"The Darling" Anton Chekhov

"The Darling" by Anton Chekhov shows many characteristics of the realism period as well as the transcendentalist movement.  The description of nature shows the transcendentalist side of the short story. "It was hot, the flies were persistent and teasing, and it was pleasant to reflect that it would soon be evening. Dark rainclouds were gathering from the east, and bringing from time to time a breath of moisture in the air" (Chekhov). This quote from the short story gives the reader a sense of the weather and the scenery because of how descriptive it is. As for the realism side of this short story is shows important changes and how it effects the climax. I am not able to tell the climax of this story because I believe that two occur.  Olenka is the main character and protagonist of this short story and in the story she loses two of her lovers both being her husband. I know this is a characteristic of the realism period thanks to Josh Rahn."Changes in mood, in perceptions, in opinions and ideas constitute turning points or climaxes"(Rahn, "Realism"). These events would change Olenka's mood and ideas drastically. Olenka fell into a short depression after the death of her Kukin, lasting only three months. After the death of her second husband, Vasily Pustovalov, the depression is much greater with her only accompaniment being her cat(Chekhov). I am irritated though by the fact that she can not really make up her mind on anything. While married to Kukin, she adores the theatre but when she is married to Vasily she detests it. I am not sure what would change her mind so drastically about something other than it reminding her of her deceased Kukin. This is also part of the realism movement, changes in opinions and ideas. The recognition of both the realism period and transcendetalist movements are important to this story because it deals with both nature and changes in mood and ideas which change the climax.  Even though it was difficult to identify the climax, I still believe both deaths to be climaxes of this short story.




Chekhov, Anton. "Short Stories: The Darling by Anton Chekhov." East of the Web. Web. 06 Mar. 2012.


Rahn, Josh. "Realism." - Literature Periods & Movements. Web. 06 Mar. 2012.