Language:
Russian
Year of publication:
2013
Titel der Quelle:
Русское литературное эхо; израильский журнал художественной литературы и критики
Angaben zur Quelle:
17 (34) (2013) 147-153
Keywords:
Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich,
;
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
;
Jewish literature History and criticism
;
Jews in literature
;
Judaism in literature
Abstract:
No other Russian writer of the "first row" created so many Jewish images in his stories and plays as Chekhov. Argues that with all this, Chekhov was volatile in his attitude toward Jews, and throughout his life, he never attempted to establish a consistent view of the Jews and the "Jewish question". Thus, while writing his "Ivanov", which can be seen as a play deploring the rejection of Jews by Russian society, Chekhov expressed anti-Jewish sentiments both publicly and in his letters. While being generally liberal, Chekhov was conservative on some issues; he befriended the renowned antisemitic publisher Suvorin. Chekhov focused not simply on the Jews in Russia, but on those who tried to change their identity, e.g. on converts; his attitude toward them was moderately negative. Here, he was no different from the all of the Russian intelligentsia, which looked suspiciously on Jews who tried to assimilate and enter Russian culture. On the personal level, Chekhov maintained some antipathy toward Jews; as a writer, he often used Jews as a reservoir of humor, e.g. making fun of the Jewish accent.
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