The Orator (Garnett Translation)

Name: The Orator (Garnett Translation)
Author: Anton Chekhov

The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes involved with a local woman. He begins to give public speeches, using his eloquence to persuade the townspeople of his own moral superiority. However, it soon becomes clear that he is not as virtuous as he claims, and his true nature is revealed through his interactions with others. The narrative explores themes of hypocrisy, social status, and the tension between appearance and reality. The protagonist's oratory skills are contrasted with his lack of genuine character, highlighting the disconnect between words and actions. Throughout the story, Chekhov critiques the societal pressures that drive individuals to present a false image to the world. The Orator serves as a commentary on the dangers of superficiality and the importance of authenticity in personal relationships.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1904 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Drama · 1,518 words

First lines

One fine morning the collegiate assessor, Kirill Ivanovitch Babilonov, who had died of the two afflictions so widely spread in our country, a bad wife and alcoholism, was being buried. As the funeral procession set off from the church to the cemetery, one of the deceased's colleagues, called Poplavsky, got into a cab and galloped off to find a friend, one Grigory Petrovitch Zapoikin, a man who though still young had acquired considerable popularity. Zapoikin, as many of my readers are aware, possesses a rare talent for impromptu speechifying at weddings, jubilees, and funerals. He can speak whenever he likes: in his sleep, on an empty stomach, dead drunk or in a high fever. His words flow smoothly and evenly, like water out of a pipe, and in abundance; there are far more moving words in his oratorical dictionary than there are beetles in any restaurant. He always speaks eloquently and at great length, so much so that on some occasions, particularly at merchants' weddings, they have to resort to assistance from the police to stop him.

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The Orator (Garnett Translation) is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anton Chekhov, dated 1904 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Anton Chekhov
Date: 1904 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Comedy, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy
Length: 1,518 words
Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Satire — The work critiques societal norms and the absurdity of human behavior, particularly in the context of funerals and oratory.
Comedy — The humorous misunderstandings and the orator's blunders create a comedic atmosphere throughout the narrative.
Drama — The story explores themes of life, death, and the human condition, presenting emotional moments amidst the humor.
Social Commentary — It reflects on the nature of public perception and the role of rhetoric in society.