Skip to main content

Review on " An Avenger"


In An Avenger, Anton Chekhov has set the theme of infidelity, trust, revenge, shame, and pride which was taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection. The story is narrated in the third person and from the beginning of the story, it becomes clear to the reader that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of infidelity. 

Sigaev finds out that his wife has been unfaithful to him. He wants to take revenge on both his wife and the lover. Hence, He pays a visit to the gun shop. However, at times, he also considers killing himself after killing his wife and her lover because he may be looking for sympathy from others and show others that he is the one who is offended. His wife and her lover are the guilty parties and their romantic engagements have driven him to the point of madness i.e. killing himself, his wife and his lover. It would be insanity for Sigaev to kill himself because of his wife or her lover over the fact that his wife was being unfaithful. Something that becomes clearer to Sigaev towards the end of the story where he decides that the proper course of action is to divorce and shame his wife.

 Although Chekhov gives no background as to why Sigaev’s wife might have been unfaithful, it is clear that Sigaev cannot trust his wife. What is also interesting is the fact that Chekhov also gives no background into Sigaev. The reader is left to take his word on everything. Only his feelings are felt throughout the story. It is clear his pride is wounded but the reader never gets to know if Sigaev’s potential actions are justified or not. We do not get to know how Sigaev used to treat his wife and this leaves the reader wondering if it is possible that Sigaev’s wife’s actions were triggered by the fact she is in an unhappy marriage. As Chekhov, throughout the story, is focused on Sigaev’s feelings about what has happened, Sigaev also appears to be more interested in how he will be perceived if he kills himself too. Will he be viewed upon as the wounded party? Shaming his wife and her lover.

 It might also be important that Chekhov affords Sigaev the opportunity to think things through. He may not necessarily be acting on impulse and this is also justified by the fact that he decides upon divorce rather than killing himself, his wife and her lover. By not acting on impulse, Sigaev is able to think clearly about the course of action he wants to take. At the end of the day, he wishes to be acknowledged by society as the one who has been offended. That is the superior motive in Sigaev’s mind. The outrage that Sigaev feels at the beginning of the story also seems to lessen as the story progresses. It is as though Sigaev longs to make a decision that will not only ensure he is viewed upon sympathetically by the society but also makes him come out on top. It is as though he can’t let go of what has happened. Though any man or woman may have difficulty letting go of their spouse’s infidelity, Sigaev was a proud man. Rather than discussing what has happened to him with his wife and seeking some form of reconciliation, He appears to have a knee-jerk reaction which gave birth to him purchasing a pistol.

 Sigaev’s indecision about which pistol to purchase not only buys him some time to think a little more clearly but also changes the course of action that Sigaev intends to take. Going from killing himself, his wife and her lover, Sigaev takes the more sensible approach and decides upon divorce. Thus, Affording himself the opportunity to be given sympathy by others. It is as though Sigaev’s only real complaint is the fact that his pride is wounded. Though it is inappropriate to conduct a relationship with another person’s wife or husband, Sigaev does not, at any stage in the story, think that he might be at fault and it is also difficult for the reader to say that Sigaev is at fault. As mentioned above, Chekhov gives no background to Sigaev’s relationship with his wife. 

 The entire story is focused on how Sigaev feels and the importance of him being seen in a good light. Sigaev does not appear to mourn the fact that his wife has been unfaithful. Rather it is more important for Sigaev to make his wife and her lover feel as he is feeling. As if this will solve the problem for Sigaev. In reality, Sigaev should probably follow the course of action he decides upon at the end of the story (divorce). However, he still longs to be viewed upon as the injured or wounded party. still, it is difficult not to view Sigaev in any other light considering that Chekhov only gives the limited information to the reader.

Submitted By:
1640113
1640114
1640107
1640126
1640116
1640124
1640132
1640171
1640127
1640726
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AS ONE LISTENS TO THE RAIN

AS ONE LISTENS TO THE RAIN    I. THE POEM PUT TO SONG:  - Submitted by HARSHIT 4CME 1640106 & DARVIN RAJ P. 4PME 1640305 II. AN ANALYSIS OF THE POEM - P. SAMUEL WESLEY 4PME 1640312 The poem is written in the first person narrative and appears to address someone. While the poem itself is open to many interpretations, one can however analyse the literary structure, themes, language, and the literary devices used. This is precisely the goal of this Section. LITERARY DEVICES The poet has employed several visual imageries from Nature that very adequately appeal to the senses. With a tranquil tone throughout the poem, the poet creates an ambiance of peace wherein the readers can develop their own perspectives about the poem. The poet has also used Personification as in the line, “steam rises and walks away, night unfolds and looks at me.” Techniques like Repetition and a steady rhythm are also employed. This becomes most app...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reflections on An Avenger by Anton Chekov and As One Listens to the Rain by Octavio Paz

An Avenger: ·           Morality and Justice            By Vemuri Sai Gayatri, 1640728, 4BCB In the eyes of the law, murder is the ultimate crime for which there is no justification. The protagonist, Sigaev, knows that he will be severely punished and sent to prison if he kills his wife and her lover. However, society’s concept of justice and morality is filled with ambiguity. If one party in the marriage contract violates its terms of eternal faithfulness and monogamy, the other is seen as entitled to seek vengeance, no matter how extreme a form it takes. In Sigaev's world, it is commonplace for a wife to cheat on her husband, a matter of course for a cuckold to commit murder or suicide. It is so mundane that the gunsmith discusses it conversationally, the way one would talk about the weather. He complains about the corruption of morals while making money off it. Sigaev himself goes about...
Post a Comment
Read more