Monday, June 15, 2015

Identifiy three examples of indirect characterization used to portray Sasha in "A Problem" by Anton Chekhov.

I have assumed this question is refering to the short
story, "A Problem." I have edited your question to indicate this. Let us just remind
ourselves that indirect characterisation is when we are given some clues about a
character and their traits but we are told this information indirectly, through things
they do or say or what others say about them. Note Sasha's response as he hears his
family debate his future so vigorously:


readability="9">

Sasha Uskov sat at the door and listened. He felt
neither terror, shame, nor depression, but only weariness and inward
emptiness.



Note the way that
this quote identifies Sasha's feelings of detachment and his apathy. He doesn't care
about his future and has no emotional involvement in what is going to happen to
him.


Note what he says in response to what he
hears:



"If
Siberia, then let it be Siberia, damn it
all!"



Again, his lack of
investment in what happens to him and where he might be sent reinforces his general
sense of pessimism and how superemely indifferent he is abotu his
future.


However, it is clear that he is not that detached,
for he still cares enough about his name to desire to defend himself from false
charges:


readability="10">

Sasha was indifferent, and was only disturbed by
one circumstance; on the other side of the door they were calling him a scoundrel and a
criminal. Every minute he was on the point of jumping up, bursting into the study and
shouting in answer to the detestable metallic voice of the Colonel: "You are
lying!"



This clearly does
indicate that, as apathetic and detached as Sasha feels, his name and reputation is
still important to him, as it provokes anger in him when he is slandered and a desire to
defend himself.

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