“Chekhov Shorts”: Overdoing It
May 1, 2009 by Rob
Filed under Checkin Off the Chekhov Shorts
Title: Overdoing It
Date Read: 01 May 2009
Word Count: 1676
Briefly: Fearful that his hastily commandeered peasant driver may be plotting to attack and rob him, land surveyor Smirnov blows and blusters about the revolvers he’s carrying on his person, and the covert police protection that shadows him. As the journey continues Smirnov’s paranoia increases, and with it so do the claims that he’s more than capable of being able to protect himself.
Afterthoughts: I loved it. The story may have been a subtle poke at class divide, but it was done so with plenty of genius Chekhov humour.
Notable Quote: “What a wilderness it is here,” thought the surveyor, trying to cover his ears with the collar of his overcoat. “Neither post nor paddock. If, by ill-luck, one were attacked and robbed no one would hear you, whatever uproar you made. . . . And the driver is not one you could depend on. . . . Ugh, what a huge back! A child of nature like that has only to move a finger and it would be all up with one! And his ugly face is suspicious and brutal-looking.”
Rating: 
*Story read as part of my Checkin’ Off The Chekhov Shorts reading challenge.
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