Blog Post #3

In the short story “Gooseberries”, the author, Anton Chekhov, addresses the idea of happiness. The main character, Ivan Ivanich, tells his two friends a story about his brother. Through this, the author brings out some interesting ideas. The storyteller argues that happiness isn’t- or rather shouldn’t be- the greatest goal in life. He cries out for people to believe in a greater purpose, and seek to do good, even perhaps at the cost of their own superficial peace or happiness. He recognized that happiness and perfect peace are not something that can be completely or fully attained in this life, and that there will always be unrest or brokenness somewhere. Which is why we must do good.