# An Inadvertence explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anton Chekhov.

## What happens

Pyotr Petrovitch Strizhin returns home late from a christening party, slightly drunk, and accidentally drinks paraffin instead of vodka from a cupboard. His sister-in-law Dashenka scolds him for touching the cupboard without permission, more concerned about the cost of paraffin than his health. After failing to get help from doctors or a chemist, Strizhin resigns himself to death, but survives the night. In the morning, he attributes his survival to his regular life, while Dashenka blames the cheap quality of the paraffin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Moral Failure

Strizhin, who prides himself on a 'sober and regular life' and reads religious books, secretly drinks vodka and then accidentally poisons himself, revealing his hypocrisy.

### Mortality and Legacy

Strizhin's fear of death leads him to write a note absolving others of blame and to contemplate his grave and the birds twittering over it.

## Character check-ins

### Pyotr Petrovitch Strizhin

The protagonist who accidentally drinks paraffin instead of vodka after returning from a christening party.

### Dashenka

Pyotr Petrovitch's sister-in-law and housekeeper, who scolds him for his carelessness and is more concerned about household expenses.

## Key lines

> Spirituous liquors are like seawater and glory: the more you imbibe of them the greater your thirst.

Alcohol, like fame, only increases your desire for more the more you consume.

_Narrator's observation on the nature of craving._

> One who leads a steady and regular life, dear sister, is unaffected by any poison.

A person who lives a disciplined life is immune to any poison.

_Strizhin's self-justification after surviving the paraffin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters/an-inadvertence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters