A Tragedian in Spite of Himself is an 1899 one-act play by Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...

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Synposis

In the play, Ivan Ivanovitch Tolkachov asks to borrow a revolver from his friend, Alexey Alexeyevitch Murashkin. Murashkin inquires to the reason, and Tolkachov complains bitterly about the bad events in his life. Tolkachov expresses his sympathy, and then asks Murashkin to take a sewing machine and a caged canary to Olga Pavlovna, a mutual acquiescence. On hearing Tolkachov's request, Murashkin snaps and begins chasing Tolkachov around the room, screaming that he wants blood.

External links

• Text of the play