Anton Chekhov

Ivanoff (Ivanov)Anton Chekhov Ivanov (Russian: Иванов драма в четырёх действиях (Ivanov: drama in four acts) also translated as "Ivanoff") is a four-act drama by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.Ivanov was first performed in 1887, when Fiodor Korsh, owner of the Korsh Theatre in Moscow, commissioned Chekhov to write a comedy. Chekhov, however, responded with a four-act drama, which he wrote in ten days. The first performance was not a success and the production disgusted Chekhov himself. In a letter to his brother, he wrote that he "did not recognise his first remarks as my own" and that the actors "do not know their parts and talk nonsense". Irritated by this failure, Chekhov made alterations to the play. Consequently, the final version is different from that first performance. After this revision, it was accepted to be performed in St. Petersburg in 1889. Chekhov's revised version was a success and offered a foretaste of the style and themes of his subsequent masterpieces.Nikolai Ivanov - A government official concerned with peasant affairs, Chekhov paints him as the quintessentially melancholy Russian from the upper social strata. Severely afflicted by internal conflicts his loss of appetite for life, love of his wife, and external pressures managing his estate and his debts, collide in a melodramatic climax.Anna (born as Sarah Abramson) - Ivanov's wife of 5 years who (unknowingly) suffers from tuberculosis. She renounced her Jewish heritage and converted to Russian Orthodox in order to marry Ivanov.Paul Lebedev - Chairman of the rural district council. Confidant and good friend to Ivanov.Zinaida - Lebedev's wife. She is a wealthy lender to whom Ivanov owes a large sum of money.Sasha - The Lebedevs' 20-year-old daughter. She is infatuated with Ivanov, an infatuation which ends in her nearly marrying him.Eugene Lvov - A pompous young doctor on the council's panel, and an honest man. Throughout the play, he moralizes and attacks Ivanov's character. He later resolves to reveal what he believes are Ivanov's intentions in marrying Sasha.Count Matthew Shabelsky - Ivanov's maternal uncle, a geriatric buffoon. He indulges in antisemitic jokes but his tenderness to Anna is unmistakable.Martha Babakina - A young widow, estate-owner, and the daughter of a rich businessman. She has a turbulent relationship with the Count.Michael Borkin - A distant relative of Ivanov and manager of his estate.

"THREE o'clock in the morning. The soft April night is looking in at my windows and caressingly winking at me with its stars. I can't sleep, I am so happy! "My whole being from head to heels is bursting with a strange, incomprehensible feeling. I can't analyse it just now—I haven't the time, I'm too lazy, and there—hang analysis! Why, is a man likely to interpret his sensations when he is flying head foremost from a belfry, or has just learned that he has won two hundred thousand? Is he in a state to do it?" This was more or less how I began my love-letter to Sasha, a girl of nineteen with whom I had fallen in love. I began it five times, and as often tore up the sheets, scratched out whole pages, and copied it all over again. I spent as long over the letter as if it had been a novel I had to write to order. And it was not because I tried to make it longer, more elaborate, and more fervent, but because I wanted endlessly to prolong the process of this writing, when one sits in the stillness of one's study and communes with one's own day-dreams while the spring night looks in at one's window. Between the lines I saw a beloved image, and it seemed to me that there were, sitting at the same table writing with me, spirits as naïvely happy, as foolish, and as blissfully smiling as I. I wrote continually, looking at my hand, which still ached deliciously where hers had lately pressed it, and if I turned my eyes away I had a vision of the green trellis of the little gate. Through that trellis Sasha gazed at me after I had said goodbye to her. When I was saying good-bye to Sasha I was thinking of nothing and was simply admiring her figure as every decent man admires a pretty woman; when I saw through the trellis two big eyes, I suddenly, as though by inspiration, knew that I was in love, that it was all settled between us, and fully decided already, that I had nothing left to do but to carry out certain formalities.

Here in one compact and modestly priced edition are the celebrated Russian playwright's most popular works. In addition to five full-length plays— The Sea Gull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, and Ivanov —this anthology features five of Anton Chekhov's one-act The Anniversary, An Unwilling Martyr, The Wedding, The Bear, and The Proposal. Chekhov's taste for vaudeville shows and French farces influenced his comic one-acts, which are widely regarded as masterpieces of the genre. His greatest fame rests upon his full-length tragedies, which focus on mood and characterization rather than plot. Chekhov considered his famous tragedies a form of comic satire—with the bleakness of life in czarist Russia at the turn of the twentieth century as their central joke. "All I wanted was to say honestly to 'Have a look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!'" explained the playwright. In addition to their enduring emotional and intellectual appeal to audiences, Chekhov's modern realist dramas continue to influence theatrical literature and performance.

For its brilliant use of subtext "The Sea-Gull" is considered to be one of Anton Chekhov's most significant dramatic works. It is the story of the romantic and artistic conflicts between four main Nina, the daughter of a wealthy landowner; Madame Irina Arkadina, a once leading actress; Konstantin Treplyov, her son and a playwright; and Trigorin, a well-known writer. Additionally in this edition you will find the much shorter one act play "The Swan Song".

Unique Elements A Literary Classic by ANTON CHEKHOV. The Chorus Girl and Other Stories by RUSSIAN author ANTON CHEKHOV is a collection of short stories first published in 1920 in the UNITED KINGDOM. The title story of this collection, "The Chorus Girl," tells the sad story of a woman spurned by her lover. Sneak Peak 'Kolpakov did not mind being found by the postman or Pasha's lady friends, but by way of precaution gathered up his clothes and went into the next room, while Pasha ran to open the door. To her great surprise in the doorway stood, not the postman and not a girl friend, but an unknown woman, young and beautiful, who was dressed like a lady, and from all outward signs was one.' Master Storyteller Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), a Russian playwright and short story writer, is regarded by some as one of the greatest. He was a key figure of early modernism in the theatre and also wrote hundreds of short stories, while working in his profession as a medical doctor. "The Chrous Girl," the title story of this collection, was first published n 1886 and later revised before appearing in book form. Title Details

From the book:GRISHA, a fat, solemn little person of seven, was standing by the kitchen door listening and peeping through the keyhole. In the kitchen something extraordinary, and in his opinion never seen before, was taking place. A big, thick-set, red-haired peasant, with a beard, and a drop of perspiration on his nose, wearing a cabman's full coat, was sitting at the kitchen table on which they chopped the meat and sliced the onions. He was balancing a saucer on the five fingers of his right hand and drinking tea out of it, and crunching sugar so loudly that it sent a shiver down Grisha's back. Aksinya Stepanovna, the old nurse, was sitting on the dirty stool facing him, and she, too, was drinking tea. Her face was grave, though at the same time it beamed with a kind of triumph. Pelageya, the cook, was busy at the stove, and was apparently trying to hide her face.

Olga seems to be the perfect woman: plump, pretty and friendly, and those around her consider her to be a darling girl. However, as over the years and through several spouses, Olga's true character becomes increasingly evident. "The Darling" reflects author Anton Chekhov's criticism of women, who he viewed as having no intellectual lives, and whose happiness he believed was dependent on that of their husbands. HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

Here is the greatest novella and the most unforgettable stories of a master writer who saw all of life and rejected none of it. In "The Kiss", a lonely, love-starved soldier keeps a secret rendezvous for another man and becomes enamored with a woman he is never to see again. "The Duel" describes the collisions between men and women in hopeless relationships, and how two men are driven to settle the score in a clandestine meeting on a bridge, pistols in hand. In all of these stories, Chekhov's brilliant portrayal of people from all walks of life and how they deal with the moral dilemmas their circumstances press upon them comes to vivid life in the listener's mind.

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a master of the short story. The son of a former serf in southern Russia, he attended Moscow University to study medicine, writing short stories for periodicals in order to support his family. What began as a necessity became a legitimate career in 1886 when he was asked to write in St. Petersburg for the Novoye Vremya (New Times), owned by millionaire magnate Alexey Suvorin. Chekhov began paying more attention to his writing, revising and developing his own principles and conceptions of truth, for a time coming under the influence of Leo Tolstoy. As a result of his widespread popularity, Chekhov amassed a vast collection of short stories displaying an early use of stream-of-consciousness writing, as well as his powerful ideas concerning the individual, the tedium of life, and the beauty nature and humanity. This edition contains many stories, including "Ward No. 6," "The Looking-Glass," "The Beggar," "Darkness," "An Avenger," "A Happy Man," and "A Troublesome Visitor."

Step into the world of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's ""The House with the Mezzanine and Other Stories,"" a collection of deeply emotional and thought-provoking tales that capture the human experience in all its complexity. Known for his sharp insight into human nature, Chekhov presents a tapestry of life through stories filled with quiet moments, unspoken desires, and the subtle drama of everyday existence. In the title story, ""The House with the Mezzanine,"" Chekhov weaves a tale of art, love, and societal conflict, set in a rural landscape where a painter's relationship with two sisters changes the course of their lives. The other stories in this collection, written with Chekhov's characteristic simplicity and depth, reflect his mastery in portraying human frailty and the beauty of fleeting moments. But here's the question that will intrigue you: Can unspoken feelings and missed opportunities reveal more about life than grand, dramatic events? Through delicate prose and richly drawn characters, Chekhov explores the quiet struggles of people caught between their desires and societal expectations. Whether it's the tension between love and duty, or the conflict between personal freedom and social constraints, Chekhov's stories resonate with universal themes that continue to captivate readers. Are you ready to delve into the subtle world of Chekhov, where the smallest actions can carry profound emotional weight? ""The House with the Mezzanine and Other Stories"" is a treasure trove for lovers of classic literature, offering a window into the souls of characters who feel as real and relevant today as they did when Chekhov first penned them. Each story offers a reflection on life, art, and human connection, making this collection a timeless addition to any reader's library. Don't miss your chance to experience the brilliance of Anton Chekhov. Purchase ""The House with the Mezzanine and Other Stories"" today, and discover the subtle power of his storytelling. Seize the opportunity to own this collection of literary gems. Buy ""The House with the Mezzanine and Other Stories"" now, and let Chekhov's poignant tales resonate with you long after you've finished reading.

During the last ten years of his life, Anton Chekhov penned his great plays, spent time treating the sick, and wrote a small number of stories that are considered his masterpieces. The eleven stories collected here-_The Lady with the Little Dog, _ The House with the Mezzanine, My Life, Peasants, A Visit to Friends, Ionych, About Love, In the Ravine, The Bishop, The Bride, and Disturbing the Balance-hail from this fertile period. They reveal a writer who, in response to the techniques of Symbolism and Impressionism, moved beyond nineteenth-century realism to become an innovator of the modern short story, influencing such key twentieth-century literary figures as Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner

Immerse yourself in the lively social dynamics of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's "The Party." This engaging short story explores a gathering of friends and acquaintances, revealing the underlying tensions and complexities of their interactions. Chekhov's narrative delves into themes of social status, human relationships, and the nuances of social gatherings. Chekhov, known for his keen observations and character-driven storytelling, presents a story that captures the subtleties of social interactions and the impact of societal roles on personal relationships. The narrative offers a reflective look at how social events can bring out both the best and worst in people."The Party" is a thought-provoking read for those interested in Chekhov's exploration of social behavior and interpersonal dynamics. Ideal for readers who appreciate stories that reveal the complexities of social gatherings and human interactions.

The Seagull by Anton ChekhovThe Seagull is a play by Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov, written in 1895 and first produced in 1896. The Seagull is generally considered to be the first of his four major plays. It dramatises the romantic and artistic conflicts between four characters: the famous middlebrow story writer Boris Trigorin, the ingenue Nina, the fading actress Irina Arkadina, and her son the symbolist playwright Konstantin Treplyov.Though the character of Trigorin is considered Chekhov's greatest male role, like Chekhov's other full-length plays, The Seagull relies upon an ensemble cast of diverse, fully developed characters. In contrast to the melodrama of mainstream 19th-century theatre, lurid actions (such as Konstantin's suicide attempts) are not shown onstage. Characters tend to speak in ways that skirt around issues rather than addressing them directly in other words, their lines are full of what is known in dramatic practice as subtext.The opening night of the first production was a famous failure. Vera Komissarzhevskaya, playing Nina, was so intimidated by the hostility of the audience that she lost her voice.Chekhov left the audience and spent the last two acts behind the scenes. When supporters wrote to him that the production later became a success, he assumed that they were merely trying to be kind. When Konstantin Stanislavski, the seminal Russian theatre practitioner of the time, directed it in 1898 for his Moscow Art Theatre, the play was a triumph. Stanislavski's production of The Seagull became "one of the greatest events in the history of Russian theatre and one of the greatest new developments in the history of world drama".Stanislavski is also the director that caused The Seagull to be perceived as a tragedy by becoming overzealous with the concept of subtext, whereas Chekhov intended for it to be a comedy.After purchasing the Melikhovo farm in 1892, Chekhov had built in the middle of a cherry orchard a lodge consisting of three rooms, one containing a bed and another a writing table. In spring, when the cherries were in blossom, it was pleasant to live in this lodge, but in winter it was so buried in the snow that pathways had to be cut to it through drifts as high as a man. Chekhov eventually moved in and in a letter written in October 1895 wrote: I am writing a play which I shall probably not finish before the end of November. I am writing it not without pleasure, though I swear fearfully at the conventions of the stage.

"Sergey Kapitonlch Akhineyev, the teacher of calligraphy, gave his daughter Natalya in marriage to the teacher of history and geography, Ivan Petrovich Loshadinikh. The wedding feast went on swimmingly. They sang, played, and danced in the parlor. Waiters, hired for the occasion from the club, bustled about hither and thither like madmen, in black frock coats and soiled white neckties. A loud noise of voices smote the air. From the outside people looked in at the windows;--their social standing gave them no right to enter."

IT was approaching nightfall. The sexton, Savely Gykin, was lying in his huge bed in the hut adjoining the church. He was not asleep, though it was his habit to go to sleep at the same time as the hens. His coarse red hair peeped from under one end of the greasy patchwork quilt, made up of coloured rags, while his big unwashed feet stuck out from the other. He was listening. His hut adjoined the wall that encircled the church and the solitary window in it looked out upon the open country. And out there a regular battle was going on. It was hard to say who was being wiped off the face of the earth, and for the sake of whose destruction nature was being churned up into such a ferment; but, judging from the unceasing malignant roar, someone was getting it very hot. A victorious force was in full chase over the fields, storming in the forest and on the church roof, battering spitefully with its fists upon the windows, raging and tearing, while something vanquished was howling and wailing.... A plaintive lament sobbed at the window, on the roof, or in the stove. It sounded not like a call for help, but like a cry of misery, a consciousness that it was too late, that there was no salvation. The snowdrifts were covered with a thin coating of ice; tears quivered on them and on the trees; a dark slush of mud and melting snow flowed along the roads and paths. In short, it was thawing, but through the dark night the heavens failed to see it, and flung flakes of fresh snow upon the melting earth at a terrific rate. And the wind staggered like a drunkard. It would not let the snow settle on the ground, and whirled it round in the darkness at random.

Uncle Vanya Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Uncle Vanya is a play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. It was first published in 1897 and premiered in Moscow in 1899 in a production of the Moscow Art Theater, conducted by Konstantin Stanislavsky.The play depicts the visit of an elderly professor and his glamorous, much younger second wife, Yelena, to the rural realm that supports their urban way of life. Two friends, Vanya, brother of the professor's late first wife, who has long run the estate, and Astrov, the local doctor, both fall in love with Yelena, while lamenting the boredom of their provincial existence. Sonya, the daughter of his first wife's professor, who worked with Vanya to maintain the estate, meanwhile suffers from awareness of her own lack of beauty and her unrequited feelings for Dr. Astrov. Things are brought to a head when the professor announces his intention to sell the estate, Vanya and Sonya's house, and its raison d'être, with the aim of investing the profits to obtain a higher income for himself and his wife.