The Death of a Government Clerk (Chekhov)
Division into chapters is editorial.
The unfortunate sneeze at the theater
One evening, a government clerk named Ivan Dmitritch Tchervyakov was enjoying a performance of "Cloches de Corneville" at the theater. He sat in the second row of stalls, feeling completely content as he watched through his opera glass. Suddenly, he felt an unexpected tickle in his nose, and despite his efforts to contain it, he sneezed loudly.
But suddenly his face puckered up, his eyes disappeared, his breathing was arrested... he took the opera glass from his eyes, bent over and... "Aptchee!" he sneezed as you perceive. It is not reprehensible for anyone to sneeze anywhere.
After sneezing, Tchervyakov politely looked around to see if he had disturbed anyone. To his horror, he noticed that an elderly gentleman sitting in front of him was wiping his head and neck with a glove while muttering to himself. Tchervyakov recognized the man as Brizzhalov, a civilian general from the Department of Transport.
First apology and Brizzhalovs dismissal
Tchervyakov was mortified when he realized he had accidentally sprayed the general with his sneeze. Although Brizzhalov was not from his department, Tchervyakov felt compelled to apologize for this breach of etiquette. He leaned forward, bent his whole person toward the general, and whispered an apology in his ear.
"I have spattered him," thought Tchervyakov, "he is not the head of my department, but still it is awkward. I must apologise." Tchervyakov gave a cough, bent his whole person forward, and whispered in the general's ear.
The general responded with a dismissive "Never mind" and asked Tchervyakov to let him listen to the performance. Despite this response, Tchervyakov remained uncomfortable. His enjoyment of the show was ruined as anxiety took hold of him. During the interval, he approached Brizzhalov again and repeated his apology, explaining that he hadn't intended to sneeze on him.
Tchervyakovs anxiety and his wifes advice
The general grew impatient with Tchervyakov's continued apologies, saying he had already forgotten about the incident. However, Tchervyakov noticed what he perceived as a "fiendish light" in the general's eye. He worried that Brizzhalov might think he had intentionally spat on him, even though the general showed no such indication at present.
When Tchervyakov returned home, he told his wife about the embarrassing incident. She initially seemed alarmed but relaxed when she learned that Brizzhalov worked in a different department than her husband. Nevertheless, she advised Tchervyakov to apologize again, fearing the general might think he didn't know proper public behavior.
The second apology attempt at Brizzhalovs office
The next day, Tchervyakov put on a new uniform and had his hair cut before going to Brizzhalov's office to explain himself properly. Upon arriving, he found several petitioners waiting, with the general already interviewing some of them. When it was finally his turn, Tchervyakov began to remind the general about the theater incident.
Before Tchervyakov could finish his explanation, Brizzhalov interrupted him, dismissing the matter as nonsense and turning his attention to the next petitioner. Tchervyakov grew pale, convinced that the general's refusal to discuss the matter meant he was angry. Unable to leave things unresolved, Tchervyakov waited until the general had finished with all the petitioners.
As Brizzhalov was heading toward his inner apartments, Tchervyakov approached him again, insisting that he had not intended to offend and was only apologizing out of a feeling of regret. The general made what Tchervyakov perceived as a "lachrymose face," waved his hand dismissively, and accused Tchervyakov of making fun of him before closing the door.
Tchervyakovs persistence and growing discomfort
Tchervyakov was bewildered by the general's accusation. He couldn't understand how his sincere apology could be interpreted as mockery. Initially, he resolved not to apologize to the "fanfaron" anymore and considered writing a letter instead. However, after much deliberation, he couldn't compose the letter and decided he needed to explain himself in person once more.
"Why, you are simply making fun of me, sir," he said as he closed the door behind him. "Where's the making fun in it?" thought Tchervyakov, "there is nothing of the sort! He is a general, but he can't understand."
The final confrontation and tragic end
The following day, Tchervyakov returned to the general's office. When Brizzhalov looked at him inquiringly, Tchervyakov began to explain that he hadn't been making fun of him the previous day. He insisted that he had only been apologizing for the sneeze and would never dare to mock someone of the general's stature.
This time, the general's reaction was explosive. He turned purple with rage, began shaking all over, and yelled at Tchervyakov to leave. Horrified and numb with fear, Tchervyakov asked what the general meant, only to be met with another shouted command to leave, accompanied by foot-stamping.
Something seemed to give way in Tchervyakov's stomach. Seeing nothing and hearing nothing he reeled to the door, went out into the street, and went staggering along.... Reaching home mechanically, without taking off his uniform, he lay down on the sofa and died.