Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904) - the great Russian writer, classic of world literature. The author of more than three hundred literary works.
The humorous stories of A.P. Chekhov, which he created at the dawn of his career, are distinguished by their miniature and expressive images. The author strove for a brief, succinct presentation. Therefore, in these stories by A.P. Chekhov there are not a large number of characters. But they are collective images of any human vices or characteristic features inherent in certain sections of society. The heroes of the stories of A.P. Chekhov are very colorful.
"Chestnut"
For more than a hundred years this story has been enjoying the unchanging love of adults and children. The main character in the story of A.P. Chekhov is an animal, or rather a dog named Kashtanka. A lost lonely animal that yearns for its owners. It is noteworthy that from the owners Kashtanka knew only bullying. Once at the new owner - a circus artist, the dog begins a completely different life. Now she is well fed and not offended. In addition, Kashtanka shows artistic abilities, and the new owner prepares her for a performance in the circus. But on the day of the show, the dog recognizes the former owner and joyfully rushes to him.
Why does the story of A.P. Chekhov's “Kashtanka” end just like that? After all, the dog finally finds a happy life with a kind caring owner. But Kashtanka, in her devoted dog soul, remains faithful to the old master. That is why she no doubt returns to her past life.
"Death of an official"
In this story, A.P. Chekhov raises the theme of "little man." There are only three actors: an official Chervyakov, his wife, General Brizzhalov. At the center of the story is an official, a miserable, comedic and creepy man in front of his bosses.
In the theater, during a performance, Chervyakov accidentally sneezes at General Brizzhalov. The official gets scared and starts to apologize. The general does not pay attention to such a trifle and asks not to interfere. In the interval, Worms apologizes again. But this does not seem to be enough for the official. The thought of what happened does not give him rest. Returning home, he tells his wife about this incident. She advises her husband to go and apologize.
Worms goes to the general. Brizzhalov casually answers the official, continuing to receive visitors. But to the frightened Chervyakov, it seems that the general does not want to talk to him because of the insult inflicted on him. Therefore, when the general finishes receiving visitors, the official apologizes again. The general takes this as a mockery and does not want to listen to him anymore.
The next day, the official goes to the general again, but the angry general kicks him out. Worms returns home and dies.
"Thick and thin"
Two school friends - fat Misha and thin Porfiry, accidentally meet at the station. They share memories of studying at the gymnasium. Porfiry boasts that he has become a college assessor, but when he finds out that Misha is a secret adviser, his behavior will instantly change. Porfiry’s tone suddenly becomes obsequious. Tolstoy is unpleasant. The thin one creeps before an old friend, and there is no trace of casual communication. Fat and thin are no longer forgiven as comrades, but as boss and subordinate.
A.P. Chekhov in the story "Thick and thin" makes fun of honoring. The comic situation is combined with the tragic loss of dignity and honor in a person holding a small position.
"Chameleon"
In A.P. Chekhov's story “The Chameleon” of goldsmiths, the master Khryukin claims that he was bitten by a dog, points to the culprit and shows a bloodied finger. Police supervisor Ochumelov together with the city Eldyrin decide to punish the dog and its owner. But as soon as they tell Ochumelov that this is a general’s dog, his behavior immediately changes. A policeman accuses the victim.
When they tell Ochumelov that the general does not have a dog, he is again determined to punish the dog and fine the owner. As the city ponders whether the general is a dog or not, the policeman’s behavior moves from one extreme to the other. Then, nevertheless, it becomes obvious that the owner of the ill-fated dog is the brother of the general. Ochumelov gives the dog away and threatens Khryukin.
A.P. Chekhov in the story “Chameleon” draws the reader’s attention to the comic behavior of police officer Ochumelov. The policeman does not dare to apply his power, fearing the very assumption that he could somehow offend the general. Ochumelov is not a worthy defender of the rule of law, but a “chameleon”, changing his mind depending on the situation.
"Intruder"
The main character of this story is Denis Grigoriev. He appears before the court for unscrewing nuts on railway rails. Grigoriev does not understand and does not admit his guilt. He tells the court that he needs nuts as sinkers for a net. Despite the fact that the judge explains to him the criminality of his act (the train may go off the rail, people will suffer), Grigoryev is perplexed: he really wanted to get a sinker without any malicious intent.
"About love"
The main character of the story of A.P. Chekhov "On Love" - Alekhine - tells the guests the story of his love. Once Alekhine fell in love with a married lady Anna Alekseevna. They shared common interests. Spending time together was very expensive for them. But lovers never talked about their feelings.
Anna Alekseevna because of this situation begins to suffer from a nervous disease. She is going to go to the Crimea for treatment. On the train, Anna Alekseevna meets Alekhine. They finally confess their love to each other, but after that they part forever. A.P. Chekhov in the story "On Love" shows how the arguments of reason can destroy happiness.
"The man in the case"
Teacher Belikov has established for himself and others a number of restrictions and rules that must be followed. He is afraid of the manifestation of emotions and his own feelings. Belikov seeks to hide from the real world. Even having decided to marry a cheerful Varenka, he does not go beyond the scope of his “case”. Once, being ridiculed in an absurd situation, Belikov dies.
In this story, A.P. Chekhov demonstrates to readers that a person who squeezes himself in a framework invented by himself is doomed to loneliness and a joyless existence.
"Ionych"
Zemstvo doctor Dmitry Ionovich Startsev comes to the city of Dalyag. He meets the exemplary Turkins. Over time, Startsev realizes that these are empty and uninteresting people. However, he falls in love with the daughter of the Turkins, Ekaterina Ivanovna. She dreams of becoming an outstanding pianist, but the author states her mediocrity. Startsev is full of aspirations and hopes for the best. He makes an offer to Ekaterina Ivanovna. But the girl rejects him, intending to devote her life to art. But her hopes for success and glory are not destined to come true.
Startsev resigned to refusal. Gradually, everything that is not connected with material wealth ceases to interest him. It is degrading. Startsev treats his patients indifferently and with irritation. He becomes faceless, loses his first and last name.
"Yearning"
Jonah's cabman is a lonely old man who recently buried his son. He is deeply unhappy; he needs to share his grief with someone, to feel participation and compassion. But passengers are not interested in the troubles of the old man, they do not want to listen to him. The janitor drives the cab away. Unhappy Jonah is surrounded by a wall of human indifference. In desperation, he talks about his grief horse, which does not understand, but at least listens to the cab.
"Vanka"
Vanka is a nine-year-old orphan who was sent for training to a shoemaker in Moscow. The child lives hard, he misses his grandfather, his life in the village. On Christmas Eve, Vanka writes a letter to his grandfather, complaining of a hard life, hunger and overwork. He bitterly endures beatings and insults. The boy’s memories of life in the village are very bright, filled with the warmth and charm of his childhood. Vanka warmly asks grandfather to come.
Pointing at the envelope "to the grandfather’s village of Konstantin Makarych", inspired by hope, Vanka throws a letter in the mailbox. He does not know that a letter indicating such an address will not reach his grandfather. Deprived of childhood due to its social status, Vanka still remains an ordinary naive child. In a dream, the boy dreams that his grandfather is sitting on the stove and reading the coveted letter, and next to him the dog wags its tail.