A Story without a Title by Anton Chekhov (Short Story Review).
Where temptation is more beneficial than vritue.
Book: A Story Without a Title. Date of publication: 1888. Genre: Short Story.
Would you ever be willing to follow a Cause or Creed only for the sake of its leader who is extremely talented and has a charming personality?
You would definitely, but I bet you won't do it forever especially if there arises on a particular occasion a escape hole from where you can say goodbye to that cause forever. Read A Story Without a Title to understand it through a fine artist named Anton Chekhov.
The story is set in a monastery, which is located far away from the town. Where live some monks with Father Superior. They spend their days in complete seclusion and cut off from the outer sinful world.
The Story Without a Title suggests that you cannot force someone to follow you forever. Their might be people who follow a creed or religion for whatever time and reasons but there would always be the chance of these people abandoning that cause or creed any moment they fit so. The life in monastery is dull with ordinary things and everyday routine except Father Superior’s exceptional gifts in rhetoric, music and teachings that keep the monks entertained and brings charm to their lives.
Anton Chekhov knows very well how to keep the reader engaged from start till the end. His is the unique style when it comes to the surprise in a story. You never expect it to be so much hidden and delayed but at the same time so exciting and amazing. From character development to plot construction he is remarkable as an artist.
The twist of the story lies in the event when daily routine of the monastery is disturbed by a stranger who knocks on their door to tell them the astonishing stories of town that's located far off in desert. Extravagant and sinful life of the people in town angers both Father Superior and monks equally. Father Superior marches to preach them the teachings of Christ and returns three months later disappointedly. His vivid descriptions of the life in town tempts the other monks who just disappear the very next day to the town to witness it themselves.
The only odd thing that I’ve to pick from the story is the confusion in the setting of story. Author speaks of the monastery as something like a jungle or a far off place but more once in the story we see that he mentions the desert. Thus confusing the readers' faculty of reasoning to imagine the setting of story fairly. Despite that, this short story consisting of just a dozen paragraphs is fascinating.
If you have a taste and craving for humor and surprise, then go and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
If you liked the story, your comment and clapping would mean the world to me.
