The Anniversary by Anton Chekhov

Name: The Anniversary
Author: Anton Chekhov

At the N Joint Stock Bank, on the day of the bank's fiftieth anniversary, the elderly bookkeeper Kusma Nicolaievitch Khirin sits in felt boots amid luxurious office furnishings, ill and exhausted after four sleepless days spent finishing a celebratory report for the Chairman, Andrey Andreyevitch Shipuchin, to read at the general meeting. Khirin complains bitterly to himself about overwork and about Shipuchin's report being empty "poetic fiction," while hoping for the promised reward of a gold charm and 300 roubles. Shipuchin enters flushed from an ovation, carrying an album just presented to him by the bank's employees. He and Khirin exchange formal anniversary congratulations and kiss. Shipuchin asks after the report's progress; Khirin says it will be ready by three, in time for the four o'clock meeting. Shipuchin reveals the Directors are also preparing a silver loving-cup and an address, which he composed and paid for himself, and reflects on how the bank's appearance of luxury and "tone" matters more to him than genuine frugality. He chides Khirin for his untidy dress and felt boots, unsuitable for a possible shareholders' deputation. Khirin retorts that Shipuchin should not have invited ladies to the evening dinner, recalling how Shipuchin's wife once embarrassed him by mentioning bank share dealings in public. Shipuchin also reproaches Khirin about complaints from Khirin's wife that he threatened her and her sister with a knife; Khirin angrily tells him not to interfere in his family life. Shipuchin's wife, Tatiana Alexeyevna, arrives straight from the station, still in her travelling clothes, eager to recount her trip in great detail—conversations with strangers on the train, singing sailors, and news about her sister Katya's suitor Grendilevsky. Shipuchin repeatedly tries to redirect her home given the anniversary bustle, but she lingers, talking over Khirin's irritated coughing as he tries to keep count in his figures. An old woman, Nastasya Fyodorovna Merchutkina, forces her way in, insisting on seeing Shipuchin about wages allegedly owed to her sick husband, a civil servant dismissed from the Army Medical Department. Shipuchin explains repeatedly that the bank is a private commercial concern unconnected to her husband's government employer, but she persists, describing her poverty and suffering. Shipuchin leaves her with Khirin, who tries harshly to drive her off, tapping the desk and his head at her, provoking her indignation but not her departure. Tatiana returns and resumes her story, now describing how she persuaded Katya to reject Grendilevsky, only for Grendilevsky to shoot himself in despair (he survives after a doctor is summoned). Meanwhile Merchutkina continues pressing Shipuchin for her money and then for her husband's reinstatement. Overwhelmed by the combined chaos, Shipuchin gives her 25 roubles to be rid of her, but she does not leave, continuing to ask about her husband's job. As Shipuchin, in despair, begs Khirin to drive "her" out, Khirin misunderstands and instead chases Tatiana Alexeyevna, shouting threats, while she screams for help and eventually collapses onto a sofa in a mock faint. Realizing the mistake, Shipuchin redirects Khirin to Merchutkina, who is chased and also falls senseless into Shipuchin's arms just as a deputation of five frock-coated men arrives bearing the ceremonial address and loving-cup. Amid the pandemonium—Merchutkina and Tatiana both groaning, Shipuchin frantic—a member of the deputation begins solemnly reading the flowery anniversary address praising the bank's growth under Shipuchin's leadership. Shipuchin, dazed, distractedly recites unrelated verses instead of responding properly. The deputation, embarrassed by the scene, breaks off mid-address, deciding to finish "later on," and withdraws in confusion as the curtain falls.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1897 · Genre: Drama, Comedy, Satire · 6,228 words

First lines

CHARACTERS / ANDREY ANDREYEVITCH SHIPUCHIN, Chairman of the N Joint Stock / Bank, a middle-aged man, with a monocle / TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA, his wife, aged 25 / KUSMA NICOLAIEVITCH KHIRIN, the bank's aged book-keeper / NASTASYA FYODOROVNA MERCHUTKINA, an old woman wearing / old-fashioned cloak / DIRECTORS OF THE BANK / EMPLOYEES OF THE BANK

[The private office of the Chairman of Directors. On the left is a door, leading into the public department. There are two desks. The furniture aims at a deliberately luxurious effect, with armchairs covered in velvet, flowers, statues, carpets, and a telephone. It is midday. KHIRIN is alone; he wears long felt boots, and is shouting through the door.]

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The Anniversary is listed on Textopian as a play by Anton Chekhov, dated 1897 CE.

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Work type: Play
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1897 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Satire
Length: 6,228 words
Structure: 1 section, 145 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Genres

Drama — Anton Checkov's 'The Anniversary' is first and foremost a play centered around a dramatic situation that unfolds in a bank's office, and embraces dramatic tension, conflict, and characterization.
Comedy — The book is also a form of comedy, as it is a farcical play with humorous and absurd situations throughout the narrative.
Satire — The narrative also uses humor, irony and exaggeration to criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues, thus it can be considered a satire.