The Beggar by Anton Chekhov (1885)

Name: The Beggar
Author: Anton Chekhov

A poor man lives on the outskirts of a town with his wife and children. He struggles to make ends meet, often going hungry. One day, he meets a wealthy woman who offers him food and shelter in exchange for companionship. The old man accepts, but soon realizes that her intentions are not pure.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1885 · Genre: Drama, Social Commentary, Realism · 2,516 words

First lines

"Kind sir, be so good as to notice a poor, hungry man. I have not tasted food for three days. I have not a five-kopeck piece for a night's lodging. I swear by God! For five years I was a village schoolmaster and lost my post through the intrigues of the Zemstvo. I was the victim of false witness. I have been out of a place for a year now."

Skvortsov, a Petersburg lawyer, looked at the speaker's tattered dark blue overcoat, at his muddy, drunken eyes, at the red patches on his cheeks, and it seemed to him that he had seen the man before.

What this Textopian page supports

The Beggar is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Social Commentary, Realism, Tragedy, Character Study
Length: 2,516 words
Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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

Similar titles

Genres

Drama — The work focuses on character interactions and emotional conflicts, highlighting themes of poverty, redemption, and moral dilemmas.
Social Commentary — It critiques societal attitudes towards the poor and the complexities of human compassion and judgment.
Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life, emphasizing the struggles of the beggar and the societal context.
Tragedy — The beggar's plight and the consequences of his actions evoke a sense of sorrow and moral failure.