Time and space as artistic conventions in Chekhov and Dostoyevsky

Abstract

Artistic categories of time and space have been studied extensively. There are certain conventions accepted for different genres in terms of time and space organization. Arrangement of time and space in Chekhov's plays is determined by the nature of conflict. As opposed to classical drama, in Chekhov's plays there is no direct confrontation between the main characters. The only conflict is between them and contemporary life as a whole. To show this "life as a whole" Chekhov needs to expand the time and space frames significantly. He achieves it by use of epic features. Dostoyevsky's novels lack the main feature of an epic, his characters do not change, they are not shown in life-long development. Instead, their ideas are expressed in dramatic confrontations, through dialogues. The space often plays the role of scenic decorations, and time frames are very narrow. It is concluded, that time and space arrangements alone do not determine genre affinity of a literary work. They play important but secondary role in achieving the artistic goal set up by the writer.