Tolstoy told Chekhov to his face that “Shakespeare was a terrible writer, you your plays are worse” (as a joke probably) but after Chekov’s death, Tolstoy said that Chekhov was a better writer than he.
And Chekov said “When literature possesses a Tolstoy, it is easy and pleasant to be a writer; even when you know you have achieved nothing yourself and are still achieving nothing, this is not as terrible as it might otherwise be, because Tolstoy achieves for everyone. What he does serves to justify all the hopes and aspirations invested in literature.”
I was reading Chekhov for the first time yesterday. The impact his writing had on me. A short story spanning three pages, yet it was *full* of meaning. Not just that but he touches upon things you seldom read by others, even the greats. Things like sneezing all of a sudden. His writing is enough to make you seek out a lonely place, where you can dwell on his words. "Death of a Clerk" and "Small Fry" done that for me
I can’t believe I just found your channel!! I’m such a huge fan of Russian literature. I’ve been rereading all my favorites from Dostoevsky, Checkhov, Gogol, Tolstoy and Leskov. I’m literally preparing to binge watch your videos lol. I love Checkhov so much my favorite short story and 19th century writer next to Dostoevsky.
I love reading Russian classic literature. Tolstoy, Dostoyevski, Turgenev, Chekov, Gogol, Pushkin and Leskov are all familiar names. Who does not know "War and Peace"?
Sophia, your analysis of Chekhov's eccentric stories is immensely fulfilling and beautiful. Chekhov has a very special inhabitance in my heart, he is a friend who knows me more than I do. I love the way you express yourself and the conciseness of your expatiation. You seem like a true 'chekhovian' human being, to say the least. Love your work! And also, I find you quite attractive. (forgive me but I had to say it 😊😊😊)
@@SophiaClef Yeah, I feel that one's experience of Chekhov is rendered in proportion to one's sensitivity to life. The more drunk on life he is, the more nuances he sees, the more he gets Chekhov.
Thanks for the introduction! I've bought my first Chekhov's book and I'm enjoying the Russian literature. I've started from Dostoevsky and I'm anxious to begin my reading of all these short tales.
I played Medvenko in Seagull in Australia this year with a production company Chaika. I must’ve slept through Chekhov at drama schoool when I failed Theatre history, I knew very little about Chekhov. I was called in last minute to replace an actor that had to pull out because he’d had his first baby. I must say I was lost and confused at the beginning, very worried that I must be wrong for the role, or I didn’t understand the story. But when I started becoming more curious about the other characters scenes and asking them questions about the characters they were playing, the story became more clear to me, and I could be more confident in bringing my experience and understanding and empathy to play the role. I had heard in passing as a young man that Australian actors find Chekhov much harder than Shakespeare. I believe that’s because such a high degree of honesty is required in the actors to play the roles, it can feel like an emotional washing machine where dishonesty gets punished. It was an extraordinary production, I felt very lucky to be a part of. If I had never performed in another play, I’m glad I took part in that one.
On a short list of artists I deeply admire and look to for learning, courage and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about his work. "Let things that happen on stage be just as complex and yet just as simple as they are in life. For instance, people are having a meal, just having a meal, but at the same time their happiness is being created, or their lives are being smashed up." -- Anton Chekhov
I too, like everyone, feel like writing something original, pouring my heart and soul out into describing the euphoric feeling of holding a highly processed tree thingy with something scribbled on it. Cool painting behind you I guess?
Such a well comstructed video!! Always forget about Chekhov, which is a shame, cause i love novellas and short stories. Would love to see you do this series on French, Brittish and/or American literature!
I was doing some research about anton chekhov and I found your channel out of pure luck and you knoa what, I've watched a decent amount of your videos and I have to say amazing work! deserves a sub from me!
I am an avid fan of Chekhov. I read Henri Troyat’s biography of Chekhov and have read quite a few of his writings. And I must say your video is probably the best among the few I have watched so far. Congratulations. But only those who know what a great man and writer that Chekhov is can fully appreciate your summation. I still remember how agonised and heart broken Chekhov was when his best intentions were misrepresented in the staging of Cherry Orchard: he intended it to be a comedy on the verge of a farce when it was presented on stage as a fall of nobility and the crass rise of the commercial class!!! His fastidious fidelity to the spirit of man brought out in his stories and plays made him great and you have succeeded in suggesting this in your talk! Bravo.
I just bought this random 35 short stories book from a bookfair..and i was not in a mood to read a whole novel so I started reading the shortest story in the book..which was "the first class passanger by Anton Chekhov..and i absolutely loved it! Now I wanna read more of his works! P.s Great video! sending love from india♡
wow, I absolutely loved the video. I like Czekhov, although read just first set of stories, Ward No 6, Black Monk and Woman's Lot I enjoyed the most... He describes the fate people are not able to escape, the turmoil, realizing nothing special will happen in their life, also the role of death, in my interpretation - when dr Ragin died, or a professor from the Black Monk, or story Murder. As if she was coming when a human finally experienced what was his homework to do in life, or as if death was necessary for a change. I am thinking of what next I want to take for a read (;
By the way, I'm bilingual, and Croatian is my second language, and I almost always read the great Russians in Croatian translation, yet am very aware that much must be lost in translation, although I can understand most footnotes concerning some of the problems in the transfer from Russian to Croatian.
Excellent introduction to chekhov better than any lit crit i've read.sophie creates an interest in us to read in an age when the internet and video games have killed reading
I started reading Chekhov's comic stories earlier this week. It's been on my bookshelf for some time - I don't know why, but I grabbed it and am so glad that I did! I found your channel after asking the Almighty TH-cam Search Bar about Mr. Chekhov too. :) This video was awesome and I definitely subscribed. Thanks for uploading!
So happy to meet another Chekhov lover, and you put into words many of the reasons why I love him. He's timeless, rich, and beautiful. My favourite short story the black monk has a strange, sympathetic quality that I've never seen captured anywhere else. His stories kept me company during lockdown and now I'm onto his plays - thank you for the video :)
Oh, so great! As a huge fan of Chekhov, I was so happy to see this. I love the analysis of the stories and the choices you made among so many stories. Really really good.
The 1st time I came across Chekhov was in high school. My oldest sister was taking a world literature class, and one day, I picked up her book and read some of the stories. The Kiss was downright hilarious to me! Also, I loved the way he described the setting, emotions, etc. I was disappointed that the poor guy in the story never found out who the woman was that kissed him....
It’s not your looks or your vivaciousness or your intelligence that I as a man find attractive. It’s your understanding that unalloyed compassion was the force that drove the cogs of Chekhov’s literary mechanism. “O let my books be then the eloquence of my speaking breast/That plead for love and look for recompense/More than that tongue that more hath more expressed”. As Shakespeare said.
Video ideas for you from someone who loves Russian lit: -- How can we understand all the variety of Russian names people have? -- What's the difference between serfdom and other forms of slavery or servitude?
Thank you, but I wish I had enough time and energy to film the videos I have in mind. The list is long. I'll add you suggestions, but I can't promise anything.
@@darkfirepg3d919 I'm a creep for daring to speak the truth Then so let it be that I live & die by the truth She's beautiful as all women are beautiful I'm lonely as hell but I've decided that I'm not going to waste this precious gift of life by living it all by myself. I'll have a lovely & mighty comforter one day I her lover and she my wife, My life my choice. Now be gone foul mouthed little troll child.
I read them in Russian, but while I was looking for quotes for this video, I read some parts of the version available on Gutenberg, and the translation is decent Unlike Dostoevsky or Gogol, Chekhov is easier to translate.
In On the Cart, Chekhov makes a reference to Nikolay Alekseyev, mayor of Moscow, and Empress Petrovna, which makes me think he admired them. He hated corruption, along with the enormous concentrations of money and the gap between rich and poor. He believed that women should have opportunities for education in the university, as seen in The Bride. He was a doctor who treated patients for free if they couldn't afford it, so he'd be in favor of universal health care. He saw illiteracy as a form of imprisonment. He loved nature and hated polluting factories, as seen in Fish Love. Of course, I don't know for sure what political party he'd belong to, but you can draw your own conclusions based upon these observations.
Tolstoy told Chekhov to his face that “Shakespeare was a terrible writer, you your plays are worse” (as a joke probably) but after Chekov’s death, Tolstoy said that Chekhov was a better writer than he.
And he was right)
And Chekov said “When literature possesses a Tolstoy, it is easy and pleasant to be a writer; even when you know you have achieved nothing yourself and are still achieving nothing, this is not as terrible as it might otherwise be, because Tolstoy achieves for everyone. What he does serves to justify all the hopes and aspirations invested in literature.”
I am a Russian speaker, thank you for such a wonderful coverage of the works of one of my favorite writers. Всего вам самого наилучшего!
I was reading Chekhov for the first time yesterday. The impact his writing had on me. A short story spanning three pages, yet it was *full* of meaning. Not just that but he touches upon things you seldom read by others, even the greats. Things like sneezing all of a sudden.
His writing is enough to make you seek out a lonely place, where you can dwell on his words. "Death of a Clerk" and "Small Fry" done that for me
Short works don't tend to have an impact on me, but Chekhov is an exception, of course.
'Congratulate me, I think I am losing my mind.'
-Anton Chekhov
Chekhov's short stories are an astonishment! They have the ability of frightening us into questioning why our lives always seem so banal and flawed.
I can’t believe I just found your channel!! I’m such a huge fan of Russian literature. I’ve been rereading all my favorites from Dostoevsky, Checkhov, Gogol, Tolstoy and Leskov. I’m literally preparing to binge watch your videos lol. I love Checkhov so much my favorite short story and 19th century writer next to Dostoevsky.
neuralsurfer is narrating many such novels on youtube (maybe AI)
I love reading Russian classic literature. Tolstoy, Dostoyevski, Turgenev, Chekov, Gogol, Pushkin and Leskov are all familiar names. Who does not know "War and Peace"?
I love discovering hidden gems like your channel! I'll be staying for a while 😁✌🏻
Thank you! 🥰
I'm about to take a class focusing on Chekov. Watching your video peaks my interest even more! Subscribed!
Sophia, your analysis of Chekhov's eccentric stories is immensely fulfilling and beautiful. Chekhov has a very special inhabitance in my heart, he is a friend who knows me more than I do. I love the way you express yourself and the conciseness of your expatiation. You seem like a true 'chekhovian' human being, to say the least.
Love your work!
And also, I find you quite attractive. (forgive me but I had to say it 😊😊😊)
I'm flattered! Chekhov has always been one of my favorites. 😊
@@SophiaClef Yeah, I feel that one's experience of Chekhov is rendered in proportion to one's sensitivity to life. The more drunk on life he is, the more nuances he sees, the more he gets Chekhov.
Thanks. Very helpful video
Thanks for the introduction! I've bought my first Chekhov's book and I'm enjoying the Russian literature. I've started from Dostoevsky and I'm anxious to begin my reading of all these short tales.
I adore your presence.
I played Medvenko in Seagull in Australia this year with a production company Chaika. I must’ve slept through Chekhov at drama schoool when I failed Theatre history, I knew very little about Chekhov. I was called in last minute to replace an actor that had to pull out because he’d had his first baby. I must say I was lost and confused at the beginning, very worried that I must be wrong for the role, or I didn’t understand the story. But when I started becoming more curious about the other characters scenes and asking them questions about the characters they were playing, the story became more clear to me, and I could be more confident in bringing my experience and understanding and empathy to play the role. I had heard in passing as a young man that Australian actors find Chekhov much harder than Shakespeare. I believe that’s because such a high degree of honesty is required in the actors to play the roles, it can feel like an emotional washing machine where dishonesty gets punished. It was an extraordinary production, I felt very lucky to be a part of. If I had never performed in another play, I’m glad I took part in that one.
You present your case well. Thank you I enjoy him as well and many other Russian Authors. Keep making videos please
On a short list of artists I deeply admire and look to for learning, courage and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about his work.
"Let things that happen on stage be just as complex and yet just as simple as they are in life. For instance, people are having a meal, just having a meal, but at the same time their happiness is being created, or their lives are being smashed up."
-- Anton Chekhov
Thank you so much for shedding light!
Now I know where to start :)
Yeah checov is my favorite revolutionary character. He has amezing sharper mind. & fast track change the topics. And simply
I too, like everyone, feel like writing something original, pouring my heart and soul out into describing the euphoric feeling of holding a highly processed tree thingy with something scribbled on it.
Cool painting behind you I guess?
Wonderful video! I now can't wait to read Chekhov! I love how you have us Tolstoy's thoughts.
Such a well comstructed video!! Always forget about Chekhov, which is a shame, cause i love novellas and short stories. Would love to see you do this series on French, Brittish and/or American literature!
It would become Classique 😀
I would have to read most of someone's works to do it, so it'll take a few months/years.
I was doing some research about anton chekhov and I found your channel out of pure luck and you knoa what, I've watched a decent amount of your videos and I have to say amazing work! deserves a sub from me!
Thank you!
Loved these little explanations of his work and your bye at the end. Thank you for making easier for us beginners.
I am an avid fan of Chekhov. I read Henri Troyat’s biography of Chekhov and have read quite a few of his writings. And I must say your video is probably the best among the few I have watched so far. Congratulations. But only those who know what a great man and writer that Chekhov is can fully appreciate your summation. I still remember how agonised and heart broken Chekhov was when his best intentions were misrepresented in the staging of Cherry Orchard: he intended it to be a comedy on the verge of a farce when it was presented on stage as a fall of nobility and the crass rise of the commercial class!!! His fastidious fidelity to the spirit of man brought out in his stories and plays made him great and you have succeeded in suggesting this in your talk! Bravo.
I start reading,, The man in a case''after this video, you explain well, goodluck
Great video. I just started reading Checkhov and I love his blend of humor with bigger themes.
I just bought this random 35 short stories book from a bookfair..and i was not in a mood to read a whole novel so I started reading the shortest story in the book..which was "the first class passanger by Anton Chekhov..and i absolutely loved it! Now I wanna read more of his works!
P.s Great video! sending love from india♡
wow, I absolutely loved the video. I like Czekhov, although read just first set of stories, Ward No 6, Black Monk and Woman's Lot I enjoyed the most... He describes the fate people are not able to escape, the turmoil, realizing nothing special will happen in their life, also the role of death, in my interpretation - when dr Ragin died, or a professor from the Black Monk, or story Murder. As if she was coming when a human finally experienced what was his homework to do in life, or as if death was necessary for a change. I am thinking of what next I want to take for a read (;
By the way, I'm bilingual, and Croatian is my second language, and I almost always read the great Russians in Croatian translation, yet am very aware that much must be lost in translation, although I can understand most footnotes concerning some of the problems in the transfer from Russian to Croatian.
Excellent introduction to chekhov better than any lit crit i've read.sophie creates an interest in us to read in an age when the internet and video games have killed reading
God I love Chekhov, you know when you're reading them they express a real truth that you can't always put in words and maybe shouldn't try.
That's the beauty of art ;)
Thank you for this illuminating and succinct crash course on Chekhov. 🙏
I started reading Chekhov's comic stories earlier this week. It's been on my bookshelf for some time - I don't know why, but I grabbed it and am so glad that I did! I found your channel after asking the Almighty TH-cam Search Bar about Mr. Chekhov too. :) This video was awesome and I definitely subscribed. Thanks for uploading!
So happy to meet another Chekhov lover, and you put into words many of the reasons why I love him. He's timeless, rich, and beautiful. My favourite short story the black monk has a strange, sympathetic quality that I've never seen captured anywhere else. His stories kept me company during lockdown and now I'm onto his plays - thank you for the video :)
Nice to meet you! Black Monk is definetely one of my favorite short stories ever.
@@SophiaClef I've just finished watching your Tolstoy video too - that was no easy task. Good work :)
@@jackwilliamson1897 Thank you!
Loved this!
Молодец. Interesting video. I wish I had the time and energy to read all of these.
Спасибо! His earlier works are super short (about a page or two) so I'm sure that you can fit them into your schedule. ❤️
This was a really interesting and helpful video! I haven't read anything from Chekhov before but all the works you mentioned sounded fascinating
Thank you! I hope you give him a try!
Oh, so great! As a huge fan of Chekhov, I was so happy to see this. I love the analysis of the stories and the choices you made among so many stories. Really really good.
Thank you!
Excellent explore to telling skill
I've read only Uncle Vanya, a long time ago. I should really get back to Chekhov, I love how you described his works.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the rest of his works!
Thank you.
Thank you for the video but I realised I want to read these stories without knowing anything about them so I will just assume this was a great video
The 1st time I came across Chekhov was in high school. My oldest sister was taking a world literature class, and one day, I picked up her book and read some of the stories. The Kiss was downright hilarious to me! Also, I loved the way he described the setting, emotions, etc. I was disappointed that the poor guy in the story never found out who the woman was that kissed him....
8:42 Chekov's Gun and a play called The Seagull.
It’s not your looks or your vivaciousness or your intelligence that I as a man find attractive. It’s your understanding that unalloyed compassion was the force that drove the cogs of Chekhov’s literary mechanism.
“O let my books be then the eloquence of my speaking breast/That plead for love and look for recompense/More than that tongue that more hath more expressed”. As Shakespeare said.
Video ideas for you from someone who loves Russian lit:
-- How can we understand all the variety of Russian names people have?
-- What's the difference between serfdom and other forms of slavery or servitude?
Thank you, but I wish I had enough time and energy to film the videos I have in mind. The list is long. I'll add you suggestions, but I can't promise anything.
Truly a beautiful and lovely woman.
I find Your voice and manner comforting
Creep 🤨📸
@@darkfirepg3d919
I'm a creep for daring to speak the truth
Then so let it be that I live & die by the truth
She's beautiful as all women are beautiful
I'm lonely as hell but I've decided that I'm
not going to waste this precious gift of life
by living it all by myself.
I'll have a lovely & mighty comforter one day
I her lover and she my wife, My life my choice.
Now be gone foul mouthed little troll child.
@@michaelmessenger5742 hm you're a SIMP
@@darkfirepg3d919
Nothing simple about a complicated man
Now be gone little boy troll child
I’ve read his plays, but few of his short stories. Do you have a favorite translator of his work?
I read them in Russian, but while I was looking for quotes for this video, I read some parts of the version available on Gutenberg, and the translation is decent Unlike Dostoevsky or Gogol, Chekhov is easier to translate.
@@SophiaClef Of course, you don’t need a translation! Thank you. I’ve only recently discovered your channel and I’m really enjoying it.
@@theaelizabet Thank you!
Gutenberg uses Constance Garnett, whose translations are rather controversial for several reasons.
Молодец
Wow, you look and sound like the girl from Pride and Prejudice a lot
My only love is him.
I really like Chekhov.Any bet of his political views? Excellent Video too.
Thank you! Unfortunately, I don't know much about his political views.
@@SophiaClef Me too.I guess he wasn't that political or didn't want to give political stories.
In On the Cart, Chekhov makes a reference to Nikolay Alekseyev, mayor of Moscow, and Empress Petrovna, which makes me think he admired them. He hated corruption, along with the enormous concentrations of money and the gap between rich and poor. He believed that women should have opportunities for education in the university, as seen in The Bride. He was a doctor who treated patients for free if they couldn't afford it, so he'd be in favor of universal health care. He saw illiteracy as a form of imprisonment. He loved nature and hated polluting factories, as seen in Fish Love.
Of course, I don't know for sure what political party he'd belong to, but you can draw your own conclusions based upon these observations.
What if Chekhov had a female version or twin sister, this channel would be her 😲 You look like the female version of Chekhov
I love your channel
Thank you!
@@SophiaClef I'm going to shout you out soon. You deserve more viewers
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse I appreciate it!
Thank you