A Dilemma by Leonid Andreyev (1905)
The story revolves around a young man who is torn between his desire for spiritual freedom and the constraints of societal expectations. He is drawn to a life of asceticism and self-denial, but is also tempted by the pleasures of the world. As he navigates this internal conflict, he becomes increasingly isolated from those around him, including his family and friends. His relationships with others begin to deteriorate, and he finds himself alone in his pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. The young man's dilemma ultimately leads him to a tragic confrontation with reality, as he is forced to choose between his ideals and the harsh realities of life.
By Leonid Andreyev · First published 1905 · Genre: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 8 chapters · 19,936 words
First lines
On the 11th of December of the year 1900 Anton Ignatyeff Kerzhentseff, a physician by profession, perpetrated a murder. The evidence presented in connection with the act itself, as well as certain circumstances which preceded the crime, gave cause to suspect the abnormality of Kerzhentseff's mental faculties.
What this Textopian page supports
A Dilemma is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leonid Andreyev, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Leonid Andreyev
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 19,936 words
- Structure: 8 chapters, 308 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Dilemma by Leonid Andreyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of the characters, highlighting their psychological struggles.
- Philosophical Fiction — Themes of existentialism and moral questioning are central to the plot, prompting readers to reflect on deeper philosophical issues.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by its focus on character development and thematic depth, typical of literary works.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Existentialism · Psychological Drama · Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Absurdism · Dystopian · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Human Condition · Moral Ambiguity · Free Will vs Determinism