A Hard Struggle

The topic of women’s education in Russia in the 19th century. What difficulties did Olga—the heroine of the novella “A Difficult Struggle”—have to overcome in order to get an education and become a doctor.

“Which one of them do you think you should start educating?” she again looked around Olya and Petya with a smile.

“Of course little Petya, if you would be so kind,” hurriedly answered Marya Osipovna: “He’s a boy—education is more necessary for him!”

“Mom,” she said, speaking in a troubled voice—“why don’t you want me to go to the gymnasium? After all, Petya is younger than me and knows less, and I really want to study.” There was plenty for her to cry about and be angry about. Again, in caring for her brother, they forgot about her; they preferred someone else—less capable, weaker—and they preferred him because he was a boy, and she had the misfortune to be born a girl.

The book was written in 1889.