“Gooseberries” p. 202 (First published in 1898) By Anton Chekhov ( ) ( )

Anton Chekhov Born in Taganrog, Russia Born in Taganrog, Russia Considered to be the father of the modern short story and play Considered to be the father of the modern short story and play Took a medical degree from Moscow University Took a medical degree from Moscow University

Anton Chekhov "All I wanted was to say honestly to people: 'Have a look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!' The important thing is that people should realize that, for when they do, they will most certainly create another and better life for themselves... "All I wanted was to say honestly to people: 'Have a look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!' The important thing is that people should realize that, for when they do, they will most certainly create another and better life for themselves...

I will not live to see it, but I know that it will be quite different, quite unlike our present life. And so long as this different life does not exist, I shall go on saying to people again and again: 'Please, understand that your life is bad and dreary!'" I will not live to see it, but I know that it will be quite different, quite unlike our present life. And so long as this different life does not exist, I shall go on saying to people again and again: 'Please, understand that your life is bad and dreary!'" —Anton Chekhov —Anton Chekhov

Types of Conflict in “Gooseberries” Person vs. environment Person vs. environment –social —and natural

Movement Identify the moves: Identify the moves: –Exposition  Walking through the fields of Russia –Complication  Rain and seeking shelter –Climax  The story within the story –Denouement  Falling asleep in clean sheets with rain

Physical Setting Fields of Russia outside a village Fields of Russia outside a village –Natural setting—both friendly and hostile –Beautiful and inspiring until rain begins –Technology (man-made) is in background  Train  Telegraph wires Alehin’s house Alehin’s house –Man-made –Big, two stories –Warm –Carpeted –Pictures of officers and ladies on the wall

Protagonists = Ivan Ivanovitch and Burkin Protagonists = Ivan Ivanovitch and Burkin Ivan Ivan –Veterinary surgeon –Developing character –Epiphany is swimming in the millpond and the decision to tell the story Burkin Burkin –Begins to change as a result of Ivan’s influence –His awareness is raised Antagonists =Alehin and Nikolay Antagonists =Alehin and Nikolay Alehin remains unmoved by Ivan’s story Alehin remains unmoved by Ivan’s story Nikolay Ivanovitch Nikolay Ivanovitch –Longs for the country –Gentle and good-natured in beginning –Fat and in denial at the end –Wealthy landowner –Static

Characters span two stories First plot First plot –Ivan Ivanovitch –Burkin—a high school teacher –Alehin—landowner with whom Burkin and Ivan take shelter  Doesn’t wash much –Pelagea—Alehin’s beautiful maid Second plot Second plot –Ivan Ivanovitch –Nikolay Ivanovitch  Ivan’s younger brother –Nikolay’s fat cook

Title Title –Highlights the story’s central symbol –What clues does this give to the author’s intent and emphasis? Point of View Point of View –Plot 1=Omniscient point of view –Plot 2=Third person limited  From Ivan Ivanovitch’s perspective  Find evidence –Why are these the most effective choices?

Water Rain Rain  Causes wetness, messiness, discomfort  Reminder of suffering Watermill (p. 203) Watermill (p. 203)  Symbol of success  Drowns out rain  Cold and malignant water Bathhouse Bathhouse –Brown water Millpond Millpond –Ivan swims in the pond in the rain What does water symbolize for Chekhov? What does water symbolize for Chekhov?

Other Symbols Gooseberries Gooseberries –The realization of a dream of wealth –Bitter and unripe –Savoured in spite of this Fatness Fatness –Dog –Cook –Nikolay All aspects of the setting All aspects of the setting –Warmth of house –Brown water –Beautiful maid –Bad smell of pipe –Hammering of rain

Doing good is more important than being happy. –“Without that silence [of the suffering], happiness would be impossible.” (p. 209) Is artistic unity achieved? Is artistic unity achieved?