What are the elements of a chameleon by Anton Chekhov
Answers
The Chameleon is one the widely read short stories of Chekhov. It provides its readers with a deeper moral insight. It discusses in detail the psychological acuity of its characters. The story represents a critique of Russian society in the 19th century. The protagonist of the story Otchumyelov is a senior police officer who upholds the law without fear. His ever changing behavior towards his job led him to his humility in public whereas those responsible for his suffering got away easily. At the end, the outcome of the story shows that by putting our desires above our obligation often leads to our suffering and injustice.
Chekhov’s purpose in writing this story was to portray the inequalities in society. Through his stories he wanted to bring reform in the world.
He has used different literary techniques to communicate his point of view to the readers. Through dialogue, he has enhanced the purpose of what the characters demonstrate through their speech. He uses Irony, hyperbole and caricature to enhance the comic situation in the story. Through the use of caricature the way characters perceive and respond to the circumstances of the situation is exaggerated to provide the readers with the shortcomings of society. Through the dog and Hryukin, Chekov builds caricature. Chekhov uses irony on two levels. First, referring towards the owner of the guard as the member of lower class society and second, through Otchumyelov describing the fate of and its owner. The use of irony in the story creates humor which delivers Chekhov’s ideas towards the ongoing injustice in the society. Chekhov uses hyperbole to understand the inequalities and shortcomings of the Russian society.