On the Day of the Crucifixion
The story revolves around a group of people who are gathered to witness the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The narrative focuses on their thoughts and emotions as they watch the event unfold. As the crowd observes the suffering of Jesus, they begin to reflect on their own lives and the consequences of their actions. Some feel remorse for their past mistakes, while others remain indifferent or even rejoice at the spectacle. The story explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of morality and the impact of one's choices on oneself and others. Through the characters' reactions to the crucifixion, the narrative highlights the complexities of human psychology and the ways in which people respond to suffering.
By Leonid Andreyev · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 1,690 words
First lines
On that terrible day, when the universal injustice was committed and Jesus Christ was crucified in Golgotha among robbers -- on that day, from early morning, Ben-Tovit, a tradesman of Jerusalem, suffered from an unendurable toothache. His toothache had commenced on the day before, toward evening; at first his right jaw started to pain him, and one tooth, the one right next the wisdom tooth, seemed to have risen somewhat, and when his tongue touched the tooth, he felt a slightly painful sensation. After supper, however, his toothache had passed, and Ben-Tovit had forgotten all about it -- he had made a profitable deal on that day, had bartered an old donkey for a young, strong one, so he was very cheerful and paid no heed to any ominous signs.
What this Textopian page supports
On the Day of the Crucifixion is listed on Textopian as a short story by Leonid Andreyev, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Leonid Andreyev
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 1,690 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for On the Day of the Crucifixion by Leonid Andreyev
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Life Of Father Vassily by Leonid Andreyev
- The Little Angel by Leonid Andreyev
- The Crushed Flower by Leonid Andreyev
- Slayers Of Innocent Babes by Fyodor Sologub
- Judas Iscariot by Leonid Andreyev
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of suffering, human experience, and moral reflection, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — Set during a significant historical event, it intertwines fictional characters with real historical context.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into existential questions and the nature of suffering, prompting philosophical contemplation.
- Religious Fiction — The story revolves around the crucifixion of Jesus, engaging with religious themes and moral dilemmas.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Drama · Existential Crisis · Russian Literature · Symbolism · Moral Ambiguity · Theology · Drama · Tragedy · Human Condition · Faith vs Reason · Suffering