Literary Elements in A Nincompoop Essay

A Nincompoop

In day-to-day life, there are often incidents or even common behaviors demonstrated by some that lead others to believe that the person is a nincompoop. Some of those who have been called a Nincompoop possess certain characteristics that a typical Nincompoop exhibits. However, the previous statement does not apply to Anton Chekhovs real nincompoop in the short story A Nincompoop. This short story deals with an employer teaching the governess of his children a lesson about asserting herself when others are trying to exploit or abuse her. Chekhov chooses one of his two characters, the governess, to convincingly mislead ones opinion about the real nincompoop, but surprisingly, it is the liberal and idealistic character, the employer, who truly embodies the nincompoop in this satire. The identity of the nincompoop can only be discovered through analyzing both characters backgrounds, reactions and way of thinking. Anton Chekhov uses imagery and satire to help convey the overall theme of the story.

In A Nincompoop, Chekhov implements imagery into the short story to transport the reader into the same room where the story takes place, which helps the reader understand the thoughts and feelings of the characters. For example, after the employer deducts several rubles for not working, Julia Vassilyevna "[flushes] a deep red" and says "not a word" (232). Although the employer's decisions may seem unfair, the girl keeps quiet in fear of the consequences for protesting. But the employer does not stop here; he continues to reduce her payment by coming up with bizarre excuses like making her pay for Kolya's torn jacket when he climbed a tree "due to [Julia's] neglect" (233). As the employer continues, "Julia's left eye [reddens] and [fills] with moisture," but again she says "not a word" (233). The reader can infer that Julia is extremely upset, but she cannot risk losing her job over arguing with the employer for one payment, so she must accept what it is. The employer continues with more excuses, such as paying for Vanya's stolen shoes "due to [her] heedlessness" (233). Finally, as the employer finishes his deductions, Julia's initial payment of 80 rubles is reduced to 11 rubles, and "both of her eyes [fill] with tears" (233). With each one of Julia's reactions to the employer's excuses for deducting part of her payment builds more sympathy for her, which ultimately contributes to the theme of the story.

Anton Chekhov also uses satire in his short story which helps to illustrate the theme of being assertive and standing up for oneself. Several times throughout the story, the employer uses an excuse not relating to Julia's work to subtract from her payment. For instance, he charges her 2 rubles for "[breaking] a teacup and saucer" even though it was an heirloom and cost more, but he "let it go" (233). In other words, the employer looks for any opportunity to ridicule the girl. Because Julia is helpless, the reader sympathizes for her. Also, towards the end it becomes questionable whether or not Julia is actually a nincompoop, or if she just acts like one as a survival technique so as to not lose her job when she "[smiles] crookedly" (234). If that is the case, then the employer is actually the nincompoop by using a cruel technique to teach a lesson.

Anton Chekhov utilizes the literary elements of imagery and satire to help understand the thoughts and feelings of the characters, generate sympathy for Julia, and inform the reader of the underlying message of the story.