Peasants by Anton Chekhov (1903)

Name: Peasants
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a group of peasants who gather at the home of a wealthy landowner to celebrate the New Year. The peasants are poor and struggling, while the landowner lives in luxury. As they drink and sing, their conversations reveal their deep-seated resentment towards the landowner and the social class system that has oppressed them for so long. The story highlights the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots, and the ways in which societal norms can perpetuate inequality. The peasants' anger and frustration simmer just below the surface as they celebrate, but it is clear that their joy is tinged with bitterness and resentment. Ultimately, the story suggests that the social class system is a major obstacle to true happiness and fulfillment, and that the peasants' lives are marked by hardship and struggle due to the oppressive nature of their society.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1903 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary · 9 chapters · 15,506 words

First lines

Nikolay Tchikildyeev, a waiter in the Moscow hotel, Slavyansky Bazaar, was taken ill. His legs went numb and his gait was affected, so that on one occasion, as he was going along the corridor, he tumbled and fell down with a tray full of ham and peas. He had to leave his job. All his own savings and his wife's were spent on doctors and medicines; they had nothing left to live upon. He felt dull with no work to do, and he made up his mind he must go home to the village. It is better to be ill at home, and living there is cheaper; and it is a true saying that the walls of home are a help.

What this Textopian page supports

Peasants is listed on Textopian as a novella 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: Novella
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary, Short Story, Drama
Length: 15,506 words
Structure: 9 chapters, 254 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Peasants?
How does this novella 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 complex human emotions and social issues, focusing on the lives of ordinary people.
Realism — It presents a truthful depiction of peasant life, emphasizing the struggles and realities of rural existence.
Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social structures and the conditions of the lower classes.
Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a specific moment or theme.