Reading ‘The Cloak’ by Gogol, I felt the sights and smells of St Peters burg swimming in my head. The poor nameless clerk, loses his cloak and in his effort to retrieve it, he loses his life. Gogol’s effort is not to evoke our pity for the Lilliputian hero (protagonist), but level his subtle sarcasm against the airs and attitudes of the elite.
Turgenev’s ‘The District Doctor’ is a hapless fellow, who has fallen in love with a dying angel. In a matter fact way, he narrates his poignant love story to our author. There is detachment in his narrative, although he is passionate in his love for his patient. But the irony is never lost on us. We are always aware that the Doctor’s love was an unsuccessful affair.
Pushkin’s ‘Three Aces and a Spade’ is a character study. It builds up excitement. The soldier, seized of the secret parted with, by the spirit is on a winning streak for 2 days in a row. On the third day, when he is out to make his kill, fortune deals him a fatal blow. The story exposes the weakness in his character. The love or greed for money, and his engaging the attentions of the maid just to promote himself, also reflect badly on him.
And Dostoevsky, the master who reads the evil in Men’s mind records the trampling of beauty and innocence in this sordid world with lyrical accuracy, as he looks through the plan in a rich man’s mind. His avarice and cultivated attention are a facade to marry the poor little rich girl.
‘A Christmas Tree and a Wedding’ is a striking example of Dostoevsky’s craft which sees no hope in materialism, or wealth; all external adornments bereft of the wealth of love, of spiritual feeling, of innocence and passion are therefore bereft of beauty.