Personal
Lived 1860 - 1904
Russian short story writer, physician and playwright
Married to Olga Leonardovna Knipper-Chekhova
Notable Works
The Seagull - Produced 1896 - failedProduced by the MAT in 1898 - succeeded
The Cherry OrchardProduced 1904 at the MAT
Uncle Vanya and Three SistersProduced early 1900's at the MAT
Writing Styles
In place of conventional action worked with 'submerged life in text'
Character tension - internal and emotional rather than external plot- 'Mood Theatre'
Stream-of-consciousness -Vocalised interior monologue
Key Features
Tales often end anti-climactically leaving the reader to guess at an ending or a likely outcome
Foreshadowing: Giving readers hints or clues as to what may happen next.
Use of death and disease, failed ideals and aristocratic breakdown
Anton Chekhov