The Lady with the Dog is a short story by Anton Chekhov, first published in 1899. It tells the story of an adulterous affair between a middle-aged man, Dmitry Gurov, and a young woman, Anna Sergeyevna, whom he meets while vacationing in Yalta. The story begins with Gurov, a bored and unhappy banker from Moscow, taking a holiday in Yalta. While there, he meets Anna, a married woman from a small town. Despite their differences in age and social status, the two become attracted to each other and begin an affair. The two meet secretly in various locations around Yalta, and eventually Gurov falls in love with Anna. He begins to dream of a future with her, but Anna is hesitant to leave her husband and family. Eventually, Gurov decides to return to Moscow, and Anna returns to her small town. The story ends with Gurov and Anna both reflecting on their relationship and the impossibility of a future together. Despite the fact that they can never be together, they both feel a deep connection to each other. The story ends with Gurov walking away with his dog, and Anna watching him from a distance.
By Anton Chekhov · First published 1899 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama · 4 chapters