ENGLISH (Outline)

Characterization and Symbolism

Both characters the lawyer and the banker are both dynamic.

They both change for the better because they have realized the value of life.
In the beginning they both have much pride in them while in the end they both are guilty
of having the bet.

The letter symbolizes the value of life that both characters realized.
The lawyer, during the 15 years in jail, read books and played musical instruments. He
realized that he didn’t need money and also appreciated life.
The banker read the letter from the lawyer and he too realized the value of life. He kept
the letter in a fireproof case which would remind him of the value of life.

STORY:

The Value of Life

In the story of The Bet by Anton Chekov, both characters the banker and the
lawyer are both dynamic characters. They both realized the value of life and this value of
life is symbolized by the letter of the lawyer to the banker.

Characters in a story can either be static or dynamic. Static means that they
didn’t change throughout the story. Dynamic means that they changed as the story goes
on. In the beginning they both have much pride in proving to each other either capital
punishment or life imprisonment would be better for the state. This resulted to the bet
that both of them agreed. “It’s a lie! I bet you two millions you wouldn’t stick in a cell
even for five years.” (par. 7) says the banker. The banker was arrogant, he said that he
can bet 2 million if the lawyer would stay for 5 years in jail. The lawyer on the other
hand, was boastful as well. He told the banker that he won’t be in jail for 5 years but for
15 years. “If you mean it seriously,” replied the lawyer, “then I bet, but I’ll stay not five but
fifteen years,” says the lawyer.

As they both go on with their lives, the lawyer read books in his cell and
appreciated them. He appreciated wisdom. The banker, spent his money gambling in
the stock exchange. A few hours before the lawyer’s release, he wrote a long letter to
the banker. “... I despise freedom and life and death, and all that in your books is called
the blessings of the world...” (par. 38) “... You may be proud, wise and fine but death will
wipe you off the face of the earth...” (par. 38) The lawyer has now realized the value of
life. Through the books that he has read and the time that he has spent in that cell. The
value of life is symbolized in the letter. He renounced the two million and he, 5 hours
before the time he was supposed to be set free, broke out of his cell so he can say that
he was the one who broke the deal not the banker. The banker, now poor after his loss
on the stock exchange, reads the letter that the lawyer has written. Even though he has
lost money, he feels contempt for himself. “When the banker had read this, he laid the
page on the table, kissed the strange man on the head...” (par. 41) He was so happy
and he too has realized the value of life. “... And when he got home locked it up in the
fire-proof safe.” This would serve him a reminder of the lawyer and the value of life. He
would want to be reminded of the bet that change his life.

The story of the bet focuses on the value of life and how money and wisdom
wouldn’t even matter when a person faces death. The banker and the lawyer are
symbols of how people can change and realize the value of life.

COMPARISON WITH OEDIPUS; GREEK LITERATURE:

Oedipus physically lost his eyes but in reality, he has gained his value, his self-
worth. He realized that there’s more to living than just being rich and powerful. Just like
in the bet where the banker lost his money while the lawyer lost 15 years of his life. They
both realized the value of life and this value of life is much more than all the money or
wisdom in the world.