Gooseberries

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Gooseberries
Anton Chekhov`s ‘Gooseberries’ is rich in language, structure, and themes. The author examines the theme of social injustice and the quest for fulfillment throughout the narrative. Moreover, the story focuses on how landowners are hypocrites ignoring the less fortunate and the hollowness brought about by personal achievement. The tale uses a lot of symbols to represent different aspects of life, and we are going to have a detailed look at some of these symbols.
Gooseberries are used in the story as Ivan tells Bourkin about his brother, Nikolai. Nikolai saves for many years in order own an estate with gooseberries. He was finally able to own such an estate at the expense of his wife and when Ivan visits his brother, he finds the berries sour and hard, unlike Nikolai. Ivan views the gooseberries as a representation of hopes and dreams that are based on illusions and the suffering of fellow countrymen (Freedman, 10). Nikolai is satisfied with his new life although it came at a cost as he ignores the misery of the peasants. Ivan views gooseberries as the reason people fail to recognize and contribute towards bettering the world. Gooseberries also symbolize the society`s view on a meaning and real life as Nikolai views them as a dream of a pastoral life that he has always wanted.
The author uses the rain to symbolize awareness. At the beginning of the narrative, Ivan and Bourkin are taking a walk when it starts raining.

They seek shelter, but Ivan decides to go and swim in the rain. The rain acts as a reminder to Ivan about the beauty of life and how his perspective of the world has changed. Ivan makes Bourkin realize that happiness is a state of the mind as many people were suffering at the expense of others. Consequently, Bourkin is awakened about the realities of the world and cannot remain ignorant again after such enlightenment.
Work Cited
Freedman, John. “Narrative Technique and the Art of Story-Telling in Anton Chekhov’s” Little Trilogy”.” South Atlantic Review 53.1 (1988): 1-18.