Malingerers by Anton Chekhov (1883)

Name: Malingerers
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young doctor who is sent to a rural area to treat patients. He soon discovers that many of the villagers are feigning illnesses in order to receive attention and compensation from the government. As he delves deeper into the situation, the doctor becomes increasingly frustrated with the malingerers and their manipulative behavior. However, through his interactions with one patient in particular, a young woman who is genuinely ill, the doctor begins to see the complexities of the situation and the human cost of the malingerers' actions. The story explores themes of deception, morality, and the consequences of playing on people's sympathies for personal gain.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1883 · Genre: Drama, Satire, Social Commentary · 1,686 words

First lines

Marfa Petrovna Petchonkin, the General's widow, who has been practising for ten years as a homeopathic doctor, is seeing patients in her study on one of the Tuesdays in May. On the table before her lie a chest of homeopathic drugs, a book on homeopathy, and bills from a homeopathic chemist. On the wall the letters from some Petersburg homeopath, in Marfa Petrovna's opinion a very celebrated and great man, hang under glass in a gilt frame, and there also is a portrait of Father Aristark, to whom the lady owes her salvation -- that is, the renunciation of pernicious allopathy and the knowledge of the truth. In the vestibule patients are sitting waiting, for the most part peasants. All but two or three of them are barefoot, as the lady has given orders that their ill-smelling boots are to be left in the yard.

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Malingerers is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1883 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Satire, Social Commentary, Character Study, Tragicomedy
Length: 1,686 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Genres

Drama — The work explores complex human emotions and interactions, focusing on the characters' personal struggles and moral dilemmas.
Satire — It critiques the medical profession and societal norms, highlighting the absurdities and contradictions in human behavior.
Social Commentary — The narrative addresses issues of poverty, class disparity, and the exploitation of the vulnerable, reflecting societal realities.
Character Study — The focus on Marfa Petrovna's internal conflict and her interactions with patients provides deep insights into her character and motivations.