This short story by Anton Chekov is brilliant in its
ambiguous presentation of Olenka as a character. Scholars, therefore, are not entirely
certain of Chekov’s attitude towards Olenka. With her character, was he criticizing 19th
century Russian women who had no identity apart from their husbands? Was his portrayal
of Olenka full of irony and thus a critique of the 19th century Russian society that
forced women to become such non-entities, mere extensions of their husbands? Or, was he
presenting Olenka as a character that transcended the role that society tried to force
upon her while she still maintained her loving motherly
heart?
What do you think?
In
class discussions that I have had over the years with my students, I have observed that
people interpret Olenka’s character with their own biases. Some of my female students
especially react rather strongly to Olenka. Some have pitied her. Others, with a more
feminist ideal, have become angry with her for being such a sponge and not forming ideas
of her own, living a life of her own. Some students perceive her as a survivor, doing
her best to adapt to her new husbands and to become the best wife she could
be.
In the end, Anton Chekov’s attitude is not as important
as the attitudes of the readers. That is what makes this such a timeless
story.
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