Why is it that I love Chekhov so much? I'm sure there are many reasons I could think of, as his works have many literary merits but what gets me the most is probably the highly successful portrayal of characters. To breathe life into a character, to make us peep into his or her soul, to me seems almost like a godly act. Isn't describing someone so perfectly and making us care so dearly an act of divine creation in itself? Is not an author a bit like God in that sense? Chekhov is a master of characterization, and this is evident both in his plays and in his prose works. Nothing seems as worthy of admiration of putting together a great cast of characters and a good story.
Three years is a novella that speaks of changes that can occur within three years. Besides being a study of Moscow life, this novella is a touching tale of married life. Aren't the best stories the stories about love? Well, this story opens with a protagonist named Laptev, a bachelor who while being away from Moscow to take care of his sick sister, suddenly falls in love with a young doctor's daughter Yulia. Yulia first refuses his offer, then upon second thought, she accepts it. Yulia feels nothing for Laptev, but it is wrong to think she marries him for money. It is not money, but marriage itself that motivates her. Yulia wants to get married, and she realizes that she will probably not find a suitor in her small town. Moscow attracts her, Yulia wants to see more of the world and the big city seems like a perfect place to do that. Moreover, Yulia can't find any flaws with her suitor.
There is a big age difference between them, that seems to alienate them even more. Many things seem to be against them, a lack of romantic love of Yulia's side being the most important one. How sincere is his life?, is a question one could ask as well. Laptev is clearly smitten by Yulia, but is that true love? He realizes, it seems, her lack of affection quite early. Why then Laptev lets Yulia change her mind and accept this offer? Isn't he a bit apprehensive about marriage as well? Is it because he is too proud to take it back? We see that his feelings are a bit amphibious as well, at least at the start of the novel.
At the very start we see that Yulia doesn't loves him, doesn't even like him particularly. Nevertheless, Yulia believes him to be a good man. At any rate, Yulia's reasons for marriage are both simple and complex. I found the beginning of this novella terribly interesting and the continuation of it didn't let me down either. Right from the start, I felt myself grow attach to both of their characters. Their relationship with other family members is fascinating as well.
When Yulia accepts Laptev offer, he brings her home with her at Moscow. However, Yulia doesn't get along well with his family. A difficult time period start, and they both seem miserable in this marriage. I'm not saying that this novella focuses solely on the topic of marriage life, but that's what got me thinking the most, that's what I focused on most. What will become of it? Will they learn to love one another in the right way or not? Can people learn to love each other in marriage? Reading this novel, I asked myself how many people do get married for love? How often is desire, attraction, simple friendship or convenience a reason for marriage? Isn't marriage always a decision to take on commitment? Does it not depend on more than just feelings, that can be fleeing at best of times.
Reading this novella, I realized that marriages are complex things, arrangements built on hope and trust. There can't be a recipe for a perfect marriage because a person's needs change so often. People change. So do marriages. Sometimes love dies and it doesn't mean it wasn't true. Sometimes love disappears and then it reappears when one least expects. Sometimes love appears (seemingly) out of nowhere. There are no guarantees. Some people really get to know each other before marriage but that doesn't mean they're live happily ever after. I know of a couple who went on three dates, got married and lived happily ever after- as unlikely as it might seem. I know of couples who lived together for years and got divorced shortly after getting married. Is it that important where we start? Can there be a love at second sight? Can love flame one shot, be turned on again? There are no definite answers. I suppose one just have to put one's heart into it and hope for the best.
One thing is certain, though. I have yet to read a work of Chekhov that I won't be blown away with.