The Elephant by Aleksandr Kuprin

Name: The Elephant
Author: Aleksandr Kuprin

The story revolves around a circus elephant that has been mistreated and abused by its trainers. The narrator, a young man who works at the circus, becomes increasingly sympathetic to the elephant's plight and begins to question the morality of keeping animals in captivity for human entertainment. As the story progresses, the elephant's behavior becomes more erratic and violent, culminating in a tragic event that highlights the consequences of treating animals with cruelty and neglect. The narrator is forced to confront his own complicity in the circus's mistreatment of the elephant and grapples with feelings of guilt and responsibility. The narrative explores themes of animal welfare, exploitation, and the human condition, raising questions about our relationship with animals and the ethics of keeping them in captivity for our entertainment.

By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1903 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 6 chapters · 4,896 words

First lines

The little girl was unwell. Every day the doctor came to see her, Dr. Michael Petrovitch, whom she had known long, long ago. And sometimes he brought with him two other doctors whom she didn't know. They turned the little girl over on to her back and then on to her stomach, listened to something, putting an ear against her body, pulled down her under eyelids and looked at them. They seemed very important people, they had stern faces, and they spoke to one another in a language the little girl did not understand.

What this Textopian page supports

The Elephant is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Drama, Magical Realism
Length: 4,896 words
Structure: 6 chapters, 124 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Work identity for The Elephant by Aleksandr Kuprin
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep emotional themes, character development, and the human condition, focusing on a child's illness and her father's desperate wish to fulfill her last desire.
Children's Literature — The story centers around a child protagonist and her whimsical desire for an elephant, appealing to a younger audience with its imaginative elements.
Fantasy — The premise of a live elephant being brought to a child's home introduces fantastical elements, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Drama — The emotional weight of the characters' struggles, particularly the father's desperation and the child's indifference, creates a dramatic tension throughout the story.