Temporality and Historicity in Cechov's The Cherry Orchard

Abstract

This article explores the ways in which historicity is constructed in Cechov's last play and the ways the play relates to a certain phase of Russian modernization. These ways are primarily temporal. Firstly, the vast historical perspective of the play is shown to be constructed with the help of diverse conceptions of time, which to some extent are connected with social classes. Secondly, the strong sense of historical movement inherent in the play is shown to be constructed by contradicting two different kinds of temporalities: the provincial town chronotope, which pertains to a pre-modern conception of time, and the demand for a goal-oriented action, which pertains to a modern conception of time. Both of these temporalities appear problematic in the context of the play. Furthermore, the play is seen as a critique towards teleological thinking, influential in Russia of the times. Besides scrutinizing The Cherry Orchard, the article also touches upon the problem of temporality in Cechov's prose.