The Bet, and other stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

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About this eBook

Author Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich, 1860-1904
Translator Koteliansky, S. S. (Samuel Solomonovitch), 1880-1955
Translator Murry, John Middleton, 1889-1957
LoC No. 16006396
Title The Bet, and other stories
Contents The bet -- A tedious story -- The fit -- Misfortune -- After the theatre -- That wretched boy -- Enemies -- A trifling occurrence -- A gentleman friend -- Overwhelming sensations -- Expensive lessons -- A living calendar -- Old age.
Credits Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at Free Literature (online soon
in an extended version,also linking to free sources for
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Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)
Summary "The Bet" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The titular story explores profound themes of human nature, morality, and the value of life through the lens of a bold wager between a wealthy banker and a young lawyer. The narrative delves into the psychological struggles faced by the characters involved, particularly focusing on the impact of a long-term bet on both their lives. At the start of "The Bet," the story sets the stage with a dark autumn night where an old banker reflects on a party he hosted fifteen years prior. The conversation among guests turns to capital punishment, igniting a heated debate that leads the banker to impulsively wager two million rubles against the lawyer's freedom for fifteen years of imprisonment. As the narrative unfolds, it traces the lawyer's harrowing experience of solitude and learning during his confinement, while the banker grapples with the consequences of his bet, ultimately revealing themes of desperation, lost values, and existential contemplation. This opening portion invites readers to question the nature of freedom and the moral dilemmas surrounding human existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PG: Language and Literatures: Slavic (including Russian), Languages and Literature
Subject Short stories, Russian -- Translations into English
Subject Russian fiction -- Translations into English
Category Text
EBook-No. 55283
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Sep 26, 2023
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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