# An Original explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Leonid Andreyev.

## What happens

The chapter follows Semyon Vasilyevich Kotel'nikov, a minor civil servant who declares his love for negresses at a dinner with colleagues, sparking astonishment and mockery. His claim is taken as a mark of originality, earning him social elevation and the favor of his superiors, including his Excellency. He marries a negress, Miss Korraito, has a child, and dies of typhus two years later, maintaining his exotic persona to the end. The story satirizes the superficial pursuit of originality and the tragic gap between public performance and private misery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

Semyon's public claim of loving negresses is a lie to gain social standing, while privately he hates his wife and child, revealing the deception behind his 'originality.'

### Isolation and Alienation

Despite being celebrated, Semyon feels isolated, weeping on his pillow and hating his family, ultimately dying alone with a forced smile.

### Suffering and Injustice

Semyon suffers privately from his forced marriage and the pressure to maintain a false identity, while his wife and child are also victims of his deception and society's expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Semyon Vasilyevich Kotel’nikov

The protagonist, a civil servant who claims to love negresses, gains fame for his 'originality,' marries Miss Korraito, and dies maintaining his persona.

### Anton Ivanovich

Head of the office who first mocks Semyon's declaration but later celebrates his originality, hosting parties where Semyon is the guest of honor.

### Polzikov

A stout, dour colleague who initially laughs at Semyon, later drinks to comradeship with him, and speculates that Semyon's children would be 'striped.'

### Nastenka

A woman who weeps bitterly over Semyon's ruined youth and his marriage to the negress, eventually sobbing at the wedding party.

### Miss Korraito

The negress whom Semyon marries; she converts to Orthodoxy, bears a greyish child, and is described as black, greasy, and smelling of musk.

## Key lines

> But I do love negresses.

Semyon Vasilyevich quietly declares his affection for black women at a dinner, surprising his colleagues.

_This statement launches his reputation as an original and sets the plot in motion._

> I hate that black devil!

On his deathbed, Semyon nearly confesses his true hatred for his wife but instead reaffirms his love for negresses.

_Highlights the tragic irony of his life—public performance versus private truth._

> Let her face be that of a sheep, if only her soul be human.

Semyon's mother accepts his marriage, prioritizing inner virtue over appearance.

_Reflects a contrasting moral perspective within the story._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/an-original
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters