The theme of the âlittle manâ, which appeared in many of Chekhovâs short stories, was also touched on in the novel âMy Lifeâ. The main character, Misail Poloznev, a nobleman by birth, becomes a simple worker. In order to live the way he wants, he breaks with his father. He is opposed to lies and hypocrisy, namely they, in his opinion, reign among the intelligentsia. The quote of the old house painter Radish: âAphids eat grass, rust â iron, and lies â the soulâ. According to the protagonist, moral self-improvement of a person is directly related to physical labor, which he would like to make mandatory for everyone.