The Huntsman by Anton Chekhov (1904)

A young nobleman returns to his family's estate after a long absence and finds that the family's huntsman has been killed by a bear. The story explores themes of class, privilege, and the consequences of one's actions.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1904 · Genre: Drama, Realism, Tragedy · 2,118 words

First lines

A sultry, stifling midday. Not a cloudlet in the sky. The sunbaked grass had a disconsolate, hopeless look: even if there were rain it could never be green again. The forest stood silent, motionless, as though it were looking at something with its treetops or expecting something.

What this Textopian page supports

The Huntsman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Drama, Realism, Tragedy, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction
• Length: 2,118 words
• Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Huntsman by Anton Chekhov
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Huntsman?
• 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

• The Housekeeper by Robert Frost
• The Death Of The Hired Man by Robert Frost
• Agafya by Anton Chekhov
• In The Ravine by Anton Chekhov
• The Doctor by Anton Chekhov
• Nadejda Nicolaievna by Vsevolod Garshin

Genres

• Drama — The work explores complex human emotions and relationships, particularly the disconnection between the characters.
• Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life, focusing on the struggles and social dynamics of the characters.
• Tragedy — The themes of unfulfilled love and existential despair contribute to a tragic atmosphere.
• Literary Fiction — The focus on character development and thematic depth aligns with the characteristics of literary fiction.

Tags

Russian Literature · Short Story · Folklore · Mythology · Hunting · Nature · Isolation · Loneliness · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychological Insight

More by Anton Chekhov

• The Horse-Stealers and Other Stories (1900)
• The Schoolmaster and Other Stories (1900)
• The Party and Other Stories (1900)
• The Cook's Wedding and Other Stories (1900)
• The Bishop and Other Stories (1900)
• The Duel and Other Stories (1900)
• The Schoolmistress and Other Stories (1900)
• The Wife and Other Stories (1900)
• All works by Anton Chekhov