Journeying Through the Teenage Heart

           Throughout the centuries, romance stories remain the most penned genre in Western literary history, but they are also the least varied in overall structure. Generally, a male will meet a female and they will fall in love, and after a few obstacles, remain in love. However, the acclaimed Russian author Anton Chekhov breaks through the familiar romantic mold to create a completely original plot line in his short story, “The Beauties.” In this poignant tale of young love, the teenage male narrator cannot help but praise the attractive appearance of two separate women, yet he does so not through verbalization, but observation. Therefore, through the use of characterization and symbols, Chekhov’s short story “The Beauties” creates a universal situation that addresses the anguish of attraction, in which young readers from across the globe are able to relate.  

             Curiously, Chekhov reveals little information about the narrator, though not without a purpose. Since the narrator remains nameless, this lack of identification provides the reader the opportunity to place his or herself in the situation and personalize this story as if it were his or her own. In addition, the development of the narrator’s personality occurs not through his actions or dialogue, but through his thoughts, especially regarding beautiful women, whom he notices in great detail. For example, upon first glance at a teenage Armenian girl, he felt “all at once as though a wind were blowing over my soul and blowing away all the impressions of the day.” From this single quotation, much is revealed about the narrator: his romantic disposition, sentimental nature, and poetical spirit. And yet, despite these strong feelings, he fails to act upon them, never even speaking to the source of his glorious praise, thus revealing a meek side to his personality. Moreover, this teenage beauty strikes his heart in a peculiar way - by causing “a sadness vague and undefined as a dream.” Thus, the author feels unworthy of her love and attention, and by keeping his true feelings hidden from the woman for which he feels such strong emotions, he is left to rot in his own dejection. Though the feeling of being bombarded by a great beauty is one which is quite specific, the reader is able to connect with the narrator and internalize every feeling described, showing Chekhov's skill as a story-teller.

          These emotions felt so vigorously by the narrator are documented throughout the short story with the use of symbolism. Four symbols occur throughout the text: birds, the sun, whips/bells, and guards. The narrator compares both women to a bird; they are beautiful to watch, yet unattainable. This, in turn, creates a sense of despondency not only in the author, but in all those around because the girls never take any notice of such flattering attention and merely flutter away. The sun stays connected to this concept of physical attractiveness because “every one of them thinks it terribly beautiful, but no one knows or can say in what its beauty lies.” Furthermore, the sun gains prominence by becoming the focal point of the setting wherever a gorgeous girl awaits to be noticed. Before the Armenian girl appears, the narrator feels “the burning sun beating on them,” and before the boy encounters the beautiful girl at the train station, he notices that “the sun had not yet quite vanished.” And just like a sunset, the beauty of a girl cannot be everlasting. As if the continual sun is not enough foreshadowing of the sights to be held by the youthful boy, then horse whips and station bells also serve that purpose. In the Armenian village, a Little Russian cracks a whip on his horses while the narrator stares in admiration of the young girl. Similarly, at the train station, after spotting the attractive young girl, bells sound as if to call the narrator into action before the chance is lost forever. A guard also appears at the train station, but for an opposite purpose. Just as his title suggests, this man is the protector of the narrator’s heart, discouraging his love by noting that to be in love with such a pretty girl would be a “‘calamity.”’ These symbols collectively compile contrasting feelings of confusion when one is attracted to another. Should one take a risk and talk to the other, or keep hold of the heart’s emotions inside because the other is impossible to attract?

           Together, the symbols and characterization help to establish the theme into one of appreciating beauty, but also acting on these feelings of attraction. Perhaps the greatest lesson to learn from Chekhov’s “The Beauties,” is that beauty can be found anywhere and everywhere, whether in a small village or on a train station, and one must learn to verbalize his or her emotions in order to avoid later sadness. Of course, the amount of hesitation one feels is determined by one’s personality. So, if someone is particularly extroverted, then he or she may have no problem conveying emotions to another. Yet even if one opts not to speak of such vulnerability, no one can escape the intense powers of attraction, or the incredible pull of love. It empowers, scares, and alters everything about one’s life, just as the narrator and so many young adults have experienced. "The Beauties" describes the passion of youthful infatuation, yet also shows the reality of how difficult it is to communicate this feeling with others. This will never change, no matter what the century or culture, making Chekhov’s “The Beauties” a timeless classic that any young adult would enjoy.