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Difficult People
Difficult People, a one act play adapted by Gerald P. Murphy from a Chekhov short story of the same title Ivan – Russian farmer Sonia – his wife Peter – his son, home from university (A kitchen in rural Russia, 100 years ago. Ivan, the father, takes his time washing his hands at a pail of water stage right while his son, Peter, and Ivan’s wife, Sonia, wait patiently at the dinner table, center stage. The sound of rain can be heard outside the house. Peter and Sonia are dressed poorly, and Ivan doesn’t look much better, although they are certainly not poor. Ivan, as usual, is in a foul mood as he looks out the window stage right. Mood music of cello playing in the background is optional.)
7 pages
First published February 22, 2001
39 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,951 books9,853 followers
Antón Chéjov
(Spanish)
Dramas, 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 [a:Alfred Dreyfu
Dramas, 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 [a:Alfred Dreyfu
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 11, 2017
A bit of a dark tale of a dysfunctional family. Not by its specifics, but by its drama. It's short and readable in under 30 minutes.
This book may be too relatable for some. It seems somewhat of a character study from my perspective. It may spur some to thought, particularly those of who can relate to it in one fashion or another. Personally, I think there is more to the book than what we may find simply by examining the surface. If you like Russian Novels, give this short story a try.
This book may be too relatable for some. It seems somewhat of a character study from my perspective. It may spur some to thought, particularly those of who can relate to it in one fashion or another. Personally, I think there is more to the book than what we may find simply by examining the surface. If you like Russian Novels, give this short story a try.
November 10, 2021
I love Russian literature and while I can't say I loved it, it was a good piece of writing. I read another review which talked about it being a dysfunctional family but very relatable and I couldn't agree more. Having an extreme dysfunctional family growing up, books were my escape. This one his a little too close to home, but I was impressed at how quickly it immersed you in that dysfunction. Well written, like most Russian lit I've read and loved, but also sad. If that's something you like, this one's for you. I'm glad I read it, in fact, I might read it again sometime.
June 30, 2024
Is Russian literature my new personality?
October 17, 2021
Chekhov's work has always resonated with me, and the idea of a passive optimism, like streaks of life from behind hounds, still help in move forward in the uttermosts of difficult situations.
Difficult people is also explores this theme. The story deals with the dysfunctional family of Yevgraf Ivanovich Shirayev and the strained relationships, especially between his and his son, Pyotr, a student bound to Moscow for his studies. In the story we see a falling out between Pyotr and his father and a sort of temporary between them reconciliation in the end.
The especially beautiful parts of this story are when Pyotr smiles before a landowner despite the turmoil in his mind or he when goes to bed, neither sad or angry, but with an unexplained ache. These parts beautifully portray Chekhov's realism, where things occur without an apparent cause or reason, but are relatable nonetheless because we know these things happen in our daily lives.
Also, here confrontation and conflict seems like a catharsis for their strained relationships.
It very minutely depicts the family dynamics of the Shirayevs, and is always a preferable read if you are interested in realism.
Difficult people is also explores this theme. The story deals with the dysfunctional family of Yevgraf Ivanovich Shirayev and the strained relationships, especially between his and his son, Pyotr, a student bound to Moscow for his studies. In the story we see a falling out between Pyotr and his father and a sort of temporary between them reconciliation in the end.
The especially beautiful parts of this story are when Pyotr smiles before a landowner despite the turmoil in his mind or he when goes to bed, neither sad or angry, but with an unexplained ache. These parts beautifully portray Chekhov's realism, where things occur without an apparent cause or reason, but are relatable nonetheless because we know these things happen in our daily lives.
Also, here confrontation and conflict seems like a catharsis for their strained relationships.
It very minutely depicts the family dynamics of the Shirayevs, and is always a preferable read if you are interested in realism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
Anton Chekhov’s “Difficult People” offers a stark, unflinching glimpse into the life of a dysfunctional family in Russia. The narrative feels achingly real, painting a dark portrait of familial tensions and unmet expectations. Chekhov’s writing is sharp and evocative, stirring a range of emotions as you're drawn into the characters' frustrations and disappointments. It left me reflecting on how I might respond in similar circumstances. Though I found it quite sad, I believe it is a powerful and poignant exploration of human nature and familial struggles and I would definitely recommend it as a quick read.
September 15, 2023
This is what I read Chekhov for - the people who are trying so hard, and just can't help themselves, who self-examine, find themselves lacking, try and fail, yes fail, into old patterns again. It is brutally honest but still sympathetic. Beautiful!
August 2, 2018
I find it heart-wrenching. I sympathized with the son, the father, the mother, and all the family.
February 22, 2020
Only the short story multiple times.
I need to watch the adaptation 😅
I need to watch the adaptation 😅
March 26, 2020
Not for me.
January 10, 2022
Anton Chekhov is an amazing writer.
Sadly, this is one of his weakest works.
It's okay.
Sadly, this is one of his weakest works.
It's okay.
September 4, 2023
Oof. The misery of tiptoeing around someone prone to angry outbursts.
November 26, 2023
Great writing - sad tale involving deep family dysfunction. Sad because the story wasn’t resolved. Would be an interesting story to do a more in-depth character study.
May 24, 2019
2 stars. Very short read. Typical older Russian lit. Depressing and going nowhere. However, the characterizations were dead on, and his writing put you right in the story (not that it’s a story I want to be in, but hey). Note to self, I don’t like Russian lit any more now than when I was in high school.
June 26, 2021
Amazing, just like papa Radish!
August 10, 2018
Hits home. I wish there’s a better ending to give me comfort but maybe this is reality for the majority.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews