In The Bet, by Anton Chekhov, extensive uses of conflict paired with detailed descriptions of characters' emotions are essential in the delivery of a powerful theme. Chekhov's use of man versus man is important in setting up the main theme throughout the story. The first conflict gives the reader an inside expository idea of the basis of the story. Man versus man, in this case, the lawyer versus the banker, is the introductory conflict, which is later resolved at the end of the story. The story begins with a heated debate on capital punishment versus life imprisonment. "It's a lie, I bet you two millions you wouldn't stick in a cell for five years.. If you mean it seriously I bet I'll stay not five by fifteen years". The banker and the lawyer enter to a bet agreement as a result of their unresolved conflict in the debate on capital punishment versus life imprisonment.
             During the imprisonment, the conflicts of the lawyer is the main focus in the story. Man versus environment plays a crucial role of setting up the climate of self-discovery and realization, which leads the reader to several main themes, such as intellectual gain versus materialism. "During the first year of imprisonment, the lawyer as far as it was possible to judge from his short notes, suffered terribly from loneliness and boredom." "More than once he was heard to weep" The lawyer is bored and is reduced to nothing more than a worthless person. The banker also struggles with his environment. "Fifteen years before he had too many millions to count but now he was afraid to ask himself what he had more of money or debts." The banker's obsession for money proves to be the cause of his failure as he slowly loses everything he has to the stock exchange, and bad business virtues.
             Another conflict Chekhov uses to further relay his theme is man versus himself, which allows the reader to id
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