Betrothed by Anton Chekhov (1889)

Name: Betrothed
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young woman who is engaged to be married but feels trapped and suffocated by the prospect of her arranged marriage. She longs for freedom and independence, but societal norms dictate that she must conform to expectations. As the wedding approaches, the protagonist's anxiety grows, and she begins to question the true nature of her relationship with her fiancé. She starts to see him as a stranger, rather than a potential partner, and feels increasingly disconnected from him. The story explores themes of love, duty, and societal pressure, raising questions about the value of individual freedom versus the expectations placed upon us by others.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1889 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 6 chapters · 9,014 words

First lines

It was ten o'clock in the evening and the full moon was shining over the garden. In the Shumins' house an evening service celebrated at the request of the grandmother, Marfa Mihalovna, was just over, and now Nadya -- she had gone into the garden for a minute -- could see the table being laid for supper in the dining room, and her grandmother bustling about in her gorgeous silk dress; Father Andrey, a chief priest of the cathedral, was talking to Nadya's mother, Nina Ivanovna, and now in the evening light through the window her mother for some reason looked very young; Andrey Andreitch, Father Andrey's son, was standing by listening attentively.

What this Textopian page supports

Betrothed is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary
Length: 9,014 words
Structure: 6 chapters, 160 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Betrothed by Anton Chekhov
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 Betrothed?
How does this short story by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, societal expectations, and personal growth through nuanced character development and introspective narrative.
Drama — The story unfolds through dialogue and character interactions, highlighting emotional conflicts and societal pressures, typical of dramatic literature.
Romance — The central plot revolves around the protagonist's engagement and her emotional turmoil regarding love and marriage.
Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes significant personal transformation and self-discovery, typical of coming-of-age narratives.