Critical Analysis Of The Theme In Man In A Case By Anton Chekov

Zeinab Abdallah Dakik

Professor Tabitha Kenlon

English 103 - Section C

March 20th 2016

Option 3: Critical Analysis of the Theme in Man in a Case by Anton Chekov

A major theme in ‘Man in a Case’ by Anton Chekov is the imagery of a closed-minded nature and challenges that humans face within society everyday. Throughout the work Belikov serves as a symbolic example of this idea. Belikov, seen as a man of anxiety carries an immoderate amount of both literal and figurative meaning that elaborate the concept of the short story. The challenges of being independent, open-minded and confident about oneself despite the surrounding communities influence is what Belikov battles though the story and eventually dies from feeling humiliated. The story

In a descriptive conversation between Burkin, a teacher that knew Belikov well, and a friend, Ivan Iyvanch, we find out the way Belikov used to dress daily and the way he used to isolate himself from the community. Burkin said that he was commonly known around town for always “carrying an umbrella and wearing galoshes even in fine weather.” The attribution of the characters clothing gives us a clear image of how inclosed Belikov was and how he used to isolate himself. Also, the clothing gave him a sense of comfort and protection from the outside world (Chekhov,134). This imagery can greatly be related to the idea of how the world and society challenges each and every individual during day to day life. Individuals feel that they have the need to isolate themselves and feel protected from the idea of a ‘big bad world’. Also, Chekov has described the details of the way Belikov dresses. This allows the reader to have a visual representation of how in reality, individuals look like internally. Also, how they always try to isolate themselves to protect them from the harms and pressures of society

The fear they felt was only because Belikov began self-protecting himself from the people surrounding him. At the end of the play Belikov’s death was seen as a relief to the community, which does not mean they were finally free from anxiousness and fear. The joy that he had was gone and only lasted for a while until “grim,exhausting,pointless life” came back. (Chekov,145). Burkin begins to describe to Ivan that “there were so many other people in cases, still, and just think how many more there are going to be!” (Chekov,145). Chekov uses Burkin as one of the individuals that has viewed this concept in a different perspective enabling the reader to understand its merely the society that has built our characters and thoughts, which is leading each and every person to fear their