Reflecting on “An Enigmatic Nature” by Anton Chekhov

Other Titles:
"Загадочная натура"

I reread this story a few times, and each time I found the lady on the train more likable. She may be a gold-digger, miserable because of her own choices in life and in love, but her words were sober. I think I recognize a lot of people living their lives with the thought that there is happiness waiting for them in the future. The universality of the moral of the story does not pertain to finding the next rich husband, but to the ability to recognize that the time to enjoy life has arrived. It is now – not tomorrow, not in five years, etc. It is never perfect, and there is always something more that we want. But despite the deficiencies, the best outcome is when we recognize what we have and take time to enjoy it.

Of course, this does not mean that we need to give up on our goals. But some compromising can have its benefits. Regarding compromising when it comes to the next rich husband – well, the lady on the train has her own choices to make.

…And because my thoughts about this story lack a summary and analysis, here are a couple of quotes to illustrate the main theme:

“Poverty, the struggle for daily bread, the consciousness of insignificance – ah, do not force me to recall it! I had to make my own way…. And the agonies of losing faith in life, in oneself!”

“Happiness comes tapping at my window, I had only to let it in – but – Voldemar, listen, I implore you! Now is the time for me to give myself to the man I love, to become the partner of his life, to help, to uphold his ideals, to be happy – to find rest… Again there is an obstacle in my path! Again I feel that my happiness is far, far away! Ah, what anguish!”