The Issue of Happiness in Gooseberries Essay example -- Gooseberries E

The Issue of Happiness in Gooseberries   One who seeks their own happiness through life will pall to do much good for others. A preoccupation with achieving this ideal state of happiness will certainly lead to an inconsiderate view of the world. Anton Chekhovs story Gooseberries portrays a man who has come to this realization. He has seen the consequences of pure unadulterated happiness, and describes his subsequent emotions as melancholy. Why should an educated man, a veterinary surgeon none the less, mother such issues with human happiness? This paper seeks to understand the question and relate it to the motives of the author, Anton Chekhov.   It is important, first of all, to ascertain the meaning of the word happiness in the context which it is employ in the story. This would be a good time to give the Websters Dictionary definition of the word happiness. But is that really necessary? Who is Webster anyway to attempt to unsex a human emotion? Instead, it would be mo re accurate definition if you simply think of your own happiness. What makes you happy? What do you do in found to attain happiness? Only after you answer these questions will you be able to understand the word in the way that Chekhov intended. Wouldnt it be difficult to obliterate happiness? If you dont think so, just ask Bertha from Bliss. In the first paragraph of Gooseberries, the last line reads, On this still day, when the whole of nature seemed kindly and pensive, Ivan Ivanich and Burkin tangle a surge of love for this plain, and thought how vast and beautiful their country was. If beauty and love dont afford happiness, what does? It becomes apparent after reading and re-reading the story, what Chekhov means by the word happiness. T... ...easants at his home with place fee. Chekhov also worked in clinics during times of famine and epidemic. Thus, Chekhov was exposed to all of ...the terrible things in life that are played out behind the scenes. Although Chekhov performed many good deeds throughout his life, it is likely that he felt as if he had not done enough. One reason why he might have felt this way was his long and painful battle with tuberculosis. As he writes near the end of the story I am old and unfit for the struggle, I am even incapable of feeling hatred. I can only suffer inwardly, and give way to irritation and annoyances, at night my head burns from the rush of thoughts, and I am unable to sleep...Oh, if only I were young Anton Chekhov was by no means old when he died from tuberculosis. But how it must make a man feel old knowing that his days are numbered.