The theme of illusion and reality in Chekhov’s “The Seagull” (original) (raw)

2015

Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore the conflict between illusion and reality in Chekhov’s The Seagull. Idealism is a dream, fantasy or an ideal which individuals create to give their lives meaning. Reality is the real world. Individual and the world are always engaged in a battle. When the individuals find themselves unfit to survive in the realistic world they tranquilize themselves with illusions. Idealism provides the individuals a kind of freedom which the society is unable to provide them. The characters have illusions of faith, truth, happiness, future, immortality, work, existence of self, permanence of love, fulfilment of expectations and the illusions of meaning of life. The characters adopt different escape mechanisms (art, drinking, singing or playing games) to save themselves from the threat of reality. They seek satisfaction in romantic love but the love in Chekhov’s stories is often unrequited. Love for Chekhovian characters is a monologue not a dialogue. Chekho...

memoona ejaz hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let memoona know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.