Children by Anton Chekhov (1880)

Name: Children
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a family's struggles with poverty and the changing social landscape of Russia during the late 19th century. The family consists of a father, a mother, and their two children, who live in a small apartment in Moscow. The father, a former civil servant, has fallen on hard times due to his own ineptitude and lack of ambition. He is unable to provide for his family's needs, leading to tension and resentment among the household members. The mother tries to hold the family together, but her efforts are often thwarted by her husband's laziness and lack of initiative. The children, a boy and a girl, are caught in the middle of their parents' conflicts and struggle to navigate their own lives amidst the chaos. Throughout the story, Chekhov explores themes of poverty, class struggle, and the decline of traditional values in Russian society. The narrative is characterized by its stark realism and lack of sentimentality, offering a bleak portrayal of life for the working class during this period.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1880 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age · 2,463 words

First lines

Papa and mamma and Aunt Nadya are not at home. They have gone to a christening party at the house of that old officer who rides on a little grey horse. While waiting for them to come home, Grisha, Anya, Alyosha, Sonya, and the cook's son, Andrey, are sitting at the table in the dining room, playing at loto. To tell the truth, it is bedtime, but how can one go to sleep without hearing from mamma what the baby was like at the christening, and what they had for supper? The table, lighted by a hanging lamp, is dotted with numbers, nutshells, scraps of paper, and little bits of glass. Two cards lie in front of each player, and a heap of bits of glass for covering the numbers. In the middle of the table is a white saucer with five kopecks in it. Beside the saucer, a half-eaten apple, a pair of scissors, and a plate on which they have been told to put their nutshells. The children are playing for money. The stake is a kopeck. The rule is: if anyone cheats, he is turned out at once. There is no one in the dining room but the players, and nurse, Agafya Ivanovna, is in the kitchen, showing the cook how to cut a pattern, while their elder brother, Vasya, a schoolboy in the fifth class, is lying on the sofa in the drawing room, feeling bored.

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Children is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1880 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1880 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary, Realism
Length: 2,463 words
Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of childhood, innocence, and social dynamics through detailed character interactions.
Drama — The narrative unfolds in a single setting with dialogue-driven scenes that highlight emotional and social conflicts among children.
Coming-of-Age — The story captures the experiences and perspectives of children as they navigate play, competition, and moral lessons.
Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms regarding childhood and gambling, reflecting on the implications of adult behaviors on children.