A very Short Romance
The story revolves around a young woman who falls deeply in love with a man she meets at a ball. However, their social differences and the fact that he is already engaged to someone else make their relationship impossible. As they spend more time together, the woman becomes increasingly obsessed with him, while he remains detached and unresponsive. Despite this, she continues to pursue him, even after he rejects her outright. The story explores themes of love, obsession, and social class, raising questions about the nature of true love and the consequences of unchecked passion.
By Vsevolod Garshin · First published 1885 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Tragedy · 2,185 words
First lines
Frost and cold. January is approaching, and is making its coming known to every unfortunate being -- dvorniks and gorodovois -- unable to hide their noses in some warm place. It is also letting me know. Not because I have been unable to find a warm corner, but through a whim of mine.
What this Textopian page supports
A very Short Romance is listed on Textopian as a short story by Vsevolod Garshin, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,185 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A very Short Romance 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 very Short Romance?
- How does this short story by Vsevolod Garshin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional themes, character introspection, and the complexities of human relationships.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around love, longing, and the sacrifices made for romantic relationships.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys themes of loss, unfulfilled desires, and the pain of separation.
- Historical Fiction — The backdrop of war and its impact on personal lives situates the story within a specific historical context.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Story · Romance · Tragedy · Love Triangle · Fate vs Free Will · Moral Ambiguity · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Marriage · Infidelity · Betrayal