A Problem by Chekhov - the Character of Sasha - Essay Example

A Problem: the Character of Sasha. Anton Chekhov’s short story, A Problem, revolves round the Uskov family conclave concerning the problem of a forged promissory note cashed by Sasha Uskov, a young man of twenty-five. The three uncles of the protagonist, Sasha, debate the measures that can be taken to salvage the situation, and “save the family honour” (Chekhohv, 1). Chekhov’s centers his story, and the denouement of the plot, round the character of Sasha Uskov. Sasha is depicted as an immature, dissolute youth. The story’s depiction of the relationships and interactions between the uncles and Sasha demonstrates an unbridgeable gap between the two generations, and further emphasizes Sasha’s moral bankruptcy. By finally making Sasha aggressively confront Ivan Markovitch , the only uncle who is sympathetic towards him, the author effectively develops situational irony in the story. This ultimate act of betrayal shows Sasha to be beyond redemption. Chekhov uses the character of his protagonist, Sasha Uskov, to express his criticism of the aristocratic youth of nineteenth century Russian society, who fritter away their lives in the wanton, criminal pursuit of pleasure. Sasha Uskov is an immature young man of no ability, who is ruled by an “inward emptiness” (Chekhov, 3). His dissipated lifestyle has sapped his vitality. On the very threshold of manhood, he has acquired the jaded personality and ennui of an older man who has gone through the vicissitudes of several decades of life. He is mired in debt, due to leading the life of a reprobate. He has made it a habit to sponge on his companions. He does not have a single loving relationship to redeem the barrenness of his life. His world consists only of “his friends and his women” (Chekhov, 3), with who his relationship stands only on a monetary basis. Their respect is only for the money in his pocket: once his money runs out, they will drop him. In this context, the lust for money, as the only means of purchasing pleasure, becomes the motivating factor of his character – “He must get hold of some money, come what may!” (Chekhov,6). Sasha leads a worthless existence, with no profession or aim. In spite of a lifestyle devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, he is moved by self-pity, and considers his lot in life to be a hard one. He is a weakling who boosts his own self-esteem, and consoles himself, by considering himself to be “soft, emotional” (Chekhov,3). He does not have the courage to accept responsibility for his actions. He justifies his forgery, asserting that “He was not to blame; it was the fault of circumstances” (Chekhov, 3). There can be no clearer indictment of Sasha’s personality than the statement that “a rush of joy flooded his soul....” (Chekhov, 6) only at the thought of being among bottles, women and friends. It is clear that Sasha has no conception of what it is to be a gentleman. The moral rot has set in even in his childhood – he has been expelled from school at an early age. Under the surface of Sasha’s indifference and ineffectual responses, there is a simmering tendency to violence. Anyone who is seen to thwart his desire for money is in danger of becoming a victim of this lurking violence. Chekhov clearly demonstrates Sasha’s lack of moral fiber in his characterization of his protagonist. Sasha suffers from a deep sense of alienation from his family. Their forgiveness does not matter to him in the least, and he is indifferent to their good or bad opinion. The contrasting perception of Sasha and his uncles towards his crime makes the distance between them evident. On his part, Sasha “felt neither terror, shame, nor depression,” (Chekhov, 3) for his act of forgery. He is quite at a loss to understand why his uncles are making such a furor over this issue of “a paltry fifteen hundred roubles” (Chekhov,5). To the family, Sasha’s transgression is so grave that it has to be kept secret at all costs. Elaborate measures are taken to avoid any information from reaching the servants. To them, maintaining the family honour is a matter of the utmost seriousness. On the other hand, Sasha is totally indifferent to the concept of ‘family honour.’ According to him, forging the Colonel’s signature is “quite harmless” (Chekhov,3). He remains absolutely unmoved by his aunt’s tears. Sasha’s reaction to his forgery makes it evident that he has no comprehension of honour. To him, his misdemeanor is only a matter of money: its moral dimensions are quite beyond his understanding. He hates Colonel Uskov for labeling him a criminal. He refuses to accept that he has committed a crime, as, according to him, the epithet of ‘criminal’ is applicable only to murderers, thieves and robbers, and he is none of those. He is filled with hatred for the Colonel, but does not have the courage to even look him in the face when he is called into the study. The only redeeming moment in Sasha’s interaction with his uncles comes when “he felt suddenly ashamed and uncomfortable” (Chekhov,4). But this may be attributed to moral cowardice at being cornered, as Sasha has not the least intention of turning over a new leaf. Chekhov makes it clear that the Colonel is correct in his estimation that Sasha “would not give up leading a dissolute life” (4). The violence lurking under surface of Sasha’s weak personality rears its head when he feels the need “to tear the Colonel to pieces” (Chekhov,4). He is unable to follow Ivan Markovitch’s admonition to speak humbly, or his aunt’s plea to beg his uncles for help. Sasha is beyond redemption. Sasha’s violent confrontation with Ivan Markovitch is the final irony of the story. Ivan Markovitch , Sasha’s maternal uncle, is the only member of the family who is genuinely sympathetic towards him. This “kind-hearted” (Chekhov, 1) man takes his nephew’s part in the family council. The Colonel is confident that Sasha merits punishment, while the Treasury uncle is only concerned about hushing up any negative publicity for the family. On the other hand, Ivan Markovitch is motivated by genuine concern for his nephew. He lists the extenuating circumstances – the “peculiar temptations of youth” (Chekhov,2), lack of education, early loss of parents, bad luck, nervous temperament – that justify leniency towards Sasha. He invokes Christian compassion, the family honour, the ghost of his dead sister, and even philosophy, to make an impassioned plea for Sasha to escape imprisonment. He is moved to tears and weeping in his defence of his nephew. It is clearly evident that Ivan Markovitch is misled in his reading of Sasha’s character. Sasha is not capable of the agonies of conscience which Ivan Markovitch attributes to him. We can assume that his affection for his dead sister blinds him to the true nature of his nephew’s character. Sasha’s moral bankruptcy is best delineated by Chekhov in Sasha’s relationship with Ivan Markovitch. The latter does not realize that Sasha is not even capable of rising up to his exhortation to “Come and speak frankly from your heart” (Chekhov,4). Sasha has no heart. Ivan Markovitch’s error of judgment is even more pronounced in his innocent expectation that Sasha is ready to repent of his past errors and would be willing to accompany his maternal uncle to the country and “set to work” (Chekhov, 5). Sasha is not moved by any remorse or resolve to give up his dissolute lifestyle. As soon as he is free of the burden of family censure, he is prepared for more dissipation. In the final confrontation with Ivan Markovitch, the beast in Sasha shows its true colors – to Ivan Markovitch’s incredulity, Sasha demands hundred roubles from Ivan Markovitch to continue his reprobate lifestyle. The simmering violence of his character threatens to break through. He is “on the point of attacking his uncle” (Chekhov,6). The uncle finally wakes up to the full extent of Sasha’s perfidy and is overwhelmed by fear and terror at his nephew’s truly base nature. Sasha subdues his uncle with the threat of blackmail: he would surrender to the authorities and besmirch the family name if his demands are not met. It is ironical that Sasha’s moral bankruptcy is revealed in its entirety to the kind-hearted Ivan Markovitch, who has steadfastly supported him. A Problem may be seen in the light of Anton Chekhov’s attempt to convey his criticism of the aristocratic youth of nineteenth century Russia. In his characterization of Sasha Uskov, the author uses his protagonist as the personification of Russian youth in aristocratic society. Sasha does not have the necessity of earning an honest living through a profession, as he is supported by his family. This parasitic dependency on the family for maintenance is the convention in aristocratic society. Financial dependence is accepted as a matter of course. This is evident from Sasha’s assertion that forging IOU’s is nothing uncommon in his circle of friends, as a means of tiding over any paucity of funds, until an allowance is received from home: “all the young men he knew did the same” (Chekhov,3). This monetary subsidy supports an idle lifestyle, devoted to the wanton pursuit of pleasure. Sasha’s day revolves round women, drinking, and gambling. The virtues of thrift, hard work and responsibility are alien to this circle of youth. Family support is considered a birthright by these young men. It is a part of “the rights of youth” (Chekhov, 6). Even more despicable is the lack of moral integrity. It is obvious that the author does not condone Sasha’s behavior, or sympathize with his weaknesses as but the foibles of youth. On the other hand, the message conveyed to the reader is that the protagonist is “wicked and morally hopeless” (Chekhov,3). Sasha’s character in A Problem is Chekhov’s unequivocal indictment of the empty life of the wealthy youth of that era. Anton Chekhov wields his depiction of the character of Sasha Uskov as his primary tool in the narration of A Problem. This short story is a telling picture of a dissipated youth who possesses no moral compass. Sasha is so completely steeped in reprobate profligacy, and the pursuit of pleasure and vice, that his moral balance itself has been skewed. He cannot comprehend such concepts as honor or responsibility. An unbridgeable chasm separates him from his family. Their perception of an honorable life is totally alien to him. All that he expects from them is the financial support to maintain his dissolute lifestyle. He is a parasite in the family. Sasha’s violent confrontation with Ivan Markovitch is a revelation to his maternal uncle and to himself. Sasha finally admits “yes, I am a criminal” (Chekhov,6). But this admission is but a passing spark which is quickly consumed by the fire of his passion for vice. There is no sign of remorse or repentance in Sasha. He remains incorrigible until the end of the narrative, which ends with its protagonist happily heading toward a night of drinking. Sasha is beyond redemption. Anton Chekhov’s A Problem is a strong indictment of the idle, aristocratic youth. Chekhov paints a depressing picture of these young men indulging their taste for gambling, women and drink, and wasting the flower of their adulthood in partying. The author subtly conveys their parasitic preying on society, and their failure to contribute anything good or useful to their country. It is this unproductive stratum of youth, embodied in the character of Sasha Uskov, which is A Problem in Chekhov’s Russia. Works Cited. Chekhov, Anton. “A Problem.” Electronic source. Read More