An Inadvertence by Anton Chekhov

Name: An Inadvertence
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young woman who has been living with her aunt and uncle for several years. She is intelligent and well-read but lacks social skills due to her isolated upbringing. The family's servant, a kind-hearted old man, becomes infatuated with the young woman and begins to make advances towards her.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1897 · Genre: Comedy, Tragedy, Satire · 1,838 words

First lines

Pyotr Petrovitch Strizhin, the nephew of Madame Ivanov, the colonel's widow -- the man whose new goloshes were stolen last year -- came home from a christening party at two o'clock in the morning. To avoid waking the household he took off his things in the lobby, made his way on tiptoe to his room, holding his breath, and began getting ready for bed without lighting a candle.

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An Inadvertence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1897 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: 1897 CE
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Tragedy, Satire, Realism, Drama
Length: 1,838 words
Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering An Inadvertence?
How does this short story by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Comedy — The narrative employs humor through absurd situations and character interactions, particularly Strizhin's misadventures and Dashenka's exaggerated reactions.
Tragedy — The protagonist faces a life-threatening situation due to his own actions, highlighting themes of mortality and the consequences of one's choices.
Satire — The story critiques social norms and human behavior, particularly through the portrayal of Strizhin's character and his interactions with Dashenka and the chemist.
Realism — The depiction of everyday life, ordinary characters, and realistic dialogue reflects the mundane aspects of human existence.