Reflective Essay on "The Student" by Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov’s “The Student” is a largely ambiguous tale from start to finish; the author avoids directly narrating the message that he aims to tell his readers. Instead, he leads us to it through illustrious but concise descriptions of his characters, which open doors to many possible layers of interpretation.

As Ivan tells the widows the story of Saint Peter, I could sense that it was not only a tale of betrayal, but that of human nature, of which betrayal is only a part of it. As humans, we are vulnerable to the mistakes we make. We can try to be as good as we want to be, but it would not change the fact that as humans, we are hopelessly flawed. I believe that this realization has led to Vasilisa crying because she could see herself in Peter’s lowest moments. Lukerya, meanwhile, would have been hit with the same sense of realization, but for different reasons as she is a victim of a system that has failed morality, in other words, a product of reality in which human nature reigns.

Earlier in the story Ivan mentions that he feels winds from the days of Ivan the Terrible, from which he feels that now is not so much different. He is adamant in his belief that it will remain more or less the same for thousands of years to come. Through his encounter, however, he learns as much from the widows as they do from him. He has found a reason to believe that hope exists in the life of a human. He has become as figuratively a student as he was literally.

“The Student” is unique in that it lacks a proper ending. After reading it, one can’t help but wonder if Chekhov has intended to comment on society as a whole. Maybe, through the open conclusion, he is implying that Ivan is only one of many students that will continue to contribute to the hope that he has realized exists in us. Maybe, those students, as imperfect as they are, will learn and evolve from each other, do the unthinkable, and eventually, make a lasting change to society.