The Anniversary by Anton Chekhov

Name: The Anniversary
Author: Anton Chekhov

A married couple, Nikolai and Varia, are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary at a remote country estate. As they reminisce about their past, tensions and secrets surface, leading to an emotional confrontation.

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.]

What this Textopian page supports

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

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

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: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Anniversary by Anton Chekhov
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Anniversary?
How does this play by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Drama first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

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.