"Duel" by Anton Chekhov explores the life of Laevsky, who has fled to a small seaside town in the Caucasus with another man's wife, Nadyezhda Fyodorovna, only to find his dreams of a new life unraveling. As Laevsky sinks into a cycle of idleness, drinking, and card games, Nadyezhda seeks solace in other affairs, leading to a clash with the rationalist Von Koren, who embodies Darwinian ideals of survival and extinction. The tension culminates in a duel, highlighting themes of conflict, existential struggle, and the consequences of a wasted life. Chekhov's incisive examination of human relationships and moral dilemmas remains relevant today, offering profound insights into the complexities of personal choices and societal expectations.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related