The Seagull, Anton Chekhov - Eli Rozik (essay date 1988)

Eli Rozik (essay date 1988)

SOURCE: Rozik, Eli. “The Interpretative Function of the ‘Seagull’ Motif in The Seagull.” Assaph: Studies in the Theatre, no. 4 (1988): 55-81

[In the following essay, Rozik examines the use of the seagull as a symbol in Chekhov's play.]

INTRODUCTION

The ‘seagull’ metaphor is a focal point within a comprehensive and complex motif which fulfils a crucial role in the structure of the fictional world of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov. Therefore, although additional constituent motifs are involved, I shall refer to the entire network in terms of the ‘seagull’ motif.

A thorough analysis of this motif should fully account for the following phenomena:

  1. The synthesis of local metaphors into a structural motif affecting the fictional world as a whole;
  2. Its interpretative function with respect to this fictional world;
  3. Its mixed-media character (verbal...

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