A.P. Chekhov is known in the literature as the master of a short satirical story, which was based on an anecdotal situation from everyday life, and the heroes were ordinary people snatched from the crowd. Thanks to the use of various graphic means, the author was able to show on one or two pages the vulgarity and immorality of modern society. Everything played a big role for Chekhov: the exact name, and speaking surnames, and features of speech, and objects belonging to the heroes. All the images created by the writer in his early stories are surprisingly memorable: it’s enough to name one or two details or phrases, and the reader immediately remembers from which work Ochumelov, Chervyakov or Unter Prishibeev.
An analysis of the story “The Chameleon” written in 1884 makes it possible to understand why the writer's works, even after a century, do not lose their relevance and popularity.
The plot and the main characters
The scene is the market square, along which Ochumelov, the police supervisor, walks importantly. Next to him is Eldyrin, a policeman. Their measured move breaks the cry - it was Khryukina who was bitten by a finger by an unknown dog. This occurrence becomes the beginning of an action during which the guard, as a representative of the authorities, will need to make a decision regarding the fate of the dog. It would seem easier? But not in this case. Chekhov thus builds a plot that the described situation becomes an occasion to show who Ochumelov is.
The Chameleon continues to clarify the circumstances of the case. Khryukin complained that he was walking, did not touch anyone, suddenly this dog grabbed his finger, and he, the goldsmith, could no longer work. It seems that everything is clear for Ochumelov - you need to draw up a protocol and exterminate the dog. But then someone from the crowd said that it was a puppy of General Zhigalov. The abandoned phrase immediately affected the decision. And the cause of the incident became clear: Khryukin himself poked a dog with a cigar in the face, so she bit him. Further, the very behavior of the hero suggests from which work Ochumelov. He behaves like a chameleon. Depending on the content of passers-by’s replicas — the dog turned out to be either general’s or wandering — the overseer couldn’t decide who the real culprit was. It is difficult to convey what happened to him during this time. He instantly, without any hesitation, let out unpleasant remarks either to the address of the frightened dog, or to Khryukin. So it turned out that the fate of the little dog began to depend entirely on who its owner was. It all ended with the fact that the “tsutsk sort of thing” - not a dog of Zhigalov, but ... the brother of the general - was released in peace.
Speech characteristics of heroes
The peculiarity of the story is that it consists practically of only dialogs. And for the most part, the Ochumelov chameleon says . Chekhov always attached special importance to the speeches of the heroes. And in this case, the dialogue helps to reveal their images, as well as to reveal the essence of such a thing as servility - it is this that lies at the heart of the behavior of the overseer. Ochumelov’s speech is replete with clericalism — a feature of the position, colloquial and vulgar words: “Kuz'kina’s mother”, “healed”, “every pig” and others - a symbol of his power and an indicator of low culture. Its personal significance in society is indicated by the pronoun "I", which he uses in combination with the verbs "I will show", "I will not leave it like that." And only when it turns out that the dog is nevertheless related to the general, the reader is surprised to find out that the overseer’s vocabulary also includes diminutive words: “dog”. Yes, and his tone is changed from obedient and official to obsequious and flattering.
Art details
Chekhov’s portrait portraits of the hero and the author’s indications of his position in society, as a rule, do not play a big role. This is better than any words said by the details in its appearance. Ochumelov is a person who uses his official position everywhere. This is already indicated by his progress in the area: he is walking slowly and importantly, looks around with a kind of master. Seeing a noisy crowd, immediately unceremoniously “crashes” into it. Clear movements speak of his self-confidence. Despite the embarrassment that occurred during the trial, he will continue his journey in the same measured and confident step.
An important detail is a bundle in his hands and a sieve with gooseberries - the author does not accidentally emphasize: "confiscated" - which carries the city. This is their "booty", symbolizing power.
And, of course, one cannot fail to note the new overcoat of the overseer. By the way, it is the reader who remembers it most of all, and just one word immediately suggests an idea from which Ochumelov’s work. It's summer outside, but he's in his overcoat - an indication of his position and position. During the conversation, the overseer sometimes takes off, then puts it on, as it throws it in the heat, then in the cold. Finally, after all the proceedings, Ochumelov confidently smells his greatcoat and moves on. Thus, this detail best of all portrait descriptions conveys the character and feelings of the hero.
Why Ochumelov?
Another trick inherent in Chekhov's stories is speaking surnames. First, it should be noted that the name and patronymic of the hero do not sound in the work. This is not necessary, since for everyone he is an “important person”, whom you simply won’t turn to. The surname is associated with the words “sense” and “plague”, which may indicate the typical character of the hero. Even in the story is not only Ochumelov. The characterization of the behavior of the hero and the crowd is the same. Those gathered quickly succumb to the influence of the overseer and pick up his point of view, again out of a desire to please. This phenomenon, as an infection, covers more and more people who have learned to adapt and skillfully use their position.
The meaning of the title of the story
In nature, a chameleon is a reptile, easily changing color and adapts to the environment. It saves his life.
The title of the story fully reflects the essence of the protagonist. A chameleon is a person who easily adapts to what is happening. It’s just that this is not about life and death, but about the desire to settle in well and have a profit for oneself (not for society!) In any situation.
The role of the story "Chameleon"
At first the work causes laughter. However, in spite of its apparent insignificance, Chameleon became a rather serious parody of the control system that existed at the end of the 19th century.
And it is not so important from what work Ochumelov. In the minds of readers, he forever remained the personification of constant worship of those who stand above. And if he begins to grovel in front of, even a general’s, but still a dog, such a story leads to very gloomy thoughts about the vicious structure of the whole country.