Chekhov
A Study of the Major Stories and Plays

Beverly Hahn views Chekhov as a humanist actively interested in modern European ideas, but committed to celebrating the unpredictability and variety of human lives.

Beverley Hahn (Author)

9780521296700, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 June 1979

368 pages
21.5 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.42 kg

This 1977 study of Chekhov examines his development and achievement as prose-writer and dramatist. Beverly Hahn draws attention to the range and depth of Chekhov's imagination, disputing any limited conception of him as a 'poet of twilight Russia'. By looking in detail at a number of the longer stories as well as at Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard, she makes a strong case for viewing Chekhov as a humanist – one actively interested in modern European theories and ideas, but finally committed to respecting and celebrating the unpredictability and variety of human lives. She also explores Chekhov's relationship with his Russian contemporaries and his importance to the modern European tradition. All quotations are in English, but Miss Hahn pays close attention to Chekhov's imagery as it relates to wider structural perspectives of his works. The book as a whole is intended both for professional students of literature and as a critical introduction to Chekhov's work.

Preface
Acknowledgements
A note on translations
Part I. Introduction: 1. The Cherry Orchard
Part II: 2. Beginnings
3. The short story - I
4. The short story - II
Part III: 5. The steppe stories
6. 'Lights'
Part IV: 7. Chekhov and Tolstoy
8. 'A Dreary Story'
9. 'The Duel'
A note on 'Three Years'
Part V: 10. Chekhov's women
11. 'The Party'
12. 'The Lady with the Dog'
Part IV: 13. 'A Woman's Kingdom'
13. Three Sisters
15. Chekhov's modernity
Notes
Chronological table
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]