A comparative analysis of Anton Chekhov's "The Wood Demon" and "Uncle Vanya"

Includes bibliographical references.The study is divided into five parts. First, a frame-work is establish in Chapter II pointing out those character­istics of the dramatic medium which limit the dramatist's selection of both content and form. Chapter III concerns Chekhov's selection of subject matter for his plays and his lifelong struggle with the precepts of naturalism, especially with the naturalistic concept of objectivity. Chapter IV considers characteristics of the new form and content as it is found in Chekhov's four dramatic masterpieces. Chapter V summarizes significant relationships among all contributing elements which may offer insights into the innovational aspects of Chekhov's dramatic technique. The value of this study, it is hoped, lies in its having developed the thesis that the re-writing of "The Wood Demon" into "Uncle Vanya" was not so much a matter of refinement of form as it was a redefinition of content. Chekhov, himself, maintained that "Uncle Vanya" is a completely new play. If it is true that theatre is a reactive art, then Chekhov is right. Each play brings about totally different reactions in the mind of the audience. Each play has a completely different content. The earlier play presents select actions of life for the sake of moralizing. The second play holds our attentions to a consideration of life itself with no intention of demonstrating a thesis other than "Life is! and that it must be lived."M.A. (Master of Arts