On the Nail
Author:
Anton Chekhov (23)
Category:
Prose (355)
Short story (554)
Russian literature (10)
Translator:
Ashot Palanjyan (4)
Age Recommendation: 16+
St. Petersburg, the Russian Empire, the late 19th century. A small group of low-ranking officials, led by Struchkov, heads to his house to celebrate his name day and enjoy a festive dinner. However, an unexpected detail in the hallway forces the guests to drastically change their plans and spend hours waiting outside. A subtle sketch of everyday life that exposes the essence of servility, blind obedience, and the mindset of minor bureaucrats of that era, where career prospects outweigh personal dignity.
