Conflict in "The Joy" by Anton Chekhov

Question

Hi!

I have read the novel "The Joy" by Anton Chekhov, and I am trying to figure out the conflict in this novel. I am not sure, but I think the conflict is everyone's curiosity to know why the main character Mitia was so excited. But I am not really sure, so I wonder if someone can point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

For me, the "conflict" is more like dark irony. It centers around the fact that Mitya is happy and proud that he is in the newspaper. However, his parents fail to see any joy in their son almost getting killed by a horse--the topic of the news story. In other words, the conflict stems from the disagreement or mixed perceptions that Mitya and his parents have about the news story.