A Work of Art by Anton Chekhov

Name: A Work of Art
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young woman who has been abandoned by her lover and is struggling to come to terms with the rejection. She is portrayed as being emotionally fragile and vulnerable, but also fiercely independent. As she navigates her way through life, she becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of revenge against her former lover, whom she sees as having wronged her in a profound way. Her obsession takes on a life of its own, driving her to make decisions that ultimately lead to her downfall. Throughout the story, Chekhov explores themes of love, rejection, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions. The narrative is characterized by a sense of realism and psychological insight, as the protagonist's inner world is laid bare for the reader to see. Ultimately, the story suggests that our attempts to control or manipulate others can have devastating consequences, and that true freedom lies in accepting the reality of our circumstances rather than trying to impose our will on them.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1899 · Genre: Drama, Satire, Short Story · 1,836 words

First lines

Sasha Smirnov, the only son of his mother, holding under his arm, something wrapped up in No. 223 of the Financial News, assumed a sentimental expression, and went into Dr. Koshelkov's consulting room.

"Ah, dear lad! " was how the doctor greeted him. "Well! how are we feeling? What good news have you for me?"

What this Textopian page supports

A Work of Art is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1899 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1899 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Satire, Short Story, Comedy, Realism
Length: 1,836 words
Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering A Work of Art?
How does this short story by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Drama first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Drama — The work explores interpersonal relationships and moral dilemmas, typical of dramatic literature.
Satire — It critiques societal norms and attitudes towards art and propriety through humor and irony.
Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, characteristic of the short story format.
Comedy — The dialogue and situations create humor, highlighting the absurdity of the characters' reactions.