Sleepy (Short Story) by Anton Chekhov
“Sleepy” (Russian⁚ Спать хочется, romanized⁚ Spat khochetsya) is an 1888 short story by Anton Chekhov. It tells the tragic tale of Varka, a 13-year-old girl forced to work as a babysitter, who is deprived of sleep and ultimately resorts to a desperate act. The story explores themes of child labor, sleep deprivation, despair, and infanticide.
Introduction
Anton Chekhov’s “Sleepy,” originally published in 1888, is a poignant and unsettling short story that delves into the harsh realities of poverty and the devastating effects of sleep deprivation. The story, written in the span of a single day, paints a stark portrait of Varka, a young girl forced to work as a babysitter for a shoemaker’s family. Varka’s relentless struggle against exhaustion and the constant demands of her job drive her to a point of despair, showcasing the fragility of human resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Plot Summary
Varka, a 13-year-old girl, is tasked with tending to a crying baby throughout the night. She desperately fights to stay awake, knowing she’ll be punished for falling asleep. The constant noise and her own exhaustion lead to hallucinations and a growing sense of despair. Varka’s past traumas, including her father’s death and her mother’s begging for food, resurface in her delirious mind. As the night drags on, she becomes convinced that the baby is the source of her misery. In a moment of desperation, she strangles the infant, finding relief in the possibility of finally sleeping. The story ends with Varka, now free from the burden of the baby, falling into a deep and peaceful slumber.
Characters
The story focuses on a few key characters, each representing a different aspect of the story’s themes⁚
- Varka⁚ The 13-year-old girl forced to work as a babysitter. She is exhausted, desperate for sleep, and ultimately driven to a tragic act of violence. She represents the plight of child laborers and the devastating consequences of sleep deprivation.
- The Baby⁚ A symbol of the relentless demands of life and the source of Varka’s misery. The baby’s constant crying represents the unbearable weight of responsibility and the frustration of a life without escape.
- The Master and Mistress⁚ The unnamed employers of Varka. They are not directly present in the story but represent the forces of authority and oppression that contribute to Varka’s plight.
Varka
Varka, the central character of “Sleepy,” is a 13-year-old girl forced to work as a babysitter for a shoemaker’s family. She is depicted as a vulnerable and exhausted young girl, longing for sleep but constantly denied it by her responsibilities. The story reveals that she has endured a life of hardship, including the death of her father and her mother’s struggles to survive. The lack of sleep, combined with her traumatic past, leads to a mental breakdown, culminating in a desperate act of infanticide. Varka represents the tragic consequences of child labor and the devastating effects of sleep deprivation. She is a poignant example of how societal neglect and exploitation can lead to unimaginable acts of desperation.
The Baby
The baby in “Sleepy” is a symbol of Varka’s torment and the source of her unending exhaustion. The infant’s constant crying serves as a constant reminder of her responsibilities and the lack of rest she is forced to endure. The baby’s cries are described as hoarse and relentless, mirroring the girl’s own weary state. The child’s existence becomes a burden for Varka, representing the oppressive nature of her work and the lack of compassion shown towards her. The baby, in a sense, represents the societal forces that contribute to Varka’s misery and the inherent cruelty of the situation. The baby’s fate ultimately becomes intertwined with Varka’s desperation, leading to a tragic and disturbing climax.
The Master and Mistress
The master and mistress in “Sleepy” are presented as callous and unsympathetic figures, representing the exploitative nature of the society in which Varka exists. They are never explicitly named or described in detail, but their presence is felt through their harsh treatment of Varka and their disregard for her well-being. The master and mistress demand constant vigilance from Varka, punishing her severely for any lapse in her duties. Their indifference towards Varka’s exhaustion and the toll it takes on her mental and physical health highlights the power imbalance and lack of compassion within their relationship. Their actions create a cycle of abuse and despair, ultimately contributing to the tragic events that unfold in the story.
Themes
“Sleepy” delves into a range of poignant themes that expose the harsh realities of life for the working class in late 19th-century Russia. The story poignantly portrays the devastating effects of sleep deprivation, highlighting how it can erode an individual’s mental and physical health, leading to hallucinations, despair, and ultimately, a desperate act. The theme of child labor is also central, as Varka’s forced labor, coupled with her relentless exhaustion, underscores the exploitation of children in a system that prioritizes profit over human well-being. Additionally, the story explores the themes of despair and loneliness, emphasizing how Varka’s isolation and lack of support contribute to her tragic fate. The underlying theme of infanticide, while controversial, reveals the depths of Varka’s despair and the desperate measures she takes to escape her suffering.
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a central theme in “Sleepy,” serving as a catalyst for Varka’s deteriorating mental and physical state. The story vividly portrays the relentless exhaustion that consumes Varka, who is denied even a moment of restful sleep. Chekhov uses graphic descriptions to illustrate the effects of sleep deprivation, including Varka’s heavy eyelids, drooping head, and aching neck; He further emphasizes the psychological toll through her vivid hallucinations, suggesting that prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to a distorted perception of reality. The theme underscores the insidious nature of sleep deprivation and its capacity to push an individual to the brink of desperation.
Child Labor
The story’s exploration of child labor is stark and uncompromising. Varka, a young girl of only 13, is forced to work as a babysitter, enduring grueling hours and harsh conditions. Her employers, the Master and Mistress, are shown to be indifferent to her well-being, demanding her constant attention and punishing her for any sign of fatigue. Chekhov’s portrayal of Varka’s circumstances highlights the exploitation and hardship faced by children in the workforce during this era. The story serves as a powerful indictment of the inhumane conditions that were often imposed on children in the pursuit of profit, exposing the vulnerability and suffering they endured.
Despair and Loneliness
Varka’s existence is marked by a profound sense of despair and loneliness. She is a young girl thrust into a harsh and unforgiving world, deprived of any solace or companionship. Her work as a babysitter isolates her, forcing her to endure endless nights of sleep deprivation and the constant cries of the infant. She is haunted by the memories of her deceased father and her mother’s struggle for survival, further amplifying her sense of isolation and hopelessness. The story captures the crushing weight of poverty and the bleakness of her existence, highlighting the psychological toll that relentless hardship can take on a young, vulnerable individual.
Infanticide
The climax of “Sleepy” is a shocking act of infanticide, where Varka, driven to the brink by exhaustion and desperation, suffocates the baby. Chekhov’s portrayal of this act is stark and unflinching, highlighting the desperation and despair that can lead to such a horrific act. While not explicitly condoning Varka’s actions, Chekhov explores the complex psychological state of a young girl trapped in a cycle of misery and deprived of any hope for a better future. The story raises questions about the nature of evil and the human capacity for violence when faced with overwhelming hardship and despair.
Style and Tone
Chekhov’s “Sleepy” is written in a realistic style, employing simple language and a straightforward narrative. The story is devoid of embellishment or melodrama, focusing on the harsh realities of Varka’s life. Despite the bleak subject matter, Chekhov’s tone is tinged with a sense of pity and empathy for Varka’s plight. He avoids judgmental language, instead focusing on the psychological torment and physical exhaustion she endures. A subtle dark humor underscores the story, highlighting the absurdity of Varka’s situation and the tragic irony of her fate. This blend of realism, pity, and dark humor creates a powerful and unsettling reading experience.
Realism
Chekhov’s “Sleepy” exemplifies his commitment to realism. The story unfolds in a mundane setting, a cramped room with a cradle, a green lamp, and a string of baby clothes. The details are sparse, yet they effectively convey the poverty and harshness of Varka’s existence. Chekhov avoids romanticizing or idealizing Varka’s situation, presenting a stark and unflinching portrait of her physical and emotional exhaustion. The story’s focus on the quotidian details of Varka’s life, her constant struggle to stay awake, and the relentless cries of the baby, underscores the brutal reality of child labor and the desperation it can breed; This emphasis on realistic details adds to the story’s impact and lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page.
Pity and Empathy
Chekhov masterfully evokes pity and empathy for Varka, the young girl burdened with the responsibility of caring for the baby. The reader witnesses firsthand her desperate attempts to fight off sleep, her aching neck, and her heavy eyelids. Her constant struggle is palpable, and the reader shares her frustration with the baby’s relentless crying. The story reveals Varka’s past hardships – the death of her father and her mother’s begging – heightening our understanding of her vulnerable position and the immense pressure she faces. Chekhov’s portrayal of Varka’s plight, devoid of judgment, elicits a profound sense of compassion and understanding for a young girl trapped in a cruel and unforgiving world.
Dark Humor
While “Sleepy” explores serious themes of child labor and desperation, Chekhov subtly infuses the story with dark humor. The contrast between Varka’s desperate attempts to stay awake and the relentless crying of the baby creates a darkly comedic tension. The absurdity of the situation, where a young girl is forced to fight sleep against a seemingly endless chorus of cries, adds a layer of irony to the narrative. The image of Varka’s hallucination, where she sees people with satchels on their backs, further emphasizes the surreal and almost comical nature of her sleep-deprived state. This dark humor, while not explicitly comical, serves to highlight the tragic absurdity of Varka’s circumstances and the brutal reality of her life.
Critical Reception
“Sleepy” has received mixed critical reception. Some critics have praised Chekhov’s masterful portrayal of Varka’s psychological descent into madness, highlighting the story’s unflinching depiction of the harsh realities of poverty and child labor. They applaud the author’s use of symbolism, particularly the persistent crying of the baby, which represents the relentless burden of Varka’s existence. Others have criticized the story’s bleakness, arguing that it lacks a sense of hope or redemption. They suggest that the ending, where Varka strangles the baby and finds peace in sleep, is too brutal and leaves the reader feeling emotionally drained. Nevertheless, “Sleepy” is widely recognized as a powerful and unsettling exploration of human desperation and the destructive consequences of social inequality.
Adaptations and Influences
“Sleepy” has been adapted for various mediums, including stage plays and films. In 1953, Tatyana Shishmaryova Muratova created an illustration for the story, capturing the essence of Varka’s weariness and the oppressive atmosphere of the room. The story’s impact is evident in the works of other writers, particularly Katherine Mansfield, whose short story “The Child-Who-Was-Tired” shares a similar thematic focus on the suffering of children and the emotional toll of deprivation. “Sleepy” has also been cited as an influence on modern literature, particularly in its exploration of the psychological effects of trauma and the complexities of human nature. While not as widely adapted as some of Chekhov’s other works, “Sleepy” continues to resonate with readers, prompting reflection on the enduring themes of poverty, labor, and the fragility of human resilience.
“Sleepy” stands as a powerful testament to Chekhov’s mastery of the short story form. The story’s stark simplicity and its unflinching portrayal of human suffering leave a lasting impression on the reader. Through Varka’s tragic fate, Chekhov exposes the harsh realities of poverty, child labor, and the devastating effects of sleep deprivation. The story’s ending, while shocking, underscores the desperation that can drive individuals to make desperate choices. “Sleepy” serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, hope and resilience can be found. Its enduring relevance speaks to the timeless nature of Chekhov’s writing, which continues to resonate with audiences across generations.