Review: A Nervous Breakdown

A Nervous Breakdown by Anton Chekhov
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I expected to see a nervous breakdown and that was truly the only reason for my interest in this book, I was surprisingly impressed to get more out of it.

Since the description isn't telling anything about the story of this book I will add one here:
The short story 'A Nervous Breakdown' is about 3 students who visit a brothel. The philosophical meaning behind this book is about the question:

“Is prostitution an evil or not?”

I was admiring Vassilyev (the law student) so much! He showed respect towards women, which most men don't unfortunately. There were so many moments he just spoke facts and I was like: Yes, yes, yes!

“Don’t you dare to hit the women! I won’t let you, damnation take you! You scoundrels!”

I think the meaning behind this book is certainly important. Therefore I'm wondering why it isn't that popular.

I belive that this book is quite straightforward for what it is trying to convey. Men don't get ruined they ruin while women get ruined, they don't ruin. I, of course don't mean everyone, I talk primarily about prostitution.

[...]the souls of ruined women were a mystery to him as before; but it was clear to him that the thing was far worse than could have been believed. If that sinful woman who had poisoned herself was called fallen, it was difficult to find a fitting name for all these who were dancing now to this tangle of sound and uttering long, loathsome sentences. They were not on the road to ruin, but ruined.

The quotation above, also highlights how most people don't concern themselves with the issue, but instead just ignore it, act like it doesn't exist. So many do this, to stay away from any issue, but Vassilyev acknowledges it, leading him to get a nervous breakdown, as he can't find an answer to the question, if prostitution is an evil or not.

The nervous breakdown is also well done. It made me feel uncomfortable and concerned, just like a bystander of a nervous breakdown probably would feel.
(view spoiler)[I also felt tense about the way Vassilyev said he would kill himself. And the scene he was pushed down the stairs of someone just randomly pressed their mustache on his cheek, probably implying a kiss. This book made me bond faster with a character than most 300> books could. (hide spoiler)]

The ending had a deep meaning too. The question of the story was supressed instead of answered. This is not far off from reality, as many people who suffer from an unanswered question try to ease the symptoms they get along with it. The question might haven't been answered, but that made a greater impact on the reader than answering it.

StoryGraph review + content warnings

Read: 11. November 2024 - 11. November 2024

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