Dramatic
Yegor Semiónovitch was a skilful gardener, and what a wonderful garden he had. Fruit trees, bushes, magnificent flowers, and heady fragrances—that place was Paradise. Yegor Semiónovitch worked hard to maintain it and expected his workers to do the same. However, the reality had very little to do with his expectations. One day Kovrin found his old friend in a bad state of mind. The man couldn’t stop complaining about his workers. Stepka dared to tether the horse “to an apple tree” and the bark was “rubbed off in three places.” “He ought to be hanged” cried Yegor Semiónovitch. The irony of this situation is that nothing horrible has happened. Only one tree is a little bit damaged and this is all. Some people tend to be overdramatic. The funniest thing is that Yegor Semiónovitch’s fondness for throwing tantrums doesn’t help him at all.
Old Habits Die Hard
Kovrin hoped that fresh air and picturesque views of the countryside would help him to relax. Heavens knew, he needed some rest, otherwise, he would lose his sanity. However, even in the country, Kovrin continued to live “the same nervous and untranquil life” as he had lived in the town. He thought only about his work. Kovrin “read much, wrote much, studied Italian” and was as immersed in his studies as always. If by chance he slept in the daytime, he “could not sleep the following night.” The irony is that no matter how far away you run, you cannot run away from yourself. In Kovrin’s case, the countryside simply couldn’t help him. He enjoys his madness too much to give up on it.
Reassurance
Yegor Semiónovitch loved his gardens as much as he loved his daughter, maybe even more. However, that love of his didn’t bring him any joy and became his biggest burden. Day and night the man thought only of his precious gardens. What was more, Yegor Semiónovitch couldn’t stop thinking about the future of his garden. “I have left my heart behind me and am not myself,” he said. He even offered his daughter to Kovrin, for he believed that Kovrin wouldn’t abandon the place. The irony of this situation is that Yegor Semiónovitch forgets that nothing lasts forever. He wants to stop time, which is impossible.
