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edting

13. The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov (1901)

Critics seem to fall over themselves praising him, but I confess I just don’t “get” Chekhov. His short stories and plays are rambling, plotless, and structureless. The dialog has a stream of consciousness feel to it. But that’s part of his thesis – life is boring, not interesting. The characters are constantly stating that they’re bored, and that their lives are dull. There is a fatalistic tone that permeates his works.

The play is short (59 pages in my edition.) At least it’s over with quickly.

Can someone enlighten me as to why Chekhov is so revered?

Eisworth · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Well, he can take over the science station when Spock isn't around, and of course "nuclear wessels" was funny as well...
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Todd Eisworth
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ohio University

edting · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:52 am Post subject:

I was also impressed by how he refused to shoot Admiral Kirk in that Khan movie.

Eisworth · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

On a less humorous note, I remember this play vividly from my senior year of undergrad --- I was taking a philosophy of literature class, and we were assigned the task of seeing the play and writing a paper about it. I didn't see the big deal about it either.
_________________
Todd Eisworth
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ohio University