This was one of those stories that really hit me. The past few days have been really overwhelming for me. Apart from trying to settle into a new role, I have had a severe content block. Creating any form of content looks like an arduous task at the moment. I haven't even been able to make out time to read. I hope to get everything sorted soon as it affects my quality of life.
Anton Chekhov is a master at short story writing. I have read and reviewed some of the works, and it leaves me yearning for more. He usually writes from a place of experience which makes his work distinct and original. You'd wonder how a medical personnel writes such captivating tales.
- Author - Anton Chekhov
- Title - Vanka
- Originally Published - 1886
- Genre - Fiction, Short Stories
PLOT
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A truly heart-wrenching story by Anton. He narrates the miserable life of a nine-year-old Russian kid who gets sent to the big city (Moscow) to learn a trade (shoe making). Instead of being taught the trade, he is maltreated by his master and his wife. He is not properly fed and is abused at every opportunity. The opening scene is one where the boy waits for his master to leave the house before he begins to write a letter to his grandfather; a lively sixty-five-year-old man. He narrates his ordeal, and the fond memories they shared before, longing for home. After writing, it out he runs to mail his letter with all excitement.
SETTING
The story is set in Moscow, Russia.
CHARACTER(S)
- Vanka Zhukov - A nine-year-old Russian kid. The protagonist of the story
- Alyahin - The little Lad's master; Shoemaker.
- Konstantin Makaritch - The little lad's grandfather.
PURPOSE
It's a key issue in society. Domestic abuse of minors and all that sort. Always a nice thing when it is been brought to light in literature.
Thank you for reading my short story review. I always try to avoid spoilers. :). Everything said herein is actually my own opinion. If there is anything I might have missed out, misinterpreted, or quoted wrongly, please do point to me in the comment. It's a short free online story on American Literature. Till next time. Cheers.
Anton Chekhov (the author) during his youth suffered abuse and abandonment, which influenced some of his writings. The prevalent theme of Child-Family separation is a real-life issue that has to be addressed. Anton wrote a deep and heartfelt story with this one. He has always been known to always try and tackle societal issues with his writing and this was no exception. Typically, stories and literature in general have a primary aim of being evocative, and this did exactly that. Reading the story of the boy narrating his ordeal and how he is left to suffer at a very tender age is criminal. A lot of young people are still a victim of such gruesome and inhuman experiences, and it is our moral duty as humans to call out any form of child abuse when we see it, and also offer a helping hand when we can. A truly touching story.