In the short story "Bad Weather" by Anton Chekhov, a rainy summer day sets the stage for a series of misunderstandings and emotional turmoil within a family. The story revolves around Kvashin, a lawyer, his wife Nadyezhda Filippovna, and his mother-in-law. As the rain pours outside, Kvashin stays in the town due to his aversion to bad weather. Left alone, Nadyezhda and her mother spend their time playing cards and worrying about Kvashin's well-being. The mother-in-law is concerned about Kvashin's absence and believes that the weather is a punishment from God. Nadyezhda expresses her worry for her husband, lamenting the fact that he is alone without any domestic help in their town apartment. They both long for his presence and decide that Nadyezhda will travel to the town the next day to check on him. "Bad Weather" portrays the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of trust. It highlights how external circumstances, such as bad weather, can influence emotions and actions, leading to misunderstandings and deception. Chekhov's masterful storytelling captures the nuances of human behavior and the power dynamics within a family, leaving the reader pondering the consequences of such deceitful acts. Read in English, unabridged.
