The Lottery Ticket by Anton Chekhov: SparkNotes in Jili777

Summary of The Lottery Ticket

In “The Lottery Ticket,” Chekhov tells the story of a middle‑class couple, Ivan Dmitritch and his wife Masha, whose lives take a brief, transformative turn when they learn that the series number on their lottery ticket matches the one published in the newspaper. This discovery sparks an immediate and powerful surge of hope and fantasy about the possibilities of sudden wealth.

Key Plot Points:

• The Discovery:
  Ivan casually reads the newspaper and notices that their lottery ticket’s series number appears among the winners. Although he doesn’t check the final digit immediately, the mere possibility of a win triggers an avalanche of daydreams.

• The Dreaming:
  Almost instantly, both Ivan and Masha begin to imagine how their lives would change if they won the substantial sum. Their fantasies include buying an estate, paying off debts, traveling, and enjoying a life of luxury—each envisioning a transformed, happier existence.

• Uncovering Hidden Desires:
  As the couple’s dreams grow, the veneer of contentment in their everyday lives starts to crack. Their thoughts reveal underlying greed, selfishness, and even mutual suspicion. Ivan, in particular, begins to resent not only the idea of a new life but also the changes in his feelings towards his wife.

• The Sudden Collapse:
  The moment of climax comes when Ivan finally checks the complete lottery number and discovers that it does not match. In an instant, the high hopes and the newly kindled desires vanish, leaving behind disappointment and a return to their previous state of discontent—exacerbated by the brief, corrosive taste of greed.

Themes & Analysis:

• The Corrosive Power of Greed:
  Chekhov illustrates how the mere possibility of wealth can corrupt one’s inner life. The couple’s brief encounter with the fantasy of affluence reveals latent insecurities and selfishness that were otherwise hidden in their ordinary existence.

• The Illusion of Happiness Through Wealth:
  The story underscores the idea that the promise of money is seductive and can lead people to imagine a perfect life, even though such dreams are often built on fragile foundations.

• Transformation and Disillusionment:
  The fleeting nature of their hope—the rapid transition from elation to disappointment—mirrors the ephemeral quality of human contentment when it’s based on external, materialistic aspirations rather than genuine fulfillment.

Characters:

• Ivan Dmitritch:
  Initially a content, if unremarkable, middle‑class man, Ivan’s momentary foray into grand daydreams exposes his deep-seated dissatisfaction and foreshadows the potential for personal transformation (and internal conflict) that wealth might bring.

• Masha:
  While sharing in the excitement, Masha’s internal reflections also hint at a desire for escape and improvement, setting up a dynamic where both partners, despite their shared dreams, harbor individualistic and self‐centered aspirations.