Sleepyhead by Anton Chekhov (1899)

Name: Sleepyhead
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story follows a man named Ivan Dukhanin who has been suffering from insomnia for several years. Despite his efforts to find relief, he remains unable to sleep and becomes increasingly irritable and disillusioned with life. His wife, who is also struggling with her own problems, grows tired of his constant complaining and seeks solace in the arms of another man. Ivan's insomnia takes a toll on his relationship with his wife and his overall well-being, leading him to question the meaning of life and the futility of his existence.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Classical Literature, Drama · 2,607 words

First lines

Night. Nursemaid Varka, aged thirteen, rocks the cradle where baby lies, and murmurs almost inaudibly:

"Bayú, bayúshki, bayú! Nurse will sing a song to you!."

What this Textopian page supports

Sleepyhead is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
Language: English
Genres: Short Stories, Classical Literature, Drama, Psychological
Length: 2,607 words
Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Sleepyhead 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

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How does this short story by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Short Stories — Anton Chekhov was a master of the short story, and given this title would have been part of his vast collection of narrative short tales.
Classical Literature — Anton Chekhov is considered a classic author in the canon of world literature, and his works are often categorized as such.
Drama — Alongside his short stories, Chekhov was also known for his plays, and aspects of dramatism are often found in his narrative works as well.
Psychological — Much of Chekhov's work, including 'Sleepyhead', likely delves into the psychological perspective of his characters, reflecting the introspective style he is known for.