The common theme of greed is shared among all three short stories by Anton Chekhov, Guy de Maupassant, and Leo Tolstoy. In “The Bet,” a man’s own greedy nature leads him to spend fifteen years in isolation. Similarly, in Maupassant’s “The False Gems,” a man becomes consumed by greed after discovering his wife’s infidelity. Lastly, Tolstoy’s “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” portrays a man who meets his demise due to his insatiable greed. These stories collectively emphasize the irresistible power of greed.
As a cautionary tale, “The Bet” demonstrates the inherent danger that arises from being driven by greed. The story begins at a dinner party where guests engage in a debate about the morality of capital punishment versus lifelong imprisonment. The host, who happens to be a banker, argues that capital punishment is more humane as it brings immediate death compared to the slow death caused by life imprisonment over time.
In accordance with Chekhov (1), the issue of which executioner demonstrates more compassion is raised: one who swiftly terminates a life or one who protracts it over numerous years. Nonetheless, during a dinner discourse, an attorney decidedly opposes this notion and declares, “Both capital punishment and lifelong incarceration are equally unethical. However, if compelled to select between them, I would opt for life imprisonment. Any form of existence surpasses none whatsoever” (1). This statement provokes an intense dispute from the financier, who vehemently challenges its legitimacy and proceeds to make a wager with the lawyer.
“I challenge you to endure five years of solitary confinement, and I’ll wager two million dollars on it,” (1) proposed the lawyer. Eager to appear superior, the banker elevated the bet to fifteen years in isolation. As time passed, the lawyer remained steadfast in his commitment. However, the banker faced dire financial circumstances, nearing bankruptcy. Realizing that settling the two million dollars would leave him destitute, he devised a sinister plan to eliminate the lawyer and evade payment.
On the night before the predetermined fifteen-year period elapsed, the banker made his way into the lawyer’s quarters, where he stumbled upon a letter expressing the lawyer’s refusal to accept the money. This narrative serves as a testament to the lengths individuals would go to evade potential consequences. The banker was prepared to take the life of his own companion in order to avoid fulfilling the wager he had agreed upon. Both characters displayed greed in this story. The lawyer willingly sacrificed fifteen years of his existence for two million dollars and sought to outdo the banker by extending the timeframe to fifteen years instead of five.
The theme of greed is prominent in the text as the banker exhibits his avarice by allowing his friend to sacrifice fifteen years of his life to prove a point. Furthermore, he reveals his greed when he plots to murder him upon realizing he lacks sufficient funds to pay the lawyer. Instead of accepting accountability for his actions, he is willing to take another person’s life. The short story “The False Gems” depicts a man who faces a life-altering decision. It commences with the portrayal of a woman who is desired by all men. The narrative states, “The young girl perfectly embodies the virtuous woman whom every sensible young man dreams of entrusting their happiness.”
Her simple beauty had the charm of angelic modesty, with a constant subtle smile that seemed to reflect her pure and lovely soul. She received praises from everyone. (Maupassant, 1) The narrator also notes her love for theater and annoyance with jewelry. She would always bring home jewels that her husband believed to be cheap, as everyone knew they couldn’t afford real ones. The woman’s eventual death leaves her husband in deep sorrow, questioning how she was able to afford such luxuries.
The man is puzzled by how his wife managed to afford expensive wine and rare delicacies, which he can no longer afford. He also wonders about the valuable jewelry she brought home. In hopes of making money, he takes the jewelry to a jeweler who offers to buy it for eighteen thousand francs after selling it for twenty thousand francs. This realization raises doubts about how his wife obtained such valuable possessions. Eventually, he concludes that her possession of these valuables can only be explained by her infidelity. As a result, he sells all of her jewelry for a sum of one hundred and forty-three thousand francs. Not only does he boast about his newfound wealth but also quits his job. Initially claiming a net worth of two hundred thousand francs to others, then three hundred thousand, and finally four hundred thousand. The story ends with him remarrying six months later to a woman who brings him immense sorrow.
The man became consumed by his greed, leading him to lose all of his money and then regain a substantial amount. This newfound wealth drove him to fabricate lies about his financial status. Additionally, he hastily married someone he did not genuinely love, merely six months following the death of his supposed beloved wife. Ultimately, in Tolstoy’s story “How Much Land Does a Man Need?”, the protagonist meets his demise as a result of his insatiable greed.
In the opening of the story, two sisters engage in a dispute over their respective lifestyles as a peasant and a person of higher social standing. One sister asserts, “I would not exchange my way of life for yours. Although we may live modestly, we are free from worry. While you may lead a more luxurious lifestyle, you often squander your excess and are likely to lose everything. As the saying goes, ‘Loss and gain are inseparable brothers.’ It is common for those who are wealthy today to beg for sustenance tomorrow. Our path is safer. Though a peasant’s life may not be abundant, it is enduring. We may never become affluent, but we will always have sufficient food.” (Tolstoy, 1). The other sister dismissively retorts, “Enough? Perhaps if you enjoy sharing your provisions with pigs and calves!”
Despite the peasant husband’s desire for elegance and manners, it seems unlikely that he will ever escape his current conditions. The devil overhears the argument and the husband’s comment about not becoming greedy if he had land. In response, the devil employs a lady to offer land to the man. The man encounters a prosperous Indian tribe who promises him as much land as he can traverse in a single day, provided he returns to his original starting point. Tragically, the man fails to return and meets his demise.
The concluding quote in the narrative states, “His servant picked up the spade and dug a grave long enough for Pahom to lie in, and buried him in it. Six feet from his head to his heels was all he needed.” (9) This tale illustrates how a person will go as far as dying for something they desire but do not truly require. Succumbing to greed, the protagonist believed he could accumulate vast amounts of land. However, he ultimately perished despite already possessing everything necessary. All the aforementioned anecdotes demonstrate the harmful repercussions of greed. It can be perilous even when undetectable. While one may strive to evade it, resistance is futile.
