Betrothed
I have seen similar stories in my Chekhov journey. At least the theme seems the same.
Someone is stuck in a provincial town and feels trapped. They long to escape. To live. In many other stories they can't get out. Here Nadya, becomes the runaway bride and is able to break free.
Nadya is betrothed to Andrey Andreitch who doesn't do much of anything except play the fiddle. She lives with her grandmother and mother. Her mother, Nina Ivanovna who didn't love her husband is now dependent on her mother-in-law.
Nadya has only one voice of clarity when she realizes she doesn't love her fiancé. Sasha, who the grandmother helped pay for his studies in art and stays with the family for several weeks in the summer, encourages Nadya to turn her "life upside down."
Looking at the life she will live if she stays -- it all seems oppressive to Nadya. Barren -- meaningless -- she desperately doesn't want to become like her mom -- dependent -- not doing anything with her life -- and she finally decides to break all conventions and leave.
A difficult decision for a young woman. It just wasn't done. Her reputation in the town and the family honor would be ruined. But she feels she has no alternative. Selfish? Yes. But so what? When you are drowning you have to grab any lifeline that is offered.
The question that is not answered is who would pay for her studies in Petersburg. Her room and board? Sometimes you have the desire and you're willing to go but you just don't have the means.
I imagine once she got to Petersburg she wrote home and they agreed to send her money. What if the grandmother refused to wire her the funds? Instead of studying at a university she may have had to become some rich man's mistress or worse. Like I said -- not an easy decision.
This story was most likely controversial in its time. Young women were not expected to leave their fiancés behind and go off on their own to study. Let's be honest -- this story is still quite controversial in many parts of the world even today -- where women are expected just to serve their husbands and their personal happiness is never considered.
Chekhov eloquently makes the argument for people to break free from tired traditions and not to feel encumbered by their surroundings and the expectation of others.
You only have one life to live so live it on your own terms -- it is the only way to be free and happy. It's never painless to do that -- there's many obstacles to overcome and family you may have to disappoint and most people take the easy road only to feel stifled and unhappy for much of their life.
Self-empowerment. Modern in Chekhov's day and still vital today and always.
what are the characteristics of nadya? what is the struggle faced by Nadya? how does this struggle shape her character? from this story, what is the author's (Chekhov) perspective towards women?
ReplyDeleteChekhov perspective towards women as women should not be dependent on anyone, everyone has there ideas and Desire to achieve their goals. He wanted to change the perspective of society through his ideology. He tried to explain the same in his story betrothed, Nadya was stress with the society and family rules. Nadya going to be married with who doesn't work except play fiddle She doesn't want to be like her mother. As her, Mother doesn't love her father. She wanted to be free, lived her life study further. She ran away from home because she wants to achieve her goal which she had planned for. She couldn't do that without the help of Sasha. Who encourages her for her ideas that she must be studied further. Many women could not do anything in her life. Coz she doesn't motivate by anyone for her role. Or her ideas Nadya don't want to live the same life as well as her mother. Though her mother dressed as a queen wore a diamond on her fingers. But she was not independent she could not do anything with her willingness to do as. Sasha encourage her apart he showed that reality like you are going to marry a man who is also dependent on his father. She took her decision she proved that she is strong n have fate to do anything with her will power. Sometimes it doesn't matter that society will accept your notions. You are the only one who has to accept your ideas without any fear. Just break the barriers cross all boundaries to which is in your way to success.
DeleteNadya is facing pressure from the society. There are expectations to be met. But Nadya has her own ideas and is willing to take risks to find her truth.
ReplyDeleteChekhov admires anyone who goes against the grain -- who is willing to put everything on the line to follow their bliss. Most of us wind up settling -- putting our dreams on hold for one reason or another -- very few are brave enough or foolish enough to believe some dreams can actually be realized.