Misery by Anton Chekhov (1890)

Name: Misery
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a writer who becomes trapped in his own home by a woman who demands he write a novel featuring her as the main character. The writer's situation deteriorates as the days pass and he struggles to meet the woman's demands, while also trying to find a way to escape. The narrative explores themes of isolation, obsession, and the blurring of reality and fiction.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1890 · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Realism · 2,601 words

First lines

The twilight of evening. Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs, horses' backs, shoulders, caps. Iona Potapov, the sledge-driver, is all white like a ghost. He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off. His little mare is white and motionless too. Her stillness, the angularity of her lines, and the stick-like straightness of her legs make her look like a halfpenny gingerbread horse. She is probably lost in thought. Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and cast into this slough, full of monstrous lights, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people, is bound to think.

What this Textopian page supports

Misery is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Realism, Short Story, Psychological Fiction
Length: 2,601 words
Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Similar titles

Genres

Drama — The work focuses on the emotional struggles and personal tragedy of the main character, exploring themes of loss and isolation.
Tragedy — The narrative centers on the profound sorrow of a father mourning his son's death, highlighting the tragic aspects of life.
Realism — The depiction of everyday life and the struggles of a common man reflects the realistic portrayal of social issues and human emotions.
Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete emotional arc within a limited scope.