Happiness by Anton Chekhov (1903)

Name: Happiness
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and to escape her family's poverty. She struggles with feelings of emptiness and disconnection from her husband, despite his wealth and social status. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, materialism, and the search for meaning in life.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1903 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Realism · 4,655 words

First lines

A flock of sheep was spending the night on the broad steppe road that is called the great highway. Two shepherds were guarding it. One, a toothless old man of eighty, with a tremulous face, was lying on his stomach at the very edge of the road, leaning his elbows on the dusty leaves of a plantain; the other, a young fellow with thick black eyebrows and no moustache, dressed in the coarse canvas of which cheap sacks are made, was lying on his back, with his arms under his head, looking upwards at the sky, where the stars were slumbering and the Milky Way lay stretched exactly above his face.

What this Textopian page supports

Happiness is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary, Short Story
Length: 4,655 words
Structure: 1 section, 75 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Happiness by Anton Chekhov
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Happiness?
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 deep themes of human existence, happiness, and the search for meaning, characteristic of literary fiction.
Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into philosophical questions about happiness, wealth, and the human condition.
Realism — The portrayal of everyday life and the struggles of common people reflects the principles of realism.
Social Commentary — The text critiques social structures and the disparity between classes, particularly in relation to wealth and happiness.