A Night by Vsevolod Garshin (1888)
The story revolves around a young officer who is stationed at a remote outpost on the Russian steppes during World War I. He is tasked with guarding a strategic location and is left to his own devices for long periods of time. As the night wears on, the officer's thoughts turn to his past and his relationships with women. He recalls a romantic affair he had before the war and becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of reuniting with her. The officer's mental state deteriorates as the night progresses, and he becomes convinced that he is being watched by unseen forces. His paranoia grows, and he begins to question his own sanity. Ultimately, the officer's fragile mental state collapses, and he succumbs to a breakdown, losing all sense of reality and identity.
By Vsevolod Garshin · First published 1888 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Tragedy · 6 chapters · 8,242 words
First lines
A watch lying on the writing-table was hurriedly, and with wearying repetition, singing two notes. It was difficult even for a quick ear to distinguish between the two sounds, but to the owner of the watch, the wretched man sitting near this table, the ticking of the watch seemed a whole song.
"It is a joyless and disconsolate song," said he to himself. "It is the song of time itself, and it is being sung apparently for my benefit. It is for my edification that it is singing with such surprising monotony. Three, four, ten years ago the watch ticked as now, and in ten years' time will be ticking in just the same manner. exactly as now."
What this Textopian page supports
A Night is listed on Textopian as a short story by Vsevolod Garshin, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Vsevolod Garshin
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Existentialism, Drama
- Length: 8,242 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 115 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Night by Vsevolod Garshin
- 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Night?
- How does this short story by Vsevolod Garshin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the protagonist's internal struggles, exploring themes of identity, self-deception, and existential despair.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on the human condition and philosophical reflections.
- Tragedy — The protagonist's journey culminates in a tragic resolution, highlighting themes of hopelessness and the consequences of despair.
- Existentialism — The text grapples with existential questions about the meaning of life, time, and the individual's place in the world.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Russian Literature · Short Story · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · Mental Illness · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair · Futility · Human Condition · Morality