“A Lady with a Lapdog”: A Breakdown of Orthodoxy

This article provides a historical perspective on the famous Chekhovian story that has been previously viewed only as of love with main focus characters’ psychology. The new approach refers to climate in Russian end 19 century when religion lost its primary value. conflict between characters is interpreted religious and secular mentality. Chekhov talks about tendency changing values society, natural man’s mentality dominates sacramental sphere, declares morality false, ridiculous even harmful. Gurov cannot understand Anna Sergeevna’s repentance, because he gravitates towards progressive pole. institution marriage not sacred for him, and, like many his contemporaries, church wedding ceremony no more than just beautiful ritual. Just another character, Voinitsky, doesn’t consider cheating spouse great sin. He man modern tendencies. For God an abstract, mythical, speculative, philosophical concept applicable own life lives accordance tendencies society. Critics often associate image dog Sergeevna, but reality it connected rather Gurov. First all, sex male, female (Spitz male). Also, story, loves owner, could never reason her sadness. In same way, Gurov, though being would fully what makes so upset.