An Enigmatic Nature
Churchill when asked what he thought the role Russia would play in World War Two replied: "It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
A young writer is trying to impress a beautiful woman. He tells her he knows all about her. That nothing she could say would surprise him. He kisses her.
The pretty lady unburdens herself to the author. He listens intently and eats it up. So sure of his mastery of the human soul -- he revels in her confessions and is certain that he will own her after it's done.
But of course he's wrong. No matter how much we try to pigeonhole people -- the inner workings of the mind still eludes us.
Here the young author is riding a big wave -- loving every minute and then a wash out. The pretty lady explains how an old general had gotten in the way of her happiness and how miserable she was -- then he croaks -- she's got money and is now free to finally capture her happiness -- if it wasn't for another old general.
Go figure.
The author will eventually bow down to the vagaries of the soul -- and instead of imitating will have to resort to imagination.
We read Chekhov for insights into what drives people -- and we are not disappointed -- but just as we gain insight on people as a whole -- one person who we think we understand completely shocks us. That's how it should be. Life would be pretty boring if we could predict what every person would do at every step. It is surprises that keeps us going. Sometimes those surprises are the negative type -- and sometimes they open up a new layer in the never ending quest for truth (sorry I'm being a bit mysterious).
Either way they make us scratch our head.
Just hope you don't have dandruff.
What is the plot in the Chekov story An Enigmatic Nature? What is Chekov's goal in writing it? Is he making fun of the writer or of the woman?
ReplyDeletePlot: A young writer is trying to impress a beautiful woman. He tells her he knows all about her. That nothing she could say would surprise him.
ReplyDeleteGoal: To show the enigmatic nature of people or women, in particular.
Poking fun: Well, the writer seems too sure of himself that he could fathom the woman's mind and is proven wrong -- and aren't we all proven wrong when we are so sure that we can understand the way other people's minds work -- when in fact most of us hardly know the way our own mind works.
what is the struggle faced by the major female character? and how does this struggle shape her character? what is the author's (Chekhov) perspective towards women?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteWell, don't know if it's a struggle she is facing -- as she seems to be making a choice from her own free will. She says she wants to find happiness and meet someone she can truly love -- but she also seems to be in thrall with power and prestige. I would imagine an old general would treat her very well -- most likely an old general will do whatever to impress her. She will be socializing in the right circles. From her account, her family has known poverty -- she does not ever want to experience misery herself.
Instead as she says:
"Oh, Voldemar, I longed for glory, renown, success, like every -- why affect modesty? -- every nature above the commonplace. I yearned for something extraordinary, above the common lot of woman! And then -- and then -- there crossed my path -- an old general -- very well off. Understand me, Voldemar! It was self-sacrifice, renunciation! You must see that! I could do nothing else. I restored the family fortunes, was able to travel, to do good."
Yes, a part of her wants to live an ideal life -- find true love -- and not worry about money, power, and prestige. But while ideal seems the noble choice -- this character like most of us are easily seduced by the trappings of success -- she wraps herself in feeling sorry for herself -- a suffering soul -- but she knows exactly what she wants -- it's not poverty -- and anonymity -- she wants to live well and if there's another old general who can assist her -- well, she will just have to sacrifice. (wink wink)
I think Chekhov is sympathetic to her to an extent -- while he acknowledges what might make her choose comfort over conscience -- he is poking fun at her and all of us -- men and women -- who when push comes to shove are more than willing to sell their souls for a bargain.
i have dandruff, am i still good to scratch my head?
ReplyDelete