AD's English Literature

"Chekhov was not only a great dramatist and short-story writer, but also a physician, a traveler, and a philanthropist. He was a man of wide culture and deep understanding of human nature. His work is characterized by its realism, its compassion, and its humor. Chekhov is one of the most important and influential writers in the history of Russian literature." Donald Rayfield in his book Anton Chekhov: A Life (1998) Introduction Anton Chekhov, the celebrated Russian playwright and short story writer , is renowned for his ability to deliver the reality of the human condition with a unique blend of humor and tragedy. Chekhov's stories are characterized by their realism, their psychological depth, and their subtle humor. He was a master of the understated, and that he was able to convey complex emotions and ideas in a few simple words. These are true even for his plays. In his plays, 'Three Sisters,' 'The Seagull,' and 'Cherry Orchard,' Chekhov takes a...

“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.” ― Leo Tolstoy, "War and Peace" The war referred to in Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is the Napoleonic Wars, specifically the French invasion of Russia in 1812. The novel portrays the impact of the war on Russian society, including the lives of aristocrats, soldiers, and peasants, and explores themes such as love, family, power, and the nature of historical events. Different critics have approached Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" in historical criticism. Peter Turchin 's "War and Peace and War: The Rise and Fall of Empires" takes a historical and sociological approach to "War and Peace," using the novel as a lens through which to explore the dynamics of empires and the cyclical patterns of history. Turchin argues that "War and Peace" is not only a masterpiece of literature but also a valuable source of insight into the workings of societies and emp...

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821- 1881)’s "Crime and Punishment" is undoubtedly one of the most influential and celebrated novels of all time. Joseph Frank in his book "Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time"  offers valuable insights into the author's worldview, political beliefs, and artistic vision which is quite handy in understanding the novel itself. The title of the novel itself is evocative and raises a lot of questions. What crime is being committed? What punishment is being meted out? In this article, we will explore the significance of the title of the novel and how it is reflected in the story. The title "Crime and Punishment" has a deep significance that goes beyond the surface level. On the surface, "Crime and Punishment" is the story of a murder, set in the city of St. Petersburg, then the Russian capital. It is not, however, a murder mystery: we know the murderer’s identity from the very beginning. Moreover, although Dostoyevsky depicts t...

Leo Tolstoy 's "War and Peace" depicts the Napoleonic Wars, which took place between 1803 and 1815. During that period, Russia was not yet the Soviet Union and had a very different relationship with the United States. In fact, the two countries had very little interaction, as America was not yet a major player on the world stage, and Russia was focused on its own conflicts with Europe. They  were generally friendly, but somewhat limited in terms of direct interactions. At that time, Russia was ruled by Tsar Alexander I, who was generally considered to be a liberal monarch and was known for his interest in international affairs. Meanwhile, America was still a relatively new and developing country, having gained its independence from Britain just a few decades earlier.  Despite these differences, there were several points of contact between America and Russia during this time. One of the most significant was the diplomatic mission of John Quincy Adams, who served as America...

What is the right time to begin something?  Which people should he listen to?  What is the most important thing for him to do? A s at the core of the Buddha’s enlightenment there was the realization of the Four Noble Truths, Tolstoy’s story of Three Questions puts forth fundamental reality of life. While working on the later parts of his life, Tolstoy began experiencing bouts of depression, which at times were so severe that he considered suicide. He was tormented by the need to find a meaning for his life that would not be annihilated by death. His Ispoved’ (1882; A Confession, 1885) describes this spiritual struggle and the solution he found: to practice what he saw as the essence of Christianity—that is, universal love and passive resistance to evil. A series of religious writings amplified this new faith. In these, he urged people to live according to the dictates of conscience , which meant practicing universal love an...

"I must live a well regulated life.  I have a weak heart, continual pappitations, and I am very sensitive and always getting excited...But the worst of all is sleep! I hardly lie down and begin to doze before....I jump up like a madman, walk about a little, and lie down again.... And so it is all night long!" -Ivan Vassilievich Lomov in Anton Chekhov’s A Marriage Proposal     Anton Chekhov’s one act play A Marriage Proposal is not thoroughly anti romantic like that of G. B. Shaw’s Arms and the Man . In Shaw’s case it was practicality and good judgment preceding over romance and love, here in Chekhov’s A Marriage Proposal economic security takes precedence over romance and love. Even though Russia is the primary setting, it can be anywhere in the world, and the home can be the case of any household history. Read More Drama Ivan Vassilievich Lomov is no superhuman Bluntschli, and Natalia is no sweet sixteen of Riana. But they are representative of every man, ev...