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The Lament

Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, was born in Tanganrog on 29 January 1860. His father was a grocer who became bankrupt in 1875 and the family had to move to Moscow. Chekhov remained behind to complete his schooling, paying for it tutoring and selling short skethces to newspapers.

In 1879 Chekhov went to Moscow University to study medicine. He supported his family by writing short sketches of Russian life for newspapers and by 1882 he was being recognised for his writings. He graduated as a doctor in 1884 but by that time he was already suffering from tuberculosis. He continued writing even while practising medicine and his work as a doctor gave him a deep insight into the lives of all sections of Russian society. In 1892 he moved his family to a small estate outside Moscow but in 1897 he had a serious attack of tuberculosis and was forced to move to Yalta. In 1901 he married Olga Knipper. In June 1904 they went to the German spa town of Badenweiler where he died on 14 July 1904.

               Chekhov’s first short story was published in 1880 and within the next few years he produced an immense number of masterpieces some of which are ‘Death of a Civil Servant'(1894). and ‘The Lady With the Dog'(1899). In 1887 his short story collection At Dusk won the Puskin Prize. He also wrote many plays, the best known of which are Ivanow, The Seagull, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard.

             Chekhov’s short stories may be regarded as his greatest achievement. The realities of 19th century lower middle class and peasant life are reflected in his writings and the theme of life’s meaninglessness recurs in his work. His stories are told in a simple conversational style and are never concluded in the conventional way.

              ‘The Lament’ is a story about a man’s need to share his grief with others. Iona is a carriage driver who has lost a young son. As he ferries passengers from one place to another, he wants to share the sad details of his son’s death with his passengers who are too self- centered and insensitive to have  a ear to him. Finally, it is to his horse, a mute animal, that Iona unburdens his griefs.