Jay Final Response

The first time I read this story was the most profound for me. From the first sentence to the last I was completely immersed in the images that Chekhov presented. As I read each sentence I let the images and emotions fill my mind and I found I had a very strong emotional response to them. I allowed myself to experience the setting and the scenes and to become submerged in this world and the character of Iona. This took a long time although the story is very short, it is very complex and a lot of hidden information is subtly conveyed in short sentences that are intensely profound and moving to the reader. This story has many unique aspects about it, and it is very complete in the sense that it is dynamic. There is the harsh landscape and the bleak unforgiving weather, the cold and distant people he meets, and yet also incredible warmth and companionship in the character of the horse. This horse provides a warm and comforting friend that is like a flame in the frozen and sparse setting. This is what I mean that the story is complex, because not only does it convey complex emotions like despair and loneliness, but also the gentle, healing aura that is his horse. This horse is there for him throughout all of his woes, and in the end he takes comfort in its presence and this is an uplifting end to the tale.



This story was a composition of realism due to the fact that it realistically portrays the time period in Russia, and the life that this sleigh-driver would possibly have lived. It also presents Iona's internal struggle as it would naturally occur in a person that was feeling these emotions and dealing with such conditions. It was very true to real life and that is why, to me, this is realism. However, there are many metaphors and images in the story that provide allegorical components. The snow that covers the land and Iona and his horse in an accumulating layer is also representative of Iona's accumulated and encompassing suffering. These metaphorical images are important elements of the story and so Chekhov presents reality or realism, with allegorical metaphors to convey deeper ideas.