Personal (July)

“It’s personal” is an admission you make to fend off discussion about religion, love life, latest argument. Reading Chekhov’s notebook again this July, you’d be pushed to find anything personal about Chekhov. “As I lie in the grave alone, so in fact I live alone,” might be a passing thought, but more likely one he’s saving up for a character. Some entries are entire comic plays in miniature. “Treat your dismissal as you would an atmospheric phenomenon.” “All that procedure.” “The more refined the more unhappy.” He saves up names: “Rosalie Ossipovna Aromat.” “Kapiton Ivanovitch Boil.” “Miss Guitarov (actress).”