Chekhov the man in a case. The Man in a Case Summary 2022-10-11
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Anton Chekhov is a well-known Russian playwright and short story writer who is known for his realistic and naturalistic style of writing. One of his most famous works is the short story "The Man in a Case," which tells the story of a man named Belikov who is highly conventional and rigid in his thinking and behavior. Belikov is portrayed as a man who is trapped in his own narrow-mindedness and is unable to break free from the confines of societal expectations.
The story begins with a description of Belikov, who is described as being "old-fashioned" and "conservative." He is a schoolteacher who lives in a small town and is highly respected by his peers and the community. Despite his seemingly upright and moral character, Belikov is also depicted as being cold and distant, and is incapable of expressing any emotion or warmth towards others.
The main conflict of the story revolves around Belikov's relationship with his sister, Anna, who is a free-spirited and independent woman. Anna is portrayed as a rebel who is unafraid to challenge societal norms and expectations, and she often clashes with her brother over his rigid and conventional ways. Belikov is unable to understand or accept his sister's unconventional behavior and tries to control her, leading to a strained relationship between the two.
As the story progresses, Belikov's character is further developed through his interactions with other characters. He is shown to be highly judgmental and critical of those around him, and is unable to see or understand the perspective of others. This is particularly evident in his interactions with his neighbor, Mr. Prokhorov, who is portrayed as being a kind and generous man. Despite Prokhorov's good nature, Belikov is unable to see past his own biases and stereotypes, and is unable to appreciate or value Prokhorov's kindness.
Ultimately, the story ends with a tragic twist as Belikov is forced to confront the reality of his own narrow-mindedness and the limitations it has imposed on him. Through the character of Belikov, Chekhov highlights the dangers of being too rigid and conventional in one's thinking and behavior, and the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives.
Overall, "The Man in a Case" is a thought-provoking and thought-provoking story that explores the theme of conformity and the human desire to break free from societal expectations. Chekhov's writing is masterful, and he effectively uses the character of Belikov to highlight the importance of flexibility and open-mindedness in our lives.
The Man in Case by Anton Chekhov
When some proclamation prohibited the boys from going out in the streets after nine o'clock in the evening, or some article declared carnal love unlawful, it was to his mind clear and definite; it was forbidden, and that was enough. The artist must have worked for more than one night, for the teachers of both the boys' and girls' high-schools, the teachers of the seminary, the government officials, all received a copy. The citation above will include either 2 or 3 dates. The schoolmaster came out of the barn. We teachers were afraid of him.
Under the influence of people like Byelikov we have got into the way of being afraid of everything in our town for the last ten or fifteen years. He sits and stares. There is no need to look far; two months ago a man called Byelikov, a colleague of mine, the Greek master, died in our town. Then, when Belikov was taking a walk with Burkin, Kovalenko and his sister were riding their bicycles to meet them. You can go and make your report! Ivan Ivanovich kept thinking about the difficulties of life, about the things that keep him awake: lies, insults, humiliation.
He had a strange habit of visiting our lodgings. They started to discuss other anti-social people, and this is how Burkin began the narration about Byelikov, a teacher of Greek and the main character of the story. And, do you know, by his sighs, his despondency, his black spectacles on his pale little face, a little face like a pole-cat's, you know, he crushed us all, and we gave way, reduced Petrov's and Yegorov's marks for conduct, kept them in, and in the end expelled them both. Burkin was lying within on the hay, and could not be seen in the darkness. And our spending our whole lives among trivial, fussy men and silly, idle women, our talking and our listening to all sorts of nonsense -- isn't that a case for us, too? He came, not alone, but with his sister Varinka. He was afraid that something might happen, that Afanasy might murder him, that thieves might break in, and so he had troubled dreams all night, and in the morning, when we went together to the high-school, he was depressed and pale, and it was evident that the high-school full of people excited dread and aversion in his whole being, and that to walk beside me was irksome to a man of his solitary temperament.
He did not keep a female servant for fear people might think evil of him, but had as cook an old man of sixty, called Afanasy, half-witted and given to tippling, who had once been an officer's servant and could cook after a fashion. As we were returning from the cemetery we wore discreet Lenten faces; no one wanted to display this feeling of pleasure -- a feeling like that we had experienced long, long ago as children when our elders had gone out and we ran about the garden for an hour or two, enjoying complete freedom. The only difference is that some individuals are more flexible in accepting unconventional and unusual things, while others are not. I don't like sneaks! He sat down by her and said with a honeyed smile: "'The Little Russian reminds one of the ancient Greek in its softness and agreeable resonance. The author's refusal to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia and he was criticized for dealing with serious social and moral questions, but avoiding giving answers.
Varenka is not at home, so Belikov begins to reproach Mikhail for his unseemly behavior. Byelikov turned white instead of green, and seemed petrified. Instead of living and let others live, these kind of characters suffocate without knowing it and expect the same with others. And, indeed, though we had buried Byelikov, how many such men in cases were left, how many more of them there will be! The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. However, when someone takes it upon himself to draw a humorous caricature of the couple, things fall apart. New Review Now that I have read this story again, I can now understand why it is important. It's sort of a way of showing how a restrained society can be a very draining place.
There would be another caricature, and it would all end in his being asked to resign his post. He was frequently at Kovalenko's, but he did not alter his manner of life in the least; on the contrary, indeed, his determination to get married seemed to have a depressing effect on him. He would arrive, sit down, and remain silent. He is bent on destroying any opportunity to give his life an oz of meaning so life Chekhov portrays a subtle form of evil which often goes diagnosed: the soulless conformist whose entire existence depends on the imagined approval of some ubiquitous higher authorities. The main character in this story, Byelikov, was troubled internally and also by the external issues of others.
What need was there for instance, for us to make a match for this Byelikov, whom one could not even imagine married? He would come to a teacher's, would sit down, and remain silent, as though he were carefully inspecting something. When he went to bed he covered his head over; it was hot and stuffy; the wind battered on the closed doors; there was a droning noise in the stove and a sound of sighs from the kitchen -- ominous sighs. Thoroughly aroused, Mikhail shoves Belikov toward the staircase leading down to the apartment house entrance, and Belikov tumbles headlong down the stairs. I have been in the service for years, while you have only lately entered it, and I consider it my duty as an older colleague to give you a warning. They mainly were the authoritative persons such as teachers and other adults.
It was the first time in his life he had been spoken to so rudely. The family was forced to move to Moscow following his father's bankruptcy. And, indeed, most of our young ladies don't mind whom they marry so long as they do get married. Everybody -- both his colleagues and the ladies -- began assuring Byelikov that he ought to get married, that there was nothing left for him in life but to get married; we all congratulated him, with solemn countenances delivered ourselves of various platitudes, such as 'Marriage is a serious step. You have heard of him, no doubt. This man wore sunglasses, a sweatshirt, a warm coat, an umbrella and galoshes even in warm weather. If you like, I will tell you a very edifying story.
