The Last Word by Aleksandr Kuprin
The story revolves around a young man who seeks to escape the monotony of his life by indulging in reckless and destructive behavior. He becomes infatuated with a woman who represents freedom and spontaneity, but ultimately proves to be unattainable. The narrative explores themes of disillusionment, rebellion, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1909 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction · 2,650 words
First lines
Yes, gentlemen, I killed him!
In vain do you try to obtain for me a medical certificate of temporary aberration. I shall not take advantage of it.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Word is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy
- Length: 2,650 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Word 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 Last Word?
- How does this short story by Aleksandr Kuprin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the protagonist's psyche, exploring themes of obsession, aversion, and moral conflict.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflict and the climactic act of violence create a dramatic tension that drives the plot.
- Literary Fiction — The work employs a sophisticated writing style and rich thematic exploration typical of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and the behavior of the intelligentsia, reflecting on broader social issues.
Tags
Russian Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Existentialism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Human Condition · Moral Ambiguity · Free Will vs Determinism · Identity Crisis · Alienation · Loneliness