Peasants by Anton Chekhov. Short summary

5 seconds

A footman, who has lost his job because of illness, goes with his wife and daughter to the village to his poor parents. The footman dies, and his wife and daughter go to the capital to earn money.

1 minute

Nicholas, a footman who worked in a hotel in the capital, falls seriously ill and loses his job. Together with his wife Olga and daughter Sasha, he goes to his parents’ village in winter.

His parents’ house strikes him as poor and dirty. In addition to his parents, Nikolai’s brothers’ wives, Fekla and Marya and their children live there.

In honor of Nikolai’s arrival, invite the neighbors, who are very pleased with his faithful wife Olga and the obedient daughter Sasha.

Nikolai’s family, like everyone else in the village live poor, the villagers have large arrears. One day, on account of the debt, the samovar is taken away from Nikolai’s parents.

At the end of winter, Nikolai dies. His wife and daughter go to Moscow, where Olga wants to work as a maid again. She warmly recalls the villagers, who despite their drunkenness and rudeness turned out to be merciful and kind people.

Marya sees Olga and Sasha off and weeps bitterly.