The Slanderer by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a cautionary short story about public image. Chekhov argues in favor of the importance of foresight, especially before very important decisions. He illustrates his point with complex and thoughtful remarks on class differences. Excerpt: "Sergey Kapitonlch Akhineyev, the teacher of calligraphy, gave his daughter Natalya in marriage to the teacher of history and geography, Ivan Petrovich Loshadinikh. The wedding feast went on swimmingly. They sang, played, and danced in the parlor"