Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Lady with the Pet Dog pp. 213-224
Anton Chekhov writes "The Lady with the Pet Dog" objectively (meaning, he gives himself distance from the story and does not interject his personal feelings about the situations taking place). How does Chekhov's objectivity affect your reading of "The Lady with the Pet Dog"?
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By writing objectively, Chekhov lets the reader form his own opinions about the controversial events taking place. Anna and Gurov are both married, but they continually see each other. This recurring act may be wrong to one person but acceptable to another person. Chekhov allows the reader to think what he wishes by not interjecting his own opinion. I personally think it was wrong of Anna and Gurov to see each other while being married. I'm glad Chekhov allows me to form my own view on this matter.
I definitely agree with CK. By writing objectively, Chekhov leaves the issue of morality up to the reader. Even though they are each cheating on their spouses, the narrator does not condemn them. Some readers may sympathize with the plight of Anna and Gurov, while others may feel anger at the sin they are committing. There is no bias from Chekhov. Even though I happen to think what they do is wrong, someone else could have a completely different opinion on the matter. By writing objectively Chekhov requires the reader to ponder his or her own moral standards.
I agree completely with CK and annamac. The whole point for writing objectively allows one to from his or her own opinions concerning various situations. Chehkov allows his reader to think for himself. One may think the love between Anna and Gurov is terrbile, while another understands that they are doing it for love. In my opinion, it is wrong to cheat on one's spouse no matter if you fall in love or not. One question I kept asking myself was, "Why did they not just get a divorce?" Then I realized these two individuals did not live in our current society where divorce is normal. Divorce back then was extremely rare. I believe its sad that these two did not meat earlier, allowing them the chance to be together in the correct manner. However, that is not how the story went.
I agree with annamac and CK also. Chekhov writing the story objectively definitely lets the reader form his or her own opinion. I think that what was going on between Anna and Gurov was wrong, and Chekhov allows me to form that opinion myself because he did not put his opinion into the story. What was going on between Anna and Gurov was not fair to their spouses and the affair was completely immoral. Some readers may not think this way though, and Chekhov allows one to decide their own viewpoint on the story. To some people what was going on between the two may have seemed normal or just right for what was happening at the time. But I see it as wrong and I am glad Chekhov wrote the story to where I could form my own opinion about it.
While reading "The Lady with the Pet Dog", I am able to not have someone interjecting with my reading of the story. This causes me to put my own beliefs in the situation between the relationship of Anna and Gurov. Also, not having the author's, Anton Chekhov, thoughts in the story allows me to feel more free and relaxed. All in all, it is great that Chekhov does not put his personal opinion in the story.
Everybody got it right about Chekhov's form of writing. The objective writing lets readers create their own outcome of the story and make opinions for themselves. Chekhov leaves each situation in the story open ended so we can form our own thoughts about it. He shows no emotional attachment to the characters, so readers do not have an influential opinion presented to them. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees with the character's actions, Chekhov leaves the choice up to the readers to make their own opinion about them.
As an objective writer, the author must be able to leave his/her own opinion out of the story completely. This style of writing requires the reader to form their own opinion on the situation at hand. Chekhov does a fantastic job of removing himself from the situation letting the reader form their opinion of the adulterous situation. Being that both Anna and Gurov are married (to other characters) and still maintain relations with one another is wrong. As a reader it is refreshing to form ones own opinion without the influence of the writers opinion.
I agree with both CK and annamac. Chekovs objective writing definitely allows the reader to form their own opinion on the controversial situation. Without having a biased author or narrator we are able to decide the right or wrong in the matter. Personally, i believe that both Anna and Dmitry are in the wrong. Both parties are married, not necessarily happy though. But even though the sides are not pleased with their current situations they are not given the right to commit adultery and cheat on their significant other.
Chekhov's objectivity allows a reader not to be bombarded with views that differ from one's own. In reading "The Lady with the Pet Dog" I was able to sympathize with--though not condone--the plight of Anna and Dmitri. If Chekhov had strongly approved or disapproved of his characters' affair the story would have become monotonous. Though I feel sorry for Dmitri's bad home life, I feel as though he is not trustworthy throughout the story, but this is not based on a lack of excuses for the fettered man. Chekhov uses his objective view to successfully combat any argument a reader might have for or against the couples' affair. By introducing Dmitri's daughter, one feels as though he is a shameful pig to risk his family's happiness for one woman. But Chekhov also amends this thought by qualifying the man's actions with a description of his dowdy wife. Chekhov's objectivity forces one to examine the tale from all sides instead of quickly forming a judgement for or against the characters.
I loved reading a story from Chekhov because of his objective style of writing. Chekhov leaves out his opinions, which I believe keeps the story from becoming boring and repetative, by not interjecting his opinion the story from start to finish is more open. The ending of the story is also open and is not direct, it leaves room for you to finish the story in your own way.
Everything has pretty much been said, his objectivity keeps the story from being one-sided. Even though he is married, sadly against his will, he has not found the right person for him. When he does find the right person, it is too late he has already married another person, but that is my belief as my religion states, however, someone else with different moral behavior/beliefs may differ on this subject. Using the bystanders view, the narrator also keeps himself from being ridiculed or praised for his preferences.
Basically like everyone else has stated, Chekhov's objectivity allows his readers and his audience to form their own opinion about the situation at hand. Everyone knows that Anna and Gurov are having an affair, and with this altercation, different readers might have different opinion on the situation. By not stating his opinion, he does not sway his readers from one side to the other. I like his choice of removing himself from the story because it makes it more realistic and allows me to base my own opinion on it without the influence of some one else.
Our narrator states that practically every intimacy, which begins as a fun and charming adventure, "inevitably grows into a regular problem of extreme intricacy, and in the long run the situation becomes unbearable." This is a very true statement about "falling in love," yet most people, that have either consciously or sub-consciously learned this, tend to forget it and throw themselves into another twist of complications and turmoil. Of course, this is the problem with Gurov (or, rather, one of the problems), and from this opening passage we may easily assume that the relationship between him and Anna will not last. Also, not once is Anna simply referred to as "Anna", but always "Anna Sergeyevna." This shows us that they will never be truly intimate and familiar with each other; she will always be distant to him, despite how much they love each other.
The objectivity of "The Lady with the Pet Dog" allows the reader to make his own ideas about what is going on, rather than the writer influencing him towards a certain point of view. Here in the story, Anna and Gurov see each other even though they are both married. Most people would say that this act is morally wrong and there should be now question that they should not see each other. Although, with the objective view of the writer, this allows the reader to be able to decide for himself if it is wrong or not. Should a boundary seperate true love? It is up for each and every person to decide.
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