Examine the idea of greed and self-discovery in Anton Chekhov's "The Bet"
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Answer:
While the banker is more profoundly affected by wealth than the lawyer (who ultimately renounces the money the banker owes him from the bet), Chekhov is suggesting that money and wealth are inherently corrupting influences.greed shown by the banker which almost drives him to commit murder. The underlying themes in “The Bet”, arrogance, greed, and materialism are effectively portrayed in both the banker and the lawyer. Despite the short length of the story, Anton Chekhov enables both characters to see the error of their ways.
Answer:
The Theme Of Greed In The Bet, By Anton Chekhov:-
The Bible states that pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth are the seven deadly sins. It says that these characteristics are spiritually fatal and lead to unhappiness. One particular sin noticeable in today’s society is greed, defined as the desire for material wealth or gain. Jesus warned to not value one’s self in possessions that can be destroyed. He also says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Many people are greatly influenced by the Bible and live their lives according to its teachings. If it is so morally wrong and is addressed in one of the most historically famous books, why do people still possess greedy qualities? What ultimately happens to greedy people over time? In “The Bet,” a fictional short story, Anton Chekhov uses character development and symbolism to convey the theme that greed drives humans to act in irrational ways.
The lack of the banker’s character development proves the theme that greed drives illogical decisions. To start, the banker was “suddenly carried away by excitement” and bet a young lawyer two million dollars that he would not stay in solitary confinement for fifteen years (Chekhov 1). At first, the banker is very wealthy, so he is “delighted at the bet” (Chekhov 2). Even though he intellectually knows the bet is “‘nonsensical’” and does not “‘prove that the death penalty is better or worse than imprisonment for life,’” he ultimately prioritizes his personal desires over saving fifteen years.