Remembering the classics: a summary of Chekhov's "Ionych"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is the greatest Russian playwright who made a huge contribution to the development of world literature.

At one time he was recognized as an Honorary Academician in the category of belles-lettres by the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Throughout his life, the author has created more than 900 works. His plays have been staged in many theaters around the world for more than a century. The public is also familiar with his short stories. In them, with accuracy to the smallest detail, with irony and sarcasm, Chekhov draws images of ordinary people, ridiculing their vices. One of these stories of the author is the work "Ionych". In the center of the plot is the life story of the zemstvo doctor Dmitry Ionych Startsev. This is a story about a man with good inclinations and noble dreams, who imperceptibly turns into an ordinary man in the street, indifferent to everyone and everything. So, a summary of Chekhov's "Ionych".

Meeting the main character with the Turkin family

In one provincial town called S., a young doctor, Dmiriy Ionych Startsev, practiced. Life in thisThe place was boring and monotonous. Despite the fact that there was a library, a theater, and a club in the city, these establishments were little in demand among the townsfolk. However, there were also smart educated people here, for example, the Turkin family. The head of the family, Ivan Petrovich, often staged amateur performances in which he himself was the main character. He had a good sense of humor, so sometimes it was impossible to tell if he was joking or serious. His wife Vera Iosifovna was engaged in writing novels and stories, which she willingly read to the public. Their daughter, Ekaterina Ivanovna, played the piano well and dreamed of entering the conservatory. Dmitry Ionych was often advised to visit the Turkins and get to know them. One day he decided to accept the invitation of the head of the family and visit them. The acquaintance took place. It made the most pleasant impression on Dmitry Ionovich. Even a summary of Chekhov's "Ionych" is able to convey the special lightness of character and liveliness of the mind of the protagonist, who is not yet mired in the everyday life of a small town.

Startsev's marriage proposal and Katya's refusal

A year passed before the zemstvo doctor visited the Turkin family again. This time he was called to Vera Iosifovna, who had long suffered from migraines. Appearing in the house, the main character noted how prettier during this time Ekaterina Ivanovna or Kotik, as her family called her. Unbeknownst to himself, Startsev falls in love with a girl. Now the zemstvo doctor is becoming a frequent visitor to the Turkin family. One day he decides to propose to Katya. Dressed in someone else's tailcoat, since he did not have his own, our hero goesto the house of the Turkins and in private invites Kotik to get married. Unexpectedly, he gets a sharp rejection. Ekaterina Ivanovna explains to him that her plans do not include marriage, that a conservatory and a brilliant musical career are ahead of her. Dmitry Ionych did not expect such a turn. He is stunned. His ego is hurt. Soon our hero learns about Katya's departure to Moscow. Chekhov shows the main character so pure and full of hope at the beginning of the story. The story "Ionych", a summary of which is given here, is a story about true human values, about how important it is not to miss the most important thing in life - the love of loved ones.

Meeting of Ionych with Katya in a few years

It took a long four years before Dmitry Ionych saw Katya again. During this time, the zemstvo doctor acquired a large practice. He grew fat, walked reluctantly, preferring to ride a troika with bells on foot. During this time he hardly visited the Turkins. But one day our hero receives an invitation letter from Vera Iosifovna and Ekaterina Ivanovna. Startsev goes to visit them. His meeting with Kotik did not make the proper impression on him. But Catherine was clearly excited. Now it was no longer a romantic girl who dreamed of music, but an adult woman who had time to be disappointed in life. She invites Ionych to the garden to talk alone. There, Katya tells our hero that she has lost faith in her talent as a pianist, that for her he is now a pure, elevated person who hasthe noble goal in life is to help the sick. This revelation does not find a response in Startsev's heart and, leaving the Turkins' house, he thinks with relief how good it is that he did not once marry Ekaterina Ivanovna. Brief summary of Chekhov's "Ionych" does not allow us to convey the fullness of the changes that are taking place in Katya and Startsevo just four years after their last meeting.

Soul degradation of the main character

After this meeting, there was another letter from Kotik Startsev. But he did not answer him and no longer visited them. Many years later. During this time, Ionych became rich, having already acquired a huge practice. He felt unwell, terribly stout. But Ionych did not think about leaving work - greed overcame. The life of our hero is boring and monotonous. He is indifferent to everything and everyone. He is lonely, there is no soulmate nearby. Ekaterina Ivanovna has also aged, and is often sick. The only consolation for her is the daily playing of the piano. Chekhov's story "Ionych", a summary of which is given here, is a story about what can happen to a person who is deprived of the opportunity to develop and move forward. Unfortunately, we often realize what we have lost only years later, when it is no longer possible to return it.

You have read the summary of Chekhov's "Ionych". I advise you to devote time to this piece in its entirety.