Old Age by Anton Chekhov (Review)
That which did not kill you would torment you!
Story: Old Ages. Author: Anton Chekhov. Genre: Short Story Fiction
Published: 1885
Sometimes a life is bettered, but another is completely ruined as a consequence of the bettered one.
This is a very powerful story of a woman whose life has been ruined completely by two corrupt and careless men and our society. One being her husband-now divorced, and other- the attorney who arranged the divorce and was responsible for following events.
Uzelkov in his grey haired age now, an architect with the rank of civil councillor. He has a contract for the restoration of the church in the town he was born, grown and educated. On arrival, Uzelkov finds nothing same in the town when he had left it eighteen years ago for Petersburg. What surprises him most is how much the people of the town have changed.
His meeting and inquiries with Chapkin-the attorney who arranged his divorce 18 years ago, torments him and brings him to the realization of his mistake and unrecoverable loss and a strong sense of guilt and regret.
How inhumane are humans and how cruel their actions can be you wonder. Carelessness results in dehumanisation and it brings catastrophe with it. Not all souls living in our society are strong enough to bear up the blows that the world throw on them through people and our own expectations.
That is the case when lovers split. Life becomes smogy all around, our imaginations are clogged with thoughts of separation and an unpredictable future ahead. Life loses its meaning and one finds it as a burden so he or she cares no more for anything in life.
However, it might be temporary and with passing time it may be ok but not for all. Some people invest themselves so much in a relationship and when their expectations are broken then it is too much, for them that’s the end of life. They are walking dead people now. They may be alive but without self-consciousness, because for them it becomes impossible for time being at least to think otherwise and they feel to traped in the absurdity of life.
The attorney’s conversations with Uzelkov hit hard when he recalls the events of Uzelkov’s divorce and events that followed it. How much she (Sofya Mihailonva) suffered due to that divorce and what mental break ups she had had to face make you sick when you imagine them. The descriptions and the careful choice of words and similies that Anton Chekhov has used in this story makes it compelling to the readers. It leaves a strong impact on the imagination as well as arouses sympathy for one of the main characters that’s Sofya.
To find fault with a master of short story like Anton Chekhov is not an cup of cake. However, the mysterious friendship of Uzelkov and the attorney sometimes create a confusion; whether they are friends or just in a business relationship that you might find hard to explore. Otherwise it’s a 4.5 story and touches very deeply.
Despite that, you would definitely love this story if you’re interested in the stories of love, loss and morality as well as in classical literature.
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