Turgenev’s context in the novel “The Story of an Unknown Man” by A. P. Chekhov

Abstract

The paper considers the question of Turgenev’s influence on the novel of A. P. Chekhov “The Story of an Unknown Man.” It is well known that Chekhov was affected by the works of his great predecessor. Scholars consider the novel under consideration to be the text with the most significant influence of Turgenev. Three works of Turgenev are mentioned or quoted in the short novel: “Fathers and Children,” “On the Eve,” and “Three Encounters. This work aimed to identify and analyze the Turgenev motifs in Chekhov’s novel. The principal method of research is comparative-historical. Various types of artistic dialogue can be discussed, from direct quotations and reminiscences to a hidden dispute with Turgenev’s worldview. Besides identifying the typological connection between the characters of Turgenev and Chekhov, an attempt was made to analyze the artistic vision of the world of both writers. It was found that Chekhov and Turgenev both agreed on the indisputable importance of parental love, despite their differing opinions on such fundamental concepts as the love between a man and a wom- an and the existence of entire and powerful people. Also, Turgenev and Chekhov proved to have a similar understanding of the sorrow and briefness of human life. Both writers share the ability to accept quiet as a response to the most pressing queries. Both writers had a prefer- ence for silence as an answer to the most pressing questions.