The Jewess by Aleksandr Kuprin
The story revolves around a young Jewish woman who lives with her family in a small town. She is beautiful and kind, but also poor and vulnerable to the advances of men. The protagonist becomes infatuated with her and begins to pursue her, despite knowing that she is already engaged to be married. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the Jewess is trapped in a loveless marriage and sees the protagonist as a means of escape. However, their social differences and the societal norms of the time make their relationship impossible. The narrative explores themes of love, class, and identity, highlighting the difficulties faced by women from marginalized communities in a patriarchal society. The story ultimately ends in tragedy, with the Jewess's fate serving as a commentary on the limited options available to her.
By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction · 8,744 words
First lines
"We've passed it, pa‑assed it," a child's feeble voice rang pitifully. "Right! " shouted an angry bass behind. "To the right, right, r‑r‑right," gaily and swiftly sounded a chorus in front. Someone ground his teeth, someone whistled piercingly. A band of dogs broke into a thin bark, at once angry and joyful. "O‑o‑o! Ha‑ha‑ha! " the whole crowd laughed and groaned alternately.
The sledge was tossed up and plunged into a hollow of the road. Kashintzev opened his eyes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Jewess is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 8,744 words
- Structure: 1 section, 140 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Jewess 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 The Jewess?
- 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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- The Schoolmistress by Anton Chekhov
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- The New Villa by Anton Chekhov
- Happiness by Anton Chekhov
- Strong Impressions by Anton Chekhov
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, beauty, and existential reflection, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The protagonist's infatuation with the Jewess and the exploration of desire and beauty align with romantic themes.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and cultural context reflect historical elements relevant to Jewish life and societal dynamics.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotional struggles, typical of psychological fiction.
Tags
Russian Literature · Jewish Culture · Anti-Semitism · Social Commentary · Realism · Psychological Insight · Female Protagonist · Marriage · Society · Class Struggle · Romanticism · Tragic Love Story