The Seagull(Illustrated) E-Book

Anton Chekhov

• Herausgeber: Micheal Smith
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

• Illustrated Edition: Features 20 stunning illustrations, capturing key moments of the play.
• Includes a Detailed Summary: A comprehensive and engaging summary that enhances understanding of the play.
• Character List: An in-depth list of characters, providing insights into their roles and relationships.
• Author Biography: Learn about the life and times of Anton chekhov, giving context to this classic work.

Immerse yourself in the timeless classic, "The Seagull" by Anton chekhov, now presented in a captivating illustrated edition. This masterpiece, a cornerstone of Russian theatre and a gem of world literature, comes alive with 20 exquisite illustrations that vividly bring the characters and scenes to life.
"The Seagull" is a play of unrequited love, artistic ambition, and the bittersweet complexities of life. Set against the backdrop of a Russian country estate, it weaves a tale of characters grappling with love, loss, and the elusive nature of happiness. The play explores the intertwined fates of Konstantin Treplyov, a young playwright striving for literary success and the affections of Nina Zarechnaya, a beautiful aspiring actress. At the heart of their story is a struggle between the suffocating grip of old traditions and the daring allure of new artistic forms.
This edition not only brings you Chekhov's original text but also enriches your reading experience with a comprehensive summary, providing a deeper understanding of the narrative and themes. The character list offers a detailed look into the lives of the characters, adding layers to their personalities and relationships. To complete your journey into Chekhov's world, the edition includes a biography of the author, giving context to his work and life.
Perfect for both admirers of Chekhov and newcomers to his work, this illustrated edition of "The Seagull" is a treasure to behold. It promises not just a reading experience but a visual and emotional journey into the heart of a literary classic. Discover the timeless beauty and depth of Chekhov's world in this unique and beautifully crafted edition.
 

Leseprobe

THE SEAGULL

BY

ANTON PAVLOVICH CHEKHOV

ABOUT CHEKHOV

Anton Chekhov, a literary master whose works remain timeless, was born on January 29, 1860, in Taganrog, Russia. His early life was marked by family hardship, significantly shaping his worldview and later writings. Chekhov's father, Pavel, was a grocer with despotic tendencies, and his mother, Yevgeniya, was an excellent storyteller, influencing his narrative style.

Chekhov embarked on his educational journey at Taganrog's local school before moving to Moscow, where he attended the university to study medicine. This medical background profoundly influenced his writing, introducing a unique blend of clinical observation and human compassion.

In his early twenties, Chekhov began writing short stories to financially support his family, quickly gaining recognition for his talent. His early works, characterized by humor and satire, evolved into more serious, deeply psychological stories as his career progressed. Notable early works include "The Huntsman" and "The Letter."

Chekhov's medical and literary careers ran in parallel; he often said medicine was his lawful wife, and literature his mistress. This dual career deeply informed his understanding of human suffering and resilience, themes evident in his later plays like "The Cherry Orchard," "Three Sisters," "The Seagull," and "Uncle Vanya."

His personal life was as complex as his characters. Chekhov remained a bachelor for most of his life, famously having a relationship with the actress Olga Knipper, whom he eventually married. His health was a constant struggle; he battled tuberculosis for many years, which influenced his work's often melancholic tone.

Chekhov's contribution to literature extends beyond his own works. He championed a style of writing that emphasized internal monologues over external action, profoundly influencing the modern short story and drama forms. His insistence on complexity and refusal to offer easy moral judgments set a new standard for character development and narrative subtlety.

Anton Chekhov died on July 15, 1904, in Badenweiler, Germany. His legacy endures, with his plays and stories still widely read and performed, testament to his ability to capture the enduring complexities of the human condition.

SUMMARY

"The Seagull" by Anton Chekhov is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, artistic ambition, and the clash between new and old artistic forms. Set in a Russian countryside estate, the play intertwines the lives of its characters, each struggling with unfulfilled desires and dreams.

Central to the story is Konstantin Treplyov, an aspiring playwright seeking the approval of his mother, Irina Arkadina, a famous actress. Konstantin is in love with Nina, a young, hopeful actress who becomes enamored with Arkadina's lover, Trigorin, a successful writer. This love triangle sets the stage for a tragic exploration of artistic and personal longing.

Chekhov masterfully crafts a narrative where each character's unattained ambitions and unrequited loves reflect the broader themes of disillusionment and despair. The seagull, a symbol introduced by Konstantin, represents the vulnerable, often crushed dreams of the characters.

The play's genius lies in its subtle portrayal of human emotions and the intricacies of life, love, and art. Chekhov's use of dialogue and pauses creates a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant experience, making "The Seagull" a masterpiece of modern theatre, showcasing the complexity and depth of human feelings.

CHARACTERS LIST

The Seagull" by Anton Chekhov features a diverse cast of characters, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the play's exploration of love, art, and unfulfilled desires. Here's a list of the main characters:

Konstantin Gavrilovich Treplyov: A young playwright, son of Arkadina, and deeply in love with Nina. He is sensitive, passionate about new forms of art, and struggles with his mother's disapproval and Nina's indifference.

Irina Nikolayevna Arkadina: Konstantin's mother, a famous, aging actress. She is vain, concerned with her fading beauty and status, and dismissive of her son's experimental art.

Nina Zarechnaya: A young, innocent girl from a neighboring estate who dreams of becoming an actress. She is the object of Konstantin's affections but is fascinated by Trigorin.

Boris Alexeyevich Trigorin: A successful, middle-aged writer and Arkadina's lover. He is pragmatic and somewhat disillusioned with life, yet captivated by Nina's youthful innocence and beauty.

Pyotr Nikolayevich Sorin: Arkadina's brother and Konstantin's uncle. An elderly, retired government official, he regrets not having become an artist or marrying during his youth.

Masha: The estate manager Shamrayev's daughter, who is sultryly in love with Konstantin. She uses snuff as a coping mechanism for her melancholy and unfulfilled love.

Ilya Afanasyevich Shamrayev: The manager of Sorin's estate, Masha's father, and a retired lieutenant. He is often brusque and has conflicts with Arkadina.

Polina Andryevna: Shamrayev's wife and Masha's mother. She is in an unhappy marriage and has a secret affection for Dr. Dorn.

Yevgeny Sergeyevich Dorn: A middle-aged doctor, philosophical, and somewhat detached. He is the only character who seems content with his life.

Semyon Semyonovich Medvedenko: A poor schoolteacher in love with Masha. He is concerned about his financial situation and struggles with being unloved by Masha.

Yakov: A hired worker.

A Cook and a Maid: Minor characters serving on the estate.

Each character in "The Seagull" is intricately crafted, with their own desires, regrets, and complexities, making the play a rich study of human emotions and relationships.

Contents

Characters

Act I

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Characters

IRINA ABKADINA, an actress

CONSTANTINE TREPLIEFF, her son

PETER SORIN, her brother

NINA ZARIETCHNAYA, a young girl, the daughter of a rich landowner

ILIA SHAMRAEFF, the manager of SORIN'S estate

PAULINA, his wife

MASHA, their daughter

BORIS TRIGORIN, an author

EUGENE DORN, a doctor

SIMON MEDVIEDENKO, a schoolmaster

JACOB, a workman

A COOK

A MAIDSERVANT

The scene is laid on SORIN'S estate. Two years elapse between the third and fourth acts.

Act I

The scene is laid in the park on SORIN'S estate. A broad avenue of trees leads away from the audience toward a lake which lies lost in the depths of the park. The avenue is obstructed by a rough stage, temporarily erected for the performance of amateur theatricals, and which screens the lake from view. There is a dense growth of bushes to the left and right of the stage. A few chairs and a little table are placed in front of the stage. The sun has just set. JACOB and some other workmen are heard hammering and coughing on the stage behind the lowered curtain.

MASHA and MEDVIEDENKO come in from the left, returning from a walk.

MEDVIEDENKO. Why do you always wear mourning?

MASHA. I dress in black to match my life. I am unhappy.

MEDVIEDENKO. Why should you be unhappy? [Thinking it over] I don't understand it. You are healthy, and though your father is not rich, he has a good competency. My life is far harder than yours. I only have twenty-three roubles a month to live on, but I don't wear mourning. [They sit down].

MASHA. Happiness does not depend on riches; poor men are often happy.

MEDVIEDENKO. In theory, yes, but not in reality. Take my case, for instance; my mother, my two sisters, my little brother and I must all live somehow on my salary of twenty-three roubles a month. We have to eat and drink, I take it. You wouldn't have us go without tea and sugar, would you? Or tobacco? Answer me that, if you can.

MASHA. [Looking in the direction of the stage] The play will soon begin.

MEDVIEDENKO. Yes, Nina Zarietchnaya is going to act in Treplieff's play. They love one another, and their two souls will unite to-night in the effort to interpret the same idea by different means. There is no ground on which your soul and mine can meet. I love you. Too restless and sad to stay at home, I tramp here every day, six miles and back, to be met only by your indifference. I am poor, my family is large, you can have no inducement to marry a man who cannot even find sufficient food for his own mouth.

MASHA. It is not that. [She takes snuff] I am touched by your affection, but I cannot return it, that is all. [She offers him the snuff-box] Will you take some?

MEDVIEDENKO. No, thank you. [A pause.]

MASHA. The air is sultry; a storm is brewing for to-night. You do nothing but moralise or else talk about money. To you, poverty is the greatest misfortune that can befall a man, but I think it is a thousand times easier to go begging in rags than to—You wouldn't understand that, though.

SORIN leaning on a cane, and TREPLIEFF come in.

SORIN. For some reason, my boy, country life doesn't suit me, and I am sure I shall never get used to it. Last night I went to bed at ten and woke at nine this morning, feeling as if, from oversleep, my brain had stuck to my skull. [Laughing] And yet I accidentally dropped off to sleep again after dinner, and feel utterly done up at this moment. It is like a nightmare.

TREPLIEFF. There is no doubt that you should live in town. [He catches sight of MASHA and MEDVIEDENKO] You shall be called when the play begins, my friends, but you must not stay here now. Go away, please.

SORIN. Miss Masha, will you kindly ask your father to leave the dog unchained? It howled so last night that my sister was unable to sleep.

MASHA. You must speak to my father yourself. Please excuse me; I can't do so. [To MEDVIEDENKO] Come, let us go.

MEDVIEDENKO. You will let us know when the play begins?

MASHA and MEDVIEDENKO go out.

SORIN. I foresee that that dog is going to howl all night again. It is always this way in the country; I have never been able to live as I like here. I come down for a month's holiday, to rest and all, and am plagued so by their nonsense that I long to escape after the first day. [Laughing] I have always been glad to get away from this place, but I have been retired now, and this was the only place I had to come to. Willy-nilly, one must live somewhere.

JACOB. [To TREPLIEFF] We are going to take a swim, Mr. Constantine.

TREPLIEFF. Very well, but you must be back in ten minutes.

JACOB. We will, sir.

TREPLIEFF. [Looking at the stage] Just like a real theatre! See, there we have the curtain, the foreground, the background, and all. No artificial scenery is needed. The eye travels direct to the lake, and rests on the horizon. The curtain will be raised as the moon rises at half-past eight.

SORIN. Splendid!