The Real Chekhov: An Introduction to Chekhov's Last Plays

This book discusses Chekhov's last four plays, examining his method of ensuring audience participation, the meaning of his stage direction "through tears," the events between the first and second acts, and the reason for the despondency in his drama. It emphasizes the importance of reading Chekhov's text carefully to correct familiar distortions of his characters and themes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

What is Chekhov's method of ensuring audience participation?
Chekhov's method of ensuring audience participation is through his use of realistic and relatable characters, who often exhibit human emotions and struggles. He creates a sense of empathy and connection with the audience, allowing them to invest emotionally in the characters' outcomes.
What does his stage direction 'through tears mean?
Chekhov's stage direction 'through tears' refers to a technique where actors use tears to convey emotional depth and authenticity. By crying on stage, actors can evoke a range of emotions from the audience, including sadness, joy, or empathy. This technique helps to deepen the characters' emotional experiences and adds a layer of realism to the performance.
What happens between the first and second acts of The Seagull?
The first and second acts of The Seagull revolve around the character of Nina, a young actress who is struggling to find success and love. In the first act, she is rejected by her lover, Konstantin, and her attempts to find happiness and fulfillment through her acting career are met with disappointment. In the second act, Nina meets a young man named Alexei, who is also struggling with his own personal demons. Through their interactions, Nina begins to question her own values and priorities, and she begins to see the world in a new light.
Is there any reason for the despondency in Chekhov's drama?
Chekhov's drama often explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. His characters often struggle with personal demons and emotional struggles, which can lead to a sense of despondency and hopelessness. However, Chekhov also offers moments of humor and redemption, which provide a contrast to the darker themes of his work.
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. He 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. Instead, a careful reading of Chekhov's text itself is all that is needed to correct the familiar distortions of his characters and themes.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367726515