Medicine as a profession in the writer’s self-determination: the example of A.P. Chekhov (1860-1904) and J. Rizal (1891-1896)

Abstract

The attitude of A.P. Chekhov, physician and writer, and of his contemporary Filipino colleague J. Rizal was compared, in order to find out how their artistic creativity is linked to their profession as doctors. Both writers demonstrate a high appreciation for progress in their works. Chekhov emphasizes the importance of hygiene and education, while Rizal believes that education is crucial. In his works, Chekhov often depicts the consequences of ignorance, negligence towards one’s health, and lack of hygiene. In particular, in the story “Peasants” he describes how poverty leads to drunkenness, filth, and ignorance. However, he is not willing to directly connect social and political statements with his art. Additionally, after his voyage to Skhalin, he firmly refuses to pass judgement on his characters, even if they are portrayed as dirty and ignorant. Nonetheless, in his social activism he cares for the sick, especially victims of epidemies, and establishes rural schools. Rizal became an ophthalmologist to cure his mother, who went blind after unjustly being imprisoned; similarly, he became a writer to heal the “social cancer” of his country - ignorance. Yet, he encounters the problem that Spanish authorities prohibit education for the people. So, even up to his exile and death, he has to confront the dilemma of which should take precedence, education or liberation. Therefore, for Chekhov, being a doctor, addressing social issues, and writing are separate spheres, while Rizal became a writer primarily to heal his country’s society. Nevertheless, both writers, in their short lives, combined medicine, creativity, and progressive social activism, thus embodying what Yu.M. Lotman calls “lifebuilding”.