Chekhov's doctors : a prescription for a better life
department or school: Arts, Faculty of
department or school: Theatre, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Ledingham, Georgina May
issued: 2010-07-23T22:27:04Z
issued: 1987
related degree: Master of Arts - MA
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: Anton Chekhov pursued two careers simultaneously throughout his life—that of a doctor as well as a writer of prose and drama. It is not surprising, therefore, to discover many physicians amongst his characters but it is puzzling that the portrayal of doctors is frequently unflattering despite his admitted indebtedness to the profession. The thesis herein proposed is that the poor image Chekhov presents points to the necessity of self-determination in matters of emotional and spiritual health; if the doctors are incapable of healing themselves and those in their care, the patients might well take the biblical directive, "Arise! Take up thy bed and walk." In his stated desire to show people how bad and dreary their lives are, thereby assisting them in fashioning better lives, Chekhov's prescription is one of self-help. The short stories—Late-Blooming Flowers, Anyuta, Ward No. 6, The Head Gardener's Tale and The Doctor's Visit—and the plays— Platonov, Ivanov, The Seagull, The Wood-Demon, Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters—have been examined; beneath the incompetence and villainy of the doctors an affirming statement is discovered in the otherwise melancholy canon of Chekhov.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/26864
note: CHEKHOV'S DOCTORS: A PRESCRIPTION FOR A BETTER L IFE By GEORGINA MAY LEDINGHAM A . , The U n i v e r s i t y of B r i t i s h Co lumbia , 1982 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS i n THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Theatre Department) We accept t h i s t h e s i s as conforming to the r e q u i r e d s tandard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA September 19 87 Copy r i gh t Georg ina May Ledingham, 19 87 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of T h e a t r e The University of British Columbia 1956 Main Mall Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Y3 Date September 30, 1987 DE-6(3/81) A b s t r a c t A n t o n C h e k h o v p u r s u e d t w o c a r e e r s s i m u l t a n e o u s l y t h r o u g h o u t h i s l i f e — t h a t o f a d o c t o r a s w e l l a s a w r i t e r o f p r o s e a n d d r a m a . I t i s n o t s u r p r i s i n g , t h e r e f o r e , t o d i s c o v e r many p h y s i c i a n s a m o n g s t h i s c h a r a c t e r s b u t i t i s p u z z l i n g t h a t t h e p o r t r a y a l o f d o c t o r s i s f r e q u e n t l y u n f l a t t e r i n g d e s p i t e h i s a d m i t t e d i n d e b t e d n e s s t o t h e p r o f e s s i o n . The t h e s i s h e r e i n p r o p o s e d i s t h a t t h e p o o r i m a g e C h e k h o v p r e s e n t s p o i n t s t o t h e n e c e s s i t y o f s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n i n m a t t e r s o f e m o t i o n a l a n d s p i r i t u a l h e a l t h ; i f t h e d o c t o r s a r …
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0302334
language: eng
degree discipline: Theatre
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26864