Chekhov-talk

[byquist]

Who will talk about Chekhov, since he is so fantastic!?! Most people have not read Ivanoff, let along seen it. Neither have I although I should have seen Kevin Kline do it 6 or 7 years ago. Anyways, this play is a gas. Although the ending is sad, Ivanov should be a 50% comic character and 50% serious. He's fallen apart after having married, plus he is totally unkind to his wife (she is sick and near death). The Doctor (Lvov) detests Ivanov and faces him with his totally reprehensible behavior. They get into a debate as to who ever understands another person, let along understanding oneself. Ivanov also laments at length about the change that has destroyed his youthful energy, aspirations and ideals. A youthful gal wants to marry him (I think he says everyone says he's a Hamlet-type) but he can't believe in this either.

Okay, who wants to get some muscle into the Chekhov part of this Literature Network. Chekhov is one of the zeniths of literature. Talk about Ivanov, The Sea Gull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, Cherry Orchard -- all earthshaking plays.

[Miss Darcy]

Originally Posted by byquist

Okay, who wants to get some muscle into the Chekhov part of this Literature Network. Chekhov is one of the zeniths of literature. Talk about Ivanov, The Sea Gull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, Cherry Orchard -- all earthshaking plays.

Would be glad to, unfortunately I have only studied the short stories, not going into much detail about the plays except that they involve stark realism (so do his stories), everyday conversation, and not-very-well-off characters whose dreams remain unfulfilled (with whom he empathises).

Alright, that's basically just a memorised paraphrase of my book on modern literature. But I'm willing to talk about the short stories, though I have only read a few (i.e. The Bet, and others whose names I can't remember )

-Darcy

[byquist]

Glad you are considering such an undertaking. I've read a couple of stories, but can't remember anything. About a trip to the Crimea to sunbathe at a resort or something; loaded with colorful characters. I will try to dig out a book of short stories; it would do me good.

I recommend you start with The Sea Gull. Youthful, romance, heart-breaking, about writing and acting and fame; conflict; philosophizing about the meaning of art and culture; people controlling others. Sad ending. Keep me posted if you read it, Australia. - Gringo Americano

[skydiverhpc]

Hello, am new to forum. Grad student in lit., will be writing my thesis on Chekhov, so can talk forever about him...
Recently saw a good prod. of Ivanov in Washington DC. Like most Chekhov, funny & sad as same time (per comment of previous poster). At same theatre, will be seeing Brian Friel's recent "update" play about Sonya (from U. Vanya) and Andrey (from 3 Sisters) titled "Afterplay." Anyway, would love to discuss my favorite author...

[Fenazs]

Originally Posted by Miss Darcy

But I'm willing to talk about the short stories, though I have only read a few (i.e. The Bet, and others whose names I can't remember )

-Darcy

Hi,

I am new to this forum. Have read Chekhov short stories here and there. Just recently read A Living Chattle from this website, and decided to join the forums!

It began as just another predictable story about infidelity, but it quickly revealed that Bugrov is not a straightforward character to be simply pitied as the victim of his wife's betrayal(s). He accepted the money not because he is a materialistic person, but out of vindictiveness, a sense of hopelessness and a desperate attempt to hang on to something that he can possess. He was lashing out at his wife by taking the money.

Somehow I get the feeling that as the story went on, he displayed a deep understanding of his wife's nature - something we're all familiar with, i.e. always thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. She is a hopeless romantic, a lover of tragedies and the excitement that comes with it. Once Bugrov discovered that his wife and groholsky were living in the villa across from him, he knew that Liza would be watching, he knew that she would eventually get bored and he used it successfully.

To me, this is a story about a chess game which had an apparent winner from the start. Bugrov, however, thought he had won in the end, but in his happiness of winning over his wife again, he forgot a simple thing : people never really do change, least of all his wife. Nobody won in the end, except Liza.

I dont think that this story really had a singular message, but it was an accurate snapshot of how impetuous, possessive, competitive and sly people can be in pursuit of something as "eternally good" as love; how passion can justify the basest of actions and how its addiction can force human beings into voluntary self-degradation - very far from all the positive energy we associate with the idea of love, I suppose.

I am convinced that Chekhov stories are great studies of human nature by one who is intelligently sensitive and a supremely wonderful storyteller.

What do y'all think?

[byquist]

Sorry I've been totally remiss after having theoretically gotten the ball rolling on Chekhov. Don't have much to add even now. But did see Woody Allen's recent movie which has 3 actors who were in "Vanya on 42nd St." great film you must rent of apx. 10 years ago. I'm teaching a Jr. College lit class this summer and may be able to include one of his short stories, something about a dog, "The Red Dog" or something like that, but it's about romance as usual not about a dog.

[byquist]

Currently teaching a Jr. College evening course and the final is on a great story by Anton: "The Lady with the Dog." Humorous, emotion-laden, winey, comical, off-beat personality. Vintage Chekhov. He probably wrote it for one of the pulp magazines he was writing for just for money, but it's great literature.

[lavendar1]

Although "The Lady with the Pet Dog" is one of my favorite Chekhov stories, I didn't consider it comical; on the contrary, I felt conflicting emotions after reading it -- while I felt happy that two people at last found a relationship that brought significance to their lives, I also felt their sadness and their dilemma re: the "How? How" they lament in the closing words of the story.

What's remarkable is how Chekhov takes care to simply record the events of the story -- to let the reader consider the conflicts and draw the conclusions.

Raymond Carver was a big fan of Chekhov, and his last piece of published fiction was a story called "Errand," where after presenting some fact, he turns to fiction -- a fiction about Chekhov's death. It's a beautifully-told story, in the Chekhovian (is that a word?) tradition, and a fitting tribute to the author Ray Carver perhaps considered his "ghost mentor."

[byquist]

Lavendar1, Thanks for the tip on Carver. I must obtain it. This same class that read the Chekhov ditty read the Carver story about the baker, boy's birthday cake, and the hospital (you no doubt know it; can't recall the title). What a tearjerker of a short story.

I tend to pick up on the intentioned humor going on, as well as the impossible dilemma, in that story. Also say, take the Three Sisters, as tragic as it is, is loaded with humorous touches. If a production wants to wrench the heart of it's audience it had better play the extremes -- humor justaposed with sadness and sorrow, back and forth.

Checkhov seems to me to be "the", and perhaps the only, playwright that can constantly wring tears from an audience, although -- well, that's not all that true a statement, -- but his 4 major plays are tailor-made for evoking weeping.

[lavendar1]

Wow, I just noticed this - only about 3 months or so after the fact. Yes; I do like Chekhov's plays...but getting back to Carver - did you ever see the Altman film Short Cuts? It's supposed to be based on Carver's stories. Just wondering if it's any good. I've been waiting for some other films (independent variety) that haven't yet gotten to me; thought maybe it would get here sooner.

[byquist]

Recently assigned, and read about 100 papers on Carver's "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love." Very open to a lot of perspectives; wild story. Also, we read aloud Chek's "The Bear," which everyone liked a lot.

Haven't seen the Altman, and not usually one of his fans, but thanks for tip.

As far as independent films, have you seen apx. 8-10 yrs. ago, "Living in Oblivion," probably winner of Redford's film center for that year? Original.

[lavendar1]

I've never seen "Living in Oblivion," but thanks. Now that I've got some time, I'll check it out...if I can find it.

And I'm getting off topic, but, I finally did get an independendent film to view, called "Baraka" (Sufi, for 'breath of life.') WOW! It was a visual feast -- there was no dialogue. It was intended to be a representation of the evolution of humanity.

And hey, I'm glad you read 'stuff' outloud. I do too sometimes, in my classes, even at the college level. I'm rather aghast at the reading abilities of some students. How ever do they hope to have a normal life if they can't even read?