Who in childhood did not dream of becoming a fearless and valiant traveler, a pioneer, so that later he could proudly tell his family and friends about amazing but certainly dangerous adventures, about the discovery of new tribes, about the secrets of ancient civilizations ... The wind of wanderings, as a rule, originates from tattered pages of your favorite books, when together with the legendary heroes of Main Reid, Fenimore Cooper, Stevenson and Jules Verne we easily cross the oceans, wade through impenetrable jungle thickets, do not give up under the onslaught of cold se faithful winds, and even the scorching sun of the desert does not care for us ... The story "Boys" (Chekhov), a brief summary of which follows, tells exactly about such a period in youth. There is too little knowledge in the head. A sad, but much-needed experience in life has not yet knocked on the door. And the heart, not restrained by anything, not burdened, careless, proud and free, easily rushes, without looking back, only forward. Forward - to meet the dream. Moreover, the easier the “mental baggage”, the grander the plans for the conquest of the world ...
Summary of the story "Boys" (Chekhov A.P.)
Voices were heard in the courtyard: “Volodya has arrived! Volodichka has arrived! ” It is with these enthusiastic cries that the story begins, and with it our short summary of Chekhov's “Boys”. The good “clucking” of the mother, the aunts, the screeching and clattering of the younger sisters, the gentle grunts of the father and at the same time the incessant roar of the bass of the huge black dog Milord - everything merged into one continuous jubilant sound that did not subside for a good two minutes. When the first, strongest and most vivid outburst of joy passed, the Korolev family drew attention to the little man standing motionless in the corner. It was Chechevitsyn - the best friend of Volodichka, a second-grade student who came to stay with his friend on vacation.
First day at home
A little later, the whole family sat with the guest to drink tea. There was an unhurried conversation, during which the girls, Katya, Sonya and Masha, did not take their eyes off the new acquaintance. Unlike their puffy and pale brother, Chechevitsyn was thin, dark, and generally ugly. If it weren’t for the schoolboy’s costume, then in appearance he could be mistaken for the son of a simple cook. It is interesting to note that during the whole story, the author constantly contrasts the two main characters through the portrait characteristics of the boys and their manner of communication. Chechevitsyn is an evil boy? Chekhov (a brief summary of the work follows) wanted to say differently - about how the foundations, values, inclinations inherent in us from childhood and the character that has already developed by this time influence and determine our destiny.
During the tea party, Chechevitsyn was silent more and more, was gloomy and never smiled. The girls noticed that their brother, usually very cheerful, open and talkative, this time was gloomy, without mood, spoke little, reluctantly, and most importantly - did not even take part in traditional gatherings with the manufacture of colored paper fringe for Christmas Christmas trees. Together with Chechevitsyn, they sat down by the window, examined a map and mysteriously whispered about something. What is the matter with them? The sisters decided to find the answer at all costs to this painful and strange question ...
Oh what they learned!
We continue the summary of Chekhov's “Boys”. In the evening, before going to bed, when Volodya and Chechevitsyn went to bed, Katya and Sonya, sneaking, went to the bedroom door and overheard their conversation. It turns out that all their thoughts and feelings were focused on one thing - the organization of escape "somewhere to America." But for what? The plans were grandiose. They were going to get as much gold and ivory as possible, engage in an unequal battle with tigers and savages, possibly end up on the same level as sea pirates, drink gin instead of tea and eventually marry unseen beauties ... What would it take ? Nothing at all - “a gun, two knives, crackers, a magnifying glass for making fire, a compass and four rubles of money.” All points of the plan were once again agreed and approved. The campaign was planned for tomorrow. During such an exciting discussion, the family guest called himself “Montigomo Hawkclaw” and his best friend “my pale-faced brother”.
Summary: Chekhov's "Boys". Conclusion
On the eve of Christmas Eve Volodya was lowered into the water, ate nothing and spoke little.
In the evening, for no apparent reason, burst into tears, and before going to bed, embraced his father, mother and sisters, and held him for a long time. The girls understood what was the matter here, but decided not to tell their parents anything - how could such a solid event be disrupted ?! Early the next morning, at the most crucial moment, Volodya went back down. No, he didn’t get scared, he just couldn’t leave his mother and asked for a respite. How so? But what about America, incredible adventures, tigers, robbers? Chechevitsyn did not believe his ears. He shouted, growled like a lion, was determined and fearless, which, in the end, broke Volodya. He wiped away the tears, dressed and they hit the road.
The holiday was uneasy. They searched for boys all day and all night. Mom was crying. The officer came, and even wrote some kind of paper. Finally, the sled stopped at the porch: Volodya, Volodichka arrived! It turns out that the boys were detained in the city when they asked where gunpowder could be purchased ... Volodya rushed to his mother’s neck, cried for a long time and then lay with a towel soaked in vinegar on his forehead. And Chechevitsyna, still proud, arrogant and inaccessible, was taken away the next day by her mother. In parting, he did not say a word, only Katya made a memorable note in his notebook: “Montigomo Hawkclaw”.
Did the Korolev Chechevitsyn family remain as an evil boy? Chekhov (a summary of the work presented in this article) gives an ambiguous answer. Volodya's parents considered his friend the main instigator of all the troubles, and the girls this thin, freckled teenager seemed a real hero, decisive and unusual.
Once again, I want to remind you that Chekhov’s short summary “Boys” cannot convey all the subtlety and depth of feelings of the main characters, so reading the work is absolutely necessary.