Short Fiction · Chapter
A Work of Art explained
Sasha Smirnov, the only son of his mother, brings a gift of an antique bronze candelabra to Dr.
What happens
Sasha Smirnov, the only son of his mother, brings a gift of an antique bronze candelabra to Dr. Koshelkov as a token of gratitude for saving his life. The doctor finds the risqué artwork inappropriate for his family home and passes it on to his lawyer friend Uhov, who in turn gives it to the comedian Shashkin. Shashkin, also uncomfortable, sells it to an old woman who buys antique bronzes—Madame Smirnov, Sasha's mother. Two days later, Sasha joyfully returns to the doctor with the matching pair, leaving the doctor speechless.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Failure
The characters publicly admire the artistic merit of the candelabra but privately reject it due to its indecency, revealing their hypocrisy.
Social Class and Inequality
The gift circulates among the professional and artistic classes, each passing it on due to social constraints, highlighting class-based propriety.
Characters to notice
- Sasha Smirnov
The only son of his mother, brings a gift of an antique bronze candelabra to Dr. Koshelkov as thanks for saving his life.
- Dr. Andrey Yefimitch Ragin
The doctor who receives the candelabra, finds it inappropriate for his family home, and passes it on to his lawyer friend.
Key passages
“I am the only son of my mother and you have saved my life… we do not know how to thank you.”
Sasha repeatedly emphasizes that he is his mother's only son and that the doctor saved his life, as a way to express gratitude and justify the gift.
Sasha's refrain underscores his earnestness and the emotional weight of the gift.
“It’s a superb thing, there’s no denying it, and it would be a pity to throw it away. But it’s impossible for me to keep it.”
The doctor acknowledges the artistic value of the candelabra but feels he cannot keep it due to its inappropriate nature for his family home.
This internal conflict drives the plot as the gift is passed along.
“If one could plaster it over or stick on fig-leaves…”
The lawyer suggests modifying the candelabra to cover its indecent parts, but ultimately decides to pass it on instead.
This highlights the characters' discomfort with the artwork and their attempts to reconcile propriety with appreciation.