Oh! the Public by Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a group of people who gather at a public bathhouse to socialize and gossip. The protagonist, a middle-aged man, observes the interactions between the patrons and reflects on their lives and relationships. Through his observations, he critiques societal norms and conventions, highlighting the superficiality and hypocrisy of the characters.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1900 · Genre: Drama, Satire, Social Commentary · 1,641 words

First lines

"Here goes, I've done with drinking! Nothing. n-o-thing shall tempt me to it. It's time to take myself in hand; I must buck up and work. You're glad to get your salary, so you must do your work honestly, heartily, conscientiously, regardless of sleep and comfort. Chuck taking it easy. You've got into the way of taking a salary for nothing, my boy -- that's not the right thing. not the right thing at all."

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

Oh! the Public is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Drama, Satire, Social Commentary, Tragicomedy, Character Study
• Length: 1,641 words
• Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Oh! the Public 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

Similar titles

• Ivan Matveyitch by Anton Chekhov
• The Orator by Anton Chekhov
• Malingerers by Anton Chekhov
• At A Country House by Anton Chekhov
• A Slander by Anton Chekhov
• Fannys First Play by George Bernard Shaw

Genres

• Drama — The work explores interpersonal conflicts and moral dilemmas, characteristic of dramatic literature.
• Satire — It critiques societal norms and the absurdity of bureaucracy through humor and irony.
• Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on the nature of public behavior and the expectations placed on individuals within society.
• Tragicomedy — It blends elements of tragedy and comedy, highlighting the protagonist's struggles in a humorous yet poignant manner.

Tags

Satire · Social Commentary · Comedy · Farce · Russian Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Theatre · Performance · Critique of Society · Class Struggle · Marriage · Love

More by Anton Chekhov

• The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories (1900)
• The Schoolmaster and Other Stories (1900)
• The Party and Other Stories (1900)
• The Cook's Wedding and Other Stories (1900)
• The Bishop and Other Stories (1900)
• The Duel and Other Stories (1900)
• The Schoolmistress and Other Stories (1900)
• The Wife and Other Stories (1900)
• All works by Anton Chekhov