The Man in the Iron Mask (World Literature Library)

Author: [Russian] Chekhov Ruyonggu Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The work begins with his daily life, depicting how he is inseparable from various "suits" in his life: carrying an umbrella on sunny days, plugging his ears with cotton, hiding his face behind a raised collar of his coat. If it were only this, it would be nothing more than eccentric and amusing, and he could be left to his own devices in a corner; yet it goes beyond that. He also wants to stuff his thoughts into a "suit," which is the decree and regulations of the Tsarist government suppressing people's freedom. He constantly shouts, "Don't cause any trouble!" If it were only this, he could be left to his own devices, and no one need pay him any mind. But the issue goes far beyond that. He also wants to use the "suit" to fit others' thoughts. Even more astonishing is that everyone is afraid of him. It is just such a strange and sly person who crushes everyone under his weight, controls the entire secondary school for fifteen years, and dominates the entire city, to the point where people are even afraid to speak loudly, write letters, or make friends. In short, people compromise and yield to this neurotic, perverse "suits" man, and it can be said that many are also forced, to varying degrees, to climb into the "suit." Here, the author poses a thought-provoking question to us. Berliozov is not a high-ranking official; he lacks prominent status and power. He is an ordinary secondary school teacher, a figure of no significance in life. In the author's portrayal, he is not an individual but a typical figure of the intellectual and social circles, a loyal defender of the old system, old order, and old ideas. People fear him because they are actually suffocated by the dark and corrupt political atmosphere. At that time in Russia, Alexander III ruled with terror, with detectives scattered throughout the land and a rampant culture of informing and framing. Indeed, there were many Berliozov-like figures in society. Through the character of Berliozov, the work directs its critical directly at the Tsarist autocracy that stifles all vitality. From an artistic perspective, the greatest feature of the novel is the extensive use of satire. First, the author uses exaggerated brushwork to paint a vivid caricature of Berliozov, making him appear incredibly pedantic and ridiculous. Additionally, he employs clever contrasts, creating a juxtaposition between his absurd thoughts and his solemn language, which is both amusing and laughable. Riding a bicycle, an ordinary activity, becomes extremely abnormal in his eyes. He solemnly condemns it: "If a teacher rides a bicycle, then students will have to walk on their heads." The work also subtly uses irony and rich subtext to mock Berliozov with extreme sharpness. The author writes, "He lies in his coffin, calm, pleasant, even happy," Look! This "suits" man dies and suddenly gains vitality! The author then points out that he "seems to secretly rejoice that he has finally managed to fit into a suit and will never have to come out again. Yes! His ideal has been realized." How sharp the satire is! The author implies that only a coffin is the right place for Berliozov, and it should also be the best for all "suits" men. The beginning and end of the novel cannot be overlooked. They are important parts of the work and serve to deepen the theme. The novel begins with a conversation between two hunting friends on a snowy night, who are originally chatting aimlessly. Unbeknownst to them, Berliozov's story sparks their reflections and deep thoughts. The light and tranquil beginning contrasts sharply with the somber atmosphere of Berliozov's story. Next, it introduces a description of a bright and serene moonlight, which again contrasts with Berliozov's story. Nature is peaceful and beautiful, while real life is dark and corrupt. On that night, Burchin and Ivan Ivanovich are lost in thought, contemplating the various "suits" in life. The work ends with Ivan Ivanovich no longer able to sleep, standing up, stepping outside, and lighting his pipe. Perhaps he thinks: "This cannot go on like this anymore!" The ending of the novel is thought-provoking. In "The Suits Man," Chekhov heavily employs artistic exaggeration, using the symbolic "suits" to highlight Berliozov's typical image as a timid and mediocre figure under the Tsarist police system in terms of appearance, daily habits, thought patterns, and even marriage. However, Berliozov's character also has a reactionary side, which is emphasized through Mafra. Mafra merely retreats into her shell, while Berliozov occasionally emerges from his suit to interfere in others' lives. Chekhov (1860–1904) was a great Russian realist critic of the late 19th century, a master of witty and sharp humor, a giant of short stories, and a renowned playwright. Born into a petty bourgeois family, Chekhov supported himself as a private tutor to complete his secondary education. In 1879, he entered Moscow University to study medicine and began practicing medicine and literary in 1884. His early works were mostly short stories, such as "The Fat Man and the Thin Man" (1883), "The Death of a Small Official" (1883), "Sufferings" (1886), and "Vanka" (1886), which depicted the misfortunes and weaknesses of the "little people," the miserable lives of the working class, and the vulgarity and squalor of the petty bourgeoisie. In works like "The" (1885) and "Sergeant Prishchepov" (1885), the author scourged the loyal servants of the autocratic regime and their tyrannical, cruel, and arbitrary behavior, revealing the reactionary spirit of the dark age. In 1890, after visiting the exile island of Sakhalin, where political prisoners were sent, he created works that addressed major social issues, such as "The Sixth Ward" (1892), which fiercely criticized the Tsarist autocratic regime. The novel deeply shook Lenin after he read it. "The House with a Attic" (1896) exposed the destruction of youth, talent, and happiness in the Russian Empire's society and satirized the futileist activities of the liberal local self-government associations. "The Peasants" (1897) realistically described the extreme poverty of peasants in the 1880s and 1890s, reflecting his concern and sympathy for their tragic fate. "In the Ravine" (1897) revealed the ruthless exploitation of wealthy peasants and reflected the penetration of capitalism into rural areas, indicating that the author included the depiction of class struggle in Russia in his creative themes. In "The Bride" (1903), he believed that the old system would inevitably perish and that a new life would eventually come! In his later years, Chekhov turned to playwriting, with major works such as "Ivanov" (1887), "The Seagull" (1896), "Uncle Vanya" (1896), "The Three Sisters" (1901), and "The Cherry Orchard" (1903), all of which subtly reflected the anxieties and pursuits of some petty bourgeois intellectuals before the 1905 Russian Revolution. His plays are rich in lyrical charm and rich subtext, leaving the audience with endless. The plots, though drawn from daily life, are simple, steady, and imbued with profound symbolic meaning. His novels are concise, simple, well-structured, vivid, humorous, and clear, with a musical rhythm and deep meaning. He excels at discovering typical figures and events in daily life, using humorous and amusing plots to create complete typical images, thereby reflecting the Russian society of that time. His masterpieces "The" and "The Suits Man" are exquisite and perfect works in the history of Russian literature. The former has become synonymous with those who are opportunistic and, while the latter symbolizes those who are conservative, timid, and afraid of change. With his outstanding talent for satire and humor, Chekhov added two immortal artistic figures to the gallery of world literature. His famous quote, "Brevity is the soul of wit," has also become an enduring motto for later writers. Chekhov held warm feelings for the Chinese people and once invited Gorky to visit China, though his wish was unfulfilled due to his prolonged illness. He passed away on July 15, 1904, due to the worsening of his pulmonary disease. Chekhov was a brilliant Russian novelist and playwright of the late 19th century. His novels are concise, vivid, humorous, clear, and profound. He excels at discovering typical figures and events in daily life, using humorous and amusing plots to create complete typical images, thereby reflecting the Russian society of that time. His masterpiece "The Suits Man" profoundly reveals the oppression and harm that society inflicts on human nature. Berliozov, the "suits" man, is both a victim of that dark society and a symbol of the dark environment that swallows all novelty. This is the most severe accusation Chekhov made against that predatory society.