Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin are walking across the field. The village of Mironositskoye is visible in the distance. It starts to rain, and they decide to visit a friend, landowner Pavel Konstantinich Alekhine, whose estate is located nearby in the village of Sofiino. Alekhine, “a man of about forty, tall, plump with long hair, looking more like a professor or an artist than a landowner,” greets guests on the threshold of a barn in which a winnowing machine is noisy. His clothes are dirty, and his face is black with dust. He welcomes the guests and invites them to go to the bathhouse. After washing and changing clothes, Ivan Ivanovich, Burkin and Alekhine go to the house, where over a cup of tea with jam, Ivan Ivanovich tells the story of his brother Nikolai Ivanovich.
The brothers spent their childhood in freedom, on the estate of their father, who himself was a cantonist, but achieved the rank of officer and left the children hereditary nobility. After the death of their father, their estate was seized for debts. From the age of nineteen, Nikolai sat in the government chamber, but he was terribly homesick there and kept dreaming of buying himself a small estate. Ivan Ivanovich himself never sympathized with his brother’s desire to “lock himself up in his own estate for life.” Nikolai simply could not think about anything else. He kept imagining his future estate, where gooseberries would certainly grow. Nikolai saved money, was malnourished, and married an ugly but rich widow without love. He kept his wife from hand to mouth, and put her money in the bank in his name. The wife could not bear such a life and soon died, and Nikolai, without repenting at all, bought himself an estate, ordered twenty gooseberry bushes, planted them and began to live as a landowner.
When Ivan Ivanovich came to visit his brother, he was unpleasantly surprised by how he had become depressed, aged and flabby. He became a real gentleman, ate a lot, sued neighboring factories and spoke in the tone of a minister phrases like: “education is necessary, but for the people it is premature.” Nikolai treated his brother to gooseberries, and it was clear from him that he was satisfied with his fate and with himself.
At the sight of this happy man, Ivan Ivanovich “was overcome by a feeling close to despair.” The whole night he spent in the estate, he thought about how many people in the world suffer, go crazy, drink, how many children die from malnutrition. And how many other people live “happily”, “eat during the day, sleep at night, talk their nonsense, get married, grow old, complacently drag their dead to the cemetery.” He thought that behind the door of every happy person there should be “someone with a hammer” and remind him with a knock that there are unfortunate people, that sooner or later trouble will befall him, and “no one will see or hear him, just as he is not now.” sees and does not hear others.” Ivan Ivanovich, finishing his story, says that there is no happiness, and if there is meaning in life, then it is not in happiness, but in “doing good.”
Neither Burkin nor Alekhine are satisfied with Ivan Ivanovich's story. Alekhine does not delve into whether his words are fair. It was not about cereals, not about hay, but about something that had no direct relation to his life. But he is happy and wants the guests to continue the conversation. However, it is late, the owner and guests go to bed.
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From early morning the whole sky was covered with rain clouds; it was quiet, not hot and boring, as happens on gray cloudy days, when clouds have long hung over the field, you wait for rain, but it doesn’t come. The veterinarian Ivan Ivanovich and the gymnasium teacher Burkin were already tired of walking, and the field seemed endless to them. Far ahead the windmills of the village of Mironositsky were barely visible, on the right a row of hills stretched and then disappeared far behind the village, and both of them knew that this was the bank of the river, there were meadows, green willows, estates, and if you stood on one of the hills, you could see from there the same huge field, a telegraph and a train, which from a distance looks like a crawling caterpillar, and in clear weather you can even see the city from there. Now, in calm weather, when all nature seemed meek and thoughtful, Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were imbued with love for this field, and both thought about how great and how beautiful this country is.
“Last time we were in Elder Prokofy’s barn,” said Burkin, “you were going to tell some story.”
– Yes, I wanted to tell you about my brother then.
Ivan Ivanovich took a long breath and lit a pipe to start telling the story, but just at that time it began to rain. And about five minutes later it was pouring heavily, constantly, and it was difficult to predict when it would end. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin stopped in thought; the dogs, already wet, stood with their tails between their legs and looked at them with emotion.
“We need to hide somewhere,” said Burkin. - Let's go to Alekhine. It's close here.
- Let's go.
They turned to the side and walked along the mown field, now straight, now turning to the right, until they came out onto the road. Soon the poplars, the garden, then the red roofs of the barns appeared; the river began to sparkle, and a view opened onto a wide reach with a mill and a white bathhouse. This was Sofiino, where Alekhine lived.
The mill worked, drowning out the noise of the rain; the dam trembled. Here wet horses stood near the carts with their heads hanging, and people walked around covered with sacks. It was damp, dirty, uncomfortable, and the view of the reach was cold and angry. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were already experiencing a feeling of wetness, uncleanliness, discomfort all over their bodies, their legs were heavy with mud, and when, having passed the dam, they went up to the master’s barns, they were silent, as if they were angry with each other. A winnowing machine was making noise in one of the barns; the door was open and dust was pouring out of it. On the threshold stood Alekhine himself, a man of about forty, tall, plump, with long hair, looking more like a professor or an artist than a landowner. He was wearing a white shirt that had not been washed for a long time with a rope belt, long johns instead of trousers, and dirt and straw were also stuck to his boots. The nose and eyes were black with dust. He recognized Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin and, apparently, was very happy.
“Please, gentlemen, into the house,” he said, smiling. - I’m here right now, this minute.
The house was large, two-story. Alekhine lived downstairs, in two rooms with vaults and small windows, where clerks once lived; the furnishings here were simple, and there was a smell of rye bread, cheap vodka and harness. He was rarely upstairs, in the state rooms, only when guests arrived. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were met in the house by the maid, a young woman, so beautiful that they both stopped at once and looked at each other.
“You can’t imagine how glad I am to see you, gentlemen,” said Alekhine, following them into the hallway. - I didn’t expect that! Pelageya,” he turned to the maid, “let the guests change into something.” Oh, by the way, I’ll change my clothes too. I just need to go wash myself first, otherwise it seems like I haven’t washed myself since spring. Would you like to go to the bathhouse, gentlemen, while they get ready?
Beautiful Pelageya, so delicate and seemingly so soft, brought sheets and soap, and Alekhine and the guests went to the bathhouse.
Year of writing: 1898
Genre of the work: story
Main characters: Ivan Ivanovich- vet, Burkina- teacher, Alekhine- landowner.
Plot
The veterinarian Ivan Ivanovich and the gymnasium teacher Burkin walked across the field. Their communication was interrupted by heavy rain. Then the travelers decided to take refuge with the landowner Alekhine. He greeted them with extraordinary joy. He lived in a two-story house. Alekhine first invited them to the bathhouse. Having lathered up, brown water dripped from it. He said that he hadn’t washed since spring and didn’t have time. When they entered the rooms, Ivan Ivanovich told a story about his brother, Nikolai Ivanovich. They spent their childhood together in the village. The father was a simple man, but having worked his way up to become an officer, he passed on noble status to his children. From the age of nineteen, my brother served in the government chamber. His dream was to return to the village, acquiring an estate there. He read in the newspapers what was being sold and at what price. Then he outlined his desires - 1) a manor house, 2) a people's room, 3) a vegetable garden, 4) gooseberries, which were in almost all advertisements. For this purpose, he infringed on himself in everything, and married a rich widow. She soon died, leaving money to her husband. Later the dream was realized and Nikolai Ivanovich acquired the estate. When the brothers met, it was noticeable that Nicholas was leading a noble life. When the gooseberries were served, he took one berry and enjoyed it. Over the coming night, Ivan Ivanovich understood a lot. The main idea is that happiness built on material things quickly passes. The meaning of life is to do good to people. He regretted that he had not spent the best years of his life as he should have. Going to bed, Ivan Ivanovich said: “Lord, forgive us sinners.”
Conclusion (my opinion)
The story has great depth. You need to be able to enjoy life, to appreciate more the spiritual riches that are unshakable. Otherwise, it may happen that all my life I have been looking for the wrong thing. Focusing on good deeds makes a person truly important.
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Anton Chekhov is one of the few masters of the short genre. Chekhov's "Gooseberry", whose main characters demonstrate simple philosophical truths, belongs to the genre of a succinct and short story. The work constitutes a “Little Trilogy” along with other texts by the writer – “Man in a Case” and “About Love”.
“Gooseberry” first appeared in the magazine “Russian Thought” at the end of the 19th century. The story is based on a real story that happened to a Russian official.
About the "Little Trilogy"
Anton Chekhov lived a short life. Having created laconic, meaningful works, the writer expressed in his texts all aspects of Russian culture of the late 19th century. “The Little Trilogy” represents the skill of the Russian writer: “small form” and ideological depth are combined with the simplicity of the plot outline. The plot is an excuse to think. The pain of life is combined with humor and satirical asides.
Literary criticism emphasizes that the writer intended more prose texts in the cycle of stories now entitled “Little Trilogy.” However, the “trilogy” is the result of an accident. 6 years before his death (Chekhov wrote “Gooseberries” in 1898, and the writer died in 1904), the author failed to bring the idea to completion.
The attentive reader will notice that leitmotifs or themes are repeated in Chekhov's stories. The writer strives to convey to the reader the main idea: a person needs to constantly move forward, improve morally in order to better understand the meaning of life. Culture periodically repeats periods of decline, alternating with stages of renaissance (in the broad sense of this concept). According to researcher N. Aleksandrov, decline occurs at the “passes of large mental cycles,” ending eras and opening new centuries. It can be assumed that Anton Chekhov also felt for this idea, presenting it in the form of an artistic image.
The background to the creation of the story “Gooseberry”
Anton Chekhov wrote this work, inspired by a story told by Anatoly Koni (Russian lawyer) to another famous writer, Leo Tolstoy. The lawyer spoke about an official whose only dream was to acquire a uniform. The employee spent all the money he had set aside on sewing a suit, but never wore it. The official received a uniform, but no balls or evenings were planned for the near future. The suit was hung in the closet, but mothballs ruined the gold embroidery. After 6 months, the official died, for the first time, already a corpse, having tried on the desired uniform.
Anton Chekhov remade the story told by Anatoly Koni: in the story, an official dreams of having a house decorated with gooseberry bushes.
We are glad to see you, our dear reader! We invite you to familiarize yourself with A.P. Chekhov
The story received high marks from critics. Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko noted that he found “good thoughts” and “color” in “Gooseberry”. The work was translated into many European languages. In 1967, Leonid Pchelkin also directed a film based on Chekhov’s “Gooseberries,” the main characters of which will be discussed below.
However, first, let's say a few words about the plot of the story.
The plot and main idea of Chekhov's work
The reader sees the village of Mironositskoye. Two friends are walking here and express a desire to visit a friend. The companion of the walkers is a landowner and is located on an estate not far from the village. Over a cup of tea, one of the visitors told his friends about his brother.
As children, two brothers lived in their father's house. He had the rank of officer and managed to earn the right to hereditary nobility for his children. The father got into debt during his lifetime, so the estate was confiscated after the man’s death. Since then, a dream has settled in the soul of the narrator’s brother: to buy a small house, decorate the estate with gooseberry bushes and live there in peace and quiet.
The brother took a wealthy widow as his wife. Indulging in dreams, Nikolai (that was the name of the narrator’s brother) put almost all his savings into the bank, went hungry, and his wife went hungry with him. The unfortunate woman could not stand the torment and soon died. After the death of his unloved wife, Nikolai was left alone with the deceased’s money. Then the visitor’s brother realized his old dream: he bought an estate, planted gooseberries and lived a real lordly life.
Ideas expressed in the work
The narrator says that despite his brother’s pleased appearance, Ivan Ivanovich (that was the name of the visitor who told the story) felt sorry for this man. The narrator thought that this is how happy and limited people live in the world, calmly eating gooseberries, and somewhere children are dying of hunger. The world seems to be divided into people who happily eat, drink, build families, raise children and bury dead relatives, and people who experience grief and poverty every day.
Then Ivan Ivanovich concludes that if life has meaning, then it does not lie in happiness. The only meaning is to do good deeds.
The narrator's interlocutors are unhappy with the boring stories about the landowner. Friends are eager to talk about light topics, about women, about grace. Friends drink tea while contemplating the work of a charming maid. The atmosphere of the house is conducive to lightness and relaxation.
Chekhov's "Gooseberry" and the central characters of the story
At the center of the story is the story of two brothers Ivan and Nikolai Chimsha-Himalayan. Contrary to the kinship that binds the key characters of Chekhov’s “Gooseberry,” the brothers are completely different people. The only aspect connecting the characters is their middle and last names.
The main thing where the difference between the characters is rooted is the discrepancy in views on the meaning of life. The “Little Trilogy” and the stories included in the cycle are connected by the theme of “caseness”. Anton Chekhov reveals a painful truth: so many people live by petty goals, base interests. This life is more like a dream. Therefore, the writer wants people, readers, to open their eyes and realize what is actually important in life and what is secondary.
Ivan Ivanovich
Ivan is a nobleman by birth. However, the hero's father became impoverished, and the descendants lost the estate, which the father, like his noble status, received through officer service. Now Ivan Ivanovich works as a veterinarian.
The main ideas of the work are expressed from the lips of this character. Ivan Ivanovich reflects on his brother’s lifestyle, which evokes a feeling of pity in the narrator. Anton Chekhov believes that the time in which the characters live and act is a stagnant period.
The writer’s cycle of stories reflects the values of social life, the characteristics of social vices, and the decadence of moral principles.
Ivan Ivanovich therefore expresses regret that the years do not allow him to take the path of active struggle against the vices that have gripped society. The hero told his friends his brother’s story, which clearly demonstrates these vices. But Ivan reveals moral gaps not only in society and those around him, but also in himself.
Nikolay Ivanovich
The narrator's brother. In his youth, Nikolai was a kind person, a hard worker. A nobleman who served as an official. Captivated by material values, Nikolai was inflamed with a dream of buying an estate, growing gooseberry bushes and living a noble life. For this purpose, the official married a rich widow. The wife, ugly and unloved, suffered from her husband’s actions: in a fit of dreams, Nikolai put the widow’s money into a bank account, and starved himself and his wife. His wife died, and Nikolai bought the desired estate.
After achieving what he wants, Nikolai becomes a landowner, losing all his remaining positive qualities.
Alekhine
A friend of Ivan and Burkin, whom the friends came to visit. Alekhine owns an estate in which an atmosphere of lightness reigns. Here the main characters of Chekhov's "Gooseberry" drink tea and listen to Ivan Ivanovich's story. He calls on Alekhine to realize the true meaning of life, which consists in doing good deeds.
Alekhine is a pleasant-looking man, about forty years old. The landowner's range of interests is farming. The man is so engrossed in the affairs of the estate, hay and tar, that he forgets to take care of himself and wash himself.
Burkina
By profession he is a teacher, a friend of the main character of “Gooseberry”. Actually, Burkin and the hospitable landowner are “cases,” according to Chekhov. The high school teacher is indifferent to Ivan Ivanovich’s story. The man is passionate about grace and women.
Pelagia
A maid in the house of a landowner - a friend of Burkin and Chimshi-Himalayan. The girl is beautiful and neat, her grace surprises and delights Alekhine’s guests. Pelageya takes care of the guests, she is soft and meek. In the end, the girl’s beauty overshadows the moral and social themes of Ivan’s story.
Gooseberry
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
List of school literature for grades 10-11
“From early morning, the whole sky was covered with rain clouds; it was quiet, not hot and boring, as happens on gray cloudy days, when clouds have long hung over the field, you wait for rain, but it doesn’t come. The veterinarian Ivan Ivanovich and the gymnasium teacher Burkin were already tired of walking, and the field seemed endless to them. Far ahead the windmills of the village of Mironositsky were barely visible, on the right a row of hills stretched and then disappeared far behind the village, and both of them knew that this was the bank of the river, there were meadows, green willows, estates, and if you stood on one of the hills, you could see from there the same huge field, a telegraph and a train, which from a distance looks like a crawling caterpillar, and in clear weather you can even see the city from there. Now, in calm weather, when all nature seemed meek and thoughtful, Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were imbued with love for this field, and both thought about how great and how beautiful this country is ... "
Anton Chekhov
Gooseberry
From early morning the whole sky was covered with rain clouds; it was quiet, not hot and boring, as happens on gray cloudy days, when clouds have long hung over the field, you wait for rain, but it doesn’t come. The veterinarian Ivan Ivanovich and the gymnasium teacher Burkin were already tired of walking, and the field seemed endless to them. Far ahead the windmills of the village of Mironositsky were barely visible, on the right a row of hills stretched and then disappeared far behind the village, and both of them knew that this was the bank of the river, there were meadows, green willows, estates, and if you stood on one of the hills, you could see from there the same huge field, a telegraph and a train, which from a distance looks like a crawling caterpillar, and in clear weather you can even see the city from there. Now, in calm weather, when all nature seemed meek and thoughtful, Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were imbued with love for this field, and both thought about how great and how beautiful this country is.
“Last time we were in Elder Prokofy’s barn,” said Burkin, “you were going to tell some story.”
– Yes, I wanted to tell you about my brother then.
Ivan Ivanovich took a long breath and lit a pipe to start telling the story, but just at that time it began to rain. And about five minutes later it was pouring heavily, constantly, and it was difficult to predict when it would end. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin stopped in thought; the dogs, already wet, stood with their tails between their legs and looked at them with emotion.
“We need to hide somewhere,” said Burkin. - Let's go to Alekhine. It's close here.
- Let's go.
They turned to the side and walked along the mown field, now straight, now turning to the right, until they came out onto the road. Soon the poplars, the garden, then the red roofs of the barns appeared; the river began to sparkle, and a view opened onto a wide reach with a mill and a white bathhouse. This was Sofiino, where Alekhine lived.
The mill worked, drowning out the noise of the rain; the dam trembled. Here wet horses stood near the carts with their heads hanging, and people walked around covered with sacks. It was damp, dirty, uncomfortable, and the view of the reach was cold and angry. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were already experiencing a feeling of wetness, uncleanliness, discomfort all over their bodies, their legs were heavy with mud, and when, having passed the dam, they went up to the master’s barns, they were silent, as if they were angry with each other. A winnowing machine was making noise in one of the barns; the door was open and dust was pouring out of it. On the threshold stood Alekhine himself, a man of about forty, tall, plump, with long hair, looking more like a professor or an artist than a landowner. He was wearing a white shirt that had not been washed for a long time with a rope belt, long johns instead of trousers, and dirt and straw were also stuck to his boots. The nose and eyes were black with dust. He recognized Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin and, apparently, was very happy.
“Please, gentlemen, into the house,” he said, smiling. - I’m here right now, this minute.
The house was large, two-story. Alekhine lived downstairs, in two rooms with vaults and small windows, where clerks once lived; the furnishings here were simple, and there was a smell of rye bread, cheap vodka and harness. He was rarely upstairs, in the state rooms, only when guests arrived. Ivan Ivanovich and Burkin were met in the house by the maid, a young woman, so beautiful that they both stopped at once and looked at each other.
“You can’t imagine how glad I am to see you, gentlemen,” said Alekhine, following them into the hallway. - I didn’t expect that! Pelageya,” he turned to the maid, “let the guests change into something.” Oh, by the way, I’ll change my clothes too. I just need to go wash myself first, otherwise it seems like I haven’t washed myself since spring. Would you like to go to the bathhouse, gentlemen, while they get ready?
Beautiful Pelageya, so delicate and seemingly so soft, brought sheets and soap, and Alekhine and the guests went to the bathhouse.
“Yes, I haven’t washed for a long time,” he said, undressing. “As you can see, my bathhouse is good, my father was still building it, but somehow I still don’t have time to wash myself.”
He sat down on the step and soaped his long hair and neck, and the water around him turned brown.
“Yes, I confess...” Ivan Ivanovich said significantly, looking at his head.
“I haven’t washed for a long time...” Alekhine repeated embarrassedly and lathered himself again, and the water near him became dark blue, like ink.
Ivan Ivanovich went outside, threw himself into the water noisily and swam in the rain, waving his arms widely, and waves came from him, and white lilies swayed on the waves; he swam to the very middle of the reach and dived, and a minute later he appeared in another place, and swam further, and kept diving, trying to reach the bottom. “Oh, my God...” he repeated, enjoying himself. “Oh, my God...” He swam to the mill, talked about something with the men there, turned back, and lay down in the middle of the reach, exposing his face to the rain. Burkin and Alekhine had already gotten dressed and were getting ready to leave, but he kept swimming and diving.
“Oh, my God...” he said. - Oh, Lord have mercy!
- It will be for you! - Burkin shouted to him.
We returned to the house. And only when the lamp was lit in the large living room upstairs, and Burkin and Ivan Ivanovich, dressed in silk dressing gowns and warm shoes, were sitting in armchairs, and Alekhine himself, washed, combed, in a new frock coat, walked around the living room, apparently feeling the warmth with pleasure, cleanliness, a dry dress, light shoes, and when the beautiful Pelageya, silently walking on the carpet and smiling softly, served tea with jam on a tray, only then Ivan Ivanovich began to tell the story, and it seemed that not only Burkin and Alekhine were listening to him, but also old and young ladies and military men, calmly and sternly looking out from golden frames.
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