Revisiting 'Rothschild's Fiddle'

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that before author Anton Chekhov pursued a career in writing, he was a practicing physician and writing was a way for him to express his feelings, opinions, and experiences. His medical practice helped him to bring a unique perspective to his work. The writer points out that Chekhov expressed many themes in his work, including poverty, tragedy, and pain, yet his work seems simple and clear. It allows the reader to come to his or her own conclusions about the material presented. In this essay the writer explores Chekhov's story "Rothschild's Fiddle," and compares the style with that of the contemporary short story writer Raymond Carver.

From the Paper:

"Another symbol is seen in the association Chekhov creates between Yakov and the violin and the orchestra. The violin represents the influence of music that soothes him and can change his emotion. Yakov uses the violin and fiddling to forget about the losses he's suffered. As a violin player, he is one of a group of music players. The orchestra stands for togetherness, a group of musicians that play a piece of music smoothly and beautifully by cooperating. TThe orchestra could also represent the town Yakov lives in, where everyone is expected to have common courtesy and respect for each other. In that orchestra or environment, Yakov sticks out like a sore thumb. He often becomes uncomfortable with the surroundings where is playing and feels hatred toward the Jews around him. Seeing Yakov so insecure and uncomfortable shows his inability to feel a part of society. He can't fit in. He cannot see things from the other person's perspective and does not care how others feel. He is alienated and lacks basic social skills."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bloom, Harold. Anton Chekhov (Modern Critical Views Series). New York:Chelsea House Publishers, 1999.
• Carver, Raymond. "Errand." Where I Am Coming From: New And Selected Stories. New York: Atlantic Monthly Pressm 1988, 381-391
• Chekhov, Anton. "Rothschild's Fiddle." Anton Chekhov's Short Stories (Norton Critical Edition). Matlaw (97-106).
• "Selections from Chekhov's Letters." Anton Chekhov's Short Stories (Norton Critical Edition). Matlaw (267-276).
• Matlaw, Ralph E. Anton Chekhov's Short Stories (Norton Critical Edition). New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1979.

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