Anton Chekhov Essay, Research Paper
CHEKHOV’S THE MASTER
Anton Chekhov is a master at showing aspects of real
life; how fed up people are, how it really is without the
everyday pleasantries, and how exploitable people are by one
another. Chekhov uses these three aspects with great
mastery to show his form of real life in his “Selected
Stories.”
Chekhov shows how fed up people are with one another in
his short story the “Jailer Jailed.” This story is about a
man, who is a prosecuting attorney, is actually living in
his own jail; being married to his wife who lets him do
nothing but wait on her hand and foot. “I understand what
it means to be in jail!” This quote explains just how the
man feels living his life the way he is. The above is a
direct example in life as how fed up people are. It just
makes weird sense that a man with so much power with people
doesn’t have a prayer with his wife.
“Milksop” is another one of Chekhov’s stories showing
how real life is, but this particular one depicts life
without its pleasantries. This story is about a reporter
who wants to be invited to this prestigious party but can’t
go because he works for the press. This shows real life
without its pleasantries. Because the man couldn’t get into
the party because he was a reporter, his public power failed
him.
“A Nincompoop” also shows real life as Chekhov sees it,
but this particular one depicts how exploitable people are
by one another. This story begins with a women’s payday.
But, to her surprise her employer starts to deduct for
things she has broken and for other dumb reasons. When he
gets all done all she is left with is eleven out of sixty
rubles. But she takes them gladly anyway. Then her
employer asks if she thinks this is fair, and she agrees.
Then her employer says that she is stupid and gives her the
rest of her money. This above plot shows how exploitable
people are. To take sixty-nine rubles away from somebodies
pay check for stupid reasons is definitely exploiting them.
Anton Chekhov’s mastery involves showing real life; how
fed up people are, how life really is without its benefits,
and how exploitable people are by one another. He does a
great job doing this and I would recommend him to anyone who
wants to read “plain life” stories.