The Marshal's Widow by Anton Chekhov

Name: The Marshal's Widow
Author: Anton Chekhov

A middle-aged woman lives alone on a rural estate with her young son. Her husband was a marshal who died under unclear circumstances. The widow's life is marked by poverty and isolation. She struggles to make ends meet, relying on the charity of neighbors for food and other necessities. The story revolves around the widow's attempts to secure a pension from the government, which she believes is owed to her late husband as a result of his military service. Her efforts are met with bureaucratic obstacles and indifference. Throughout the narrative, the widow's character is revealed through her interactions with others, including a sympathetic neighbor who offers her assistance and a local official who is dismissive of her claims. The story explores themes of poverty, isolation, and the struggles faced by women in rural Russia during this time period.

By Anton Chekhov · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Social Commentary · 1,804 words

First lines

On the first of February every year, St. Trifon's day, there is an extraordinary commotion on the estate of Madame Zavzyatov, the widow of Trifon Lvovitch, the late marshal of the district. On that day, the name-day of the deceased marshal, the widow Lyubov Petrovna has a requiem service celebrated in his memory, and after the requiem a thanksgiving to the Lord. The whole district assembles for the service. There you will see Hrumov the present marshal, Marfutkin, the president of the Zemstvo, Potrashkov, the permanent member of the Rural Board, the two justices of the peace of the district, the police captain, Krinolinov, two police-superintendents, the district doctor, Dvornyagin, smelling of iodoform, all the landowners, great and small, and so on. There are about fifty people assembled in all.

What this Textopian page supports

The Marshal's Widow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated Date unknown.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: Date unknown
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Literary Fiction, Comedy
Length: 1,804 words
Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Drama — The narrative centers around a solemn event, exploring themes of loss, memory, and social interactions among characters.
Tragedy — The story deals with the aftermath of death and the emotional weight carried by the characters, highlighting the tragic elements of life.
Social Commentary — The work critiques social norms and behaviors, particularly regarding alcohol consumption and the superficiality of social interactions.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is introspective and character-driven, focusing on the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters.