Frost by Anton Chekhov (1880)

Name: Frost
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a middle-aged man who has been living with his family for many years. He is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer young and that his life is slowly slipping away from him. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the protagonist's sense of purpose and identity are tied to his role as a provider for his family. However, this role is being threatened by the changing economic circumstances and the increasing independence of his children. The story explores themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. The protagonist's struggles serve as a commentary on the human condition, highlighting the universal fears and anxieties that we all face at some point in our lives. Ultimately, the story presents a poignant portrayal of a man who is struggling to find his place in the world and to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer the young and vital person he once was.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1880 · Genre: Drama, Social Commentary, Realism · 3,131 words

First lines

A "popular" fête with a philanthropic object had been arranged on the Feast of Epiphany in the provincial town of N -- . They had selected a broad part of the river between the market and the bishop's palace, fenced it round with a rope, with fir trees and with flags, and provided everything necessary for skating, sledging, and tobogganing. The festivity was organized on the grandest scale possible. The notices that were distributed were of huge size and promised a number of delights: skating, a military band, a lottery with no blank tickets, an electric sun, and so on. But the whole scheme almost came to nothing owing to the hard frost. From the eve of Epiphany there were twenty-eight degrees of frost with a strong wind; it was proposed to put off the fête, and this was not done only because the public, which for a long while had been looking forward to the fête impatiently, would not consent to any postponement.

What this Textopian page supports

Frost is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1880 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: 1880 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Social Commentary, Realism, Tragedy, Comedy
Length: 3,131 words
Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Frost 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 Frost?
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 societal dynamics through dialogue and character interactions.
Social Commentary — It critiques social conditions, particularly the impact of winter and poverty on different social classes.
Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life in a provincial town, focusing on everyday experiences and struggles.
Tragedy — The themes of suffering and hardship reflect tragic elements in the characters' lives.