10 interesting facts about Chekhov – a writer whose plays have been staged for over 100 years

Chekhov’s stories (1860-1904) became classics of world literature, included in the compulsory school curriculum, and his plays are staged everywhere with pleasure. The most popular are such works as “The Cherry Orchard”, “Ward No. 6”, “The Man in the Case”, which are willingly re-read by anyone who is a fan of Russian classics.

When Chekhov entered the medical faculty in Moscow, having moved from his native Taganrog, his family already lived in this city – his father went bankrupt (he was a merchant), which caused him to move to this city. Chekhov, in order to have something to live on and, wanting to help his family, while still a student, began to write short stories. By the time Chekhov graduated from university, he was already a recognizable writer.

Chekhov is a doctor by profession, but writing was his vocation. For fans of Anton Pavlovich’s work, as well as those who want to replenish their knowledge, we have prepared this article.

We present you 10 interesting facts about Chekhov: biography and stories from the life of the writer.

10 Actively involved in charity work

Everyone knows Chekhov as a writer, but few people know about his charitable activities. Let’s fix the situation.

According to the memoirs of his contemporaries, the Russian writer was the kindest person, and treated all people with respect. It’s impossible to briefly tell about all his actions, but we will still share something with you.

In 1892, Anton Pavlovich acquired an estate in the village of Melikhovo – he always dreamed of life in the countryside and the opportunity to become a farmer, I must say, his dream came true.

With his own funds in Melikhovo, he opened a first-aid post, helping the sick and supplying them with medicines. The writer also opened a library in his native Taganrog, in addition, he helped young writers in every possible way and participated in various charity collections..

But this is only a small part of the good deeds that he did! There are many more.

9. By profession – a doctor

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a doctor by education – he, as expected, graduated from the university, which he entered in 1879, but his soul was drawn to creative activity.

Doctors get well, and his family needed money (the head of the family, Father Pavel Yegorovich, went bankrupt), so the young man, one might say, chose the university for a reason.

The theater of Taganrog, where Chekhov first visited when he was 13, played a big role in attracting creativity. There he watched the opera “Beautiful Elena”, and soon became addicted to the theater.

It is curious that Chekhov, while studying at the gymnasium, published humorous stories – “Fatherlessness”, for example, he wrote at the age of 18. The gymnasium years gave Chekhov a huge impetus to writing. Despite the fact that Chekhov was an excellent doctor, he was more interested in writing.

8. The writer’s contemporaries called him “the Russian hero”

From photographs and portraits, a fragile person looks at us, who, apparently, is very tired. This impression is not wrong – Anton Chekhov suffered from tuberculosis (he was treated all his life, starting from the age of 10), from which he suffered for many years. However, this was not always the case…

At a time when the writer was in the prime of his life, his acquaintances called him the “Russian hero”, the height of the writer was 182 cm. As Ilya Repin (1844-1930) recalled, Chekhov “he seemed to be a strongman not only in physical structure, but also in the mentality».

7. He gave affectionate but strange nicknames to his beloved wife

Affectionate nicknames are limited only by the imagination of a married couple … Sometimes they are quite specific. Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, for example, in correspondence with his wife, Olga Knipper, (1868-1959) used rather peculiar nicknames. “my dear dog”, “crocodile of my soul”, “actress”, “snake”, “Jewish girl”, “zabulldyga”.

If you want to call your beloved woman an affectionate nickname, then it’s better not to take risks, but take note of other nicknames that Chekhov also called his wife (they are strange, but affectionate): “my angel”, “my darling”, “my perch”, “cute baby”, etc. The nicknames do not end there!

6. Refused hereditary nobility, which Nicholas II wanted to reward

Chekhov belonged to the intelligentsia: he was an educated man, a doctor who earned his living by his labor. The grandfather of Anton Pavlovich was a serf, and the writer himself renounced belonging to the privileged class.

Yegor Mikhailovich (1798-1879) was able to free his family and himself from serfdom in 1844, later his grandson, Anton Chekhov, never forgot about his pedigree. However, in 1899 the writer decided to give up the privilege when Nicholas II, by his decree, awarded him the title of a family nobleman, as well as the Order of St. Valentine of the 3rd degree.

5. Close friend – Ivan Bunin

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov and Bunin Ivan Alekseevich (1870-1953) were close friends. They met in 1895 in Moscow. Prior to that, since 1891, they corresponded with each other.

The first acquaintance was fleeting, but in 1899, when they met again in Yalta, close friendly relations were established between them, which lasted 4 years.

The reason for their breakup was a letter on 8 pages, which Bunin sent to Chekhov at a time when it was hard for him – in it he poured out his soul to his friend, writing about his depression and loss of meaning in life, to which Chekhov answered him in a letter with sarcasm and short:And you, my friend, drink less vodka».

4. Record holder for the number of pseudonyms

A pseudonym is a signature with which the author replaces his real name, the reasons for this phenomenon are quite diverse. As for Chekhov, he wrote several articles to the newspaper at once due to lack of funds, in addition, he wrote to more than one newspaper, so he used pseudonyms.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov published his works under various pseudonyms, which, according to the calculation, are more than 50. But in the literary field, none of them took root, the writer remained known under a single pseudonym – Chekhov A.P.

He signed his stories with various names (some of them cause a kind smile): Laertes, Don Antonio Chekhonte, Doctor without patients, Man without spleen and more

3. One of the most filmed writers

One of the most screened Russian writers can be called Anton Chekhov. His stories are known, first of all, for the psychologically developed characters of the characters, deeply lyrical plots and reflection of Russian reality.

It is not surprising that many theatrical productions and many films were made based on the plots of his stories and plays. Dozens of his works were filmed at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

If you haven’t watched films based on Chekhov’s books yet, be sure to check them out – let’s list some of them: Romance with Double Bass (8-minute short film), Bear, Man in a Case, Kashtanka, My Affectionate and Gentle Beast » etc. Pleasant pastime is guaranteed!

2. His plays have been staged in different theaters of the world for more than 100 years.

Plays by Anton Pavlovich take pride of place in the repertoires of Russian and foreign theaters. The true birth of the Drama Theater, which turned out to be the best interpreter of his works, is connected with the writer’s dramaturgy.

For the first time in the Art Theatre, “Three Sisters”, “The Cherry Orchard”, “The Seagull” were staged, which have been staged with great pleasure in many theaters of the world for more than 100 years.

Chekhov’s performances are growing every day – many Russian and foreign theaters turn to the works of the famous playwright.

1. Created over 500 works

Over the 25 years of his work, Anton Pavlovich wrote a huge number of works (there are more than 500 of them, plays, short stories, and serious stories can also be included here). Most of his works have become classics of world literature.

It is noteworthy that in the story “Gooseberry” the writer put a wise thought into the mouth of the hero: “Happiness does not exist, nor should there be. And when a person has meaning and purpose in life, then this meaning does not consist in happiness, but in something great! Do good!And, I must say, Chekhov followed this principle throughout his life.