In 1888, Chekhov's novel “The Steppe” was written. A summary of it will be given in this article. The work outlines a new approach to narration: the reader sees part of the paintings through the perception of reality by the main character - Yegorushka. They are supplemented by author's comments, which help to reveal the peculiarity of the surrounding world and understand the soul of ordinary people.
Chapter 1. The beginning of the path
Early July morning. A dilapidated chaise drove out of the county town, which was managed by a young coachman Deniska. Three passengers sat in it: the rector of the church, father Christopher, the merchant Kuzmichev Ivan Ivanovich and his nine-year-old nephew Yegorushka. Adults went to sell wool, and the boy was taken to enter the gymnasium.
So begins Chekhov "Steppe". The summary of the story continues with a description of Yegorushka’s sensations. He was left alone for the first time and now, looking around, he recalled how he went to church on Easter. And also - how grandmother died. And suddenly he burst into tears of self-pity. Uncle and Father Christopher talked about the benefits of teaching. And before the eyes of the boy an endless steppe appeared (a brief description does not allow to describe it in detail ) the steppe. Chekhov notes that after the evaporation of the life-giving dew, everything around us fell from the heat. Egorushka got tired and looked indifferently at the monotonous picture. Left behind mowers and women on the field, a pack of dogs and Varlamovskie sheep. A windmill appeared ahead, which did not disappear from sight.
Chapter 2. Rest
By noon, we stopped at a stream. Settled under the wagon train, ate baked eggs and pies. So continues the story of Chekhov's “Steppe”. The summary introduces the reader to the life of Father Christopher. Since childhood, he spoke several languages, had knowledge in many sciences, dreamed of studying in Kiev. But the parents did not bless such a decision, and the young man remained at the church, where he spent his whole life. Now Father Christopher did not regret anything, because he did not violate the will of his father, although he was sure that he needed to learn. This idea he inspired Yegorushka. Then they talked about wool and some Varlamov.
Having had a bite, adults went to bed. The boy went to the village, played with the awakened Deniska, who in his soul was still a child. Finally they set off, and until the evening, before the eyes of Yegorushka, the same pictures flickered as in the morning.
Chapter 3. In the inn
Already at dusk, stopped at a middle-aged Jew. The cordiality of Moisey Moiseich knew no bounds, but the guests did not dare for the night: it was necessary to find the mysterious Varlamov. The merchant and the holy father counted the money - Egorushka never saw such a heap. Drunk tea. We talked with a Jew about life. The owners treated the sleepy Yegorushka to the carrot - they all lamented that now there was no one to take care of the boy.
So you can designate topic 3 of the chapter and its summary. The “steppe” Chekhov continues with a description of the appearance of the famous Countess Dranitskaya, who also hoped to see Varlamov, in a Jew.
Chapter 4. Meeting with the wagon train
Half-asleep Yegorushka sat next to Deniska. He kept thinking about Varlamov, who was very rich and elusive, and about a beautiful decanter. He was lulled by the smells and sounds of the steppe, plunged into darkness. The asleep boy was awakened by voices. It was Ivan Ivanovitch who asked the men accompanying the convoy they had caught about Varlamov. Then Yegorushka was transplanted onto a large bale with wool, and he, pleased that he could lie comfortably, fell asleep. Uncle asked the men not to offend his nephew and promised to pick him up as soon as he visits the Molokan. This is the beginning of a new chapter and its summary.
Steppe Chekhov often describes in his story. But in the morning Yegorushka was more interested in the convoy and the people with whom he rode on. Only twelve carts and five men accompanying them. Next to the cart on which the boy was lying, there was an old man Pantelei, who spoke and bounced as if frozen.
When they stopped at the well, Yegorushka saw the rest of the travelers. Strong, self-confident Dymov, who killed a snake on the road and caused dissatisfaction with the other carriages. Emelyan, a former singer who has now lost his voice. Blackbeard Kiryuhu near mind. Surprisingly vigilant Vasya, who could see and hear what the rest was not available to.
Chapter 5. On the river
It became unbearably hot. We stopped at the river. Carters frolic in the water. When they caught the crayfish, they fled to the village for bullshit and caught fish from which porridge was cooked. Yegorushka, who also decided to swim, spoiled the mood of Dymov. A man grabbed his leg and nearly drowned. After that, the boy sat on the beach and watched the rest.
What else does Chekhov write in his story? The “steppe”, the brief summary of which you are reading, also includes a description of the mass in the village church, where Yegorushka went out of boredom, and a meeting with the shopkeeper who poured him tea.
Returning to the river, the hero, along with everyone, ate porridge and listened to the peasants' stories about their former life, which was better than the present.
Chapter 6. Campfire
In the evening we set off on the road. Egorushka watched the stars appear in the sky and thought about his grandmother. It seemed to him that he himself would never die. And Pantelei continued his endless story.
By midnight, a fire was lit. While cooking porridge, we started a conversation about a merchant killed near this place. The theme was continued by Pantelei, who, according to his words, once himself almost became a victim of robbers. And although there was a lot of fiction in the story, Egorushka listened to him with bated breath.
Later, a stranger approached the fire. His young wife went to his mother, and he, in anticipation of her, did not know where to put himself. The happy look of the man made everyone sad. Yegorushka was again bored, and he climbed onto his cart.
Waking up, the boy finally saw Varlamov, whom everyone was looking for in the steppe. He was a short man on an ugly horse. After talking with the carters and scolding his horse, he sped off along the road. These were two days from the new life of Egorushka. However, this does not end the summary. Chekhov's “steppe” continues with chapter seven.
Chapter 7. Thunderstorm
At night they sat again by the fire. The conversation did not work out. In addition, Dymov provoked a quarrel with Emelyan, and Egorushka, who from the very beginning had an aversion to the first of them, stood up for the singer. An upset boy climbed up on a bale and burst into tears, dreaming of being at home.
Dahl turned black, it became stuffy. Soon a severe thunderstorm erupted. The convoy moved forward, and Yegorushka sat on bales, experiencing incredible fear. It seemed to him that a giant was approaching from behind. The hero is completely wet and frozen. And from the thundering thunder and the shining lightning it was impossible to hide. First Egorushka was baptized and called Pantelei. Then he gained control that the storm would never end and would kill him. It was the most terrible moment in the boy’s life, as the plot of the story and its brief content show.
"Steppe" Chekhov A. P. continues the description of the hero’s disease. Already in the village hut, he still could not keep warm and raved. And early in the morning we set off again. Yegorushka, with confused consciousness, was shaking from the cold on his cart.
Chapter 8. The End of the Way
Finally, we drove into a large courtyard, and the boy heard Denis's voice. Father Christopher rubbed the patient Yegorushka, then he covered him with a blanket and a sheepskin coat. From the conversation of adults, the boy realized that the deal with wool was a success.
The next morning, the hero felt healthy. And after breakfast they found N.P. Toskunova, her mother’s friend. Ivan Ivanovich agreed with her about accommodation, arranged a nephew in a gymnasium, and the very next day, together with his father Christopher and Deniska, went home. Egorushka greeted life in a strange house with longing and tears.
So ends A.P. Chekhov “Steppe”. A summary of the chapters allowed to convey only the key points of the story.