0 Anton Chekhov

Introduction 

Anton Chekhov, a Russian writer, is one of the main dramatists and writers of short-stories in history. His total number of works summed up to about six hundred stories and seventeen plays. Apart from being considered one of the most prominent figures of literature, Chekhov secured the Pushkin Prize. He more often than not combined components of both tragedy and comedy in his writing. Chekhov had a remarkable talent for investigating human conditions with skillfulness and elegance. This paper will look at events in his life time as well as some of his popular works. 

Chekhov’s Life 

The author Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born in Ukraine in the year 1860 on the 17th day of January in the small seaport of Taganrog. He is recalled as a dramatist and one of the legends of the short stories in modern day. Chekhov’s father was a grocer while his grandfather was a serf. His grandfather ensured they lived an independent life by buying his family’s freedom about 19 years before he was given born. In the early years of his life, Chekhov spent nearly all his time working in his father’s grocery store while following the religious devotion of his father. 

He pursued his early education at a school made for boys of the Greek community where he lived from 1867 to 1868 (Rayfield 210). Later when his father broke, and his family moved to Moscow, he continued with his education at the local grammar school from 1868 to 1876. Chekhov continued to live where he was born by supporting himself through tutoring. Later on, he turned out to be a doctor after enrolling as a medical student in the Moscow University Medical School. Many of his writing works encompass science and medical knowledge as depicted by the lethargy most of his characters show in regard to events that are tragic. 

While pursuing his education in the medical school, Chekhov started to bring out his comical short stories. The money he got from publishing his short stories was used by himself and his family upbringing. By the year 1886, Chekhov had become a prominent writer as a result of his works. His works were published in a number of papers in St. Petersburg such as Peterburskaia gazeta as of 1885, and Novoe vremia beginning 1886. In addition, during this period, Chekhov also published two novels that were complete, one being, "The Shooting Party," which was English translated in 1926. 

In 1884, Chekhov graduated from the school of medicine and later carried out medicine up to the year 1892. His writing skills were significantly enhanced during this period when he was actively participating in the profession of medicine. Moreover, it was at this time that he made enormous literary contributions to St. Petersburg daily Novoe vremya. His works were heavily criticized but at the same time praised by authors like Nikolai Leskov and Leo Tolstoy. Consequently, in the year 1888, Chekhov won the Pushkin Prize. The Society of Lovers of Russian Literature elected him as a member in 1889. 

1889 saw him get away from literature for a while when his play, “The Wood Demon”, was not a success. He returned to practicing medicine in the north of Siberia, at a place called Sakhalin. While in, Sakhalin, Chekhov examined prisoners numbering ten thousand who were condemned to life imprisonment as part of his medical exploration. After completing his investigation, he travelled to various destinations of the world including India, Middle East, and South East Asia. He became a full time writer in 1892 after he had bought land and settled in Melikhove. Some of his works that are mostly remembered were published during this time. His more popular stories such as “Lady with the Dog,” were written in 1897 when he moved to Yalta after succumbing to tuberculosis. 

In 1901, Chekhov entered into a marital union with Olga Knipper, a lady who formed part of his cast in a number of plays. Olga mostly performed in the plays when Chekhov was in Crimea and Moscow working and treating his health, which was already, deteriorating. Chekhov and his wife had their last performance together during his last birthday in January 17, 1904, with Olga taking the leading role in the play (Rayfield 660). After six month, Chekhov’s health became unbearable, and finally died in July 1904 in Germany. 

Chekhov’s Works 

The Lady with the Dog 

“The Lady with the Dog” was at first published in the year 1899. The story is about an adulterous relationship involving a banker from Russia and a young lady he bumps into while in Yalta during his vacation. The story brings into focus: the first meeting in Yalta, the satisfying completion of the relation and the remaining time in Yalta, the banker’s return to Moscow and a visit to the young lady’s town, and the lady’s Moscow visit (Chekhov 91). Chekhov expresses emotional intricacy using few words, therefore, safeguarding strength of the feelings of his characters. Additionally, he uses colors to pass on both the feelings of characters and altering spirits, as it moves from overly imposing to subdued and banal. 

Three Sisters 

This play concentrated on the fortunate Russian classes’ rotting and looks for denotation in the contemporary world. The story portrays the way of life and ambitions of the Prozorov family, Olga, Masha, Irina (the three sisters) and Andrei, their brother. The members of the Prozorov family are displeased and disturbed with their current way of life. The sisters were brought up in urban Moscow and are sophisticated and cultured; nonetheless they have been residing in a little provincial town (Chekhov 121). Chekhov drew inspiration from the three Bronte sisters’ life story. The girls associate Moscow with their happy state, and it signifies a life that is perfect. Their dreams diminish because Moscow does not happen. 

The Boor 

“The Boor” is a play about feelings and commitment’s unpredictability. The story tells of a faithful woman who despite her husband’s death still remains faithful. She, however, becomes annoyed after finding out that her husband, whom she had been faithful to all her life, had been unfaithful. Despite the revelation, she still remains faithful to her husband by staying in her home without visitors. Her way of life makes Mr. Smirnov fall in love with her despite occasions of duel, confrontation, and insults. She is unable to pay her husband’s debt, which Mr. Smirnov, wants paid. This situation makes her end the home imprisonment of self and the start of a new life (Chekhov 45). Life ironies are investigated in this story. 

The Seagull 

“The Seagull” is a story with a setting in the countryside of Russian at the last part of 19th century. The characters in the “The Seagull” are frustrated with how their lives are. Some want love, others success, others want to be skilled artists. Nonetheless, none of the characters seem to become happy. Most of the characters find themselves in devastating, three person relationships that cause both sorrow and comedy (Chekhov 161). 

Conclusion 

Though a renowned individual, by the Russian scholarly public, at his death, Chekhov remained globally unknown until after the 1st World War. This was when his compositions were translated into English. Additionally, he wrote many stories due to his speedy writing. Chekhov supposed believed the darker side of the plays should not overshadow the hilarious parts, which permeate even in moments that are dark. This writing style contributes to both theatre and literature. 

Works Cited 

Chekhov, A. Stories of Anton Chekhov. New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print. 

Rayfield, D. Anton Chekhov: A Life. Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 2000. Print.