The title of this blog uses a quote from Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, co-founder of the Moscow Art Theatre, from his memoirs “Through 30 Years.”

Our last literary salon was dedicated to the work of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, focusing on his short stories and novellas.

A few words about the format of the literary salon. It so happened that the date coincided with a strike. Not everyone who wanted to attend was able to make it, so we connected those interested via Zoom. It turned out well. We decided that we would now practice a combined format for the event.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is one of the greatest Russian writers who had a tremendous impact on world literature. His works are known for their delicate psychological insight, attention to the inner world of characters, and social relevance. Chekhov wrote about ordinary people, their joys and sufferings, addressing themes of loneliness, unfulfilled hopes, and moral dilemmas.

Chekhov was born in 1860 in Taganrog. This year, he would have turned 165. He began his career as a writer of humorous stories and soon moved on to more serious prose, dealing with important social and philosophical issues. His medical background left a significant mark on his work, giving it a distinctive direction.

One of the most important features of his style is conciseness. Chekhov avoided excessive sentimentality and moralizing, preferring to reveal characters through their actions and dialogues. He often focused on inner experiences, hidden behind external circumstances.

Chekhov also made a significant contribution to dramaturgy. His plays “The Seagull,” “The Cherry Orchard,” “Uncle Vanya,” and “Three Sisters” changed the approach to theatrical art, laying the foundations for indirect dramaturgy. These plays feature few pronounced conflicts, and the main focus is on the inner struggles of the characters, social injustice, and the futility of human ambitions.

At the literary salon, we paid special attention to his novella “Ward No. 6.”

One of Chekhov’s most famous novellas, “Ward No. 6,” written in 1892, explores the profound problems of Russian society at that time. The impetus for its creation was Chekhov’s trip to the island of Sakhalin, where he studied the life of exiles and convicts. This experience influenced his view on injustice, societal indifference, and the oppression of free-thinking individuals.

The main theme of the novella is the indifference and cruelty of society, its disregard for the suffering of others. Chekhov portrays the psychiatric hospital as a reflection of the Russian reality at the end of the 19th century. The intellectuals and thoughtful people become victims of a system that suppresses dissent.

The main character of the novella, Dr. Andrei Yefimovich Ragin, is an educated man who has lost faith in change. He sees no point in fighting and prefers passive observation, which ultimately leads to a tragic end. His antagonist, Ivan Dmitrievich Gromov, is a smart and noble man whose protest against injustice is seen by society as madness.

The novella exposes not only the doctors and officials but also society as a whole, which, immersed in petty bourgeois life, is indifferent to the suffering of others. This is what makes “Ward No. 6” a work that remains relevant today.

Chekhov had a colossal influence on 20th-century world literature. His works remain relevant as they address timeless questions of morality, the meaning of life, and loneliness. His works are studied, his plays are performed on stages worldwide, and his ideas continue to inspire new writers and thinkers.