The Chemist’s Wife (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Anton Chekhov
- First Published: 1886
- Type of Plot: Realism
- Time of Work: The nineteenth century
- Setting: A small town in Russia
- Principal Characters: Tchernomordik, Mme Tchernomordik, Obtyosov, The doctor
- Genres: Realism, Short fiction
- Subjects: Emotions, Adventure, Loneliness
- Locales: Russia
The Story
“The Chemist's Wife” is told in the third person through the consciousness of the title character. The main action of the story occurs within the mind and the emotions of the chemist's wife, who progresses from sleeplessness and boredom to the realization that she is truly unhappy. As in so many Anton Chekhov stories, there is very little external action; the action that is attempted is thwarted.
The story begins late at night, near dawn, in a little Russian town. The chemist is snoring contentedly, in a sleep so deep that nothing could awaken him,...
[The entire page is 1423 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
See Also
