Roach Hole by Aleksandr Kuprin
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years abroad and becomes infatuated with a local woman. He begins an affair with her but struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy due to their social differences. The narrative explores themes of class, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1905 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Character Study · 3,458 words
First lines
And really, neither I nor anybody else could ever meet, in a lifetime, a fellow queerer, quainter, and, at the same time, more touching. He was a man of small stature, as black as a black cockroach, with an enormous black beard; he was prematurely bald, but his eyes were glowing, beautiful, and somewhat unhealthy.
He was always full of protests, complaints, plans for inventions, letters to newspapers, letters of recommendation for servants, and so forth.
What this Textopian page supports
Roach Hole is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Character Study, Historical Fiction, Tragicomedy
- Length: 3,458 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Roach Hole by Aleksandr Kuprin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Roach Hole?
- 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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- A Sentimental Romance by Aleksandr Kuprin
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- The Silver Mine by Selma Lagerlof
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of individuality, societal critique, and the human condition through rich character development and narrative style.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms, government corruption, and the struggles of the common man, reflecting the socio-political landscape of the time.
- Character Study — The focus on the protagonist's eccentricities and life journey provides a deep exploration of character psychology and development.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and events are rooted in a specific historical context, reflecting the socio-political issues of early 20th-century Russia.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Social Realism · Poverty · Slavery · Exploitation · Class Struggle · Labor Rights · Working Class · Proletariat · Societal Commentary · Critique of Capitalism