ABOUT LOVE

Analysis and Interpretation Alyohin narrator/speaker of the story Talks to his guests Burkin and Ivan Ivanych about Russian perspective of love.

Initiates the story of two servants Nikanor, the cook and the beautiful maid Palageya Alyohin presents the violent love affair between two servants where the cook Nikanor was bad tempered. She wanted to live with him but not marry him, whereas his religious nature did not allow him do so. So whenever he was drunk he used to swear at her whereas she used to just hide somewhere and sob. Alyohin analyses the love between the servants. Why did not she fall in love with somebody more like herself inwardly and outwardly? Personal happiness does not count in love and it uncertain and vague as well as mysterious. Love is not the absolute solution of happiness and several questions regarding love are unanswered. The speaker continues to state more about love on Russian perspective. Russians have a weakness for these questions that remained unanswered. Love is usually poeticized, embellished with roses, nightingales; but Russians embellish love with fatal questions, and choose the least interesting of them. He recalls that he fell in love with a girl when he was a student in Moscow but she did not reciprocate the same. When we are in love, we never stop asking ourselves whether it is honorable or dishonorable, sensible or stupid, what this love will lead to, and so on he says. When Alyohin tells the story to his guests; the sky was grey, and atmosphere gloomy, the setting symbolizes, loneliness and tragedy. He continues that he returned to his home at Safyino; after graduating from the University and started farming to pay off the debt of his father for his education.; At beginning he wanted to maintain the intellectuals standard, so he read, lived at the top floor and drank on evenings. (However this could not last long, as his days got hectic, he started living like a simple farmer.) He was elected as honorary justice of peace and went to town for circuit court and met many educated people; lawyers including Luganovich; the assistant president of circuit court.

 Luganovich invited the Alyohin for dinner where he had an opportunity to meet Anna; Luganovichs wife. Alyohin was fascinated by the beauty of Anna though she was the mother of a child. The Luganovichs were so fond of him. He regularly visited their home for dinner.

Alyohin was restless because of the natural; and elegant beauty of Anna; so he couldnt stop meeting her and soon his visits were frequent. He was in love with her despite the fact that she was married. He received the parcels from Anna and remained so much excited. He thought that the Luganovichs understood his loneliness. So they became his friends. They also asked him if he required money; they would happy to help him. He said that he was always thinking of Anna why she married the dull and simple hearted man of over forty and had children for him. Alyohin said the beauty of Anna didnt match with her husband Luganovich. He said that he had loved her tenderly, deeply, but he had reflected and kept asking himself what their love could lead to if they did not have the strength to fight against it. Alyohin said that if she said her feeling to him and her husband; the result would be terrible. Time passed; Anna had two children and the grown up children hung on Alyohins neck calling him Uncle Pavel Konstantinovich. He recalled that they had gone to theatre together and watched opera sitting side by side.

Anna tried to run away from her husband and children and stayed at her mother or sister. It was the dissatisfaction towards her own life and means of approach to Alyohin. They did not express their feelings of love to each other and remained silent.

Later Luganovich received an appointment in Western Province and they had to sell their villa and everything to go there. Several people were there to bid good bye to Anna Alexeyevna. Alyohin rushed to station to bid good bye and to give her the forgotten basket.

They embraced with burning pain in their hearts. Alyohin finally confessed his love to her. Before they parted forever; he kissed her and pressed her hands. At last; according to Alyohin; he went to Sofyino missing her much. Burking and Ivan Ivanych were express pity over the sad lovers, Anna and Alyohin.