The Core of a Man’s Grief

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Anton Chekhov “Misery” focuses on the misery of a man, Iona. Chekhov uses dialogue and events to displays Iona’s loneliness, delusion, and grief displacement, to define his different forms of misery. Iona Potapov, the character of “Misery,” is a cab driver in St. Petersburg whose only son has died the week before. Iona’s loss of his son is not the root of his pain, it’s the fact that he can’t properly grieve. Iona’s misery comes from him trying to hide his pain, by detaching himself from reality. The story is set in nineteenth century Russia during the winter time. Iona who was coachman, delusion leads him to ignore the horrid weather conditions that surround him, and he allowed himself to be blanketed in snow. “If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even he would not think it necessary to shake it off”. (327). Ignoring the snow is a perfect example of Iona’s depression consuming him. Iona’s grief displacement doesn’t stop there; towards the end of the short story Iona even tries to blame his pain on his low wages acquired for that day, and completely ignores his son death. “I have not earned enough to pay for the oats, even, “he thinks”, that’s why I am so miserable”. (329). Iona’s obviously trying to avoid the fact that he can’t grieve by trying to blame his anguish on unrelated topics. His symptoms of depression are in plan sight. On the other hand, it seems as if Iona’s sorrow derives from him not having any one to express his pain to. Throughout the story he is surrounded by people, but he remains genuinely alone. He “thirsts” for the opportunity to talk about his grief, but no one will share the burden of his misery. Even when he is disrespected by the people that surround him, he still seeks a conversat... ... middle of paper ... ...story Iona has been searching for a soul to tell why he is in immense grief. He failed to see that his true companion has been pulling him along the whole time. “The little mare munches, listens, and breathes on her master hand. Iona’s is carried away and tells her all about it.” (330). The connection is clear , Iona’s grief allowed him to over look the only being that has an ounce of compassion for Iona. Could not connecting to his horse be one of the true roots to his grief? In conclusion, Iona’s misery roots from several different areas. Through this analysis I have displayed his delusion, loneliness, and grief displacement. I have also shown how his companion the mare was his open ears the entire time. His son death is only part of his misery, and the other trials and tribulations that he went through that day, and his late realization of his true companion.

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