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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Allusions
Explanation and Analysis—Pushkin:
When describing the experience of tasting Nikolai’s disgusting gooseberries, Ivan alludes to the 19th-century Russian author Alexander Pushkin, as seen in the following passage:
“They were tough and sour, but as Pushkin said, ‘Dearer to us than a host of truths is an exalting illusion.’ I saw a happy man, whose cherished dream had so obviously come true, who had attained his goal in life, had gotten what he wanted, who was content with his fate and with himself. For some reason there had always been something sad mixed with my thoughts about human happiness, but now, at the sight of a happy man, I was overcome by an oppressive feeling close to despair.”
Pushkin is considered to be the father of modern Russian literature, and Chekhov was deeply influenced by him. Here, Chekhov (via Ivan) alludes to Pushkin’s poem “The Hero,” in which Pushkin wrote, “Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.” Though Ivan changes the quote slightly, the essence is still the same.
Ivan quotes Pushkin here in an attempt to explain why Nikolai finds the gooseberries on his land to be delicious, while Ivan finds them to be “tough and sour.” To Ivan, the reason for this difference in perception is due to Nikolai needing the “exalting illusion” of his gooseberries being delicious in order to feel justified in the life that he has led. Nikolai spent two decades wearing rags, working tirelessly at a menial job, and even married (and starved to death) a wealthy older woman so that he could inherit her money. Gooseberries, to Nikolai, represent the opulent landowning life that he has fought for, and he needs them to be delicious to feel like all of the choices he made, and suffering he endured, were worth it.
Related Themes:
