An Upheaval

An Upheaval

​by Anton Chekov

Open Ended

What is a good reason for quitting a job?

Open Ended

Look at this picture carefully. What do you think is going on?

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anton-Chekhov

Anton Chekhov, in full Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, (born January 29 [January 17, Old Style], 1860, Taganrog, Russia—died July 14/15 [July 1/2], 1904, Badenweiler, Germany), Russian playwright and master of the modern short story. He was a literary artist of laconic precision who probed below the surface of life, laying bare the secret motives of his characters. Chekhov’s best plays and short stories lack complex plots and neat solutions. Concentrating on apparent trivialities, they create a special kind of atmosphere, sometimes termed haunting or lyrical. Chekhov described the Russian life of his time using a deceptively simple technique devoid of obtrusive literary devices, and he is regarded as the outstanding representative of the late 19th-century Russian realist school.

The Characters

​Mashenka Pavletsky

• 18 year-old governess to a rich man's family.

• ​She is a live-in employee of the family.

• ​She gets one half day off on Sundays

​Madame Kushkin

Also known as:

• ​Fedosya Vassilyevna

• ​Fenya

​Use Madame Kushkin when answering questions

• ​The wife of the house

• ​She is married to Nikolay Sergeitch

​Nikolay Sergeitch

Husband of the house.

​

​He is married to Madame Kushkin.

​He has his name, and she keeps her father's name.

​Liza - servant girl

​

• ​between the ages of 13 - 15

• ​she lives in the house

• ​she may get a day off either once a week or one - two times a month depending on how long she has worked for the family

​Mamikov

Household doctor

​He may actually live in the home.

​Mikailo and other servants

These men have specific jobs.

​Example:

​opening the doors,

​standing at attention during dinner and serving the food

Other Visuals

Brooch pin

Russian Manor House

Formal Dining Room

Anton Chekhov – An Upheaval (Full Text) | Genius

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Open Ended

Why is Madame Kushkin searching the house?

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Who searched Mashenka' room?

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What was found in Mashenka's room?

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What is Mashenka's job?

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How is Madame Kushkin physically described?

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How would you describe Madame Kushkin's personality? Please keep it school appropriate.

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How is Nikolay Sergeitch physically describe?

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How would describe Nikolay Sergeitch's personality? Please keep it school appropriate.

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Why does Mashenka want to leave?

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Do you think Mashenka's quitting her job was the right thing to do? Explain why. Please be specific.

Open Ended

Who actually stole the brooch? Why did he/she steal it?

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Do you think the thief will return the brooch? Explain your answer.

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Why do you think Nikolay Sergeitch wants Mashenka to stay?

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Mashenka has quit her job suddenly after an expensive piece of jewelry has gone missing. She has no references from either Madame Kushkin or Nikolay Sergeitch. People then, as now, expect teachers to be better than everyone else.

What do you think will happen to Mashenka?