The Sea-Gull

By Anton Chekhov and Anton Checkov

Book Overview

Anton Chekhov's "The Sea-Gull" remains a cornerstone of Russian literature and a powerful work of dramatic art. This classic play, a poignant tragicomedy, explores the complexities of human relationships and the elusive nature of artistic success.

Chekhov masterfully captures the nuances of unrequited love, ambition, and the clash between generations against the backdrop of late 19th-century Russia. "The Sea-Gull" is a study of characters grappling with their desires and disappointments, leaving audiences to ponder the universal themes of life, art, and the pursuit of happiness. Its enduring appeal lies in its realistic portrayal of human emotions and the subtle humor woven into its tragic narrative. A must-read for anyone interested in theatre and the works of one of history's most influential playwrights.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023018918
• ISBN13: 9781023018913
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 52 Pages
• Weight: 0.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

I'm a seagull; no, that's wrong

GREAT PLAY-says so much about life and love.Character driven.Sad, but it's CheckovWell worth the read!

a masterful new translation

Russian plays aren't for everyone--they are dense, heavy affairs, packed full of ideas and slow moving characters. If you are looking for a fast-paced potboiler with lots of action, etc. then stay away from Chekhov. But if you enjoy reflection and having something to talk about when you finish a book then Checkhov will serve you well--and, most improtantly, if you want to read "The Seagull" this IS the translation to get--Stoppard has done a wonderful job, making this classic even more readable and enjoyable.

This is Chekhov's REAL Masterpiece

I still can never figure out why "The Cherry Orchard" is hailed as his masterpiece and put in all the Drama anthologies to represent his work. To me "Ivanov", "The Sea Gull" and "Uncle Vanya" are his great works. "The Sea Gull" however ranks on the top of my list as his best work. A tragic tale of the meaning of love and being an artist with comic tones and timeless characters. All of the emotions and situations are realistic to real life. The play is more personal and has more meaning than average Realism. The first time I saw "The Sea Gull" I fell in love with it so much I saw it the next day again. It's one of the rare four act plays that I can enjoy the whole performance and not be bored. Anyone who wants to see Chekhov's brilliance should read this play and the others I mentioned.

Universal

Everyone, whether we like to admit it or not, wants nothing more than to lay on their deathbeds and be able to say "I have led a beautiful life." This intense desire lives within us all. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it causes us to worship other human beings as something more than human, sometimes it destroys us. In Chekov's The Seagull, the brilliant playwright displays his passionate understanding of the desire that wrestles with the human soul. Subtly complex, The Seagull is a play meant to be read many times, and each time readers are bound to meet a different facet of themselves in the play's characters and their quests to satiate that voice within each of them, constantly whispering "you need more, more." It is a voice that leads one aspiring writer in the play to suicide, and cuts off another's capacity to embrace anyone but himself and his own entrapped mind. Almost every facet of desire is explored here: love, life, death, dreams of glory, success, achievement. And, as with our very best playwrights, Chekov incorporates a masterful metaphor in his Seagull, which tightly wraps the play in a bundle of genius. Like Williams's breathtaking 'Night of The Iguana," and Ibsen's eerie 'The Wild Duck," The Seagull blends tragedy and beauty in an unforgettably delicate union. This is the kind of play that will stick in readers' minds for a lifetime.

Trully Russian Story

This is one of Russian classics. All stories by Anton P. Checkov would touch your soul but this is one of the best of them, picturing young lady struggling with prejudices of the society. I love his stories for being the mirror of Russian life of the dawn of XX century.