|Generate QR code
Open Access
Subscription Access
A metaphysical duel. Understanding Chekhov
https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-4-13-32
Abstract
The article, based on the analysis of Chekhov’s The Duel [Duеl], offers a new interpretation of Chekhov’s oeuvre. Modern Chekhov studies often imply that the writer lived in the era of the end of ideologies and therefore refrained from offering any ideological recipes. In fact, nearly each of Chekhov’s longer novellas debunked the nascent ideologies of the time. He warned of the perils of submission to an ideology, even though he could not predict which one would eventually dominate. Therefore, he critiqued each and every one of them. This is how ideology is tackled in his story The Black Monk [Chyorniy monakh] (an anticipation of detrimental Modernist ideas); in A Dreary Story [Skuchnaya istoria], these days often compared to the story of Faust; and in Ward No. 6 [Palata nomer shest], showing descent of normal people into insanity. Similarly, in The Duel, he depicted a proto-Nazi and Bolshevik, no less, in the character of Von Koren, who embraces Nietzsche’s worldview and will not hesitate to destroy an intellectual who crossed his path.
Keywords
A. Chekhov,
F. Nietzsche,
The Duel [Duеl],
Sakhalin Island [Ostrov Sakhalin],
ideology,
intelligentsia
Supporting agencies: The article was prepared within the framework of the Basic Research Program at HSE University and funded by the Russian Academic Excellence Project ‘5-100’.
About the Author
V. K. Kantor
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladimir K. Kantor Doctor of Philosophy
International Laboratory for the Study of Russian and European Dialogue
21/4 Staraya Basmannaya St., Moscow, 105066
References
1. Amfiteatrov, A. (2010). Anton Chekhov and A. S. Suvorin. In response. In: I. Sukhikh, ed., А. P. Chekhov: Pro et contra. А. P. Chekhov’s personality and works in Russian thought of the 20th century (1914-1960): An anthology (2 vols). Vol. 2. St. Petersburg: RKhGA, pp. 60-62. (In Russ.)
2. Bulgakov, S. (1993). Chekhov as a thinker. In: I. Borodyanskaya, ed., Works of S. Bulgakov (2 vols). Vol. 2. Moscow: Nauka, pp. 150-153. (In Russ.)
3. Chekhov, M. (1981). Chekhov and beyond. Encounters and impressions. Moscow: Khudozhestvennaya literatura. (In Russ.)
4. Gornfeld, A. (2010). Chekhov’s denouements. In: I. Sukhikh, ed., А. P. Chekhov: Pro et contra. А. P. Chekhov’s personality and works in Russian thought of the 20th century (1914-1960). An anthology (2 vols). Vol. 2. St. Petersburg: RKhGA, pp. 458-486. (In Russ.)
5. Gromov, М., Dolotova, A. and Kataev, V., eds. (1984). Correspondence of A. Chekhov (2 vols). Vol. 1. Moscow: Khudozhestvennaya literatura. (In Russ.)
6. Katkov, M. (2002). Two opinions on the Russian nation. In: M. Katkov, Imperial word. Moscow: Moscow, pp. 475-494. (In Russ.)
7. Mirsky, D. (2010). Chekhov. In: N. Melnikov, ed., Russian writers abroad on Chekhov. Criticism. Literary studies. Reminiscences. Moscow: Dom russkogo zarubezhiya, pp. 20-38. (In Russ.)
8. Nietzsche, F. (1990). Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Translated by Y. Antonovsky. In: K. Svasian, ed., Works of F. Nietzsche (2 vols). Vol. 2. Moscow: Mysl, pp. 5-237. (In Russ.)
9. Rayfield, D. (2017). Anton Chekhov: A Life. Translated by O. Makarova. Moscow: Colibri. (In Russ.)
10. Senderovich, S. (1994). Face to face with Chekhov. A story of A. P. Chekhov’s obsession. A study in phenomenology. St. Petersburg: Dmitry Bulanin. (In Russ.)
11. Senderovich, S. (2012). The figure of concealment. Selected works (2 vols). Vol. 2. Moscow: Yazyki slavyanskoy kultury. (In Russ.)
12. Severny, S. (Durylin, S.). (1998). ‘Vekhi’ and Chekhov. In: V. Sapov, ed., Vekhi: Pro et contra. St. Petersburg: RKhGI, pp. 313-314. (In Russ.)
13. Skabichevsky, А. (1892). A literary chronicle. Anton Chekhov – ‘The Duel’ [‘Duel’], a novel <...>. Novosti i Birzhevaya Gazeta, 13 Feb. (In Russ.)
14. Sukhikh, I. (2015). Stories from the lives of my friends. Ideological novels. In: A. Chekhov, Duel. St. Petersburg: Azbuka, pp. 5-28. (In Russ.)
15. Shestov, L. (2002). Creation from nothing (A. P. Chekhov). In: I. Sukhikh, ed., A. P. Chekhov: Pro et contra: А. P. Chekhov’s personality and works in Russian thought of the 20th century (1887-1914). An anthology (2 vols). Vol. 1. St. Petersburg: RKhGI, pp. 566-598. (In Russ.)
Review
For citations:
Kantor V.K. A metaphysical duel. Understanding Chekhov. Voprosy literatury. 2020;(4):13-32. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-4-13-32
Views:
663
Email this article 
