Love. Only two syllables. Such a simple word meaning so much. But what does it hide in itself? Not a single scientist in the whole world has been able to fully explain the phenomenon of feeling, which drives people crazy for centuries. A.P. Chekhov quite subtly touches on this topic and tells us a sad love story with an open ending, so that the reader himself can reflect on this issue.
There is no long reflection on feelings in the story, only one plot in which the complex relationships of people in love are revealed. The author himself does not reveal himself in any way, but nevertheless raises before us the question of the price of human happiness. Is every man born to him? And is it worth it to think about your own well-being without fear of hurting others? In the story, two lovers understand that they can never be together. First of all, they live with the intention of respecting decency. This position can be understood, because Anna Alekseevna would have to leave her husband and children to their own devices in order to give her heart to Alekhine. This story is somewhat vaguely reminiscent of the relationship of Vladimir Mayakovsky with Lily Brik. Only there, the lovers did not hide their feelings from everyone. But Chekhov spoke about people of a completely different era. At that time, public opinion was the most important structure, a person could not afford to do wrong, otherwise he would lose his position. Of course, there were stories like “Anna Karenina” by L.N. Tolstoy, but this did not mean that everyone could do that.
Chekhov unobtrusively leads us to the idea that love is a sacred feeling. It can break into your life only once and forever make you happy. Therefore, prejudice and public opinion should not play a special role in this matter. Even the great philosopher Carlos Castaneda said that it is useless to spend your life on one single path, especially if this path does not have a heart.
