2. Russian Society in the 19th
Century
• Intensely Hierarchical
• The poor Peasantry
and Industrial works
comprise more than
4/5 the population
• Educated middle
class was
tiny, especially when
compared to its
cotemporaries
1800-1899
4. Emancipation Reform of 1861
• A manifesto issued by
Emperor Alexander
II, accompanied by 17
legislative acts that freed
the serfs of the Russia
–An attempt to put the
nation on an equal
footing with the
Western and EasternTsar Alexander II
5.
6. Boyhood & Youth
• Chekhov’s father was struggling grocer who had been
born a serf. He compelled his son to serve in his shop.
• Spent youth under the shadow of fathers religious
fanaticism.
• Anton received the best standard education available
(10 years) on Latin and Greek classics, lived alone
during his final three years.
• Moved to Moscow in 1879,his father had relocated
there after going bankrupt. Anton enrolled in Medical
university graduated as a physician in 1884.
• Anton Chekhov was the economic mainstay of his
7. Dr. Anton Chekhov the Author
• While in medical school he began to sell comic short stories to
support his family.
• By 1886 Chekhov had gained wide spread fame as an
author, and master of comical shorts.
• During his time practicing medicine and acting as a regular
contributor to St. Petersburg Daily he developed his
style, dispassionate, non-judgmental author
• His medical and scientific experience is evidenced in his
writing though many of his character’s apathy towards
tragedy.
• The lack of critical social commentary in his work earned him
some detractors, but his commitment to his style earned him
praise from many including the literary giant LEO TOLSTOY (
8. Anton Chekhov
• As an Author he would often produce his short
stories in an hour or less.
• He authored several hundred stories over his
lifetime
• He was not recognized as a playwright until after his
death
• Though a celebrated figure in Russian literature at
the time of his death he was not internationally
known until after World War I when his works were
translated to English.
9. In the End
• He began to show signs of tuberculosis at
age 24, by his early 30s his health had
deteriorated
• “The Cherry Orchard” opened in
1904, tuberculosis had ravaged his
lungs, all knew the end was near and the
opening night became a tribute to the
author filled with speeches and a heartfelt
thanks to Russia’s greatest playwright.
10. Last
Words
• On July 14th 1904 after working late on
yet another short story he suddenly
awoke and summoned a doctor.
• The physician could do nothing for him
but offer him a glass of champagne.
• Reportedly his final words were,“ Its
been a long time since I
drank champagne”.
Then, after drinking the beverage, he
died.
