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A Problem
Russian title: Задача
24 pages
First published November 5, 2011
62 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,888 books9,690 followersDramas, such as
The Seagull
(1896, revised 1898), and including "A Dreary Story" (1889) of Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, also Chekov, concern the inability of humans to communicate.
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 19, 2019
Short story about a young man (Sasha) who owes a debt and may face charges and go to jail. His uncles/family get together to decide what to do about him. Quick and ironic read. Interesting classic by Anton Chekhov.
August 29, 2020
(I read the story here: https://americanliterature.com/author/anton-chekhov/short-story/a-problem)
I ... didn't like the core progression of the story. Sasha learnt nothing at all, despite the momentary guilt and burden of possibly having done some wrong.
What I did like were the people who were in support of Sasha, and those who were against his actions. They had differing points of view, and Sasha's reactions of them were quite interesting. The final scene... oh dear. Sasha honestly was not the type of person to want to change because of any external circumstances at all.
I ... didn't like the core progression of the story. Sasha learnt nothing at all, despite the momentary guilt and burden of possibly having done some wrong.
What I did like were the people who were in support of Sasha, and those who were against his actions. They had differing points of view, and Sasha's reactions of them were quite interesting. The final scene... oh dear. Sasha honestly was not the type of person to want to change because of any external circumstances at all.
August 24, 2022
Honestly this was kinda boring. It was good to analyze Chekhov's diction and the environments he created through language, but plot-wise it was kinda eh. This guy gets in trouble for forging a document to get a loan and everyone freaks out and then the issue is resolved and somehow all of this is influenced by the mom's death. definitely not one of the more captivating AP Lit short stories. Give it a read if you have to, otherwise its a waste of time.
October 21, 2024
sasha is #brat for immediately not learning his lesson and begging for money to go to a party.
mad boring though no more banks and too much speaking sorryyy… barely anything even happened too
mad boring though no more banks and too much speaking sorryyy… barely anything even happened too
May 12, 2022
I read this short story from my Delphi collection of his works. Anton Chekhov's A Problem is a short story about a young rascal of a man who forged a check and the family trying to decide if the case should go to trial or they should pay off. The young man listens at the door awaiting his fate. This story brings up futility in helping where it may be only wanted for certain ends.
🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻spoiler alert🔻🔻🔻🔻
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30311
“How can you understand if you say that I don’t believe in family honour? I repeat once more: fa-mil-y ho-nour fal-sely un-der-stood is a prejudice! Falsely understood! That’s what I say: whatever may be the motives for screening a scoundrel, whoever he may be, and helping him to escape punishment, it is contrary to law and unworthy of a gentleman. It’s not saving the family honour; it’s civic cowardice!
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30340
Sasha Uskov sat at the door and listened. He felt neither terror, shame, nor depression, but only weariness and inward emptiness. It
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30347
Sasha was indifferent, and was only disturbed by one circumstance; the other side of the door they were calling him a scoundrel and a criminal.
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Location 30368
Sasha went into the study. The official of the Treasury was sitting down; the Colonel was standing before the table with one hand in his pocket and one knee on a chair. It was smoky and stifling in the study. Sasha did not look at the official or the Colonel; he felt suddenly ashamed and uncomfortable. He looked uneasily at Ivan Markovitch and muttered: “I’ll pay it... I’ll give it back. . .
***Sasha is saved by his uncle but after the ordeal he threatens him.
🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻spoiler alert🔻🔻🔻🔻
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30311
“How can you understand if you say that I don’t believe in family honour? I repeat once more: fa-mil-y ho-nour fal-sely un-der-stood is a prejudice! Falsely understood! That’s what I say: whatever may be the motives for screening a scoundrel, whoever he may be, and helping him to escape punishment, it is contrary to law and unworthy of a gentleman. It’s not saving the family honour; it’s civic cowardice!
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30340
Sasha Uskov sat at the door and listened. He felt neither terror, shame, nor depression, but only weariness and inward emptiness. It
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 30347
Sasha was indifferent, and was only disturbed by one circumstance; the other side of the door they were calling him a scoundrel and a criminal.
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Location 30368
Sasha went into the study. The official of the Treasury was sitting down; the Colonel was standing before the table with one hand in his pocket and one knee on a chair. It was smoky and stifling in the study. Sasha did not look at the official or the Colonel; he felt suddenly ashamed and uncomfortable. He looked uneasily at Ivan Markovitch and muttered: “I’ll pay it... I’ll give it back. . .
***Sasha is saved by his uncle but after the ordeal he threatens him.
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April 26, 2016 This book is interesting. It talks about how a person is not what it seems, and how it looks. It's about a man that committed a crime, but his family are supporting him. There are three family members of this man that want to protect the family last name and to keep the class that they have already carried. It also talks about how those members some want to set him as a prisoner, and how other ones want to forgive him and to pay the crime for him
This story teaches the reader that not everyone is how it supposed to be and how they look.
Perhaps this story help me to understand that not even family is loyal to you. Also I learned that even when a person fells sorry for any bad things they did, it always exists the possibility that at one point of their life they will go back and do it again. This story talks about the importance of the morality in the family. I think that when you talk about morality in a family it is a serious thing and that people should be concern about that, that it's your family and that you can't betray them. But as I mentioned, you never know what happens until it happens.
This story teaches the reader that not everyone is how it supposed to be and how they look.
Perhaps this story help me to understand that not even family is loyal to you. Also I learned that even when a person fells sorry for any bad things they did, it always exists the possibility that at one point of their life they will go back and do it again. This story talks about the importance of the morality in the family. I think that when you talk about morality in a family it is a serious thing and that people should be concern about that, that it's your family and that you can't betray them. But as I mentioned, you never know what happens until it happens.
April 28, 2016
A problem , a story by Anton Chekhov talks about how a young man its currently taking charges to get to jail. The young man named Sasha its kwon for having an awful education. no parental guidance, as well a criminal. The decisions of going to jail will depend of his uncles, and the main concern of the family its about the image Sasha is giving to them.
As for theme of the book I will go for "Taking care of your family members its more important that society thinks about them" , due that as personal opinion I really stick to the idea of protecting your family members no matter what. The quote "How can you understand if you say that I don't believe in family honour? " was told by Sasha towards his uncle, to make a enefasis on how the family was having a hard time within this situation. Honestly I like the story, let me allot of thinking, specially the idea of trying to put on someone else shoes and try to think what might it be like.
As well for the writing style , I did enjoyed the dramatic irony
I must warn you of a great twist at the end of the story..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2022
Very interesting dynamics at play as two conflicts drag out simultaneously, the discussion between the Uskov family and Sasha’s internal turmoil. The three uncles representing three solutions to the problem….. solutions that have different outcomes for the young man and their family honor.
Almost like a tennis match we get shot back and forth between the two parties … the uncles haggling it out in the meeting room and then Sasha’s internal monologue outside as he hears the commotion waiting for their judgement. With the two meeting at the end of the book.
I love Chekhovs building of Sascha’s character, from denial to disinterest to blame shifting and finally acceptance. He has little care for much regarding his goals or interests in life but knows he enjoys partying. He tries to blame external circumstances, play down the crime as less serious than it’s made out to be and brushes off the problem all together appearing as if he cares little what happens to him. All very child like characteristics.
The final culmination of his families thoughts and “let off “ of his actions indicate to Sasha his rich family will work hard to keep their family name out of the gutter and understands this tiff clearly demonstrated blood is thicker than water.
He quickly changes his attitude to relief and with this new found information at hand , has nothing preventing him from going right back to his unhealthy destructive ways.
Almost like a tennis match we get shot back and forth between the two parties … the uncles haggling it out in the meeting room and then Sasha’s internal monologue outside as he hears the commotion waiting for their judgement. With the two meeting at the end of the book.
I love Chekhovs building of Sascha’s character, from denial to disinterest to blame shifting and finally acceptance. He has little care for much regarding his goals or interests in life but knows he enjoys partying. He tries to blame external circumstances, play down the crime as less serious than it’s made out to be and brushes off the problem all together appearing as if he cares little what happens to him. All very child like characteristics.
The final culmination of his families thoughts and “let off “ of his actions indicate to Sasha his rich family will work hard to keep their family name out of the gutter and understands this tiff clearly demonstrated blood is thicker than water.
He quickly changes his attitude to relief and with this new found information at hand , has nothing preventing him from going right back to his unhealthy destructive ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2020
vague farce
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April 26, 2016Anton Chekhov
A problem
A problem is a short story written by the Russian author Anton Chekhov around the 1880s. He was known for expressing more emphasis on the mood of the characters rather than the plot. They even said what he wrote were “biographies of a mood”. He wanted his readers to understand the melancholy of everyday life among different people. He usually used a lot or irony in his works.
The story’s first setting starts at a family gathering, but not a joyous one, it was a serious gathering. Three uncles gathered to discuss their nephew’s fate. This nephew wa named Sasha and he had a huge debt he couldn’t possibly pay. One uncle, who was a colonel, accuses him of being a criminal and proposes a solution that involved in Sasha having to deal with the consequences. Another uncle, couldn’t bear the idea that their last name was going to be ruined with a tragedy of such type. Ivan, the third uncle, thought different. Ivan wanted to help Sasha and thought that his remorse would be enough. After a lot of arguing they finally decide to help Sasha, mainly because of Ivan. Sasha’s nightmare was over after a tragical night full of arguing. That is when later he brazenly asked to Ivan, “ Uncle, lend me a hundred rubles”. That was when his noble uncle Ivan understood Sasha didn’t feel a slight remorse and wanted to waste the money once again.
This story didn’t really came out as I expected and probably as many people expected too. It was kind of logical that Sasha would feel guilty and try to amend his acts by being nice, concerned and generous. This is just a perfect example of the situational irony Chekhov uses. Anton Chekhov also uses dramatic irony when the readers knew the real self of Sasha. By true self, I mean that us, the readers knew he didn’t really care and just wanted everything to be over. This is a thought of Sasha's’ that his uncle ivan didn’t know. This story is also very realist and I believe its central theme is that sometimes people can’t be completely changed. There will always be a piece of the same person one used to be. A problem is realist because it talks about a very possible scenario that might have happened and still happens with young kids that take life for granted and don’t face consequences.
A problem
A problem is a short story written by the Russian author Anton Chekhov around the 1880s. He was known for expressing more emphasis on the mood of the characters rather than the plot. They even said what he wrote were “biographies of a mood”. He wanted his readers to understand the melancholy of everyday life among different people. He usually used a lot or irony in his works.
The story’s first setting starts at a family gathering, but not a joyous one, it was a serious gathering. Three uncles gathered to discuss their nephew’s fate. This nephew wa named Sasha and he had a huge debt he couldn’t possibly pay. One uncle, who was a colonel, accuses him of being a criminal and proposes a solution that involved in Sasha having to deal with the consequences. Another uncle, couldn’t bear the idea that their last name was going to be ruined with a tragedy of such type. Ivan, the third uncle, thought different. Ivan wanted to help Sasha and thought that his remorse would be enough. After a lot of arguing they finally decide to help Sasha, mainly because of Ivan. Sasha’s nightmare was over after a tragical night full of arguing. That is when later he brazenly asked to Ivan, “ Uncle, lend me a hundred rubles”. That was when his noble uncle Ivan understood Sasha didn’t feel a slight remorse and wanted to waste the money once again.
This story didn’t really came out as I expected and probably as many people expected too. It was kind of logical that Sasha would feel guilty and try to amend his acts by being nice, concerned and generous. This is just a perfect example of the situational irony Chekhov uses. Anton Chekhov also uses dramatic irony when the readers knew the real self of Sasha. By true self, I mean that us, the readers knew he didn’t really care and just wanted everything to be over. This is a thought of Sasha's’ that his uncle ivan didn’t know. This story is also very realist and I believe its central theme is that sometimes people can’t be completely changed. There will always be a piece of the same person one used to be. A problem is realist because it talks about a very possible scenario that might have happened and still happens with young kids that take life for granted and don’t face consequences.
April 26, 2016
"A Problem" is a short story written by Anton Chekhov which illustrates a teenager called Sasha who has taken money from his family and they must decide whether to pay up his debts or to let him go to prison. The story focuses on the morality of the characters and what they think towards the situation. The uncles, who play a big role in the story, have different point of view of the actions that should be taken. The main idea that the story tries to display is morality towards something.
Each character tries to defend their point of view throughout the story, thinking about what a young man does at that age and the mistakes that are done, creating some empathy. It talks about nature in the sense of the character already destined to be a bad man, like how criminals are judged. It gives its opinions relatively straight within the dialogue between the characters without being too complex.
In the story, dramatic irony is used to understand a character's point of view which makes him look uninterested about the situation. "It mad no difference to him where he was: here in the hall, in prison or in Siberia". It connects to realism because a debate between family about what to do with a relative that could harm their name could be a realistic possibility and the story shows a nice representation of it.
Each character tries to defend their point of view throughout the story, thinking about what a young man does at that age and the mistakes that are done, creating some empathy. It talks about nature in the sense of the character already destined to be a bad man, like how criminals are judged. It gives its opinions relatively straight within the dialogue between the characters without being too complex.
In the story, dramatic irony is used to understand a character's point of view which makes him look uninterested about the situation. "It mad no difference to him where he was: here in the hall, in prison or in Siberia". It connects to realism because a debate between family about what to do with a relative that could harm their name could be a realistic possibility and the story shows a nice representation of it.
May 8, 2016
A problem, a story written by Anton Chekhov tells the story about Sasha, a young man who owes money and has some unpaid debts, and his family, composed of his uncles, which tries to figure out what to do with Sasha and his debts. Each uncle has a different point of view for the situation. They are trying to decide to either punish Sasha or forgive him and pay his debts without risking the families reputation.
This story centers on this specific moral problem the family is facing. Sasha is a young, undereducated man who lost his parents and lacks a good guidance in his life. Almost everyone wants to keep the family's honor and reputation clean. One of the uncles wants Sasha to face the consequences of his actions while another wants to forgive him since he has reasons that are not his fault.
This short story is easy to read and comprehend. It has simple literary terms such as irony and realism. Irony is showed many times throughout the story, one example is when we expect Sasha to do something, but he actually does the opposite. Sasha says"Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal." This theme relates to realism since it shows how people never change and in overall the moral problem the family is facing is related to realism.
This story centers on this specific moral problem the family is facing. Sasha is a young, undereducated man who lost his parents and lacks a good guidance in his life. Almost everyone wants to keep the family's honor and reputation clean. One of the uncles wants Sasha to face the consequences of his actions while another wants to forgive him since he has reasons that are not his fault.
This short story is easy to read and comprehend. It has simple literary terms such as irony and realism. Irony is showed many times throughout the story, one example is when we expect Sasha to do something, but he actually does the opposite. Sasha says"Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal." This theme relates to realism since it shows how people never change and in overall the moral problem the family is facing is related to realism.
April 26, 2016
The “A Problem” is a short story wrote by the russian author known as Anton Chekhov. The story is based upon a family with problems because of one man. This man is called Sasha a man who has a big debt and who can not afford to pay it and because of this Sasha is sentence to a trial to know his future. This story takes place in Russia during the 1800s.
This a different kind of story that has some elements that not every story has. The story is mostly about betrayal because this story tries to show us how could everyone could betray you no matter if it is a family, friend or stranger. Also the story contains what trust is made of because in the story the value of trust is important to accomplish the story goals. This trust that is gain in the story is broken because of the acts of Sasha and this act will be called betrayal. A good evidence about this is when Sasha said this"Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal." This phrase Sasha said made us understand the real intentions of Sasha and how he is a traitor.
This story for me was boring because it do not had parts of action, that in my opinion are essential to have a good book. Whatever my opinion is about this story it still has some great things to teach us about betrayal and trust.
img src="http://giphy.com/gifs/5u0uZecUZlUsM/h..." width="40"
This a different kind of story that has some elements that not every story has. The story is mostly about betrayal because this story tries to show us how could everyone could betray you no matter if it is a family, friend or stranger. Also the story contains what trust is made of because in the story the value of trust is important to accomplish the story goals. This trust that is gain in the story is broken because of the acts of Sasha and this act will be called betrayal. A good evidence about this is when Sasha said this"Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal." This phrase Sasha said made us understand the real intentions of Sasha and how he is a traitor.
This story for me was boring because it do not had parts of action, that in my opinion are essential to have a good book. Whatever my opinion is about this story it still has some great things to teach us about betrayal and trust.
img src="http://giphy.com/gifs/5u0uZecUZlUsM/h..." width="40"
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April 25, 2016My Review ¨ A Problem¨
A problem is a short story written by Anton Chekhov that can be categorized under irony. The story describes a problem between a young man called Sasha and his family. Sasha, the young man who gets into trouble, is an orphan who´s tutored by two of his uncles. One being the brother of his mother and the other being brother of his father.
As the story develops, the controversy of the problem starts to grow and both of his uncles realize that he is really missing guidance and maturity. It is very interesting to see how one decision can change not just one person's life, but also his family's destiny.
An interesting part of the story is when the main character Sasha ask himself ¨What else have i done wrong besides¨ this is so ironic because he don't even realize how bad have his actions impacted not only his life but the life of the ones that love him the most. For me it was shocking how a some people can be so selfish when it comes to making decisions, also it was an important learning for me to know that we are not always conscious of our actions and it is important to learn from our mistakes.
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A problem is a short story written by Anton Chekhov that can be categorized under irony. The story describes a problem between a young man called Sasha and his family. Sasha, the young man who gets into trouble, is an orphan who´s tutored by two of his uncles. One being the brother of his mother and the other being brother of his father.
As the story develops, the controversy of the problem starts to grow and both of his uncles realize that he is really missing guidance and maturity. It is very interesting to see how one decision can change not just one person's life, but also his family's destiny.
An interesting part of the story is when the main character Sasha ask himself ¨What else have i done wrong besides¨ this is so ironic because he don't even realize how bad have his actions impacted not only his life but the life of the ones that love him the most. For me it was shocking how a some people can be so selfish when it comes to making decisions, also it was an important learning for me to know that we are not always conscious of our actions and it is important to learn from our mistakes.
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April 26, 2016
"A problem" is a short story written bye Anton Chekhov who is a Russian writer. The story talks about a boy named Sasha that is accused of doing something. Throughout the story 3 uncles of this boy are trying to decide wether to make him pay for what he did or forgive him. One of the uncles debates with a lot of effort and showing evidence of Sasha's past so that he is forgiven.
The story goes on with the uncles talking about what to do with him. What this story is about is how being related to someone can affect your point of view on how you see the bad things they do. What is is mostly about is betrayal. In this story you see how can anyone, even your family can betray. When Sasha says this "Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal.", this is when you realise that he betrayed his own family.
For me this was a very different short story from the other I have read. In my opinion it was kind of boring but what I liked about it is that you don't expect the ending and it takes you by surprise. This short story is characterised by the irony it contains and this is what makes it exciting.
The story goes on with the uncles talking about what to do with him. What this story is about is how being related to someone can affect your point of view on how you see the bad things they do. What is is mostly about is betrayal. In this story you see how can anyone, even your family can betray. When Sasha says this "Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal.", this is when you realise that he betrayed his own family.
For me this was a very different short story from the other I have read. In my opinion it was kind of boring but what I liked about it is that you don't expect the ending and it takes you by surprise. This short story is characterised by the irony it contains and this is what makes it exciting.
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April 26, 2016A problem is a book written by Anton Chekhov. It is mainly about a crime committed by a young man and the characters inside the written piece are trying to figure out what to do. The crime was committed by the young man named Sasha. He gets in messy situation in which his uncles try to solve it.
Further in the book the uncles have a situation in which they do not know what do to with Sasha. They both believe he is not prepared and is not mature enough. Through the reading it shows points of views from both uncles. It is interesting the different opinions both have. I can not say i am biased to any of them, but i have small details which i can agree with from both sides.
Something that stands out from the story is the irony that is portrayed. In the reading it shows two types of irony. It shows dramatic irony which means that the reader knows something the character does not and situation irony which means that the unexpected occurs. It grabbed me by surprise the actions that Sasha made and how ironic everything ended. It was something i did not see coming. I would have hoped that Sasha saw things in a different perspective. This shows us to dont put too much trust on someone. Also to always be ready for the unexpected.
Further in the book the uncles have a situation in which they do not know what do to with Sasha. They both believe he is not prepared and is not mature enough. Through the reading it shows points of views from both uncles. It is interesting the different opinions both have. I can not say i am biased to any of them, but i have small details which i can agree with from both sides.
Something that stands out from the story is the irony that is portrayed. In the reading it shows two types of irony. It shows dramatic irony which means that the reader knows something the character does not and situation irony which means that the unexpected occurs. It grabbed me by surprise the actions that Sasha made and how ironic everything ended. It was something i did not see coming. I would have hoped that Sasha saw things in a different perspective. This shows us to dont put too much trust on someone. Also to always be ready for the unexpected.
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April 27, 2016The story "A problem" by Anton Chekhov is about a young man named Sasha who gets in trouble because he owes a debt. He has no money and both of his parents are dead, so the only ones that could take responsability of what he did were his 2 paternal uncles.
When the uncles hear the news and had to decide what to do about Sasha's problem, each one of them acted in different ways. They had a very tough decision. They had to decide whether to pay the money or to leave the case to go for trial.
In this story, you can learn how in the world there really exist people with no heart and also you learn that there are people that do not change. Even though Sasha's uncle, uncle Ivan, did everything he could to clean up the mess and to protect him, he just betrayed him with no doubt. He always had that in mind and not even all of the things his uncle did for him made him change his mind. You can see at the end when Sasha is talking with his uncle and asked him for the money. "Ivan Markovitch took a hundred ruble note out of his pocketbook and gave it to Sasha. The young man took it and walked rapidly away from him..." After that, Sasha said, "Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal. There, he just stole money from his uncle and lied to him in where he was going to spend it.
When the uncles hear the news and had to decide what to do about Sasha's problem, each one of them acted in different ways. They had a very tough decision. They had to decide whether to pay the money or to leave the case to go for trial.
In this story, you can learn how in the world there really exist people with no heart and also you learn that there are people that do not change. Even though Sasha's uncle, uncle Ivan, did everything he could to clean up the mess and to protect him, he just betrayed him with no doubt. He always had that in mind and not even all of the things his uncle did for him made him change his mind. You can see at the end when Sasha is talking with his uncle and asked him for the money. "Ivan Markovitch took a hundred ruble note out of his pocketbook and gave it to Sasha. The young man took it and walked rapidly away from him..." After that, Sasha said, "Now I see that I am a criminal; yes, I am a criminal. There, he just stole money from his uncle and lied to him in where he was going to spend it.
April 27, 2016
"A Problem" Review
“A problem”, a story by Anton Chekov is currently facing charges of going to jail. This man named Sasha couldn’t careless. The faith and future of Sasha is being decided by his uncles. Mainly, because they are to worried he will affect the families name. Sasha is known for having no parental guidance, an awful education, and he has priors of being a criminal.
Further in this story the uncles are debating to what to do, and if they should trust and save Sasha or no. How the family deals with the problem, talks about him, and worry so much about the families name make the story so interesting.
This story includes a lot of irony. As dramatic irony it is funny how his family is debating either to help him or not. And he literally couldn’t care less. I really recommend this story since it brings you a lot of feeling about family and reputation. Here I leave a quote that relates to the story, “It is better to be alone than in bad company."
“A problem”, a story by Anton Chekov is currently facing charges of going to jail. This man named Sasha couldn’t careless. The faith and future of Sasha is being decided by his uncles. Mainly, because they are to worried he will affect the families name. Sasha is known for having no parental guidance, an awful education, and he has priors of being a criminal.
Further in this story the uncles are debating to what to do, and if they should trust and save Sasha or no. How the family deals with the problem, talks about him, and worry so much about the families name make the story so interesting.
This story includes a lot of irony. As dramatic irony it is funny how his family is debating either to help him or not. And he literally couldn’t care less. I really recommend this story since it brings you a lot of feeling about family and reputation. Here I leave a quote that relates to the story, “It is better to be alone than in bad company."
November 28, 2013
A truly wry and melancholy account of human nature's inability to be introspective and unbiased on matters of the self. This story makes up for its lack of excitement with its uppercut of self actualization.
June 26, 2021
A politician is born.
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