scene.
Letter arrives.
Daughter is happy to hear from her parents.
However, her husband has cut her off.
She lives in fear.
As her husband lives in fear.
He runs her life.
The general runs her husband's life.
Her parents are helpless.
Their daughter is helpless.
And her husband is helpless.
Power structures.
We are all victims of one another.
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I just read this story--by coincidence on Christmas Eve... Interesting and very perceptive summary. I bought one "Complete Works of Anton Chekhov" about 2 months ago and have read most of his short stories and novellas. I enjoy his mastery of bringing his characters alive and his insights into human character traits. Many stories don't have a typical end.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. None of our individual lives are in any way typical. We are all unique and our lives flow in unexpected directions. Chekhov, as master storyteller merely reflects that truth.
DeleteCheck out the link under Discussion, Anyone on the benefits of reading Chekhov.
The husband is free to notice how his wife is.
DeleteI've read this story several times. In my opinion, Chekov intends to accentuate that Christmas is not always full of miracles, joys, and hopes for many people. Our abuse of power, though we conduct it unintentionally or unconsciously, victimizes other people, and it certainly ruins love and happiness every person is supposed to have in the Christmas seasons. To see the complete interpretation, please read https://www.weedutap.com/2019/12/welcoming-christmas-with-three-kings-of.html
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