what is the theme of the short story
Chameleon
Answers
The summary of the story 'Chameleon' by Anton Chekov is as follows. It is fairly easy to find out. People can change their behavior according to own needs irrespective of how it may affect others near him.
When we think about it, it can be a very depressing lesson. People may behave in this way even in low stake situations. The tension of the story is from the mystery at the end of what really takes place.
A reader is always uncertain regarding the next happening for the different characters in the story. The story is about a police officer called Ochumelov. He changes mind many times on how to respond to a circumstance in which he is not sure of all the facts.
At the beginning, Ochumelov take the side of the man whose finger was damaged partly because the condition looks to be common. He wanted to do justice as it seemed the best way for him.
But when someone from the crowd shouts that the owner of the dog is a general, he decides that the injured man should get the blame.
The author ends the short story by telling readers that the dog is of a general's brother. This helps Ochumelov to come to a decision to help the dog and penalise the bitten man.