Love and Adultery in "The Lady with The Dog" by Anton Chekhov

"In Oranda they sat for a while on a bench, not far from the church, silent and looking at the sea, at their feet. It was barely visible Yalta in the morning mist. On the top of the mountains there were white clouds that were motionless, nothing stirred the foliage of the trees, the sound of the cicada was heard, and from below the noise of the sea spoke of peace and of that eternal dream that awaits us all. The same noise would make the sea below, when neither Yalta nor Oranda existed yet; the same indifferent noise will continue when we no longer exist. And this permanence, this complete indifference to life and death in each one of us is the basis of our eternal salvation, of the incessant movement of life on earth, of the incessant perfection" (Chekhov, 1899).

Romance and Infidelity in "The Lady with the Dog" by Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov's short story "The Lady with the Dog" presents an image of a magical and profound intervention full of love and complexity. It not only fulfills its main objective but also reveals the internal vacuum experienced by Gurov after adding yet another name to his list of conquests. Time in Yalta continues to run its course, while more encounters between these two individuals unfold. However, the narrative reaches a moment when Gurov is forced to face the inevitable separation, enduring the pain of their parting.

The Pursuit of Love

Determined to follow his heart, Gurov travels to the city of S., where Anna resides with her husband. Driven by the desire to see her and experience their amorous encounters, Gurov makes every effort to locate her. Despite Anna's initial reproach about the potential scandal, she promises to visit him in Moscow. True to her word, Anna travels to Moscow to fulfill her promise, illustrating the depth of their commitment.

Secret Meetings

In Moscow, they meet secretly in anonymous hotels, always cautious to choose places where neither her husband nor his family could discover them. Gurov continues to support his son by answering his school curiosities, while Anna's life follows a monotonous rhythm that led her to Gurov. Despite the awareness that they are building a relationship without a foreseeable future, they continue to see each other, deceiving their spouses, and traveling to be together, uncertain of how long this can continue.

The Depth of Their Love

They love each other and need one another, wishing they did not have to hide, yearning to be together. They talk about the future, unable to imagine a life without each other. Neither had ever loved like this before, but both understand that the most challenging part has just begun. In one of their meetings, the following occurs:

"At the moment when, approaching her, he took her by the shoulders to say something affectionate, some joke, looked at himself in the mirror. His head was beginning to whiten and it seemed odd to him that the last years could have aged him and made him so bad. The warm shoulders on which his hands rested shuddered. She felt pity for that life, still so beautiful, and yet so close to withering, no doubt as her own. Why did he love him so much? She had always seemed to women other than she really was. It was not their true person they loved, but another, created by their imagination and anxiously sought, however, discovered the error, still loved. Not a single one had been happy with him. With the passage of time he knew them and said goodbye to them without ever having loved. Now only, when he began to whiten her hair, did he feel for the first time in his life a true love" (Chekhov, 1899).

The Role of Loneliness

Anna's loneliness and the possible lack of attention from her husband contribute to the love that has blossomed between them. What began as madness and the frustration of not being together due to societal constraints has transformed into a profound communion, an incomprehensible and unalterable ideal that is love. Their relationship highlights the complexities of human emotions and the eternal pursuit of genuine connection, despite the challenges they face.

Conclusion

Chekhov masterfully portrays the intricate dance between love and adultery, illustrating how two individuals, despite societal norms and personal dilemmas, find solace and meaning in each other's presence. The story serves as a timeless exploration of the human heart, reminding us of the eternal quest for love and understanding.

References:

Chekhov, A. (1899). The Lady with the Dog. In The Complete Works of Anton Chekhov.