Gooseberries

Irony is a rhetorical technique that involves a contrast between what’s expected or intended and what actually occurs or is expressed. “Gooseberries” presents Nicholai’s “happy ending” as ironic. He seems content with everything he has. However, Chekhov implies that the opposite is happening. Nicholai never experiences true love or the interconnectedness of human relationship. He never appreciates the idyllic beauty and restorative power of nature as he could. Furthermore, by immersing himself in self-centered happiness at the expense of others, he ultimately loses the friendship and sympathy of his only remaining family, Ivan. Irony adds depth and complexity to the definition of happiness in “Gooseberries,” leaving the conclusions open to interpretation.

“Gooseberries” seems to highlight Ivan’s takeaway from his brother’s story: Happiness is only an illusion, and the true meaning of life should be connected to the welfare of society. However, Ivan can’t convince either of the other characters—Bourkin or Aliokhin—of that. As Ivan drones on and on with his philosophy, he loses his audience; Aliokhin and Bourkin only want “very much to go to bed” (Paragraph 50). The lack of resolution is open to interpretation.

Chekhov has no interest in establishing Ivan’s view as the authority. Instead, the author invites readers to question the underlying assumptions of Ivan’s views. Unlike the financially troubled Bourkin and Aliokhin, Ivan enjoys a respected social position and stable income as a veterinary surgeon. His rejection of materialistic happiness may thus be premised on his economic advantage in the first place.

However, Chekhov leaves Bourkin unable to sleep after hearing the story. This ending seems to subtly imply that Ivan’s narrative and call-to-action potentially had an impact. Overall, this literary device fulfills the rhetorical purpose of engaging readers more by encouraging them to ponder the story’s embedded meanings.