I had to read the story twice just for me to absorb its real meaning... But the first thing I did was to search for the meaning of its title, The Lament. Lament literally means cry, or wail, we often see this in the state of heightened emotions of a person as their reactions or channel, for them to be able to release all of their emotional woes. So in this short story, Anton Chekhov took wrote about a cabdriver Iona Potapev. While reading the story, we can assume that Iona Potapev is economically below the middle class; his source of income depends on the physical capacity of his horse to transfer passengers from one place to another. We have to take the concept of symbolism to understand deeper and to relate ourselves to what of Iona’s
situation. Anton Chekhov described the first scene as Iona and his horse was stationed Idle, that perhaps even with snow rained on them, Iona will not bother to shake it out. Iona, and it seems, his horse are in deep reverie. And now we’ll ask why? He’s supposed
to work double time to gain his quota, and yet he’s sitting there inactive. And finally, his first fare came into him, an officer on a greatcoat. He had to shout to get Iona away from his reverie, but Iona still cannot do his job properly, the officer had to yell at him to keep his goddamn eye on the road! Iona keep on telling his fare about his dead son but it’s apparent that the officer couldn’t give
a damn. Same to his second batch of passenger, 3-man company
asked his service, and like his service to his first fare, Iona couldn’t do his job properly, he keep on insisting on telling a story about the death of his son, and again he received We- don’t-fucking-care reactions from his passengers. passengers. And now I ask... What does this mean? My partner (Magbag) and I discuss what for us is the meaning of this? We think that this story is about a father who had lost his beloved son. Iona is in need of a person who can talk with, he’s being filled with heavy
emotions, a sad feeling that he needs to channel to somewhere or someone. His desperation is costing his efficiency on his work but we cannot blame him, his human incapacity to handle emotions is not his fault. But, is it the only thing that Mr. Chekhov is trying to tell us? I and my partner don’t think so. We are confident t hat Mr. Chekhov
is trying to touch something in us, something forgotten, something vital sign of humanity in us --- sensitivity. In this busy City of Metro Manila, seldom we invest time to persons we do not know or don’t have any form of impact on us. Iona only needs
time, attention, someone who can listen to his cries; he is only need of sympathy. So my classmates, I encourage you all to be more sensitive about the persons that surround you, to the jeepney driver that that perhaps working working double time for the the tuition of his son, for the tricycle driver that have not eaten his lunch
because he’s adding it to his food -budget for his family, to kuyang
barker that even in rain or shine shouting on top of his lungs 2pesos so that he can eat his dinner. Don’t be the of ficer that ignored Iona, don’t be lanky guy that yelled Iona. My friends, there’s no harm in starting a conversation with a stranger.
Chekhov about a Theme : "The Lament," also known as "Misery," is a short story by Anton Chekhov about Russian sledge driver whose son has recently died and his reactions. The central theme of the story, as the title would suggest, is "Misery." Iona Potapov, Potapov, the driver, takes several fares and each time tries to share his grief with his passengers.
However, his fares all have their own problems in life, or simply do not care; Iona is unable to unburden himself by sharing his grief and so continues on, "white like a ghost." Iona looks round at them. Waiting till there is a brief pause, he looks round once more and says:
It is in the act of telling the story that Iona finds a measure of peace. He has tried to connect with his fellow man, but they are all wrapped up in their own lives, superficial or otherwise. Iona's final act is similar to that of confession; he tells the story that has been weighing on his mind and so is relieved of its pressure. His "misery" has eased through his telling of a "lament."
Setting It is winter in Russia. It is miserably cold with snow falling as the main character and his little horse drawn carriage wait for people. The time is the late nineteenth century. Tone The mood and atmosphere speak to the overwhelming grief of the main character. The people that he tries to talk with about about his loss do not care and brush his misery aside. The harshness of human nature strains the emotions as the reader lives through the story with Iona. Themes Grief
The theme of grief encircles the protagonist Iona. He is isolated from the rest of humanity because he has no one with whom to share his pain. Iona looks for someone to stop and let him reflect back on the terrible event that will forever impact his life. No one seems to care. Man’s inhumanity to man
The incidences that Iona experiences in the story portray the worst side of mankind. The customers are rude, unfeeling, indifferent, and uninterested. They do not want to get involved because they might have to do something or help the driver; consequently, they act as though they do not hear him. Summary/Plot Iona and his little horse wait for people to need his services. He is physically and mentally exhausted and debilitated from his grief for the loss of son only a week ago. He encounters five incidences in the story. 1st incident Brusque officerThe officer is in a hurry. He does react to Iona’s story, but it is only to tell him that life goes on. He softens somewhat and makes a joke. There is only polite interest. 2nd Incident Three drunken young men They have their own problems. They are loud and abusive toward Iona. They are numbed by alcohol. One of the men men is a sick hunchback. He is especially miserable. The hunchback hunchback reacts to Iona’s story by saying that “We all shall die.” 3rd Incident Iona stops and tries to engage an indifferent house-porter house- porter who is delivering a package. He tells Iona to go on.
At this point, the sleigh driver driver gives in to his misery. He stops then and goes back to the yard. He does not have enough money to buy food for the horse. 4th Incident In the yard, Iona sees another cabman. Again, he tries to engage the young man in a conversation about his terrible grief. The young man goes to sleep while he is talking to him. 5th Incident Iona reflects on his grief. Then, he decides decides to check on his horse. horse. 'Are you munching?' munching?' Iona asks his mare. 'Since we have not earned earned enough for oats, we will eat hay….Yes…I have grown too old to drive… My son ought to be driving, not I…He was a real
coachman. Kuzma Ionitch is gone…He said goodbye to me...' The old man continues to talk as the horse eats his hay. The horse seems to listen to his master and breathes on the old man’s hands. Maybe the old man will feel better once he has verbalized the details of his son’s illness to his death and funeral. Finally, Iona may find relief in talking to his little white mare. He pours his heart out. The story is left with an indecisive conclusion. Hopefully, the resolution for Iona will come with the purging of his grief with his working companion, his little horse.
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