The Death of a Government Clerk

Brief Overview

In the story «The Death of a Government Clerk» by Anton Chekhov, we follow the tale of a minor official, Ivan Dmitrievich Chervyakov, who accidentally sneezes on an important general, Brizzhalov, at the theater. Terrified, Chervyakov repeatedly tries to apologize to the general, who each time insists that it is no big deal. However, Chervyakov cannot calm down and continues to trouble the general with his apologies. Eventually, the general loses his patience and rudely dismisses Chervyakov. Returning home, Chervyakov feels humiliated and depressed, lies down on the couch, and dies.