The Literaguru team is pleased to present a summary of one of the most popular stories by the great classic Chekhov - “The Man in the Case”. In this book you will find excellent material for literary arguments and food for thought.
(485 words) End of the 19th century. In the village of Mironosetskoye, in the village shed, there was a veterinarian Ivan Ivanovich Chimsha-Himalayas and a teacher of the gymnasium Burkin, who hunted all day. The teacher tells Ivan Ivanovich the story of the Greek language teacher Belikov, with whom they taught together.
Belikov was remarkable for walking in any weather with an umbrella, in a warm coat and galoshes. He had an umbrella in the case, a watch in the case and a knife for sharpening pencils was in the case too. Belikov's face, hidden in a raised collar, also seemed to be in a case. In general, Belikov seemed to want to surround himself with a shell, to hide in a case. Reality annoyed him, and he always praised the past.
Belikov also tried to hide his thoughts in a case. He perceived only those newspaper articles where anything was forbidden. Permission was incomprehensible to him. Deviations from the rules led him to despondency and excitement. With all his appearance and behavior, Belikov pressed on his surroundings. Even the concept of friendship was different. He comes to visit, sits silent for an hour or two and leaves. They were afraid of him.
Once it happened that Belikov almost got married. A new geography teacher arrived at the gymnasium. He arrived not alone, but with his sister Varenka, who even enchanted Belikov with her singing. They got into a conversation. Varya showed favor to Belikov, but he did not particularly change his behavior. He even came to visit her and was silent.
They told Belikov that it was time for him to marry. He became convinced of this, began to talk a lot about family life, about a serious step, but did not try to get out of the case at all, only hid deeper in it. The thought of marriage was present in Belikov’s head, but there were so many factors that needed to be considered that the marriage itself was delayed indefinitely.
Belikov would most likely end up marrying Varenka if there hadn't been a big scandal. Some prankster painted a surprisingly accurate caricature on Belikov and Varenka and sent each one a copy. Belikov suffered this very hard. Then, leaving the house, he saw Varenka on his bicycle and was so surprised at such inappropriate behavior that he turned around and went home.
The next day he came to Varenka’s home, but found only her brother there. Belikov said that he had nothing to do with the caricature, and Kovalenko sat, pouting, and was silent. Belikov added that he, as a senior comrade, should warn Kovalenko that riding a bicycle is indecent fun for a teacher, and even more indecent for a girl. An angry Kovalenko besieged Belikov and threw him out. While Belikov rolled down the stairs, Varenka came in and burst out laughing at the sight. And it was a big blow.
Three days later, a cook Belikova came to Burkin and asked to call a doctor, otherwise the master was ill. And a month later Belikov died. Now, when he was lying in a coffin, his expression was meek and pleasant. He was put in an eternal case, which would have made him very happy.
Burkin admits that it’s nice to bury such people, but no one else would admit it. Now people were free from Belikov. Ivan Ivanovich remarks, aren't we, who are living in a city in a stuffy atmosphere, cramped, writing unnecessary papers, surrounded by a case?
