Theme of Adversity in The Ninny by Anton Chekhov

In almost every story, we see how characters change and get affected by adversity.  Some readers might get confused when they hear the word “adversity,” some don’t even know what the word means. Some individuals might get the word “adversity” mixed up with “diversity,” however, the two words are nothing alike. Adversity simply means difficulties and misfortune, so when an individual's topic is “how can adversity shape a character's identity,” it simply asks how one's misfortune or difficulties shapes their character's identity later on in the text.  If you thoroughly view a story like Anton Chekhov’s, “The Ninny,” most individuals will notice how adversity affected this story in a few major ways. For example, adversity was used when the governess and the employer were having their discussion. The governess was simply facing adversity due to her being cheated and tricked by the employer. The adversity the employer faced is what mainly led up to the climax of the story. He was affected by Yulia’s actions and emotions which led to him revealing his true identity. If adversity didn’t have a role in this specific story, it would have been a whole different story due to it affecting how the story flows and how it affects some major parts of the story.

Throughout many stories, one will discover how big of role adversity is played during a story. In “The Ninny,” the author focuses on how one should speak up for themselves during tough situations and shows the amount of power and control the employer holds. However, some individuals don’t notice how adversity was played throughout it. During the story, specifically, the part where the main protagonist invites his children's governess over to settle his account with her; he first questions the governess if their agreed payment was 30 rubles per month. The governess corrected the employer to 40 rubles per month, yet was quickly denied due to the employer taking note of it. Shortly after, the employer starts deducting the governess’s off days, sick days, including holidays. While the employer was stating even more deductions, he suddenly mentions some alleged actions that Yulia said she didn’t do or cause. For instance, the employer states that the governess allegedly broke a cup, tore his son’s jacket when he was climbing a tree, along with having a maid running off with one of his daughter’s boots, which had nothing to do with Yulia at all. Most individuals can notice how after each deduction, Yulia starts to show small signs of frustration, along with signs of wanting to say words, yet decides to stay quiet before stating her opposing side. The main idea of that specific part of the text, addresses how the main conflict was introduced, while also foreshadowing how the story was going to continue. The governess faced adversity due to her being manipulated, mistreated, unexpectedly getting her money cheated and taken away from her, while also having to stay quiet while fighting the urge to complain. 

After all the deductions the employer had made, he finally settles the total amount to 11 rubles out of the agreed 80. He gave them to Yulia while her fingers were trembling. She goes on to say “merci.” after accepting her rubles. The Employer suddenly jumps and becomes furious. “Why did you say “Merci?” he asked. Yulia explains how the other places she worked at gave her nothing and says how she was thankful for the money. The employer then reveals his true identity and intentions to Yulia. He reveals how he truly wanted to trick Yulia into speaking up, which she failed to do. The employer then gives Yulia her 80 rubles and sends her off: Individuals can notice how it was adversity that led to the employer revealing his true intentions. The adversity the employer faced is also what led up to the climax of the story. For instance, adversity was used as a tool, which built the main structure and theme for the story. Without it, there would have been a major difference due to adversity playing a part in Yulia’s emotions and actions, without those feelings playing a part in the story, the employer of had burst out into anger, which would have changed the whole story, including its theme, situations, and the emotions and actions both the characters have shown.