Gender Roles in a Pink Stocking by Anton Chekhov

The short story, "A Pink Stocking", is written by a Russian playwright by the name of Anton Chekhov. Chekhov has been creating short stories ever since his youth. As a young boy his parents struggled financially, causing him to find an alternative way to generate income. Chekhov used his creative stories, "producing hundreds of short comic pieces", to sell and make money for his family. This created an evident image of gender roles between his relatives. Much like "A Pink Stocking", the men of the family found work and were more dominant than the rest. In the story, we are introduced to a couple who find themselves in a kerfuffle. The man of the house, "Pavel Petrovitch Somov", continuously criticizes his wife," Lidotchka Somov", on her writing skills and techniques. He is ruthless, callous, and tremendously unsympathetic. As represented in the text Somov and Lidotchka are imbalanced, where gender inequality makes itself very clear. The era in which this story was born, females were of lower priority and in the 19th century they often "petitioned universities to educate women".

Furthermore, there is also a presence of the control men have over women. It is the power males possess to treat others as they see fit. Somov does not consider his wife's feelings, but instead demands her to make dinner. The story portrays a strong aspect of women stereotypes. This is made clear after Somov states, "it is her vocation to love her husband, to bear children, and to mix salad". In the years where this story was written, girls had no power and were considered weak to society. No education intentions as well as no employment. In addition to a man's control, it is obvious that they are heavily dominant compared to their wife. The authority these men think they have often causes emotional abuse, domestic violence, and the freedom to speak how they want. Manipulation becomes a hobby where it should be perceived as a social crime. Somov has a hold over Lidotchka for the entire duration of the story, mentally and emotionally. The thought of male dominance is associated with darkness, and colours on the colder side. Moreover, it is seen through dark blue, dark gray, and black. His control is intimidating and scary. Chekhov begins his story by describing the weather and setting. He uses common words like "heavy clouds", "dull" and "rainy". All of which portray a cold and isolated environment. The main protagonist, Somov, lacks colour and liveliness. Halfway through the text, Somov completely shreds every piece of confidence and worth of Lidotchka's. He therefore controls the way she feels about herself by insulting and attacking her methods of writing. He describes her letter as "awful", and continues to look "into her face with horror". The use of a rehtorical question is present as Somov asks his wife, "You have a good brain, but what's the use of it if you have never mastered the very rudiments of knowledge?". Once again, we observe insults being thrown at her in a vulnerable state. Her fear of him grows and her self-confidence deteriorates. This further exemplifies the fact that he has profound influence over Lidotchka.

The image women were given in the 19th century revolved around being incompetent, weak, emotional, and lacked the ability to encompass power; a common stereotype that still lingers in the generation of today. In Chekhov's text he demonstrates the norm of a married couple of the late 1800's. A powerful, well-educated man of the house, bossing around his wife. The woman is expected to be pretty, quiet, and abide by any command. It is for this reason that Lidotchka's simple outfit conveys a great deal of meaning. The author writes, "a light blouse and pink stockings". In addition to Lidotchka's calm personality, she is drawn as an innocent and pure soul due to the use of colours describing her. Light colours often depict softness as well as kindness. Pink is used as a typical choice for women since it is a "girly" look. It is commonly mistaken for its use, as it should be diversely used for any gender. For centuries, the same colour associates itself to girls as it is supple and harmless. It creates an evident connection to women and their capabilities. The pink stockings that Lidotchka wears, are a symbol of her purity. Whereas blue stockings symbolize a learned woman. Towards the end of the story Somov passionately raves about his hatred for blue stockings where he says, "I hate blue stockings! I would never have married a learned woman". This depicts his fear of intelligent women, and therefore finds pleasure in his relationship with his wife due to her level of competency. Pink conveys innocence whereas blue conveys dominance Throughout the text, we observe the mannerisms of the husband including the mistreatment of his wife. He quickly assumes that she has no purpose and cannot fulfill any goals of her own. Her sole objective is to please him in addition to make him dinner. During supper Somov expresses his true feelings on well-educated women, "learned women are usually tedious, that they are exacting, strict, and unyielding". If he were to ever marry a woman who is superior to him, he would despise it.

The superiority that men have in today's generation is unjust and unreasonable. We still struggle with pay inequality as well as gender inequality. Whereas in the 1860's it was unimaginable. Women were under the dominance of men, without hesitation. We were expected to follow commands and satisfy our significant other. Much like in "The Pink Stocking", Lidotchka rarely defends herself to her husband. She remains silent and takes the attack. Somov is emotionally dominant over her, and has the tendency to disregard her feelings. Moreover, the single time he maintained a "happier" mood, was when he had a couple glasses of alcohol. Even then he is still offensive and treats his wife as if she was dirt on the ground. Somov himself discusses the superiority of men when he admits to limiting his "intellectual subjects with men".