Which of the characters is a chameleon? We analyze the story of A.P. Chekhov's "Chameleon"

"Brevity is the soul of wit". This saying can be successfully applied to the work of its author, Anton Chekhov. Without leaving a small story or short story, he could create capacious images, touch a large number of different topics - social and eternal. Using talking surnames, details, skimpy commenting on the actions of heroes, Chekhov transformed everyday, everyday situations into something more - something that allows us to judge how much a person is kind or angry, how happy, etc. All this can be applied to the story "Chameleon". How does the writer treat Khryukin and Ochumelov? Which of the characters is a chameleon? The answer to this question is given in this article.

History of creation and genre features

"Chameleon" belongs to the genre of humorous story. As is known, Chekhov created dozens, if not hundreds, of various stories, short stories, "pictures", "little things" and sketches during the early period of his work (the 80s of the last century). In them he ridiculed various human shortcomings. And the "Chameleon", written in 1884 and published in "Shards" under the pseudonym of Antosh Chehonte, is not an exception. Let's try to find out which defect Chekhov laughs at this time, and who of the heroes is a chameleon. However, to begin with we will analyze the content.

Plot

A distinctive feature of Chekhov's prose is dynamism. There are no long reflections, the author's references to the past. On the contrary, the action takes place here and now, very rapidly. The story begins with a description of how a policeman named Ochumelov passes through the market square. Description of the details of the appearance of the protagonist, as well as the surrounding space, is given sparingly. However, it is not difficult for a reader with a good imagination to imagine a heavy middle-aged man (well, what else could a policeman be) and a policeman walking next to him, who has an unbearable burden on his hands-a sieve with confiscated gooseberry. In the square it is very quiet and depressing ("there are not even beggars"). Undoubtedly, the depicted town is a stronghold of philistinism, to which Chekhov was terribly disgusted.

But back to the story. The measured procession of Ochumelov and the mayor interrupts the noise. Another second - and the men see a dog running out of the barn first, and then Hryukin running after them, a goldsmith, with a bloody finger. It gathers the crowd. Ochumelov listens to the victim's story (which the dog bit because the drunk poked a cigarette in his face) and concludes: the dog must be exterminated. But then someone notices that the animal may belong to the general. Ochumelov immediately takes the side of the dog, until the policeman expresses doubts about the origin of the dog. So Ochumelov changes his opinion several times, while passing by Prokhor, the general's cook, does not testify: the animal belongs to the brother of the general who has arrived on a visit. This causes the warden to have a sweet smile and a threat to Hryukin. End of story. One thing is unclear: who is the chameleon in Chekhov's story? And how to explain the name of the work? The usual retelling of the plot of the text will not give an answer to these questions.

So, which of the heroes is the chameleon?

In Chekhov's prose, comparing a character to an animal always means his negative evaluation. Whom only you will not find in the stories of the writer: and round as a bug, the main character who has a wife-herring. Or even collide with a sheep in human guise - it's a disaster! Very often in this bestiary you can meet chameleons who have the ability to change their opinions in relation to the situation. So which of the heroes is a chameleon? The answer is simple: the overseer Ochumelov, changes in the behavior of which caused surprise among the crowd, and the reader - with an ironic smile.

The methods of comic

In addition to comparisons with animals, Chekhov refers to other comic techniques, for example, the talking surname. Chervyakov, Gryaznorukov, Gnilodushkin, Polzukhin ... Ochumelov and Khryukin join this nice company. To understand the image of the latter, the surname is particularly important. Despite the fact that when you first read the goldsmith's work, you can take for the victim, the attentive reader will notice the spiritual stupidity of the character, which will allow him to compare it with the pig.

Pay attention to the details. In Chekhov they are also talking. So, the incessant change of decisions, which in itself looks rather comical, is emphasized by the requests of the supervisor to throw or take off his coat. The opportunity to fall out of favor with the general directly physically affects Ochumelov, forcing him to experience heat or cold.

Author's idea

So, the question of which of the heroes is a chameleon in Chekhov's work is resolved. However, does this mean that other actors go past the author's all-seeing eye? Of course not. Above we mentioned that Chekhov indirectly ridicules and Khryukin, but not only these two characters are limited to the author. He criticizes the whole city, for the description of which Anton Pavlovich had a couple of lines.

Chekhov's story is a very useful work that must be studied at school. Thanks to him, the younger generation will know who the chameleon is (from those who met on the path of life), and who, on the contrary, is a kind and honest person.