Student Question
What is the critical analysis of Chekhov's "The Seagull"?
Quick answer:
Chekhov's "The Seagull" is critically analyzed through its structural patterns, focusing on characters' identities tied to their roles or professions. Virginia Scott highlights a continuum where characters range from lacking identity, like Treplev, Nina, and Masha, to those absorbed by their professions, such as Trigorin, Arkadina, and others. Sorin, retired, also lacks identity, illustrating Chekhov's exploration of identity and purpose through societal roles.
The link below has extensive criticism of the Seagull from a variety of eminent sources, including Virginia Scott, who writes:
Close observation of the text reveals several structural patterns. The characters exist along a continuum from nonentity to identity to nonentity. Identity is a product of role or profession. At the one end are the three “children,” Treplev, Nina, and Masha, who lack identity because they do not participate in the business of adult life; in the center are Trigorin, the writer, Arkadina, the actress, Medvedenko, the teacher, Shamrayev, the steward, Polina, the wife, and Dorn, the doctor (more or less in the order in which their professional roles absorb them); at the other end is Sorin, retired from his profession and also lacking identity.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.