The City by Leonid Andreyev (1908)
The novel revolves around the life of a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes disillusioned with its moral decay and spiritual emptiness. He witnesses the decline of traditional values and the rise of materialism, which he sees as a threat to humanity's well-being. The protagonist's observations are juxtaposed with his own inner turmoil, as he struggles to reconcile his idealistic views with the harsh realities of modern life.
By Leonid Andreyev · First published 1908 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 3,368 words
First lines
It was an immense city in which they lived: Petrov, clerk in a commercial bank, and he, the other -- name unknown.
They used to meet once a year, at Easter, when they both went to pay a visit at one and the same house, that of the Vasilyevskys. Petrov used to pay a visit also at Christmas, but probably the other, whom he used to meet, came at Christmas at a different hour, and so they did not see one another. The first two or three times Petrov did not notice him among so many visitors, but the fourth year his face seemed known to him and they greeted one another with a smile -- and the fifth year Petrov proposed to clink glasses with him.
What this Textopian page supports
The City is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leonid Andreyev, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Gothic Fiction, Realism
- Length: 3,368 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The City by Leonid Andreyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The City?
- How does this novel by Leonid Andreyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Tocsin by Leonid Andreyev
- In The Basement by Leonid Andreyev
- At The Roadside Station by Leonid Andreyev
- The Wall by Leonid Andreyev
- The Ocean by Leonid Andreyev
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the inner thoughts and feelings of the protagonist, exploring themes of isolation, fear, and existential dread.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on the human condition and societal observations.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques urban life and the anonymity of individuals within a bustling city, highlighting the disconnect between people.
- Gothic Fiction — The oppressive atmosphere of the city and the protagonist's psychological turmoil evoke elements typical of Gothic literature.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Drama · Existentialism · Absurdism · Russian Literature · 20th Century Literature · Urban Fiction · Social Commentary · Critique of Capitalism · Alienation · Loneliness · Isolation