Silence by Leonid Andreyev (1917)

Name: Silence
Author: Leonid Andreyev

The novel revolves around the theme of existential despair and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. It follows the story of a young man who becomes disillusioned with life after witnessing a brutal execution. He begins to question the morality and purpose of society, leading him down a path of nihilism and self-destruction. As he grapples with his own mortality, the protagonist's inner turmoil intensifies, and he becomes increasingly isolated from those around him. His relationships with others deteriorate, and he is left alone to confront the abyss of nothingness that lies at the heart of existence. Through the protagonist's struggles, the novel explores themes of existentialism, nihilism, and the human condition. It raises questions about the nature of reality, morality, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.

By Leonid Andreyev · First published 1917 · Genre: Psychological Drama, Tragedy, Literary Fiction · 4 chapters · 6,043 words

First lines

On a moonlight night in May, when the nightingales were singing, his wife came to Father Ignaty who was sitting in his study. Her face was expressive of suffering, and the small lamp trembled in her hand. She came up to her husband, touched him on the shoulder, and said sobbing:

"Father, let us go to Verochka!"

What this Textopian page supports

Silence is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leonid Andreyev, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
Language: English
Genres: Psychological Drama, Tragedy, Literary Fiction, Family Saga, Existential Fiction
Length: 6,043 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 115 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Silence by Leonid Andreyev
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Leonid Andreyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Psychological Drama first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Psychological Drama — The narrative delves deeply into the psychological struggles of the characters, particularly the father, as they grapple with grief, guilt, and the inability to communicate.
Tragedy — The story centers around the tragic death of Vera and the subsequent emotional fallout, highlighting themes of loss and despair.
Literary Fiction — The work employs a rich, introspective style that focuses on character development and thematic depth, characteristic of literary fiction.
Family Saga — The dynamics within the family, particularly between the father, mother, and daughter, are central to the plot and themes.