Your students would probably get little chance to read 19th-century Russian literature, so keep it more like fun reading stuff rather than a serious academic lecture.
You can have it with students who are at a strong intermediate level or above.
The short story you can find on the web, e.g. HERE
Plot: It is about two former school friends (one is fat, the other is thin) who meet by chance after many years at a railway station. One of them tries to show off to the other about his successful job and life. He gets surprised when his friend (the fat one) reveals his high social status. Then comes the sudden change in the first man's (the thin man) attitude towards his friend and he becomes servile. The friendly meeting turns into a shameful ritual of self-abnegation.
Exercises:
1. You can prepare a handout similar to this one: HERE
2. You can ask questions:
- Why did the author entitled the story Fat and Thin?
- What are the similarities or differences of the two main characters?
- How can you relate the story in real life?
- What did you learn from the story?
- Where do you find some humour and satire in the story?
you should give a more detailed plot/summary.
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