Gooseberries

As the second part of Chekhov’s The Little Trilogy series (1898), “Gooseberries” stands out thematically from the other two stories. Although the entire series explores the contrast between traditional Russian social expectations and modern Western prospects such as individual freedom, social equality, and human rights, “Gooseberries” approaches the theme through the individual pursuit of happiness, not through unhappy love as in the other two stories.

The central conflict of “Gooseberries,” which unfolds in the story within the story, is the contrast between the two main characters, Ivan and Nicholai Ivanich. Ivan represents a modern Russian man. His profession—a veterinary surgeon—emphasizes reason, science, and empiricism, which aligns with Western ideas in the wake of the Enlightenment. He doesn’t adhere to Russian social norms but instead shows a deep connection with nature and other members of society such as peasants. In contrast, Nicholai clings to traditional Russian ideas. He spends decades pursuing his dream of owning land and becoming a nobleman. The narrative implies that these traditional Russian ideas are absurd and unethical. The title Nicholai takes after his father—Tchimsha-Himalaysky—doesn’t carry noble heritage because his father was “a common soldier” (Paragraph 36) The “good works” Nicholai does for the peasants consist of things like treating them to “half a bucket of vodka” (Paragraph 34), suggesting the corruptive power of Russian traditions. Eventually, the difficult transitions of Russian society come down to individuals’ day-to-day dilemma: whether they should pursue illusive happiness or devote their lives to social changes, whether they should take shelter in privilege or embrace equality, and whether they abide by social norms or have the courage to seek individual freedom. This dilemma drives the story’s central themes: The Pursuit of Happiness and the Meaning of Life, Privilege Versus Social Equality, and Individual Freedom Versus Social Expectations.

Chekhov is known for creating lifelike fictional worlds. However, the realistic details embedded in his narratives often embody symbolic meanings as well. “Gooseberries” opens with a sky “overcast with clouds,” (Paragraph 1) which enhances a realistic setting in the Russian countryside and establishes a mood of uncertainty and despair. It’s almost like Russian society as a whole is crying out for a way forward but isn’t able to find one. Similarly, the effect of the pouring rain is twofold. Rain moves the plot forward because Ivan and Bourkin must physically find shelter. It also symbolizes social change; in the end, Bourkin fitfully lies awake and listens to the sound of rain, suggesting potential change in Russian society.

In addition, Chekhov uses symbolism to enhance irony. The story’s title comes alive in the scene where the two brothers, Ivan and Nicholai, eat gooseberries. While Nicholai comments proudly that the gooseberries are “good,” Ivan thinks they’re “hard and sour” (Paragraph 41). Gooseberries embody the irony of happiness: Nicholai’s happy ending is in fact tragic, marked by self-isolation and self-deception. Moreover, although gooseberries seem a natural symbol, their origin in this story is a newspaper advertisement. In other words, gooseberries themselves are a symbolic reminder of social conventions in Russian society at the time: a materialistic happy life must carry those meaningless decorations.

As the narrator, Ivan concludes the story within the story by conveying a poignant social message—“do not cease to do good!” (Paragraph 47)—as the story advances toward an ambiguous ending:

Then they all three sat in different corners of the drawing-room and were silent. Ivan Ivanich’s story had satisfied neither Bourkin nor Aliokhin. With the generals and ladies looking down from their gilt frames, seeming alive in the firelight, it was tedious to hear the story of a miserable official who ate gooseberries…Somehow they had a longing to hear and to speak of charming people, and of women (Paragraph 49).

The fact that neither of Ivan’s listeners is impressed is open to different interpretations. It may suggest that Ivan—despite what he believes—isn’t aware of the everyday reality of other members of Russian society, thus calling into question the reliability of his narrative: what he glosses over and what he leaves out. Ivan’s call for action may be premised on his economic advantage as a veterinary surgeon. Most Russians—represented by Bourkin, Aliokhin, and the young Nicholai—may still be struggling to fulfill basic material needs. However, his audience’s apathy doesn’t necessarily mean that the parable of Nicholai has no impact. Toward the end, Bourkin seems deeply moved by the story, although the story attributes his unsettled mood to being confused by the mysterious “smell of tobacco” (Paragraph 55). The subtlety and lack of resolution prompt readers to arrive at their own interpretations. The more readers engage with the story of Nicholai and “Gooseberries,” the more engaged they become with the social questions the story raises.