Real Chekhov - An Introduction to Chekhov''s Last Plays

What is Chekhov's method of ensuring audience participation? What does his stage direction 'through tears' mean? What happens between the first and second acts of The Seagull? Is there any reason for the despondency in Chekhov's drama? This book, first published in 1972, discusses these questions and many other issues around Chekhov's last four plays. David Magarshack, the leading translator and biography of many of Russia's greatest writers, closely examines Chekhov's work for the relevant facts about his writing, and demonstrates that no reliance should be placed on the so-called subtext which can introduce all sorts of irrelevancies arising from pre-conceived ideas about the plays. A careful reading of Chekhov's text itself is all that is needed to correct the familiar distortions of his characters and themes.

List of contents

1. The Seagull  2. Uncle Vanya  3. The Three Sisters  4. The Cherry Orchard

About the author

David Magarshack

Summary

This book, first published in 1972, discusses Chekhov’s last four plays. David Magarshack, the leading translator and biography of many of Russia’s greatest writers, closely examines Chekhov’s work for the relevant facts about his writing.

Product details

• Authors: David Magarshack, Magarshack David
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.10.2022
• EAN: 9780367726515
• ISBN: 978-0-367-72651-5
• No. of pages: 250
• Series: Routledge Library Editions: Russian and Soviet Literature
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Letters, diaries; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Literary Figures, LITERARY CRITICISM / General, HISTORY / World, COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Literary, Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900, Russian, Literary studies: plays & playwrights, Literary studies: plays and playwrights, LITERARY CRITICISM / Russian & Soviet, COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Historical Fiction / General