A chameleon

Chekhov’s story, A Chameleon, centres on the injustice of the Russian society and the privileges received by the upper class. Chekhov lived in a society where the only peaceful way to bring about a change in conditions was to educate people of the society's shortcomings through the use of satire. Therefore Chekhov’s purpose in writing the story is to draw his reader’s attention to the inequalities in society, in an attempt to bring about reform.
He does this through the literary techniques used to convey his point of view, in particular the humorous nature of the story and its characters.
Chekhov uses caricature, irony, and hyperbole to enhance the comic situation that he depicts.
He also uses descriptive writing, dialogue and irony to communicate his message.

The comical situation that is being relayed in the story immediately draws the attention of the reader. The police superintendent, Otchumyelov, fluctuates in his decision regarding the fate of a dog that has b...