Key Issues

The work of Anton Chekhov contains several running themes in his plays and his short stories.  The main issues include:  a significant dislike for the political system of Russia, a belief in the need to pursue and obtain truth within one's life, a general feeling of pessimism that seems to indicate that no matter how hard a person attempts to reach the top they never will, a belief in following instinct especially in in humanitarian opportunities, and finally a more finalized idea about life:  in the end, we die.  Several of these perspectives have been highlighted in the piece "Short-Story Masterpieces: Second Series - Russia"  by Anton Chekhov.  He states:

"And Anton Pavlovich Chekhov came to a full depressing inheritance of the stunned discouragement characteristic of the early eighties.  In common with his entire school, Chekhov's philosophy embraced three paramount tenets:  The 'system' in Russia is productive of evil, and evil only; there is no present hope of better things; but for the future, such hope as may gestate unborn can come to birth only by the Russian people's facing the full truth honestly and fearlessly." 

Although Chekhov publicly claimed to not take a political position, his works, on the other hand indicate something else: a hatred for the political system functioning within Russia.  Stories such as "The Death of a Clerk" show violence toward military officials and in other works Chekhov presents a looming and dreary feeling that is brought upon by the political state of Russia at the time. 

As stated in the quote previously by Chekhov, he believes that the Russian people must "[face] the full truth."  This desire for truth is displayed in works in which characters seek to find this truth in those that surround them.  Chekhov also displays this in his blatant portrayal of every day life, the joys and sufferings experienced by all people.  Friend of Chekhov, Christian Brinton, reflects on the truth and reality that Chekhov puts into his works in an Ode to Chekhov after his death.  Brinton says: "If his palette was grey, if the monotony of the steppe, the disillusion and disenchantment of the Russian soul colored his canvas, it is because there were factors in contemporary life.  Chekhov always remained resolutely true to conditions around him." 

Chekhov's works are reflective of the life that he sees around him and as a result, he displays a general sense of pessimism.  This pessimism takes shape in the ideology that no matter how hard a person work to get to the top, something in their life will keep them from obtaining their goal.  In "Small Fry," Nevyrazimov struggles to become more than just a councillor; however, he knows that he will never become more than just that.  This is expressed in the dialogue between himself and a friend. 

"'To each his own, Ivan Danilych, God willing, you'll get promoted too, and drive around in carriages.'
'Me?  No, brother, that I won't.  I'll never get beyond titular councillor, even if I burst.... I'm uneducated.'
'Our general hasn't got any education either, and yet....'
'Well, the general, before he amounted to all that, stole a hundred thousand.  And his bearing is nothing like mine, brother... With my bearing you don't get far!  And my name is so scoundrelly: Nevyrazimov! In short, brother, the situation's hopeless.  Live like that if you want, and if you don't-- go hang yourself...(6)'"

The view that Chekhov presents through this dialogue is far from being hopeful or optimistic.  In stating that the situation is "hopeless", Chekhov makes it seem as if it is not even worth making the attempt to better yourself. 

In several of Chekhov's works he expresses an idea of humanitarianism, doing the right thing in a situation to benefit those around you.  In the Huntsman, Yegor Vlasych is a hunter who frowns upon the means by which others live, especially those who live in the city.  His wife, whom he has been married to for 12 years lives in the city and he lives out in nature.  He criticizes her for living this way and says that should would never understand what it is like to be out in nature.  Although Yegor appears to be a rough and emotionless man, in the end of the story Yegor gives his wife money to help her financially make it since she is living in the city and seemingly has very little money.  By giving her the money, Chekhov puts a note of approval on being generous and helping those who may be in need. 

Finally, Chekhov seems to have a finalized idea of what happens in life: in the end, you die.  No matter what you do in life, death is the ultimate end.  In some of his works this death is what provides the final means of happiness.  In the story "Sleep," after Varka has killed her child she is able to have a peaceful sleep and this this sleep is compared to death.  The narrator says:  "Laughing, winking, and shaking her finger at the green spot, Varka steals up to the cradle and bends over the baby.  After strangling him, she quickly lies down on the floor, laughing with joy that she can sleep, and a moment later is already fast asleep, like the dead...(54)."  This supports one of the main themes that is supported by Chekhov, in the end there is death, as well as the general sense of pessimism that he promotes. 

Brinton, Christian.  "Anton Chekhov."  The Critic.  Oct. 1904.  Issue 45. Volume 4.  pg 318.

Chehkov, Anton.  "Short-Story Masterpieces."  Lippincott's Monthly Magazine.  Sep. 1912 pg 368.