Lauren Wasserstrom - Part I

The literary work, “Misery” by Anton Chekhov, was indisputably defined by its title. The story took place in St. Petersberg, Russia, during a time of twilight and snowfall (12). The ambiance was dark, cold, and lonesome, where snow symbolized death. The protagonist, Iona Potapov, was a sleigh-driver described as, ‘all white like a ghost’ (12). Chekhov wrote, “He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off” (12-13). His mule was motionless as well, because she was lost in thought. Chekhov wrote, “Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and case into this slough, full of monstrous light, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people is bound to think” (13). All occurrences lead back to the story’s theme of misery. As the tale progressed, Chekhov revealed Iona’s son died a week ago. He cannot bear of immense grief that consumes him while being alone. Iona desperately wanted someone to listen while he talked about his son’s death. However, no one expressed human compassion, especially three young men Iona drove in his sleigh. One of the men verbally, and once physically, abused Iona. The men were unsympathetic, but not intended to be villains. Iona did not deserve both the unkind treatment from the man, and nature for taking his son. Failing to achieve human interaction, Iona began talking to his mare. Chekhov wrote, “The little mare munches, listens, and breathes on her master’s hands. Iona is carried away and tells her all about it” (15). Similarly, Iona and the mare were both overlooked, until now.