# A Transgression explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anton Chekhov.

## What happens

Collegiate assessor Miguev, haunted by guilt over an affair with his former housemaid Agnia, discovers an abandoned baby on his doorstep—the child of his transgression. In a panic, he tries to abandon it at a merchant's house, but his conscience wrestles with him. He ultimately returns home, confesses to his wife, and then learns from the porter that the baby actually belongs to the washerwoman Aksinya, not to him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Moral Failure

Miguev's initial attempt to abandon the baby and his later confession highlight his moral cowardice and hypocrisy.

### Suffering and Compassion

Miguev's internal conflict and eventual return to the baby show a flicker of compassion amid his suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Miguev

The collegiate assessor who struggles with guilt and attempts to abandon the baby he believes is his.

### Aksinya

The washerwoman whose baby was left on the steps and then taken by Miguev.

## Key lines

> How mean it is really! So mean that one can't imagine anything meaner.

Miguev realizes the cruelty of abandoning the baby.

_Reflects his moral awakening during the walk._

> Forgive me! I have sinned! Torture me, but we won't ruin an innocent child.

Miguev imagines confessing to his wife and adopting the baby.

_Shows his desire for redemption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters/a-transgression
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters