The Bishop by Anton Chekhov (1886)

Name: The Bishop
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young priest who returns to his hometown after being ordained and struggles with the moral implications of marrying a woman he loves, despite her being a widow with children from a previous marriage. The Bishop's disapproval of their relationship creates tension between them.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Religious Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 4 chapters · 7,657 words

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First lines

The evening service was being celebrated on the eve of Palm Sunday in the Old Petrovsky Convent. When they began distributing the palm it was close upon ten o'clock, the candles were burning dimly, the wicks wanted snuffing; it was all in a sort of mist. In the twilight of the church the crowd seemed heaving like the sea, and to Bishop Pyotr, who had been unwell for the last three days, it seemed that all the faces -- old and young, men's and women's -- were alike, that everyone who came up for the palm had the same expression in his eyes. In the mist he could not see the doors; the crowd kept moving and looked as though there were no end to it. The female choir was singing, a nun was reading the prayers for the day.

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What this Textopian page supports

The Bishop is listed on Textopian as a novella by Anton Chekhov, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Religious Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Short Story
Length: 7,657 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 124 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Bishop by Anton Chekhov
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Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of identity, memory, and the human condition through the introspective journey of the bishop.
Religious Fiction — The narrative centers around a bishop and his experiences within the church, reflecting on faith, spirituality, and the rituals of religion.
Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and emotional struggles of the protagonist, revealing his psychological state and conflicts.
Drama — The plot unfolds through dramatic interactions and emotional exchanges, particularly between the bishop and his family.