In this Anton Chekhov story, a mistaken kiss in a darkened room temporarily transforms the life of a shy, insecure army officer. He returns to duty on a high, wondering who the woman was and fanaticizing that he could be as successful in love and life as his fellow officers. Some weeks later, he eagerly returns to the scene. When nothing special takes place, he sees the folly of his summer dreams and fancies. In addition to Chekhov’s common message of the cruelty and unpredictability of life, themes include misunderstanding, human desire, self-delusion, raised hopes and shattered dreams.
The officer’s folly still rings true today. Young people often read too much into the hidden promise of their first romantic kiss; for poor Ryabovitch, who had never once in his life put his arm round the waist of a respectable woman (although he appears happy to have done so and more with “disrespectable” ones!), it is easy to see how self-delusion fed his fantasies.
The Kiss Full Text / PDF / Audio (7,500 words)