Before putting pen to paper, the famous Russian author tried on more than one profession. Teacher, actor, circus wrestler, boxer, advertising agent, land surveyor, fisherman, aeronaut, organ grinder - and this is far from full list. As Kuprin himself admitted, all this was not for the sake of money, but out of interest, he wanted to try himself in everything.
Kuprin’s writing career also began quite by accident. While at military school, he wrote and published a story, “The Last Debut,” about an actress who committed suicide on stage. For a person who was in the “glorious ranks of the future heroes of the fatherland,” such a test of the pen was considered unacceptable - on the same day for his literary experience Kuprin went to the punishment cell for two days. An unpleasant incident could forever discourage desire and interest young man to writing, but this did not happen - Kuprin accidentally met Ivan Bunin, who helped him find himself in literature.
On the writer’s birthday, AiF.ru remembers best works Kuprina.
"Garnet Bracelet"
At the heart of one of the most famous stories Kuprina lies true story— the love of a modest telegraph official for a socialite, the writer’s mother Lev Lyubimov. For three years Zholtikov sent the girl anonymous letters, filled either with declarations of love or with complaints about life. One day he sent the lady of his heart a gift - garnet bracelet, but after the visit of Lyubimova’s husband and brother, the hopelessly in love stopped his persecution once and for all. Kuprin added more drama to this anecdote, adding a sad version of the ending to the story - the suicide of the hero. As a result, the author has created an impressive love story, which, as we know, happens “once every few hundred years.”
Still from the film “Garnet Bracelet”, 1964
"Duel"
Kuprin’s performance reading individual chapters from the story “The Duel” in 1905 became a real event in cultural life capitals. However, most of the author's contemporaries perceived this work as slander - the book was full of harsh criticism of Russian military life. In "Duel" against the backdrop of drunkenness, debauchery and narrow-minded army life Only one bright, romantic image of officer Romashov emerges. However, the author did not exaggerate at all; the story is largely autobiographical. It is based on the personal impressions of Kuprin, a graduate of the Alexander School, who served as an officer for four years in a provincial town in the Podolsk province.
"Gambrinus"
Reproduction of Ilya Glazunov’s illustration for Alexander Kuprin’s story “The Pit” Photo: reproduction
After the publication of the story “Gambrinus” in the Odessa tavern of the same name there was no end to visitors, but few knew that its main character actually existed. In 1921, 14 years after the publication of Kuprin’s story, a death notice appeared in local newspapers. Aron Goldstein“Sashka the Musician from Gambrinus.” Konstantin Paustovsky was one of those who read the advertisement and was sincerely surprised that the crippled musician was not a figment of the author’s imagination. Paustovsky even attended the funeral " literary hero"among sailors, fishermen, stokers, port thieves, boatmen, loaders, divers, smugglers - visitors to the Gambrinus tavern and part-time characters in Kuprin's story.
"Pit"
In 1915, the publishing house that published Kuprin’s “The Pit” was brought to justice by the prosecutor’s office “for distributing pornographic publications.” Most readers and critics also condemned the author’s new work, which introduced the life of prostitutes in Russian brothels. It seemed unacceptable to the author’s contemporaries that in “The Pit” Kuprin not only did not condemn, but even sympathized with these women, attributing most of the blame for their fall to society.
"Olesya"
Kuprin always considered “Olesya” one of his best works, although he agreed with Anton Chekhov, who called it "a youthful, sentimental and romantic thing." This story is part of the cycle of “Polesie Stories”, written by the author under the impression of the beauty of Polesie, where he served. Observing the life and customs of local peasants, Kuprin decided to write a history tragic love a beautiful girl-witch and a young city gentleman.
Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was born on August 26, 1870 in the district town of Narovchat, Penza province. His father, a collegiate registrar, died at thirty-seven from cholera. The mother, left alone with three children and practically without a livelihood, went to Moscow. There she managed to place her daughters in a boarding house “at government expense,” and her son settled with his mother in the Widow’s House on Presnya. (Widows of military and civilians who served for the good of the Fatherland for at least ten years were accepted here.) At the age of six, Sasha Kuprin was admitted to an orphan school, four years later to the Moscow Military Gymnasium, then to Aleksandrovskoe military school, and then was sent to the 46th Dnieper Regiment. Thus, early years The writer's studies were carried out in a formal atmosphere, with the strictest discipline and drill.
His dream of a free life came true only in 1894, when, after his resignation, he came to Kyiv. Here, having no civilian profession, but feeling a literary talent (while still a cadet, he published the story “The Last Debut”), Kuprin got a job as a reporter for several local newspapers.
The work was easy for him, he wrote, by his own admission, “on the run, on the fly.” Life, as if in compensation for the boredom and monotony of youth, now did not skimp on impressions. Over the next few years, Kuprin repeatedly changed his place of residence and occupation. Volyn, Odessa, Sumy, Taganrog, Zaraysk, Kolomna... Whatever he does: he becomes a prompter and actor in a theater troupe, a psalm-reader, a forest walker, a proofreader and an estate manager; He even studies to become a dental technician and flies an airplane.
In 1901, Kuprin moved to St. Petersburg, and here his new life began. literary life. Very soon he becomes a regular contributor to famous St. Petersburg magazines - “Russian Wealth”, “World of God”, “Magazine for Everyone”. One after another, stories and novellas are published: “Swamp”, “Horse Thieves”, “ White poodle", "Duel", "Gambrinus", "Shulamith" and the unusually subtle, lyrical work about love - “Garnet Bracelet”.
The story “The Garnet Bracelet” was written by Kuprin during his heyday Silver Age in Russian literature, who was distinguished by an egocentric worldview. Writers and poets wrote a lot about love then, but for them it was more a passion than the highest pure love. Kuprin, despite these new trends, continues the tradition of Russian literature of the 19th century century and writes a story about a completely unselfish, high and pure, true love, which does not come “directly” from person to person, but through love for God. This whole story is a wonderful illustration of the hymn of love of the Apostle Paul: “Love endures long, is kind, love does not envy, love is not arrogant, is not proud, does not act rudely, does not seek its own, is not irritated, does not think evil, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ; covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails, although prophecy will cease, and tongues will be silent, and knowledge will be abolished.” What does the hero of the story Zheltkov need from his love? He does not look for anything in her, he is happy only because she exists. Kuprin himself remarked in one letter, speaking about this story: “I have never written anything more chaste.”
Kuprin's love is generally chaste and sacrificial: the hero of the later story "Inna", being rejected and excommunicated from home for a reason unknown to him, does not try to take revenge, forget his beloved as quickly as possible and find solace in the arms of another woman. He continues to love her just as selflessly and humbly, and all he needs is just to see the girl, at least from afar. Even having finally received an explanation, and at the same time learning that Inna belongs to someone else, he does not fall into despair and indignation, but, on the contrary, finds peace and tranquility.
In the story “Holy Love” everything is the same sublime feeling, the object of which is an unworthy woman, the cynical and calculating Elen a. But the hero does not see her sinfulness, all his thoughts are so pure and innocent that he is simply not able to suspect evil.
Less than ten years pass before Kuprin becomes one of the most widely read authors in Russia, and in 1909 he receives an academic Pushkin Prize. In 1912, his collected works were published in nine volumes as a supplement to the Niva magazine. Real glory came, and with it stability and confidence in tomorrow. However, this prosperity did not last long: the First world war. Kuprin sets up a 10-bed infirmary in his house, his wife Elizaveta Moritsovna, ex-sister mercy, cares for the wounded.
Kuprin could not accept the October Revolution of 1917. He perceived the defeat of the White Army as a personal tragedy. “I... bow my head respectfully before the heroes of all volunteer armies and detachments, who unselfishly and selflessly laid down their souls for their friends,” he would later say in his work “The Dome of St. Isaac of Dalmatia.” But the worst thing for him is the changes that happened to people overnight. People became brutal before our eyes and lost their human appearance. In many of his works (“The Dome of St. Isaac of Dalmatia”, “Search”, “Interrogation”, “Piebald Horses. Apocrypha”, etc.) Kuprin describes these terrible changes in human souls that took place in the post-revolutionary years.
In 1918, Kuprin met with Lenin. "For the first time and probably last time“In my entire life, I have gone to a person for the sole purpose of looking at him,” he admits in the story “Lenin. Instant photography." The one he saw was far from the image that Soviet propaganda imposed. “At night, already in bed, without fire, I again turned my memory to Lenin, evoked his image with extraordinary clarity and... I got scared. It seemed to me that for a moment I seemed to enter him, felt like him. “In essence,” I thought, “this man, so simple, polite and healthy, is much more terrible than Nero, Tiberius, Ivan the Terrible. Those, for all their mental ugliness, were still people susceptible to the whims of the day and fluctuations of character. This one is something like a stone, like a cliff, which has broken away from a mountain ridge and is rapidly rolling down, destroying everything in its path. And at the same time - think! - a stone, due to some magic, - thinking! He has no feelings, no desires, no instincts. One sharp, dry, invincible thought: when I fall, I destroy.”
Fleeing from the devastation and famine that engulfed post-revolutionary Russia, the Kuprins left for Finland. Here the writer actively works in the emigrant press. But in 1920 he and his family had to move again. “It is not my will that fate itself fills the sails of our ship with wind and drives it to Europe. The newspaper will run out soon. I have a Finnish passport until June 1, and after this period they will allow me to live only with homeopathic doses. There are three roads: Berlin, Paris and Prague... But I, an illiterate Russian knight, can’t understand it well, I’m twisting my head and scratching my head,” he wrote to Repin. Bunin’s letter from Paris helped resolve the issue of choosing a country, and in July 1920 Kuprin and his family moved to Paris.
However, neither the long-awaited peace nor prosperity comes. Here they are strangers to everyone, without housing, without work, in a word - refugees. Kuprin is engaged in literary work as a day laborer. There is a lot of work, but it is not well paid, and there is a catastrophic lack of money. He tells his old friend Zaikin: “... I was left naked and poor, like a stray dog.” But even more than the need, he is exhausted by homesickness. In 1921, he wrote to the writer Gushchik in Tallinn: “... there is not a day when I don’t remember Gatchina, why I left. It is better to starve and be cold at home than to live at the mercy of a neighbor under a bench. I want to go home...” Kuprin dreams of returning to Russia, but is afraid that he will be greeted there as a traitor to the Motherland.
Gradually, life got better, but nostalgia remained, only “it lost its sharpness and became chronic,” Kuprin wrote in his essay “Motherland.” “You live in a wonderful country, among smart and good people, among the monuments of the greatest culture... But everything is just make-believe, as if a cinematic film is unfolding. And all the silent, dull grief that you no longer cry in your sleep and that in your dreams you don’t see either Znamenskaya Square, or Arbat, or Povarskaya, or Moscow, or Russia, but only a black hole.” Longing for the lost happy life is heard in the story “At Trinity-Sergius”: “But what can I do with myself if the past lives in me with all the feelings, sounds, songs, screams, images, smells and tastes, and the present life stretches out before me like a daily life, never changing, boring, worn out film. And don’t we live in the past more sharply, but deeper, sadder, but sweeter than in the present?”
The works of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin, as well as the life and work of this outstanding Russian prose writer, are of interest to many readers. He was born in one thousand eight hundred and seventy on the twenty-sixth of August in the city of Narovchat.
His father died of cholera almost immediately after his birth. After some time, Kuprin’s mother comes to Moscow. He places his daughters in government institutions there, and also takes care of the fate of his son. The role of mother in the upbringing and education of Alexander Ivanovich cannot be exaggerated.
Education of the future prose writer
In one thousand eight hundred and eighty, Alexander Kuprin entered a military gymnasium, which was later transformed into a cadet corps. Eight years later he graduated from this institution and continued to develop his career along the military line. He had no other option, since this was the one that allowed him to study at public expense.
And two years later he graduated from the Alexander Military School and received the rank of second lieutenant. This is a rather serious officer rank. And the time comes for independent service. In general, the Russian army was the main career path for many Russian writers. Just remember Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov or Afanasy Afanasyevich Fet.
Military career of the famous writer Alexander Kuprin
Those processes that took place at the turn of the century in the army later became the theme of many of Alexander Ivanovich’s works. In one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, Kuprin makes unsuccessful attempt enter the General Staff Academy. There is a clear parallel here with his famous story “The Duel,” which will be mentioned a little later.
And a year later, Alexander Ivanovich retired, without losing touch with the army and without losing that array of life impressions that gave rise to many of his prosaic creations. While still an officer, he tried to write and after some time began to publish.
First attempts at creativity, or several days in a punishment cell
The first published story by Alexander Ivanovich is called “The Last Debut.” And for this creation of his, Kuprin spent two days in a punishment cell, because officers were not supposed to speak in print.
The writer lives for a long time unsettled life. It's as if he has no destiny. He constantly wanders; for many years, Alexander Ivanovich has lived in the south, Ukraine or Little Russia, as they said then. He visits huge amount cities.
Kuprin publishes a lot, and gradually journalism becomes his full-time occupation. He knew the Russian south like few other writers. At the same time, Alexander Ivanovich begins to publish his essays, which immediately attracted the attention of readers. The writer tried himself in many genres.
Gaining fame among readers
Of course, there are many known works that Kuprin created, works the list of which even an ordinary schoolchild knows. But the very first story that made Alexander Ivanovich famous was “Moloch”. It was published in one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
This work is based on real events. Kuprin visited Donbass as a correspondent and got acquainted with the work of the Russian-Belgian joint-stock company. Industrialization and the rise of production, everything that many aspired to public figures, resulted in inhuman working conditions. This is precisely the main idea of the story “Moloch”.
Alexander Kuprin. Works, the list of which is known to a wide range of readers
After some time, works are published that are known to almost every Russian reader today. These are “Garnet Bracelet”, “Elephant”, “Duel” and, of course, the story “Olesya”. This work was published in one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two in the newspaper "Kievlyanin". In it, Alexander Ivanovich very dramatically changes the subject of the image.
No longer factories and technical aesthetics, but Volyn forests, folk legends, pictures of nature and the customs of the local villagers. This is exactly what the author puts into the work “Olesya”. Kuprin wrote another work that has no equal.
The image of a girl from the forest who can understand the language of nature
The main character is a girl, a forest dweller. She seems to be a sorceress who can command the forces of the surrounding nature. And the girl’s ability to hear and feel her language conflicts with church and religious ideology. Olesya is condemned and blamed for many of the troubles that befall her neighbors.
And in this clash the girls from the forest and the peasants who are in the womb social life, which describes the work "Olesya", Kuprin used a peculiar metaphor. It contains a very important contrast between natural life and modern civilization. And for Alexander Ivanovich this composition is very typical.
Another work by Kuprin that has become popular
Kuprin's work "The Duel" became one of the author's most famous creations. The action of the story is connected with the events of one thousand eight hundred and ninety fourth year, when duels, or duels, as they were called in the past, were restored in the Russian army.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, with all the complexity of the attitude of the authorities and people towards duels, there was still some kind of knightly meaning, a guarantee of compliance with the norms of noble honor. And even then, many fights had a tragic and monstrous outcome. At the end of the nineteenth century, this decision looked like an anachronism. The Russian army was already completely different.
And there is one more circumstance that needs to be mentioned when talking about the story “The Duel”. It was published in nineteen hundred and five, when during Russo-Japanese War Russian army suffered one defeat after another.
This had a demoralizing effect on society. And in this context, the work “The Duel” caused fierce controversy in the press. Almost all of Kuprin’s works evoked a flurry of responses from both readers and critics. For example, the story "The Pit", which relates to more late period author's creativity. She not only became famous, but also shocked many of Alexander Ivanovich’s contemporaries.
Later work of the popular prose writer
Kuprin's work "Garnet Bracelet" is a bright story about pure love. About how a simple employee named Zheltkov loved Princess Vera Nikolaevna, who was completely unattainable for him. He could not aspire to marriage or any other relationship with her.
However, suddenly, after his death, Vera realizes that a real, genuine feeling has passed her by, one that has not disappeared in debauchery and has not dissolved in those terrible fault lines that separate people from each other, in social obstacles that do not allow different circles of society to communicate with each other and enter into into marriage. This bright story and many other works by Kuprin are still read today with unflagging attention.
The work of a prose writer dedicated to children
Alexander Ivanovich writes a lot of stories for children. And these works by Kuprin are another side of the author’s talent, and they also need to be mentioned. He devoted most of his stories to animals. For example, "Emerald", or famous work Kuprin "Elephant". Alexander Ivanovich's children's stories are a wonderful, important part of his legacy.
And today we can say with confidence that the great Russian prose writer Alexander Kuprin has taken his rightful worthy place in the history of Russian literature. His works are not just studied and read, they are loved by many readers and cause great delight and reverence.
The works of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin, as well as the life and work of this outstanding Russian prose writer, are of interest to many readers. He was born in one thousand eight hundred and seventy on the twenty-sixth of August in the city of Narovchat.
His father died of cholera almost immediately after his birth. After some time, Kuprin’s mother comes to Moscow. He places his daughters in government institutions there, and also takes care of the fate of his son. The role of mother in the upbringing and education of Alexander Ivanovich cannot be exaggerated.
Education of the future prose writer
In one thousand eight hundred and eighty, Alexander Kuprin entered a military gymnasium, which was later transformed into a cadet corps. Eight years later he graduated from this institution and continued to develop his career along the military line. He had no other option, since this was the one that allowed him to study at public expense.
And two years later he graduated from the Alexander Military School and received the rank of second lieutenant. This is a rather serious officer rank. And the time comes for independent service. In general, the Russian army was the main career path for many Russian writers. Just remember Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov or Afanasy Afanasyevich Fet.
Military career of the famous writer Alexander Kuprin
Those processes that took place at the turn of the century in the army later became the theme of many of Alexander Ivanovich’s works. In one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, Kuprin makes an unsuccessful attempt to enter the General Staff Academy. There is a clear parallel here with his famous story “The Duel,” which will be mentioned a little later.
And a year later, Alexander Ivanovich retired, without losing touch with the army and without losing that array of life impressions that gave rise to many of his prosaic creations. While still an officer, he tried to write and after some time began to publish. 
First attempts at creativity, or several days in a punishment cell
The first published story by Alexander Ivanovich is called “The Last Debut.” And for this creation of his, Kuprin spent two days in a punishment cell, because officers were not supposed to speak in print.
The writer has been living an unsettled life for a long time. It's as if he has no destiny. He constantly wanders; for many years, Alexander Ivanovich has lived in the south, Ukraine or Little Russia, as they said then. He visits a huge number of cities.
Kuprin publishes a lot, and gradually journalism becomes his full-time occupation. He knew the Russian south like few other writers. At the same time, Alexander Ivanovich begins to publish his essays, which immediately attracted the attention of readers. The writer tried himself in many genres.
Gaining fame among readers
Of course, there are many known works that Kuprin created, works the list of which even an ordinary schoolchild knows. But the very first story that made Alexander Ivanovich famous was “Moloch”. It was published in one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six. 
This work is based on real events. Kuprin visited Donbass as a correspondent and got acquainted with the work of the Russian-Belgian joint-stock company. Industrialization and the rise of production, everything that many public figures strived for, turned into inhuman working conditions. This is precisely the main idea of the story “Moloch”.
Alexander Kuprin. Works, the list of which is known to a wide range of readers
After some time, works are published that are known to almost every Russian reader today. These are “Garnet Bracelet”, “Elephant”, “Duel” and, of course, the story “Olesya”. This work was published in one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two in the newspaper "Kievlyanin". In it, Alexander Ivanovich very dramatically changes the subject of the image.
No longer factories and technical aesthetics, but Volyn forests, folk legends, pictures of nature and the customs of the local villagers. This is exactly what the author puts into the work “Olesya”. Kuprin wrote another work that has no equal. 
The image of a girl from the forest who can understand the language of nature
The main character is a girl, a forest dweller. She seems to be a sorceress who can command the forces of the surrounding nature. And the girl’s ability to hear and feel her language conflicts with church and religious ideology. Olesya is condemned and blamed for many of the troubles that befall her neighbors.
And in this clash between a girl from the forest and peasants in the bosom of social life, which the work “Olesya” describes, Kuprin used a peculiar metaphor. It contains a very important contrast between natural life and modern civilization. And for Alexander Ivanovich this composition is very typical.
Another work by Kuprin that has become popular
Kuprin's work "The Duel" became one of the author's most famous creations. The action of the story is connected with the events of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four, when duels, or duels, as they were called in the past, were restored in the Russian army. 
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, with all the complexity of the attitude of the authorities and people towards duels, there was still some kind of knightly meaning, a guarantee of compliance with the norms of noble honor. And even then, many fights had a tragic and monstrous outcome. At the end of the nineteenth century, this decision looked like an anachronism. The Russian army was already completely different.
And there is one more circumstance that needs to be mentioned when talking about the story “The Duel”. It was published in nineteen hundred and five, when during the Russo-Japanese War the Russian army suffered one defeat after another.
This had a demoralizing effect on society. And in this context, the work “The Duel” caused fierce controversy in the press. Almost all of Kuprin’s works evoked a flurry of responses from both readers and critics. For example, the story “The Pit,” which dates back to a later period of the author’s work. She not only became famous, but also shocked many of Alexander Ivanovich’s contemporaries.
Later work of the popular prose writer
Kuprin's work "Garnet Bracelet" is a bright story about pure love. About how a simple employee named Zheltkov loved Princess Vera Nikolaevna, who was completely unattainable for him. He could not aspire to marriage or any other relationship with her. 
However, suddenly, after his death, Vera realizes that a real, genuine feeling has passed her by, one that has not disappeared in debauchery and has not dissolved in those terrible fault lines that separate people from each other, in social obstacles that do not allow different circles of society to communicate with each other and enter into into marriage. This bright story and many other works by Kuprin are still read today with unflagging attention.
The work of a prose writer dedicated to children
Alexander Ivanovich writes a lot of stories for children. And these works by Kuprin are another side of the author’s talent, and they also need to be mentioned. He devoted most of his stories to animals. For example, “Emerald”, “White Poodle” or Kuprin’s famous work “Elephant”. Alexander Ivanovich's children's stories are a wonderful, important part of his legacy.
And today we can say with confidence that the great Russian prose writer Alexander Kuprin has taken his rightful worthy place in the history of Russian literature. His works are not just studied and read, they are loved by many readers and cause great delight and reverence.
Kuprin A.I. - famous Russian writer. The heroes of his works - ordinary people, which, contrary public order and injustice, do not lose faith in goodness. For those who want to introduce their child to the writer’s work, below is a list of Kuprin’s works for children with a brief description.
Anathema
The story “Anathema” reveals the theme of the opposition of the church against Leo Tolstoy. At the end of his life he often wrote on the topic of religion. The church ministers did not like what Tolstoy expounded, and they decided to anathematize the writer. The case was entrusted to Protodeacon Olympius. But the protodeacon was a fan of Lev Nikolaevich’s work. The day before, he read the author’s story, and was so delighted with it that he even cried. As a result, instead of anathema, Olympius wished Tolstoy “Many years!”
White poodle
In the story "White Poodle" the author describes the story of a traveling troupe. The old organ grinder, along with the boy Seryozha and the poodle Artaud, earned money by performing numbers in front of the public. After a whole day of unsuccessful walking around the local dachas, luck finally smiled on them: in last house There were spectators who wanted to see the performance. It was the spoiled and capricious boy Trilly. Seeing the dog, he wished it for himself. However, his mother received a categorical refusal, because friends are not sold. Then she stole the dog with the help of a janitor. That same night Seryozha returned his friend.
Swamp
Kuprin’s work “Swamp” tells how land surveyor Zhmakin and his student assistant returned after surveying. Since the way home is long, they had to go to spend the night with the forester, Stepan. During the road, student Nikolai Nikolaevich entertained Zhmakin with a conversation, which only irritated the old man. When they had to walk through the swamp, both were afraid of the quagmire. If it weren’t for Stepan, it’s unknown whether they would have gotten out. Stopping at his place for the night, the student saw the meager life of a forester.
The story “In the Circus” tells about the cruel fate of the circus strongman - Arbuzov. He will have a fight in the arena with an American. Reber is perhaps inferior to him in strength and agility. But today Arbuzov is not able to show all his dexterity and skill. He is seriously ill and cannot fight on equal terms. Unfortunately, this is noticed only by the doctor, who considered the wrestler’s appearance on stage dangerous to the athlete’s health. The rest just want spectacle. As a result, Arbuzov is defeated.
Inquiry
“Inquiry” is one of the author’s first stories. It tells about the investigation of a theft for which a Tatar soldier is accused. The investigation is conducted by Second Lieutenant Kozlovsky. There was no serious evidence against the thief. Therefore, Kozlovsky decides to get a confession from the suspect with a cordial attitude. The method was successful, and the Tatar confessed to the theft. However, the second lieutenant began to doubt the fairness of his action in relation to the accused. On this basis, Kozlovsky had a quarrel with another officer.
Emerald
The work “Emerald” talks about human cruelty. Main character- a four-year-old stallion participating in horse racing, whose feelings and emotions are described in the story. The reader knows what he is thinking about, what experiences he is experiencing. In the stable where he is kept, there is no harmony between his brothers. Emerald's already difficult life worsens when he wins a race. People accuse horse owners of cheating. And after long examinations and investigations, Emerald is simply poisoned to death.
Lilac bush
In the story “The Lilac Bush” the author describes the relationship between a married couple. Husband - Nikolai Evgrafovich Almazov, studies at the Academy of the General Staff. While drawing up a map of the area, he made a mark, which he covered up, depicting bushes in that place. Since in reality there was no vegetation there, the professor did not believe Almazov and rejected the work. His wife Vera not only reassured her husband, but also corrected the situation. She did not spare her jewelry, paying with it for the purchase and planting of a lilac bush in that same ill-fated place.
Lenochka
The work “Lenochka” is a story about a meeting of old acquaintances. Colonel Voznitsyn, heading to Crimea on a ship, met a woman whom he knew in his youth. Then her name was Lenochka, and Voznitsyn had tender feelings for her. They were swirled in a whirlpool of memories of youth, reckless actions and a kiss at the gate. Having met many years later, they hardly recognized each other. Seeing Elena’s daughter, who was very similar to her young self, Voznitsyn felt sad.
Moonlit night
“On a Moonlit Night” is a work that tells about one event. On a warm June night, two acquaintances were returning from visiting as usual. One of them is the narrator of the story, the other is a certain Gamow. Returning home after attending an evening at Elena Alexandrovna’s dacha, the heroes walked along the road. The usually silent Gamow was surprisingly talkative on this warm June night. He told about the murder of the girl. His interlocutor realized that Gamow himself was the culprit of the incident.
Moloch
The hero of the work “Moloch” is steel mill engineer Andrei Ilyich Bobrov. He was disgusted with his job. Because of this, he began taking morphine, as a result of which he suffered from insomnia. The only bright moment in his life was Nina, one of the daughters of the warehouse manager at the factory. However, all his attempts to get closer to the girl ended in nothing. And after the owner of the plant, Kvashin, arrived in the city, Nina was matched with someone else. Svezhevsky became the girl’s fiancé and the new manager.
Olesya
The hero of the work “Olesya” is a young man who talks about his stay in the village of Perebrod. There is not much entertainment in such a remote area. In order not to get bored at all, the hero goes hunting with his servant Yarmola. One day they got lost and found a hut. An old witch lived in it, about whom Yarmola had previously spoken. A romance breaks out between the hero and the old woman's daughter Olesya. However, hostility local residents separates the heroes.
Duel
The story “The Duel” is about second lieutenant Romashov and his affair with Raisa Alexandrovna Peterson. He soon decided to end his relationship with the married woman. The offended lady promised to take revenge on the second lieutenant. It is unknown from whom, but the deceived husband learned about his wife’s affair with Romashov. Over time, a scandal broke out between the second lieutenant and Nikolaev, whom he visited, which resulted in a duel. As a result of the fight, Romashov dies.
Elephant
The work “Elephant” tells the story of a girl, Nadya. One day she fell ill, and a doctor, Mikhail Petrovich, was called to see her. After examining the girl, the doctor said that Nadya had “indifference to life.” To heal the child, the doctor advised to cheer her up. Therefore, when Nadya asked to bring an elephant, her father did everything possible to fulfill her wish. After the girl and the elephant had tea together, she went to bed, and the next morning she got up completely healthy.
Wonderful doctor
Speech in the story " Wonderful doctor"is about the Mertsalov family, who began to be haunted by troubles. First, my father got sick and lost his job. All the family's savings were spent on treatment. Because of this, they had to move to a damp basement. After which the children began to get sick. One girl died. My father's attempts to find funds led nowhere until he met Dr. Pirogov. Thanks to him, the lives of the remaining children were saved.
Pit
The story "The Pit" about life women lung behavior. All of them are kept in an institution run by Anna Markovna. One of the visitors, Lichonin, decides to take one of the girls under his guardianship. In this way he wanted to save the unfortunate Lyuba. However, this decision led to many problems. As a result, Lyubka returned to the establishment. When Anna Markovna was replaced by Emma Eduardovna, a series of troubles began. Finally, the establishment was looted by soldiers.
On wood grouse
In the work “On the Wood Grouse” the narration is told in the first person. Panych tells how he went on a wood grouse hunt. He took as his companion a government forester, Trofim Shcherbaty, who knows the forest well. The hunters spent the first day on the road, and in the evening they stopped. The next morning, before dawn, Trofimych led the master through the forest in search of wood grouse. Only with the help of the forester and his knowledge of the habits of birds did the main character manage to shoot a capercaillie.
Overnight
The main character of the work “Overnight” is Lieutenant Avilov. He and the regiment went on big maneuvers. On the way, he felt bored and indulged in daydreams. At the halt, he was given overnight accommodation in the clerk's house. While falling asleep, Avilov witnessed a conversation between the owner and his wife. It was clear that even in her youth the girl was dishonored by a young man. Because of this, the owner beats his wife every evening. When Avilov realizes that it was he who ruined a woman’s life, he becomes ashamed.
Autumn flowers
The story “Autumn Flowers” is a letter from a woman to her former lover. They were once happy together. They were connected by tender feelings. Having met again many years later, the lovers realized that their love had died. After the man suggested visiting ex-lover, she decided to leave. So as not to be influenced by sensuality and not to discredit past memories. So she wrote a letter and got on the train.
Pirate
The work “Pirate” is named after a dog who was a friend to a poor old man. Together they gave performances in taverns, which is how they earned their living. Sometimes the “artists” left with nothing and remained hungry. One day a merchant, having seen the performance, wanted to buy the Pirate. Starkey resisted for a long time, but could not resist and sold his friend for 13 rubles. After that, he was sad for a long time, tried to steal the dog and eventually hanged himself out of grief.
River of life
The story “River of Life” describes the way of life in furnished rooms. The author tells about the owner of the establishment, Anna Fridrikhovna, her fiance and children. One day, in this “kingdom of vulgarity,” an emergency occurs. An unfamiliar student rents a room and locks himself there to write a letter. Being a member revolutionary movement, he gets interrogated. The student chickened out and betrayed his comrades. Because of this, he could no longer live and committed suicide.
The work “Starlings” tells the story of migratory birds that are the first to return to their native lands after winter. It tells about the difficulties encountered on the way of wanderers. For the birds' return to Russia, people prepare birdhouses for them, which are quickly occupied by sparrows. Therefore, upon arrival, starlings have to evict uninvited guests. After which new residents move in. After living for a certain period of time, the birds fly south again.
Nightingale
The narration in the work “The Nightingale” is told in the first person. After finding an old photo, memories came flooding back to the hero. Then he lived in Salzo Maggiorre, a resort located in Northern Italy. One evening he dined with a table d'hote company. Among them were four Italian singers. When a nightingale sang not far from the company, they admired its sound. At the end, the company got so excited that everyone started singing a song.
From the street
The work “From the Street” is a confession of a criminal about how he turned into what he is now. His parents drank heavily and beat the boy. The apprentice Yushka was involved in raising the former criminal. Under his influence, the hero learned to drink, smoke, gamble and steal. He failed to graduate from high school, and he went to serve as a soldier. There he reveled and walked. After the hero seduced the wife of the lieutenant colonel, Marya Nikolaevna, he was kicked out of the regiment. At the end, the hero tells how he and his friend killed a man and surrendered to the police.
Garnet bracelet
The work “Garnet Bracelet” describes secret love a certain Zheltkov to married woman. One day he gives Vera Nikolaevna a garnet bracelet for her birthday. Her husband and brother visit the unhappy lover. After an unexpected visit, Zhelkov commits suicide, since his life consisted only of the woman he loved. Vera Nikolaevna understands that such a feeling is very rare.