CHEKHOV: THE MASTER OF MODERN TRAGICOMEDY
Recognized as the inventor of the modern short story and one of the founders of modern theatre, Anton Chekhov resists categorization. Both a great tragedian and a comic master, Chekhov himself stands on the cusp of two centuries, two world-views, and his writing chronicles the tensions in Russian pre-revolutionary society. Chekhov never provides his readers with clear-cut answers to life problems or characters; instead, he deliberately presents what appears to be a very commonplace world but one that turns out to be rich with ambiguity. To him, the writer’s duty lies in asking questions and offering an impartial, objective portrait of characters and situations. We will discuss stories and dramas that span Chekhov’s twenty-five year writing career and examine the enduring questions at the core of his literary masterpieces: what constitutes a good life? Is happiness possible? What is the relationship between comedy and tragedy? We will focus on the techniques that made Chekhov, both as playwright and as fiction writer, one of the most extraordinary most influential artists both in his time and in ours.
“Anyone who says the artist's field is all answers and no questions has never done any writing or had any dealings with imagery.”
– Anton Chekhov
LEADER
Julia Zarankin received her PhD from Princeton University and taught Russian literature at Stanford and the University of Missouri. Julia enjoys sharing her passion for all things Russian and currently has a busy lecture and teaching schedule in Toronto. When not pondering life’s big questions, Julia works as a writer, editor and writing coach. She believes that Chekhov addresses many of life’s riddles better than anybody else.
BOOKS
Participants are required to obtain the specified editions in order to facilitate the group’s ability to find and cite portions of the text during discussion.
Anton Chekhov, Stories (Trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky), Bantam: 2000. (496 pages)
ISBN-10: 0553381008
ISBN-13: 978-0553381009
The Plays of Anton Chekhov, (Trans. Paul Schmidt), Harper Perennial, 1998. (400 pages)
ISBN-10: 0060928751
ISBN-13: 978-0060928759
FEES
CAD$1250 includes five weekday morning seminars, lunches, guided architectural walks, afternoon speakers, five afternoon opera talks with Iain Scott, a movie evening with dinner, two receptions and a broad array of cultural and social activities.
ADDITIONAL THEATRE EXCURSIONS
Upon checking out you will have the option of registering for our add-on theatre performances (at additional cost). To be posted in mid-October.
ACCOMMODATIONS
You are responsible for booking your own accommodation.
Options include both basic single and double rooms are available in the student residences at both Victoria College and St. Michael’s College and the nearby Park Hyatt Hotel.
Victoria College, Rowell Jackman Hall. Book online at www.vicu.utoronto.ca/facilities/accommodations, or call 416-585-4524.
St. Michael’s College, in Sorbara Hall. Book online at www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/sumres or call 416-926-2343.
Park Hyatt Hotel, 4-star hotel that is a 5-minute walk from Victoria College, -- www.parktoronto.hyatt.com Call 416-925-1234 for special Classical Pursuits rate.
DISCOUNTS – one per registrant
- Register before January 1, 2011 and receive a complimentary Soulpepper theatre ticket.
- Participants who have attended Toronto Pursuits at least five times receive a CAD $150 discount.
- Register with a friend, and if one or both are first time participants, each receives a CAD $150 discount.
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