Contents
The stories of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov cannot be confused with the stories of other authors – in them, he, first of all, focuses on the character traits of the characters and their surrounding life. With a set of seemingly inconspicuous features, the author managed to emphasize the features of the characters and draw attention to their inner world. In his stories, Chekhov raised a variety of topics, but he did not like to write about himself. Let’s find out together which Chekhov’s stories are the shortest, and read them with pleasure.
Chekhov said: “Brevity is the sister of talent,” and in this selection of stories we understand – indeed, to convey meaning and tell about something – there is no point in using long sentences.
10 Upstairs
In his stories, Chekhov always accurately exposes people, their true nature, positive and negative qualities. Many stories help readers to live in our complex world.
In the story “Up the Stairs” one problem is raised – in our time, the status of a person means quite a lot. If a person occupies a high position, then he is treated with respect. The reader will get acquainted with Dolbonosov – this is a person of high status, and Shchepotkin does not belong to the high rank with which Dolbonosov is used to communicating.
But when the reader finds out that Shchepotkin used to be a teacher with the Dolbonosov family, he will change his attitude towards him.
9. Business Cards
A short story by Chekhov in which he ridicules the bad habit of sending out his calling cards. By the way, business cards already existed in the XNUMXth century. The writer creates a whole gallery of funny names of “his” fictitious acquaintances. There is no unpredictable plot in this story, but, nevertheless, the meaning and humorous overtones in the story are embedded. It is possible that the story will want to read several times.
8. Dealer
The work of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov tells about a little boy who was born blind. But a person has other physiological perceptions – he is blind, but his other senses are very well developed.
The boy learned to play the piano and even, while still small, met his future wife. A happy fate did not bypass this boy, once a son with good eyesight was born to him.
7. About frailty
The story takes only two pages, but Chekhov laid a very deep thought in them. Counselor Semyon Petrovich sits down at the table, waiting for pancakes to be served. Shrovetide is celebrated in the house. A whole picture is spread out in front of adviser Podtykin: salmon, caviar, etc. Podtykin was already salivating, and he wanted to start eating as soon as possible …
Finally the cook appeared and Semyon Petrovich grabbed the hot pancakes from the very top of the plate, not being afraid to burn his fingers. He smeared them with butter, caviar, put salmon on top and wrapped pancakes. In anticipation, he brings them to his mouth, drinks vodka and suddenly he has an apoplexy. Chekhov makes it clear to the reader that everyone is equal before God – it doesn’t matter if you are poor or rich, death does not bypass anyone.
6. something serious
Chekhov’s story was written in 1885. What is he talking about? When asked about what the story is about, the best answer would be: “In view of the revision of the Code of Punishments, it would not hurt to add articles to it by the way …” It was first published in the journal Shards. A funny story that everyone should read.
5. Conversation between a drunk and a sober devil
In Chekhov’s story, the reader will get acquainted with such heroes as a devil with a difficult fate and a drunken official. The devil came to the official and began to complain about his life, including people. The Creation of Hell says that before people could be easily led away from the right path, and they could easily be deceived, but now they have become such that they themselves will be deceived! The official Lakhmatov liked the devil, he even decided to keep him, but in the morning the devil disappeared.
4. stupid frenchman
Chekhov was a doctor, so it is not surprising that in his short story “The Stupid Frenchman” he satirizes the topic of gluttony. The Frenchman is a circus clown, he goes to have breakfast in a tavern, he usually eats very little, and this time is no exception.
At the next table, he sees a handsome gentleman who eats pancakes – one after another. Then he drinks vodka, then starts eating salmon and then pancakes again! Chekhov’s story is suitable for reading for those who like to laugh.
3. Summer residents
The story was written in 1885. The story of two newlyweds – Sasha and Varya. They live outside the city, enjoy each other’s company, silence and loneliness, nature. But the newlyweds have a different concept of happiness: Varya does not pay attention to everyday moments, she likes to enjoy nature, landscapes and being near her loved one more.
Sasha is worried about everyday things: dinner, hot hands of his wife. Despite various bouts of happiness, the characters are happy. But one day guests come to them and their familiar world collapses …
2. Life in questions and exclamations
“Life in Questions and Exclamations” is a story written by Chekhov in his youth. The author describes in it the life stages of a person, starting from birth. The story is very realistic, the reader thinks: “But it is so”, holding the work of Anton Pavlovich in his hands.
When you read this story, life flashes before your eyes. If you do not go into details and briefly say what this story is about, it is about life. The author tried to describe life in all its manifestations.
1. Failure
Chekhov wrote the story “Failure” in 1886. It was published in a magazine called “Shards”, only it was then called differently: “It broke!”. In a small story, a whole tragic, but not devoid of irony story.
The work lies in the fact that the Peplov family expects to surprise the teacher Shchupkin, who declares his love for their daughter Natasha, a narcissistic girl.
The heroes of this tragicomedy are uneducated people, but they try to talk about serious things. Natasha’s parents love their daughter, but it seems they want to marry her off to just anyone. But it seems so only at first glance, because a teacher for them is a person of high status.