Нищий

by Anton Chekhov, Антон Павлович Чехов

Рассказ, впервые опубликованный в 1887 году.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, Russian Literature, Audiobook, Russia, Literature

9 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1887

About the author

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 Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars *

A short story by Anton Chekhov. It may be short but it holds great meaning! Here’s the link if you’d like to read it.
http://www.dominiopublico.gov.br/pesq...

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a beggar approached a man and spins a tale of the previous life he has lived, and the grace he has fallen from, he is recognised as the fraud he is. The beggar reveals his true self and is taken into temporary employment, working on and receiving a regular, small salary on the first day of every month.

This was a brief yet enjoyable listen with a concluding twist that imbued all the former events with moral significance. It took me only fifteen minutes to listen to, but there is a message delivered that I will take along with me for a lifetime.

[Ian D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes wonder if Russian authors of Chekhov's calibre were physically capable of writing anything even remotely mediocre...

[Kiara Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten minutes reading, twenty minutes thinking.

[Fatima Hayee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two life changing lessons from this short story.

1. We normally condemn the beggars for not working.But we never have this second thought of giving them work to earn money.

2.Helping others in their work can be life changing for them.

[Evoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cautionary tale! Extremely short, but with a deep meaning about life, labor, laziness and the search for oneself. The morale is basically that if a person doesn't want to do anything, it's not even worth trying to help him out, because he or she will jump off and walk away from this help and provided opportunity to improve one's social status or living conditions.
The protagonist of this short story is exactly from such a category of people. Only a conscious choice of the man himself will help a person to succeed.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess that I haven't picked up anything by Chekhov yet, so this is my first time with the author of the classics. And true to his name, the short story about a beggar and his benevolent was a strong punch. Regardless of its short length, the story was pretty unpredictable and it managed to capture a few aspects of human nature that are the same (unfortunately for some) however the years may pass. Highly recommended.

[Mike Narvaez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing short story that I read it twice in a row. It says so much in so few pages. There is the main character, through which we see character-arc. There is also the antagonist of the story and the main hero of the story, who is somehow hidden in plain sight. This is such an enjoyable short story that I wished I had discovered it before.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anton Chekhov is incredible! Chekhov is a new author for me and quite frankly, I read this short story by chance. Awesome! I also read up on Chekhov’s life history, so interesting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

[Cleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Chekhov! A nice moral tale -- this is a painfully Online comparison to make, but it reads like those self aggrandising LinkedIn posts where people (in this case, a pompous lawyer) save a child from drowning by telling them to diversify their investment portfolio. Though I do wish those posts had a twist as smirk-inducing as this story does.

[Overlady · Rating 2 out of 5]

An alright short story about a beggar, with a nice twist at the end.
It's about a beggar who managed to get up on his feet after an encounter with several people.
It shows all the misconception, judgements and mistreatment of beggars.
A lot of people seem to think that getting a job is always easy for everyone.
There are a lot of factors that might stand in one's way. Lack of experience,
support, knowledge, connections, skills and so on.
All the circumstances for this state are different. Not all of them are tear jerking, some are shameful.
This book also shows the importance of kindness and compassion towards another human being.

[breeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure if Chekhov was attempting some moral message with this because it just came off as 'lying is okay if it gets you more money'.
nevertheless the writing was good - might read more of his stuff.

[Omnia · Rating 3 out of 5]

احب الاستماع الى قصص ما قبل النوم . غالبا ما ينتهي في المطاف عند تشيخوف ، اذ انه ملك القصه القصيرة الروسية بلا منازع .

[Gogularaajan Rajendran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so engaging from start to end. I didn't know the background and politics of this story at first, but I was so attracted simply by the dynamic conversation of the lawyer confronting the cheating beggar. There's always an interest to know the next. I love how precise chekhov is, and through very limited words, he make me to imagine so much that is not told. All the situations, characters, story felt real and solid. And all this happens so smoothly, so easily. Like he does not demand my effort to indulge. Reading this was entertaining and effortless.

First of all, this story is so so relatable to me. I have encountered a similar beggar like this, but I didn't go to the extend of advicing her. I just gave her the look like I have already donated you 2 hours ago for different reason. And I could feel the shame she felt, she ran away once she realised. I didn't feel bad at that time. But when I was reading this, I felt bad. So naturally I could completely relate to both the characters. I love how rounded they are. chekhov is so direct, but still could achieve this.

I also love the humor haha, when the lawyer stalks his cook and the beggar from inside the house through the window, and he judge the cook, "she is a cross creature." he feels bad for forcing the poor pampered beggar to do hard works, but then he leaves haha.

That is really amazing. I love these little humor.

After hearing to the analysis, the story certainly gives different shades, it becomes more important with the politics in play. I never read about Russian history other than Stalin's tyranny and his communist corruption/wonders. This story is about reform, and within that he plays so delicately with careful representation. But I feel chekhov didn't take any side. I think every side in this story has a role to play. I never felt the lawyer as the villain or dark character. I felt he is a proud man, little too narcissistic especially when he claim for the beggar's reform. But still I can empathise with him. He was like an old dad. You can forgive him for his narcissism, he still have a kind heart beyond his ignorance.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect that ending albeit was very brief but still it was a good ending none the less.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the surprise tale of imputed righteousness and grace on the helpless.

[Lena Srinivasan]

The difference between teaching by showing the ropes, and teaching by telling/advising/merely preaching by words.

Alludes the necessity of governmental assistance (socialist ideology) in order to produce a better working class, rather than a capitalist system where the worker’s provisions and privileges are determined by the outcome of their work.

I like how Chekhov's stories look like one thing when you experience it simply from a plot sense, and then when you read it from a political sense, it's always something else. And everything is political, you simply cannot ignore it - and Chekhov's stories embody this fact without fail. Akin to what Plato said: "If you ignore politics, politics will ignore you."

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beggar and Other Short Stories by Anton Chekhov

10 out of 10





The Beggar

There is probably no better use of one’s time than reading the Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov – which are included on the Norwegian’s Book Club Best 100 Novels list, compiled by luminaries like Umberto Eco, Salman Rushdie – or the extended versions…the under signed has taken on a version called The Fifty Two Stories of the giant of literature, which includes The Beggar



To begin with, the man in rags approaches a stranger to ask for some help, because he is a teacher that finds himself destitute, only the passer by recognizes him for the fellow that had come a week or so before to ask for charity, only back then he had used another narrative, claiming to be a student and seeing this as a crooked scheme, the infuriated citizen threatens he will call the law, given that this is a scoundrel…challenged like that, The Beggar admits that in fact he used to sing in a choir, his name is Lushkov – the stories I read, are in fact coming to me in audiobook format, therefore somebody else is reading them for me and hence I do not how you write that name – and he has been dismissed for being a drunk.

Luckily for Lushkov, he is offered some help, the stranger takes him to chop some wood in exchange for money, he will get fifty kopeks and he is invited to come again to do some work, get some pants for it and eventually, seeing that he behaves himself, he is recommended to another, better job and finally, we have a chance to see him two years later, at the theater I think it was, and he now makes 35 roubles, a big change from the condition of a beggar, but he reveals that the cook at the house had had a crucial role in his rehabilitation, redemption, repentance, one or maybe all of the above, since when he had been invited to chop the wood, the cook damned him and his decay in the first place and then went on to…do the work for him and in the face of that attitude, something changed and the doomed fellow eventually came out of that lamentable state…



Enemies

The narrative turns out an unexpected result and since I am about to get to it, a spoiler alert might be needed here – though who reads it, or to quote a line from an obscure comedy that we loved decades ago, Young Doctors in Love, ‘who cares, who gives a damn’- we have a doctor that is grieving the death of his son, just as a man comes to him and insists on the fact that his wife is in desperate need of medical assistance, without which she would die, and when the desperate father states that he is going nowhere, the stranger is determined that he will not go away, pressing, begging, explaining, until the doctor is going with him against his will, only to find when they arrive at the house that the dying woman is in fact…gone, for she had eloped with a lover and used the sickness as a ‘sickly’ stratagem which would allow her to escape, with the spouse gone to fetch help from more than ten miles away…the situation becomes untenable and the two men the Enemies from the title, as the husband is infuriated, aghast at the scheme used by the wife – who could have just said that she loves another, instead of proposing this preposterous concoction – and the doctor is insulted and also mad at the absurdity, humiliating position he is in, with his own wife left alone, with no support at their house…



On the High Road

The personal element brought by this short story refers to the fondness that one personage has for borzoi – we have had five at one moment, some years ago and now we only have one…though it was the wife who insisted on the tedious project and what could I do but suffer the consequences – and there are some strange statements, though somewhat normal for the age, such as ‘women have been and always will be man’s slave’…Lykarev is the main character and he is more enlighted than the normal man – who could hardly read in Russia and elsewhere at the time…well, more than seventy million Americans can read – most would be functional illiterates – but what good does it do to them, if they worship Trump.

He travels with his daughter, Sasha, when he meets a young woman, miss Ilovaskaya, and they talk – mostly it is the man who does the soliloquy- and Lykarev can see that the woman is the kind that would follow the one she loves to the end of the earth, North Pole and she in turn appears to be rather infatuated and when she learns that he is about to work in a mine that belongs to a vicious uncle of hers, she is appalled, for the uncle would not pay and Lykarev is the type that would not stand a day in that hole…alas, this reader was expecting, or better said hoping for the romance to blossom, the two of them to depart together and offer us the hope that they ‘live forever after in happiness’, but they will not…



A Nightmare

This is yet another sad, short narrative, wherein we have an inspiring, generous, destitute, admirable role model in the form of a priest, father Yakov, the one who talks to a higher authority about getting a part time job, a position which had been recently freed, and when he is asked if he will no longer be a priest and he denies that and when he starts to explain, we could all be in tears and admiration, for he starts detailing the problems he has…the salary is of 150 roubles and he has to send most of that to brother who is a student and needs help with books, lectures and much more, then the hero has to support the former priest of the parish, who is old and had been dismissed because of his age and inability to perform his duties, which means he can do nothing to keep himself alive and thus father Yakov takes care of his predecessor and they are not the only ones to suffer from extreme poverty, since the wife of the local doctor wakes very early to go to the river and wash clothes, before somebody will see and embarrass her…



A Commotion

In this short story, a broche disappears and the mistress is searching all the servants and even stripping some, while one of the girls employed in the household is so ashamed of this suspicion, seeing her room searched that she decides to leave her position, even after the husband comes to plea for her to stay and admits that he is the one who had taken the broche, because the spouse is so mean and dominant that she gives him no money, albeit it had been his fortune that provided the wife with cash and jewelry…

[अवसाद में डूबा हुआ इंसान | शुभंकर · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Beggar is an example of irony in literature but I don't think anyone of the character was an antagonist or protagonist. Somehow each of the three main characters have there strength and stupidity.

While I don't think the beggar should have been ungrateful towards the lawyer at the end as without his aid, wage and recommendation he could have died on those barren street. But it was humane of him to understand and show gratitude towards the selfless act of the maid. Now the lawyer did a good a deed by aiding the beggar but the elitist thinking behind make the whole thing so superficial. Atlast the maid was a good woman whose selfless act saved and rejuvenated the beggar's life. But that was not her intention. She may be doing the same act as her employer but as a male author didn't bother to show us her character arc.

[Alaa Jeebeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, it was a great story with greater meaning. It shows how small words and behaves can change someone's life. On the other hand, despite that Skvortsov was not the person who changed Lushkov's life, but he opened the way for him, so sometimes even if we didn't see the results of our good behaves to others we should be sure that our small behaves make difference.
Despite it is a short story but it holds great meaning.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid little gem with a familiar twist at the end!

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.
Anti-climactic.

[Tesnim Boumesbah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The first time I read like this story I adore and I surprised at the end ... Olga cooker is a good person, skvortsov is a kind and gentleman. I feel happy for luskov ... I give it 5 stars "

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable little story about what can be considered helpful to those in need. Interesting way of looking at it for the time period.

[#DÏ4B7Ø Chinnamasta-Bhairav]

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To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~

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Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~

Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct

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" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”

Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous

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Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind

A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through

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[Neel Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Beggar" by Anton Chekhov is a short story that explores the themes of poverty, empathy, and human connection. The story is set in late 19th century Russia and it follows the life of a beggar named Ivan Petrovich, who is known to the locals as "the beggar".

The story is told through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, who encounters Ivan Petrovich in the town square. The narrator is initially repulsed by the beggar's appearance and his smell, but as the story progresses, he begins to see Ivan Petrovich as a complex and fully-formed human being. The narrator starts to realize that Ivan Petrovich is not just a beggar, but a person with his own hopes, dreams, and struggles!

As the story unfolds, the narrator learns more about Ivan Petrovich's life and his experiences. He discovers that Ivan Petrovich was once a successful businessman, but he lost everything due to a series of misfortunes. He also learns that Ivan Petrovich is not just a beggar, but also a man of great wisdom, who has a deep understanding of human nature.

Chekhov's writing is masterful, and he uses simple and direct language to convey the powerful emotions and themes of the story. The Beggar is a story that will stay with the reader long after it is over. It is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of empathy and compassion towards our fellow human beings.

One of the most striking aspect of the story is the change of perspective of the narrator, who initially sees Ivan Petrovich as a repulsive beggar, but gradually starts to see him as a human being with a rich inner life. This change of perspective is mirrored in the reader, who also starts to see Ivan Petrovich in a different light.

Overall, "The Beggar" is a powerful and moving story, and a testament to Anton Chekhov's skill as a writer. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the literature of poverty, as well as anyone looking for an exploration of the human condition. The story not only evokes empathy towards the beggar but also makes the reader reflect on their own prejudices and biases!

[Debbie Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Anton Chekhov book and it was a bit wild getting into the mind of Checkov. Generally, his short stories are on the shortcomings of humanity - which was a not quite what I was in the mood for. But I did enjoy reading out for something new and a stretch in a very different direction and some of the classic lines that ring true in ways that are almost a look into the future as well as the past. "why, indeed do people prevent one another living in peace? All these are losses!"

This edition is copyright 1946 with interesting artwork, beautifully bound with fascinating biographies of both the author and the artist in the back- worth picking up if you are into physically beautiful books and would like an entre into Russian literature.

[Anatoly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story "The Beggar" by Anton Chekhov is a short and very deductive work with an unexpected ending.

The writer presents two main characters: drunkard and beggar Lushkov and Petersburg's lawyer Skvortsov, who has intentions to help a degraded person to come back to normal life.
It seems before the final part of the story that there are only two characters there. It appears in the end, there are three main characters in this very clever, great story.

Here is the link to the text:
https://theshortstory.co.uk/classic-s...

[Vladimir V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Первая мысль - проблема "липовых попрошаек" была актуальна и 150 назад. Говорят, сейчас их "контролирует мафия", но книжный нищий, судя по всему, действовал в одиночку ;) Порадовал Лушков ;) "Я, Лушков, могу теперь предложить вам другую работу, почище". Созвучно с фамилией сами знаете кого. А конец рассказа вообще какой-то непонятный. Чего это Ольга решила дрова колоть? И почему это так подействовало на Лушкова? Странно всё это.