A Clump of Lilacs
The story revolves around a young woman who lives with her mother and brother on the outskirts of a small town. The family's life is marked by poverty and hardship. The protagonist's brother is crippled, and she takes care of him while their mother works as a laundress. The young woman's life is one of drudgery and isolation. One day, a group of soldiers arrives in the town, and the young woman meets one of them. He is kind to her and brings some joy into her life. However, their social differences make it impossible for them to be together. The story explores themes of poverty, isolation, and the difficulties faced by women in rural Russia during this time period.
By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 2,555 words
First lines
Nikolai Yevgrafovitch Almazof hardly waited for his wife to open the door to him; he went straight to his study without taking off his hat or coat. His wife knew in a moment by his frowning face and nervously-bitten underlip that a great misfortune had occurred.
She followed him in silence. Almazof stood still for a moment when he reached the study, and stared gloomily into one corner, then he dashed his portfolio out of his hand on to the floor, where it lay wide open, and threw himself into an armchair, irritably snapping his fingers together.
What this Textopian page supports
A Clump of Lilacs is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Aleksandr Kuprin
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 2,555 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Clump of Lilacs by Aleksandr Kuprin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Clump of Lilacs?
- How does this short story by Aleksandr Kuprin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work focuses on character development, emotional depth, and the intricacies of human relationships.
- Drama — The narrative revolves around personal conflict and emotional struggles between the main characters.
- Romance — The relationship between the husband and wife is central to the plot, highlighting themes of love and support.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological states of the characters, particularly their fears and aspirations.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Psychological Fiction · Social Commentary · Realism · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Human Nature · Morality · Ethics · Societal Critique · Class Struggle