Abstract This literary study examines the short story "The Lady and the Pet Dog" by AntonChekhov. By learning of the sexist and often misogynistic behavior of Gurov toward women, one can realize his love for Anna revokes his views of gender stereotypes. By understanding how women can be seen as individuals with intelligence and beauty, Gurov invariably cannot hold onto these naive gender belief systems in Chekhov's narrative. The paper explains that, in essence, the basis of Chekhov's short story creates a larger perspective relating to how Gurov transforms his gender based misogyny in his love for Anna. Gurov is a male that has a great tendency to make generalizations about women and then places them within a certain category in society.
This paper examines the following four works of literature and how they affected the literary philosophy of their eras: Voltaire's 'Candide', AntonChekhov's 'Enemies', Giancamo Leopardi's 'The Infinite' and Virginia Wolf's 'Kew Gardens'.
Abstract This paper studies the different ways that four works of literature from different genres reflect the dominant literary philosophy of the era of their authors. It argues that over the course of the last three centuries, from the 18th century to the present, the ways that literature has depicted the human condition has been characterized by an increasing focus on the interior, rather than the exterior life of fictional and non-fictional characters. It studies Voltaire's 'Candide', AntonChekhov's 'Enemies' , Giancamo Leopardi's 'The Infinite' and Virginia Wolf's 'Kew Gardens'.
From the Paper "One of the most perfect expressions of the Enlightenment's Rationalism can be found in Voltaire's Candide. Voltaire depicts a society rife with hypocrisy, particularly religious hypocrisy. The length of Voltaire's work is that of a novella, but the prose has the quality of a satire, or an extended parody, in this case a parody of the philosopher Lebiniz's sensibility that the entire world is good, and that the world in which we dwell is the best of all possible worlds. Voltaire's authorial voice is present throughout the work, and even when the author is chronicling the inner voice of the characters, there is a strong sense of plot, of action, and of an author's philosophic "project" at work."
Tags: literature philosophy Voltaire 'Candide'AntonChekhov 'Enemies', Giancamo Leopardi 'The Infinite' Virginia Wolf 'Kew Gardens' Enlightenment Rationalism
Abstract This paper analyzes the works of AntonChekhov, including a number of major plays ("The Cherry Orchard," "Uncle Vanya," "The Seagull," "Three Sisters") and some of his short stories.
From the Paper "On January in Taganrog, Russia, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born. Though Chekhov wrote many one-act comedies and a significant number of short stories it is for his full-length tragedies that Chekhov is considered among the greatest dramatists of all time. While studying as a medical student at the University of Moscow, Chekhov began writing short stories. Influenced by Vaudeville and French farces Chekhov began writing one-act comedies."
Tags: Uncle Vanya, The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Three Sisters, Lady With A Pet Dog, The Radical, The Kiss, happiness, fulfillment, sadness, tragedy, comedy, life
Abstract Often in his works, Anton Pavlevich Chekhov mixes comedic and tragic elements. The purpose of this is to not allow things to get too drab or life to appear to be too gloomy. He uses his characters as mediums for this comedic relief. Another one of Chekhov's trademarks is the use of off-stage events and actions. These events and actions may appear to be things that deserve the center of attention, but Chekhov purposely places them off-stage so as to draw attention to something else and pulls it off quite well. This paper analyzes several of Chekhov's plays, including, "Uncle Vanya", "The Cherry Orchard", and "Three Sisters" to show how he successfully makes use of comedy and off-stage action.
From the Paper "An example of this would be when there was a fire in Three Sisters. When Act Three is introduced, we learn that there was a fire from the narrative notes and from some of the dialogue, but the play is not in action while the fire is happening. The fire itself is not so important. What is important is how the characters react to it. The fire was merely a catalyst that set people off and made Act Three a hectic one. Natasha gets bossier towards servants, Chebutykin becomes a drunken mess and Irina becomes more frustrated and desperate to return to Moscow."
Abstract This paper discusses that the title character, in AntonChekhov's short story "Anyuta", is defined by her internal impoverishment. The author believes that Chekhov drew on his professional background as a doctor to explore Anyuta's psychological impoverishment. The author states that the reader feels sympathy for Anyuta for having no family, for being cold and probably hungry and for having been left by five men, until Anyuta's decision to remain a passive instrument of Stepan's advancement which shows that Anyuta is not only psychologically impoverished by circumstance but also by her own choices.
From the Paper "The story opens with an image of Anyuta and Stepan Klochkov in a dirty apartment. The image introduces several pertinent clues about how to interpret Anyuta's character, before the reader even sees her interact with Stepan. First, the narrator has given Stepan a last name but declined to specify Anyuta?s. One possible interpretation of this difference is that Stepan's identity in the world is more particular and concrete than Anyuta. A last name is usually a family name. The reader gets the sense that Stepan has a family, comes from somewhere, grounded by a historical past. Stepan has another possible interpretation of this differential naming, which may be reconcilable with the first interpretation, as the narrator has a stronger level of familiarity with Anyuta than Stepan, and so he introduces "Stepan Klochkov" to the reader formally."
Abstract This paper considers the theme of the power of love to transform individuals in AntonChekhov's short story, "The Lady with the Dog". It looks at the transformation of Gurov, a serial adulterer, who is transformed by his love for Anna as well as Chekhov's depiction of Gurov's gradual metamorphosis.
From the Paper "In many works of literature love is depicted as having the power to transform individuals. Indeed scoundrels are often reformed after discovering their true love. This is the case in Anton Chekhov's short story The Lady with the Dog in which the protagonist ..."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the short story "The Darling" by AntonChekhov. Specifically, the paper discusses the characters' point of view and the theme of the work. The paper examines how the story illustrates women's roles in Victorian society, and uses characterization, theme, and point of view to illustrate the confining lives of women and their families. The paper further examines the character of Olga, a sad, even pathetic character who only lives for the men in her life. The writer concludes that Olga's wasted life is a lesson to anyone who allows another to become the center of his or her world and interests.
Outline:
1. Introduction
a. Thesis
2. Background on Chekhov a. Writing history and life
3. Characters
a. Olga
b. Husbands
4. Themes of the story
a. Women in society
b. Loss and Death
c. A Mother's Love
5. Conclusion
From the Paper "Olga (also called Olenka), is the main character of this story and the "darling" referred to in the title. She is an intriguing character full of weaknesses and faults, and yet Chekhov manages to make her sympathetic to the reader somehow. One critic of the story writes, "Tolstoy [...] believed that Chekhov had meant to denigrate his Olga, the buxom, warm-hearted 'darling' who has no opinions except those which she borrows from the current man in her life and who, without some male to worship, withers and grows sluttish, but that he could not help bathing her in sympathy" (Calder 251). Olga is sympathetic for a number of reasons. First, she genuinely seems grieved when she loses her first two husbands."
A review on the comparative writing styles of Rattawut Lapcharoensap and AntonChekhov with particular reference to "Sightseeing" written by Lapcharoensap.
Abstract The paper discusses Rattawut Lapcharoensap's "Sightseeing", is a first person narrative that describes a short vacation the protagonist and his mother took. The paper states that the story resembles the works of AntonChekhov because of its symbolism, depression, and unpredictability. The paper then comments that every writer, has his own technique for writing a short story. However for reasons stated, different writers may seem to have identical ideas and style. The paper continues and discusses the comparative writing styles of Chekhov and Lapcharoensap and concludes that both writers' works are unique and exceptional, and both include symbolism, unpredictability, and endless conclusions.
From the Paper "Reading about something out of the realm of normal experience---such as having a mother who is going blind--keeps the audience interested. Chekhov's stories differ in this respect. He connects with the reader because the events in his stories are universal in scope. Chekhov's stories focus on what it is like to be a human being. His themes are commonly found in the human condition and can be analyzed and seen through many different reader perspectives. Many interpretations can be made. Lapcharoensap's style and story is told through the first person with views that are only seen through his eyes. It's like he is telling the reader what to think. Chekhov never does that.His stories also do not have as much dialect as Lapcharoensap's do."
Abstract This paper considers the theme of pride in two literary works, the play "The Cherry Orchard" by AntonChekhov and the novel "The Stone Angel" by Margaret Laurence. Noting that theme of pride is common in literature, with pride being one of the seven deadly sins in the Christian conception and an example of a fatal flaw in the Greek view in classical literature. This paper then reviews how that theme of pride is seen in these two works in terms of the past, and the actions of individual characters.
From the Paper "The theme of pride is common in literature, with pride being one of the seven deadly sins in the Christian conception and an example of a fatal flaw in the Greek view in classical literature. This theme is treated differently by different authors and even in different types of literature. The theme is embodied in the play 'The Cherry Orchard' by Anton Chekhov in the way the characters are portrayed and in the attitudes they take toward their status in society, and it is treated by novelist Margaret Laurence in 'The Stone Angel' through her characters and the way they show pride to be both constructive and destructive..."
Abstract The paper discusses how in many of his short stories, AntonChekhov presents characters that seem to be destined to fail in their lives. These characters have little control over their lives and Chekhov plunges them into situations from which they cannot escape. The paper relates that Chekhov often demonstrates the hopelessness of life with his female characters. The paper analyzes "The Lady with the little Dog," "The Darling," "A Blunder" and "The Cook's Wedding." The paper portrays how in all these stories, Chekhov realistically presents characters who are destined to misery and failure.
From the Paper ""A Blunder" and "The Cook's Wedding" are very short pieces written near the beginning of Chekhov's career as a writer in the 1880s. "A Blunder" includes characters who control their own destiny, yet, they make an error that will have a long term effect on their happiness. The parents are anxious for their daughter, Natashenka, to marry Shchupkin, the school master. In their haste to bless the wedding, the mother grabs a portrait of a writer from the wall instead of the necessary icon. When the parents realize their error, they and their daughter are left in confusion and disappointment while the fortunate Shchuplin slips quietly out the door."
Abstract This paper discusses how most of the works of the Russian author, AntonChekhov, involve peasant people, depicting their lives, afflictions, and joys. It examines how he is an author that represents life in a different angle, at times making the readers feel disillusioned or pessimistic after reading his works. In particular, it discusses Chekhov's ability to illustrate reality about human life through the study of his short story, ?Peasant Wives.? Through an analysis of the text, it posits that the brutality of peasant life is vividly depicted in Chekhov's literary works, mainly through the characters and themes illustrated in the story.
From the Paper "The first theme, the theme of realism, talks about the main elements present in most of Chekhov's works, which mainly centers on the element of familiar and the negative of the lives of people. Through the theme of realism, Chekhov truthfully illustrates Russian peasant life in ?Peasant Wives,? wherein difficulties experienced by people of poverty and the seemingly "familiar" conditions that they confront everyday give life to Chekhov's narrative. Furthermore, through the help of the characters in the story, Chekhov manages to add a different twist to these two elements that is characteristic only of Chekhov's writing and narrative style."
Abstract Profound revelation is at the heart of AntonChekhov's short story, "The Lady with the Pet Dog". Chekhov creates a simple, yet moving story, that operates on several levels. This paper examines how Chekhov writes in a nontraditional form, infuses elements from past stories, and applies personal events to shape this story.
From the Paper "The most compelling aspect of "The Lady with the Pet Dog" is the transformation of Dmitry Gurov. In the beginning of the story, Gurov appears to be almost dysfunctional when it comes to personal relationships. He experiences difficulty establishing a satisfactory bond with his wife. We are told that he "privately considered her of limited intelligence, narrow-minded, dowdy, was afraid of her, and did not like to be at home" (Chekhov 197). In fact, Gurov had been unfaithful to his wife quite often. Additionally, Gurov does not establish solid relationships outside of his marriage. Because of his infidelity, he "almost always spoke ill of women" and refers to them as the "inferior race" (197)."
This paper looks at the idiom of AntonChekhov by revisiting his work 'Rothschild's Fiddle' and comparing the style to that of contemporary writer Raymond Carver.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that before author AntonChekhov pursued a career in writing, he was a practicing physician and writing was a way for him to express his feelings, opinions, and experiences. His medical practice helped him to bring a unique perspective to his work. The writer points out that Chekhov expressed many themes in his work, including poverty, tragedy, and pain, yet his work seems simple and clear. It allows the reader to come to his or her own conclusions about the material presented. In this essay the writer explores Chekhov's story "Rothschild's Fiddle," and compares the style with that of the contemporary short story writer Raymond Carver.
From the Paper "Another symbol is seen in the association Chekhov creates between Yakov and the violin and the orchestra. The violin represents the influence of music that soothes him and can change his emotion. Yakov uses the violin and fiddling to forget about the losses he's suffered. As a violin player, he is one of a group of music players. The orchestra stands for togetherness, a group of musicians that play a piece of music smoothly and beautifully by cooperating. TThe orchestra could also represent the town Yakov lives in, where everyone is expected to have common courtesy and respect for each other. In that orchestra or environment, Yakov sticks out like a sore thumb. He often becomes uncomfortable with the surroundings where is playing and feels hatred toward the Jews around him. Seeing Yakov so insecure and uncomfortable shows his inability to feel a part of society. He can't fit in. He cannot see things from the other person's perspective and does not care how others feel. He is alienated and lacks basic social skills."
Abstract The paper explores the story "The Kiss" by AntonChekhov who incorporates experiences from his own life in Russia into his short stories. The paper examines the multicultural aspect of the book as well as its multi-dimensional, balanced and authentic characters. It also looks at Chekhov's method of ending his stories abruptly to make them seem like they are really happening - to convey the message that life doesn't have a beginning, middle, and an end and things just happen.
From the Paper "Anton Chekhov, the Russian writer of ?The Kiss,? created a short story that any culture could relate to. Wonder, curiosity, infatuation, embarrassment, and fascination can be found anywhere in the world. His story contains multi-dimensional, balanced, and authentic characters. He includes a setting that he saw in his own life into the story. The main characters of the story are minorities, compared to the General. His story invites much reflection, as there is no real climax and it ends abruptly. These are the same characteristics that make the story so appealing. His short story should be included in a multicultural literature compilation as it is the ultimate representation of what a publishing company would want for their books."
Abstract This paper explains that, in AntonChekhov's "The Lady with the Pet Dog", the writer achieves success through his mastery of the technique of characterization. The author points out that the most striking feature of the story is Gurov's metamorphosis; he moves from being a self-centered snob to a man transformed by love. The paper stresses that Chekhov's ability to establish the character of Gurov as a detestable man makes his metamorphosis even more powerful.
From the Paper "The cause for Gurov's metamorphosis is Anna and the profound emotions he experiences after being with her. Chekhov masterfully handles Gurov's transformation in that his change is not immediate but rather gradual. Gurov does not intend to fall in love. In fact, he treats Anna and her needs as rather trivial. For example, when she seeks approval, or respect, after they sleep together, Gurov does not respond. Instead, he only eats a slice of watermelon in silence that lasts for "at least half of an hour" (200). When Anna begins to berate herself, Gurov becomes bored and irritated with her."
