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

1. “Gooseberries”p. 202(First published in 1898) By Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)

2. Anton Chekhovhttp://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/chekhovbio.html#PersonalInformation • Born in Taganrog, Russia • Considered to be the father of the modern short story and play • Took a medical degree from Moscow University

3. "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. . . Anton Chekhov

4. 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

5. Plot Types of Conflict in “Gooseberries” • Person vs. environment • social —and natural

6. Movement • 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

7. Physical Setting Setting • 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 • Man-made • Big, two stories • Warm • Carpeted • Pictures of officers and ladies on the wall

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

9. 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 Ivan Ivanovitch Nikolay Ivanovitch Ivan’s younger brother Nikolay’s fat cook Characters span two stories

10. Title and Pt. of View • Title • Highlights the story’s central symbol • What clues does this give to the author’s intent and emphasis? • 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?

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

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

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