Essay Questions

What role do classes play in Yakov’s trades and life? ( in “Rothschild’s Fiddle”)

In the trade of making coffins, Yakov uses social classes ( which include peasants, working people, gentry, the women and children) to determine the kind of coffin to make. The ‘peasants and working people’ are put under one social class whereby the benchmark of measurement is Yakov himself. For the social class made up of the ‘gentry and woman’ iron foot rule is used in measuring the coffins. For the children, no measurements are made. In the trade of ‘playing the fiddle’, the main classes include the Jews and the Russians (Yakov is a Russian). Here, the amount Yakov makes is dependent on Moisey IIyitch Shakkes who is in charge of the Jews’ Ochestra. Yakov criticizes the hospital, specifically Maxim Nikolaitch for not cupping his wife because she is not poor. Although Anthon Chekov does not state whether the cupping is necessary, Yakov’s sentiments demonstrates that even healthcare services are influenced by social class. Additionally, the working of the class system is evident during Marfa’s burial. The main social classes that are present at her burial include: “peasants…old women, beggars, and a couple of crazy saints.” These categories of people are an indication of Marfa’s social class; she is a peasant that is why her funeral is symbol and economical.

What role do poverty, social class and gender play in Marfa’s experiences? ( in “Rothschild’s Fiddle”)

Marfa’s experiences, as a woman, most of which are adverse are largely shaped by the intersection of her social class ( of a peasant) and her sexuality. When Marfa falls ill, Yakov does not help her with household chores such as collecting water and cooking. Arguably, Yakov holds that the household chores are for women , so helping her can be unmanly. Yakov blames Marfa for the losses in his business even though she does not play any role in them. Yakov uses her as an object to displace his frustration with business .What is more after Marfia’s diagnosis , she is scared to rest and opts to hold the stove as a way to prevent her husband from criticizing her and blaming her for all the losses; this would not have been the case if it was Yakov who fell ill before Marfa as he is the man of the house and Marfa would respect him even when sick.

What does the tension in “A Work of Art” reveal about interpretations of a work of art? (“A Work of Art”)

Even though Sasha’s interpretation of the work of art is based on its artistic values, the perceptions of Dr. Koshelkov, lawyer Uhov and Shashkin (the comedian) are based on the moral values presented by the work of art; even though the work of art is a masterpiece, they cannot keep it with them because its moral effects could be adverse. The doctor, the lawyer and the comedian look for means to get rid of the work of art because of the subjectivity that is inherent in the interpretation of art works. Reactions of viewers towards a work of art vary from one person to another; not all can interpret the work of art as objectively as Sasha. Accordingly, the subjectivity may be used to draw conclusions about the owners of works of art and such conclusions cannot be guaranteed to be determinate and objective.