Affinity Between Men And Women In The Lady With The Pet Dog And The Darling By Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was one of the great short story writers of all time. His stories express great emotions. The ending, always open ended, is inferred in vexation, reminiscence, loneliness and explains one life moment in its totality. Even though the stories are open ended, one can come to a conclusion of the story through the scenes, and that brings frustration in lot of his readers. Chekhov keep the end open ended because he wants the reader to make a conclusion based on their understanding and experience.

Mostly the theme Chekhov pick for these stories is showing affinity between men and women, their relationships and views towards each other as it is explained in few of his writings, “The Lady with the pet dog” (1899) and “The Darling” (1898).

Love is important to human beings, however due to certain limitations it fails to excel. People fall in love because of physical attraction, some believe that attraction and lust can grow into something better. Different people have different perspective towards love. For Chekhov, to explain love in his different stories in a very different manner always have given us a deeper understanding about the writer.

In the story, “The lady with the pet dog” Chekhov has used the arrangement of words that portray the complications of overcoming temptation. He portrays passionate love as well as betrayal in the story. The story showed what happens in today’s society in real life as well. The confusing and unexpected forbidden love develops between the two character, Anna and Gurov. The story shows the two main characters that are on their vacation. Gurov is in his mid 40’s married and have children. He dislike his wife and feel that she is unintelligent, and is not happy in his married life. He thinks women as an inferior race. He cheats on his wife often. He feels uncomfortable in mens company and feel comfortable around women. Anna on the other hand is married and unhappy in her life as well. Anna , who is with her lap dog roaming around on the streets. The dog caught the site of Gurov and that in turn brought Anna and him to meet for the first time. Chekhov describes the loneliness in both characters that brought them together. Gurov’s personality is showed very arrogant in first half of the story. Despite that women gets attracted to him very easily. In beginning he thinks the same about Anna as well. It is described in the book where they both are in hotel room. “There was a water-melon on the table. Gurov cut himself a slice and begin eating it without haste. There followed at least half an hour of silence.” (Chekhov pg. 289) This shows the attitude Gurov had against the women in his life, he really don’t care what they think until he gets what he wants from them.

Chekhov wonderfully explains the character change in Gurov as he realizes his unconditional and compassionate love towards Anna. Anna too was deeply in love with Gurov, they both use to lie to their significant others and somehow manage to meet. Soon they realize the consequences of the relationship. Anna talked to Gurov We are parting forever- it has to be, for we ought never to meet. But their undeniable love is portrayed as Gurov flew to Anna’s house to see her and she replies, All this time I have been thinking of nothing but you; I love only by the thought of you.

Adultery, although horrible as it seems, is in actuality a reality among married couples. Chekhov captures this forbidden love in a positive way, showing the escape these two characters are seeking. Chekhov doesn’t reveal to the readers the spouses feelings, for that would bring a negative drama to the story. This is a love and Chekhov wanted to show his readers that true love is everywhere, even in the most deniable places.

He showed this by allowing them to eventually end up together and leaves them discussing how they will confess their love. And it seemed as though in a little while the solution would be found, and then a new and splendid life would begin, and it was clear to both of them that they had still a long, long way to go, and the most complicated and difficult part of it was only just beginning. (Chekhov pg. 302)

Considering Chekhov’s “The Kiss” where he showed us the love at a completely different angle. Ryabovitch, the story’s main character along with other officers are invited by General von Rabbek as a formal tradition. Ryabovitch was showed uncomfortable and awkward in the whole story. Ryabovitch is a shy person and thinks himself as unattractive. Story explains him as “short, stopping…. with spectacles and lynx-like side whiskers.”

Finding himself out of the box for the dance fool, he joins the group of officers going in the billiards room. Soon he felt ignored, gets bored there as well and start making his way out to the dance room. He somehow lost himself in the hallways and end up in the dark room. As he thinks of getting back out there, a young woman came from behind and kiss him on his cheeks. Soon as the women realized that she’s kissed the wrong man- she immediately rush out of that room. Ryabovitch instantly fall in love with the women. Days after the accidental kiss, Ryabovitch “goes on feeling the tingle of the kiss “like peppermint drops” around his mouth, every night he visualizes the girl who kissed him, and retains his joy at fate’s accidental caress”. (Chekhov pg. 80)

Chekhov showed Ryabovitch paradigm shift in text as, “It’s all very ordinary, and everyone goes through it … that general, for instance, has once been in love, how he is married and has children. Captain Vahter, too is married and beloved, though the nape of his neck is very red and ugly and he has no waist….. Salmanov is coarse and very Tatar, but he has had a love affair that has ended in marriage….. I am the same as everyone else, and I too, shall have the same experience as everyone else, sooner or later …” (Chekhov pg. 85). He suddenly started feeling more confident about himself, and thought of living a normal life just as everyone else.

Chekhov portrayal of imaginary love in the story, proves an immense inner self realization that gives confidence and the power to promise the extraordinary- ordinary.