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Lydia Stimpson

Brother Bailey

English 314.02

16 October, 2017

The Complexity of Chekhovs Women

Throughout many of his short stories, Anton Chekhov weaves a complex assessment of

women and their role in society. Through the use of descriptive and derogatory language by his

male narrators Chekhov establishes women as the weaker sex whose only value is derived from

the pleasure they provide to the men. However, through character development and plot structure

the women end up maintaining more compelling personas. They possess a stronger sense of

purpose and a resolve to ultimately take responsibility for their actions. While Chekhov may

pretend to paint women as weak, his female characters in The Lady with the Dog, and

Agatha, comment strongly on the complexities contained within women, and prove that he

recognizes their true value.

Before the reader is ever introduced to Anna Sergeyevna in The Lady with the Dog the

male protagonist, Gurov, provides some commentary on his negative views regarding women.

Among other things, he says that they are the lower race, easy conquests, and simple and

amusing (Chekhov 222). Upon meeting Anna, his preconceptions are reinforced rather than

challenged as one might hope. After an evening of talking with and getting to know her, his

thoughts culminate into one simple conclusion: she is young, delicate, attractive, and ultimately

pathetic (223). The fact that he has not been able to find one genuine redeeming quality about

Anna after hours of conversation with her proves he is truly closed minded. Rather than being

optimistic in regards to her possible attributes, he writes her off as a simple woman.
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Consequently, this is how the reader comes to view Anna due to the forced lens provided by

Gurov.

In the short story Agatha, the lens provided by Savka is no better. In fact, he has even

less respect for women in general. He claims they are timid idiots, and even goes as far as to say

that he despises them (29). As Agatha approaches the two men, Savka comments, She cant

come without bringing something (28). Though he relies on women for his sustenance, he does

not have anything positive thing to say about them. He refuses to befriend them or enjoy their

company unless he gets something significant out of the interactions, whether that be

entertainment, or valuable goods of some sort. Women have little to no importance on their own,

so they must come prepared to present him with gifts in order to have any worth.

While these views may be exaggerations, there are a few details that hold a tiny essence

of truth. After all, though she was married, Anna still agreed to go for a walk with Gurov when

they met in Yalta. Ironically, she was a great example of Gurovs idea that, everything in the

world is beautiful really, everything but our own thoughts and actions, when we lose sight of the

higher aims of life, and of our dignity as human beings (226). Rather than showing dignity and

dedication to her responsibilities as a wife, she was weak when tempted by the attentions of

another man. This doesnt mean her entire character was compromised, but it does prove that she

was imperfect. Similarly, Agatha exhibited the feminine stereotype of weakness when presented

with the opportunity for an adulterous evening. She showed up to a meeting with Savka, then had

a hard time admitting that she wanted what she signed up for. She acted shy and hesitant, as

opposed to taking ownership for her desires. Both women made mistakes and proved they had

questionable character. However, they were both able to proudly take ownership for their actions
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when the time came. Though they may have weaknesses they are not weak women, as the men

would have the reader believe.

In addition to maintaining a markedly negative view of women, the men in both stories

believe they themselves are a prize for these pathetic females. These poor creatures live such

wretched lives that the only comfort to be found comes in the form of male companionship. It is

not enough to suppress the lower race, but Gurov and Savka must also raise themselves up on

pedestals. This can be seen in the careless manner Savka responds to his friends comment

regarding the bad ending that will surely come to one or more of his affairs. Rather than express

concern he remarks, So I have told the women, but they wont listen; the idiots dont care (26).

This indicates that he is so worthy of being lusted after that, for the women, no consequence is

comparable. Anything they have to endure will be insignificant considering what a prize they

will have found in him. Additionally, he acts as if he holds no responsibility for the affairs that

take place. He does not ask to be worshipped and desired by these women, they are simply and

irresistibly drawn to him. Likewise, Gurov maintains a prideful air when he acknowledges,

There was an elusive charm in his appearance and disposition which attracted women and

caught their sympathies. He knew this (222). Instead of admitting that women are drawn to

him because he is so welcoming towards all their advances, he credits the affairs to his

unrestrainable charm. This way, he is able to shift the blame of the affairs, and at the same time

make women seem weak in the process. Overwhelmed by temptation, the poor creatures all fall

victim to his devastatingly-handsome good looks and incomparable charm at one time or

another.

In the end, the mens final decisions fail to redeem them from their conceitedness. Savka

is not burdened by any guilt regarding his affair with Agatha. It doesnt matter that he knew she
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was married because ultimately, committing adultery was her decision to make. In the meantime,

Gurov does feel some pain and guilt. Near the end of the story he laments, Formerly, in

moments of melancholy, he had consoled himself by the first argument that came into his head,

but now arguments were nothing to him, he felt profound pity, desire to be sincere, tender

(235). However, based on his previous patterns and habits, it is unlikely that he will remain in the

unhappy state for long. His love for Anna has had the power to change him, though not as

permanently as it changed her. He has had many affairs, but for her this was the one great

moment of passion in her life. It is something that she cannot easily forget, meanwhile, it is

likely that Gurov will find someone new to entertain him soon enough. He has earned his

unhappy ending more than Anna has earned hers.

Contrastingly, though the descriptions of each woman by their respective men are

disdainful, Agatha and Anna prove their worth through their decisions at the conclusion of each

story. When the time came for Agatha to return home and face the consequences of her

adulterous actions, after a great deal of hesitancy, she, jumped up, threw back her head, and

advanced with firm footsteps toward her husband. She was resolved now, one could see, and had

plucked up her courage (31). Comparatively, when Anna realized her genuine feelings for

Gurov, they forgave one another all that they were ashamed of in the past and in the present,

and felt that this love of theirs had changed them both (235). Both women came to terms with

the mistakes they had made and accepted the consequences. In addition, they each sacrificed

something of great worth. For Agatha it was her pride. In the past she had been repeatedly

unfaithful to her husband; however, the moment he caught her and called her home required

humility on her part. This time she could not hide or make excuses. She had to own up to her

mistakes and accept the resulting consequences. Similarly, Anna lost her hope of being happy
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with the one she truly loved. While she had ultimately fallen in to temptation, this was not a

repeat offense. In contrast, due to the adulterous patterns seen in Gurovs life, it is difficult to

believe his commitment to end things is sincere. Though they both choose to sacrifice their own

happiness for the sake of their families, Anna exhibits a keener sense of purpose and morality.

The actions of both women show a strength, or at least a development of character, beyond any

Chekhov has written for men.

At the conclusion of these womens stories it is easy to see that Chekhov believes

differently than the males of his writings. This is summarized best with the thought voiced by

Gurov, that without women, he could not have lived a single day (222). If Chekhov truly

believed women to be worthless people he would not have written and developed such complex

female characters. They may not be perfect, but perhaps it is the redemption from their fall that

makes these women so relatable. More importantly, he would not have provided such dignified

endings to them both. Their decisions are not enviable, but the acceptance of their fate is

commendable. Chekhov could have simply cast the women aside, and never provided an

opportunity for development in their stories. Instead, he details their courage and strength

beautifully. He has shown that women can change and grow. They are not the simple minded

characters they are stereotyped to be. In the end, Agatha and Anna both face the challenges of

life with their heads held high. They do not shy away from the consequences of their actions.

This signals that instead of believing the worst in women, Chekhov admires and respects the

power they possess.

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Works Cited

Chekhov, Anton Pavlovici, and Ralph Eugene Matlaw. Agatha. Anton Chekhov's Short

Stories: Texts of the Stories, Backgrounds, Criticism, W.W. Norton, 1979, pp. 2337.

Chekhov, Anton Pavlovici, and Ralph Eugene Matlaw. The Lady with the Dog. Anton

Chekhov's Short Stories: Texts of the Stories, Backgrounds, Criticism, W.W. Norton,

1979, pp. 221235.