The House with the Mezzanine

Summary

In the story "The House with the Mezzanine," the narrative is told from the perspective of an artist who becomes acquainted with the Volchaninov family, living in a house with a mezzanine. He falls in love with the younger daughter, Zhenya (Misus), but his feelings remain unrequited. The elder sister, Lidia, is actively involved in social work and disapproves of the artist. At the end of the story, the artist leaves, leaving his feelings and memories of the house with the mezzanine in the past.

Main Ideas

• The search for harmony between nature and culture
• Love as a means of understanding the world and oneself
• Reflection on the meaning of life and the significance of creativity
• Contrast between urban and rural life
• Critique of social norms and bourgeois mentality
• Exploration of interpersonal relationships

Main Characters and Their Development

• Pavel Alekseyevich - an artist and the main character of the story. He spends the summer in the countryside, where he meets the Volchaninov family. Pavel Alekseyevich falls in love with Zhenya, Lidia's younger sister, and his feelings for her become the central theme of his inner world. His character is revealed through his reflections on life, art, and love.
• Lidia Volchaninova - Zhenya's elder sister, an energetic and active woman working in local government. She is passionate about social work and aims to make the world a better place. Lidia does not understand or accept Pavel Alekseyevich's feelings for her sister, leading to conflict between them.
• Zhenya Volchaninova - Lidia's younger sister, a quiet and dreamy girl. She spends a lot of time with Pavel Alekseyevich, and a mutual affection develops between them. Zhenya represents the opposite of her sister, highlighting the contrast between their characters and life aspirations.
• Belokurov - a neighbor and friend of Pavel Alekseyevich. He plays a secondary role in the story, but his presence helps to reveal the main characters' personalities and adds depth to their relationships.

Style and Technique

"The House with the Mezzanine" is characterized by a distinctly impressionistic writing style. Chekhov pays special attention to the inner world of the characters, their psychology, and sensory experiences. The language of the story is imbued with lyricism, and there is a masterful use of landscapes to create a unique atmosphere. The structure of the story is designed to gradually immerse the reader in the thoughts and emotions of the main character, which is typical of impressionism. Symbols and metaphors are actively used in the text, emphasizing the duality of the main characters' feelings and the antithesis between the world of nature and the world of human passions. A feature of the style is also the non-verbal expression of emotions through the behavior and external attributes of the characters, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of their inner world.

Interesting Facts

• The main character of the work is an artist who tells the story of his love for a girl named Lida.
• The story takes place in a village where the artist spends the summer.
• Lida and her sister Zhenya represent opposite characters: Lida is active and determined, while Zhenya is dreamy and romantic.
• The house with the mezzanine, where Lida and Zhenya live, symbolizes the way of life and social differences between the characters.
• The story raises themes of social inequality, love, and human relationships.
• The work ends sadly: the artist leaves without having gained Lida's affection.

Book Review

"The House with the Mezzanine" by Anton Chekhov is a subtle and poignant novella in which the author masterfully conveys the atmosphere of the Russian province at the end of the 19th century. Critics note that Chekhov demonstrates his ability to create vivid and multifaceted characters in this work. The main characters, the artist and Lidia Volchaninova, embody two opposing views on life: the pursuit of art and beauty versus pragmatism and social responsibility. Chekhov skillfully uses landscape and domestic details to create a deep emotional connection with the reader. Critics also emphasize that in "The House with the Mezzanine," the author touches on important social and philosophical questions, such as the meaning of life, the role of art, and personal freedom. This novella remains relevant today due to its universality and depth.