The Pipe by Anton Chekhov (1904)

Name: The Pipe
Author: Anton Chekhov

A retired civil servant returns to his hometown after a long absence and becomes embroiled in the lives of his former acquaintances, revealing their flaws and hypocrisies through his observations. The story explores themes of morality, social class, and the human condition.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1904 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Philosophical Fiction · 4,000 words

First lines

Meliton Shishkin, a bailiff from the Dementyev farm, exhausted by the sultry heat of the fir-wood and covered with spiders' webs and pine-needles, made his way with his gun to the edge of the wood. His Damka -- a mongrel between a yard dog and a setter -- an extremely thin bitch heavy with young, trailed after her master with her wet tail between her legs, doing all she could to avoid pricking her nose. It was a dull, overcast morning. Big drops dripped from the bracken and from the trees that were wrapped in a light mist; there was a pungent smell of decay from the dampness of the wood.

What this Textopian page supports

The Pipe 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: Literary Fiction, Realism, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Nature Writing
Length: 4,000 words
Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Anton Chekhov fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of existential despair, nature's decline, and human suffering, characteristic of literary fiction.
Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of rural life, focusing on the struggles of the characters and their environment.
Philosophical Fiction — The dialogue between the characters delves into philosophical discussions about life, nature, and the inevitability of decline.
Social Commentary — The text critiques societal changes and the impact of modernization on traditional rural life.