The stories of Chekhov (1860-1904) became classics of world literature, included in the compulsory school curriculum, and his plays with pleasure are staged everywhere. Most popular are such works as “The Cherry Orchard”, “Chamber No. 6”, “The Man in the Case”, which everyone who is a fan of Russian classics readily rereads.
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, so that there was something to live for and, wanting to help his family, while still a student, began to write short stories. By the time Chekhov graduated from the university, he was already a recognizable writer.
Chekhov is a doctor by profession, but his calling was writing. For fans of the work of Anton Pavlovich, 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
As a writer, everyone knows Chekhov, but few people know about his charity work. Correct the situation.
According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the Russian writer was a kind man, and he respected all people. We cannot briefly tell about all his actions, but we will share something with you.
In 1892, Anton Pavlovich acquired the estate in the village of Melikhovo - he always dreamed of life in the village and the opportunity to become a farmer, I must say, his dream came true.
At his own expense in Melikhovo, he opened a first-aid post, helping patients and supplying them with medicines. Also, in his native Taganrog, the writer opened a library, in addition, he did his best to help young writers and participated in various charitable collections.
But this is only a small part of the good deeds that he has done! There are many more.
9. By profession - a doctor
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a doctor by training - he, as expected, graduated from the university, which he entered in 1879, but with his soul he 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 by chance.
The Taganrog Theater, where Chekhov first visited when he was 13 years old, played a large role in the attraction to 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 - “Fatherless”, 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. Contemporaries of the writer called him "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 had been treated for his whole 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 his prime, his acquaintances called him "Russian hero", the height of the writer was 182 cm. As Ilya Repin (1844-1930), Chekhov recalled “Seemed a strong man not only in physical structure, but also in the state of mind».
7. 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 ”,“ zhidovochka ”,“ backdoor ”.
If you want to call your beloved woman an affectionate nickname, then it’s better not to risk it, but take note of other nicknames that Chekhov also called his wife (they are strange, but affectionate): “my angel "," my dusya "," my perch "," darling sweetie"And others. This nickname does not end there!
6. Refused the hereditary nobility that Nicholas II wanted to reward
Chekhov belonged to the intelligentsia: he was an educated person, a doctor, earning a living by his work.
Anton Pavlovich’s grandfather was a serf, and the writer himself denied belonging to a privileged estate.
Egor Mikhailovich (1798–1879) was able to free his family and himself from serfdom in 1844, later on his grandson Anton Chekhov never forgot about the genealogy. But, nevertheless, in 1899 the writer decided to refuse the privilege when Nicholas II, by his decree, awarded him the title of a clan nobleman, as well as the Order of St. Valentine of the 3rd degree.
5. A close friend - Ivan Bunin
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov and Bunin Ivan Alekseevich (1870-1953) were close friends. They met in 1895 in Moscow. Prior to this, since 1891, they had correspondence with each other.
The first acquaintance was fleeting, but in 1899, when they met again in Yalta, close friendships were established between them, lasting 4 years.
The reason for their breakup was an 8-page letter that Bunin sent to Chekhov at a time when he was hard - 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 in short: "And you, my friend, drink less vodka».
4. Record holder for the number of aliases
An alias is a signature by 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 because of a lack of money, in addition, he wrote in more than one newspaper, so he used pseudonyms.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov published his works under various pseudonyms, which, according to the count, are more than 50. But not one of them took root in the literary field, the writer remained known under a single pseudonym - A.P. Chekhov.
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 etc.
3. One of the most filmed writers
One of the most screened Russian writers can be called Anton Chekhov. His stories are known primarily for the psychologically developed characters of the characters, deeply lyrical plots and a reflection of Russian reality.
It is not surprising that many theatrical productions and many films were shot based on the plots of his stories and plays. Dozens of his works were filmed back in the early twentieth century.
If you haven’t watched films based on Chekhov’s books, be sure to check out some of them: Roman with double bass (8-minute short), Bear, The Man in the Box, Kashtanka, My Affectionate and Tender Beast "And others. A pleasant pastime is guaranteed!
2. His plays have been staged in different theaters of the world for more than 100 years.
Anton Pavlovich’s plays take pride of place in the repertoires of Russian and foreign theaters. The writer’s drama is associated with the true birth of the Drama Theater, which turned out to be the best interpreter of his works.
For the first time, the Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, and The Seagull were staged at the Art Theater, which have been eagerly staged at many theaters in the world for over 100 years.
Chekhov's performances are growing every day - many Russian and foreign theaters turn to the works of the famous playwright.
1. Created more than 500 works
For 25 years of his work, Anton Pavlovich has written a huge number of works (there are more than 500 of them, here you can also include plays, short stories, serious stories). Most of his works are included in the 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, and it should not be. And when a person has a meaning and a purpose in life, this meaning does not consist in happiness, but in something great! Do good!"And, I must say, Chekhov followed this principle throughout his life.