Chekhov: "The lady with the Dog". Study Guide.

    Part I
  1. What is Gurov's opinion of his wife?
  2. What specifically does Gurov think of women in General?
  3. How does Gurov relate to men vs women in general?
  4. How do Anna and Gurov meet?
  5. What do you think is the meaning of "vacation romance", why does it happen, and to what sort of people does it happen?
    6. Part II
  6. In the paragraph that starts with "Thre room was close..." Gurov describes the types of women with whom he had relationships previously. What sort of women were they? How is Anna different from them?
  7. What is Anna's relationship with her husband like? Why is she unhappy? Why is she remorseful?
    8. Do you think that by the end of Part II Gurov has fallen in loive with Anna?
  8. Read the last paragraph in Part II. Why is he remorseful?
  9. Gurov thinks he has deceived Anna. How so?
  10. Do you think the age difference plays any role in the attraction between Gurov and Anna. How?
    11. Part III
  11. Back in Moscw Gurov can't seem to forget Anna. What sort of memoreise of their relationship still stick with him?
  12. Gurov can't seem to explain his feelings to himself. He asks himself if perhaps he had been in love. Why do you think he asks this? Why doesn't he know?
  13. Notice some of the examples of instances when he doesn't see much joy in his life in Moscow. What are they?
  14. What does he find wrong with his wife, what things did he used to enjoy, but no more?
  15. Describe his attitude toward his children.
  16. Gurov decides to go visit Anna. Think about this question. What do you think he is trying to accomplish by meeting with her again?
  17. Describe Gurov's specific emotions when he sees Anna in the theater.
  18. Describe Anna's emotions. What is the conflict in her emotions
    19. Part IV
  19. Anna goes to see Gurov in Moscow once every two or three months, and the excuse she gives her husband is that she is going to a doctor. The narrator says that he husband "believed her, and did not believe her". Why, do you think?
  20. On page 1534 in the paragrpah that starts with "He explained this, too." Gurov describes in great detail his "secret" life and his "open" life. How are they different, from his point of view? Which is more real, and why?
  21. In the last paragraph he makes a point that "personal privacy should be respected." Why, specifically?
  22. Why, specifically is Anna crying as she stands by the window with her back towards Gurov?
  23. Read the paragprah on page 1535 that starts with "His hair was already beginning to turn gray." This is probably the deepests self observation that Gurov has experienced. Describe how he sees himself, especially the changes that have taken place in him.
  24. At the end of part IV Anna and Gurov try to think of a plan to make their relationship work. And this is where Chekhov ends the story. He provides no resolution, "the most complicated part was only just beginning." Try to imagine what might have happened in their relationship.