Introduction The narrative “The Lady with a Pet Dog” is a classic example of the influence that cultural diversity can have on the writing styles of writers. Joyce Carol Oats gives the story a modern approach from the feminine point of view with the United States as the place setting. On the other hand, Anton Chekhov gives the story a relatively older approach from a masculine point of view with Russia as the place setting. The narrative has been written by two different writers who are culturally different in various perspectives and the place setting can be said to be worlds apart. Furthermore, the two stories indicate cultural changes that have taken place over time especially with regard to gender because the two writers write in different time settings. The plot of the two narratives is the same and the plot is also built in a similar fashion, but as one reads the two stories one after the other differences in terms of perception, expression of events feelings and circumstances are significant. The two stories have differences with regard to culture, time, and place setting but the similarities outweigh the differences perhaps because of the similarity in the plot. Similarities The outstanding similarity of the narratives is the theme of love that is evident from the beginning to the end of the two stories. Chekhov’s narrative is told through Gurov who is an older married man who is currently bored by what he terms as illiteracy of his wife and lack of romance in their relationship. Gurov is described as a man who got married early in his youth without apparent knowledge of what marriage actually meant. Gurov, therefore, seeks romance from other women as we are told in the story that, “He had begun being faithful to her long ago.” (Chekhov 520) It is therefore evident that Gurov was looking for love elsewhere. Therefore, he never fails to spot a young classy woman who is also married walking in public alone and even gives her the nickname “The lady with a Pet Dog.” They later meet again in the public gardens and they begin a relationship that initially seems to be a harmless affair, but that emanates to passionate love filled with romance that each of them is unable to let go of. After the lady leaves Gurov is devastated and decides to pursue her in Moscow and after that, they begin their romantic escapades. Interestingly, Oats also names her main character Anna who in Chekhov’s story was the woman Gurov was having an affair with. In this case, it is Anna who in unusual circumstances meets a young man known to readers only as a stranger while she is on holiday; Gurov also met Anna while on Holiday. (Oats) Both narratives outline the way lust can often be confused with love. Both partners in Chekhov’s narrative and Oats’ narrative seem to complement each other providing the aspect that the other is lacking in their marriages. Gurov is in need of sexual satisfaction and being listened to by someone intelligent while Anna is in need of attention and affection and they conveniently complement one another. The two narratives seem similar and as if they are providing outlining similar aspects but from different points of view. In Chekhov’s story, it is Anna who feels most guilty about the relationship and constantly blames herself for it. For