A Happy Man (Chekhov)
Short summary
Russia, late 19th century. On a passenger train from Bologoe junction, a tall, lanky gentleman in a ginger-colored hat entered a second-class smoking compartment where five passengers were trying to sleep.
Ivan Alexyevitch was delighted to find his friend Pyotr Petrovitch among the passengers. In his tipsy state, Ivan explained that he had just gotten married and was on his honeymoon. He had stepped out to get brandy after the second bell and missed his train car. Ivan was overjoyed about his marriage, describing his wife as a beautiful blonde waiting for him in their compartment.
The happy bridegroom's enthusiasm infected the other passengers, who joined in his cheerful mood. Ivan philosophized about happiness, claiming that man creates his own happiness through love, marriage, and simple pleasures. When the train stopped at a station, a shocking revelation occurred.
To Moscow? What do you mean? ... For what station did you take your ticket? ... For Petersburg. ... In that case I congratulate you. You've got into the wrong train. ... The bridegroom turns pale, clutches his head...
Ivan realized he had boarded the Moscow-bound train while his wife was on the Petersburg train. Distraught, he moaned that he was unhappy and had no money, as it was all with his wife. Taking pity on him, the passengers collected funds to help him change trains and catch up with his bride.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Introduction of Ivan Alexyevitch on the train
In a second-class smoking compartment of a passenger train departing from Bologoe junction on the Petersburg-Moscow line, five passengers were dozing after a meal. The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly disrupted when the compartment door opened and a tall, lanky figure entered. The man, straight as a poker, wore a ginger-colored hat and a smart overcoat that gave him the appearance of a journalist from a Jules Verne novel or the comic stage.
The man stood in the middle of the compartment, breathing heavily and peering at the seats with confusion. He muttered to himself about being in the wrong place again, clearly frustrated with his situation. One of the passengers recognized him and called out his name - Ivan Alexyevitch.
Ivans meeting with Pyotr Petrovitch and his explanation of happiness
Ivan was delighted to see a familiar face and greeted the passenger warmly. The man was Pyotr Petrovitch, an old acquaintance. Ivan explained his predicament - he had left his compartment to get a glass of brandy after the second bell. While contemplating a second glass, the third bell rang, signaling the train's imminent departure. In his haste, Ivan had jumped into the first carriage he saw.
Despite his confusion, Ivan appeared in remarkably good spirits. Pyotr invited him to sit down, suggesting he could find his own compartment at the next station. Ivan hesitated but eventually sat down, visibly excited and fidgeting as though sitting on thorns. When Pyotr asked where he was traveling, Ivan replied with enthusiasm that he was on his honeymoon, declaring himself the happiest of mortals.
I dare say I look awfully stupid just now. Ach! it's a pity I haven't a looking-glass, I should like to look at my countinghouse. My dear fellow, I feel I am turning into an idiot, honour bright. Ha-ha! Would you believe it, I'm on my honeymoon.
Ivans joyful descriptions of his new bride and married life
After receiving congratulations from Pyotr, Ivan elaborated on his blissful state. He had even sprinkled himself with scent to complete his dandyish appearance. He described feeling no care or thought, only a sensation of beatitude. Ivan closed his eyes and wagged his head, declaring himself "revoltingly happy." He explained that in his compartment, his new wife was waiting for him.
Ivan described his bride with poetic adoration - a little blonde with a little nose and little fingers. He called her his angel, his little poppet, and the "phylloxera" of his soul. He particularly admired her little foot, which he claimed he could pick up and eat. Ivan accused Pyotr and other bachelors of being cold-hearted materialists who couldn't understand his joy.
I'm revoltingly happy. Just think; in a minute I shall go to my compartment. There on the seat near the window is sitting a being who is, so to say, devoted to you with her whole being. A little blonde with a little nose...
Ivan continued to describe the romantic scene awaiting him - how he would sit beside his wife, take her chin with his fingers, lay his head on her shoulder, and put his arm around her waist. He spoke of the poetic twilight and silence that would surround them. In his euphoria, Ivan felt he could embrace the whole world and even hugged Pyotr Petrovitch to demonstrate his overwhelming joy.
The passengers reactions and Ivans growing audience
The other passengers in the compartment, initially drowsy, became increasingly interested in the animated bridegroom. Ivan's cheerfulness was infectious, and soon all five passengers were fully awake and engaged in his story. No longer addressing just Pyotr, Ivan now had an attentive audience hanging on his every word.
Ivan wriggled, gesticulated, and prattled on without ceasing. His laughter was contagious, and soon everyone in the compartment was laughing along with him. He advised them not to think so much or analyze everything - if they wanted a drink, they should simply drink without philosophizing about whether it was bad for them or not.
The realization that Ivan boarded the wrong train
When the guard walked through the compartment, Ivan asked him to tell his wife in carriage number 209 that her husband was all right. The guard informed him that there was no carriage 209 on this train, only 219. Ivan accepted the correction without concern.
One passenger observed that it seemed strange nowadays to see a happy man, comparing it to the rarity of seeing a white elephant. Ivan responded passionately, arguing that if people weren't happy, it was their own fault. He declared that man is the creator of his own happiness and expounded on his philosophy that one should follow nature's dictates to love and marry at the appropriate time.
Nowadays it really seems strange to see a happy man, one as soon expects to see a white elephant. ... If you are not happy it's your own fault! Yes, what else do you suppose it is? Man is the creator of his own happiness.
The aftermath and resolution with the help of other passengers
The conversation was interrupted when Pyotr Petrovitch asked Ivan about his destination. Ivan replied that he was heading to Petersburg, which confused Pyotr who pointed out they were on a train to Moscow. There was a moment of stunned silence as Ivan realized his mistake - at Bologoe station, after his glass of brandy, he had boarded the wrong train.
Ivan turned pale and began pacing the carriage in distress. His wife was on the other train, alone and likely worried about him. The creator of his own happiness now declared himself an unhappy man. To make matters worse, all his money was with his wife, leaving him unable to purchase a ticket for the Petersburg express to catch up with her. Seeing his predicament, the passengers, who had been entertained by his story, collected money among themselves to help the distraught bridegroom.