What Does The Queen Of Spades Represent

Herman is the protagonist in Poushkin’s “The Queen of Spades”. Unlike Emma Bovary, Herman seems to be quite levelheaded, when we are first introduced to his character. When asked why he doesn’t gamble, Herman responds, "Play interests me greatly, but I hardly care to sacrifice the necessaries of life for uncertain superfluities" (1)” At the dawn of a night spent observing a gambling party, Herman overhears the story about Tomsky’s grandmother, Countess Anna Fedorovna. The story explains that the countess knows a card trick, which guarantees three consecutive winning hands. At first, Herman believes that the story is fabricated. Then, we find out that Herman desires to meet Tomsky’s grandmother. The text says, “‘Ah,’ he thought, ‘if the old Countess would only reveal the secret to me. Why not try to win her good-will and appeal to her sympathy? With this idea in mind, he took up his daily station before the house, watching the pretty face at the window, and trusting to fate to bring about the desired acquaintance” (3). The pretty face at the window is not Countess Fedorovna. It is Lisaveta, a girl who lives with the countess. He devises a scheme, which includes manipulating Lisaveta. He pursues Lisaveta, until she agrees to an arranged meeting. Lisaveta is unwise to Herman’s actual agenda. She believes that he seeks her affections. As part of the arranged meeting, Herman hides in
Petersburg where he plans to win big. Greed is his only motivation, at this point. At the gambling club, Herman makes his first wager. When that cards are shown, Herman says, “‘The tray wins,’ showing the card he held — a tray” (7). Herman returns to the same gambling club, the next evening. He makes a second wager. The text says, “Herman then showed his card — a seven spot” (7). He wins, again. Herman returns to the same gambling club, the next evening. He makes his third and final