The stories of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov cannot be confused with the stories of other authors - in them he primarily focuses on the character traits of the heroes and their surrounding life. Let's find out together which Chekhov’s shortest stories, and we’ll read them with pleasure.
Chekhov said: “Brevity is the sister of talent,” and in this collection of stories we understand - indeed, in order to convey meaning and tell about something - there is no need to use long sentences.
10. Upstairs
In his stories Chekhov always accurately exposes people, their true nature, positive and negative qualities. Many stories help readers live in our complex world.
In the story “Up the stairs” one problem is mentioned - in our time, the status of a person means quite a lot. If a person holds a high position, then he is respectfully treated. The reader will get acquainted with Dolbonosov - this is a person of high status, and Schepotkin does not belong to the high rank with which Dolbonosov is used to talking.
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 makes fun of the bad tradition of sending out his business cards. By the way, business cards already existed in the 19th century. The writer creates a whole gallery of funny surnames of "his" fictional acquaintances. There is no unpredictable plot in this story, but, nevertheless, the meaning and humorous subtext in the story is laid down. It is possible that the story will want to be 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 feelings 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 pass over this boy, once he had a son with good eyesight.
7. About frailty
The story takes only two pages, but Chekhov laid a very deep thought in them. Advisor Semyon Petrovich sits at the table, waiting for the presentation of pancakes. The carnival is celebrated in the house. A whole picture spreads out before adviser Podtykin: salmon, caviar, etc. Podtykin was already drooling, and he wanted to quickly start a meal ...
Finally a cook appeared and Semyon Petrovich grabbed hot pancakes from the very top of the plate, not afraid to burn his fingers. He coated them with butter, caviar, put salmon on top and wrapped pancakes. In anticipation, he brings them to his mouth, drinks vodka and suddenly he experiences an apoplexy blow. Chekhov makes it clear to the reader that everyone is equal before God - it does not matter whether you are poor or rich, death does not pass by anyone.
6. Something serious
Chekhov's story was written in 1885. What is he talking about? To the question of what the story says, the best answer would be: "In view of the revision of the Code of Punishment, it would not hurt to introduce articles into it ..." It was first published in the Fragments magazine. A joke story that everyone must read.
5. Conversation of a drunk with a sober devil
In the story of Chekhov, the reader will get acquainted with such heroes as the devil with a difficult fate and a drunk official. The devil came to the official and began to complain about his life, including people. The creation of hell tells us that before people could easily be led away from the right path, and they could be easily deceived, but now they have become such that they want to deceive anyone! The official liked Lakhmatov, he even decided to keep it, but only in the morning the devil disappeared.
4. Stupid Frenchman
Chekhov was a doctor, so it is not surprising that in his short story “Stupid Frenchman” he makes fun of such a topic as gluttony. The Frenchman is a circus clown, he comes to have breakfast in a tavern, usually he has very little, and this time is no exception.
At the next table, he sees a noble gentleman who is eating pancakes - one after another. Then he drinks vodka, then takes on salmon and again for pancakes! Chekhov's story is suitable for reading to those who like to laugh.
3. Summer residents
The story was written in 1885. The story of two newlyweds - Sasha and Var. They live outside the city, enjoy each other's company, silence and loneliness, nature. But the concept of happiness is different for newlyweds: Varya does not pay attention to everyday moments, she likes to enjoy nature, landscapes and being with her beloved one more.
Sasha is worried about everyday life: dinner, hot hands of his wife. Despite various attacks of happiness, the heroes are happy. But once 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 him the life stages of a person, starting from birth. The story is very realistic, the reader thinks: “But it is so”, holding in his hands the work of Anton Pavlovich.
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 under the name "Fragments", it was only then called in a different way: "Failed!" In a short story, a whole tragic, but not without irony story.
The work lies in the fact that the Peplov family is expected to take teacher Schupkin by surprise, which is explained in love by their daughter Natasha, a narcissistic girl.
The heroes of this tragicomedy are uneducated people, but they are trying to talk about serious things. Natasha’s parents love their daughter, but seem to want to marry her to anyone. But it seems only at first glance, because a teacher for them is a person with a high status.