Medviedenko 1

I reread the play this weekend and I realize that I was getting held up with the question of why Medvedenko keeps perusing Masha day after day (specifically walking four miles each way to see her regardless of the weather) when she appears to mistreat him so harshly. It does not really seem like she has any other suitors or love interests besides her apparently unrealistic, unreciprocated feelings for Konstantine. Being that she lives in this relatively small and remote country community whose richest citizens spend at least half if not most of the year living in the city, I thought that she might be more flattered/interested in Medvedenkos affection. But then I began to realize that because of his semi dead end job and the dependents that he has already (his family), Masha probably realizes that he is not the man that could sweep her off of her feet and give her the life she fantasizes about. He does not seem to be the most strong or confident man around, and compared to other males in the play he appears fairly unsure of himself which manifests in his need to be quiet and not contribute to the conversation a lot of the time. He feels insignificant around others and shows signs of self-pity. These qualities are not necessarily the most attractive attribute that a man could show when courting a woman. He reminds me of a love sick puppy who gets beaten but keeps coming back for more. He is unrelenting to the extent that his attempts can come off sad and pathetic at times. But ultimately, all of his efforts seem to come back to his infatuation with Masha and his determination to win her. He wants nothing more than her respect even though he seems to get very little of it. He is dying to start a family even if he does not really have the means. He is lonely. I included some images that I found which have helped me capture the tone of Medvedenko and how he interacts with others. Some of them are a little abstract, but I connect with them strongly.
-Nicholas Bonnar