““A Problem”A Problem”By Anton ChekhovBy Anton Chekhov

Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov Grew up in Russia during Soviet ruleGrew up in Russia during Soviet rule Focused on poking fun at societyFocused on poking fun at society

-government-government

Similar to Leo Tolstoy, but differed in Similar to Leo Tolstoy, but differed in opinion about rustic lifestyleopinion about rustic lifestyle

Focused on his story through mood Focused on his story through mood (not too much on plot)(not too much on plot)

ChekhovianChekhovian writing means that it is writing means that it is understated, moody and gloomily understated, moody and gloomily comiccomic

A ProblemA Problem

Sasha Uskov – type of character?Sasha Uskov – type of character? Chekhov’s point about Sasha?Chekhov’s point about Sasha? Chekhov’s point about society in Chekhov’s point about society in

general?general? Focus on the wealthy in Russia?Focus on the wealthy in Russia?

““A Problem”A Problem” Characters: Characters: Plot:Plot: Setting:Setting: Mood:Mood: Theme:Theme: Tone:Tone:

CANDIDECANDIDE

By Voltaire 1694-1778By Voltaire 1694-1778

Voltaire –Voltaire – “Let us work “Let us work without arguing… it’s the only without arguing… it’s the only way to make life endurable.”way to make life endurable.” Believed in writing the truthBelieved in writing the truth Criticized society as a whole (war, Criticized society as a whole (war,

religious intolerance and avg. religious intolerance and avg. citizens’ lack of power and wealthcitizens’ lack of power and wealth

was criticized by government was criticized by government (works were banned from France (works were banned from France and he was also denied burial and he was also denied burial therethere

Works were looked highly upon by Works were looked highly upon by the people and was later given the people and was later given burial back in Franceburial back in France

CandideCandide

Work is a satire –Work is a satire –– Writing that ridicules human Writing that ridicules human

weakness, vice or folly in order to weakness, vice or folly in order to bring about social reform.bring about social reform.

– Voltaire exposes and exaggerates Voltaire exposes and exaggerates his understatements by pointing out his understatements by pointing out things that he feels should be things that he feels should be discussed.discussed.

CandideCandide

Plot:Plot: Setting:Setting: Theme:Theme: Characters:Characters: Mood: Mood: Tone:Tone:

CandideCandide Chapter 1:Chapter 1: Candide is kicked (literally) out of Candide is kicked (literally) out of

the castle of the baron.the castle of the baron. Voltaire pokes fun at those who Voltaire pokes fun at those who

have power and wealth.have power and wealth. We see the innocence of Candide We see the innocence of Candide

and the corruption of othersand the corruption of others

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Candide meets the BulgariansCandide meets the Bulgarians– Voltaire satirizes King Fredrick’s Voltaire satirizes King Fredrick’s

Prussian Army and their practices for Prussian Army and their practices for initiationinitiation

Candide is beaten and dragged Candide is beaten and dragged into the Bulgarian army (where he into the Bulgarian army (where he serves for several years)serves for several years)

Chapter 17Chapter 17

Candide and his valet reach the Candide and his valet reach the land of Eldorado.land of Eldorado.– Eldorado is a utopian society where Eldorado is a utopian society where

Candide comes to the realization Candide comes to the realization that he is now in a land that is that he is now in a land that is perfect.perfect.

Chapter 18Chapter 18

The audience is given an The audience is given an explanation of what El dorado explanation of what El dorado looks likelooks like

““Someone’s garbage is someone Someone’s garbage is someone else’s treasure.” How does this else’s treasure.” How does this come about in the story?come about in the story?

Chapter 19Chapter 19

Candide eventually returns to Candide eventually returns to Europe and is wiser. He ends up Europe and is wiser. He ends up on a farm with all those he cares on a farm with all those he cares for the most.for the most.

““Work is the antidote to man’s Work is the antidote to man’s unhappy lot.” How does this unhappy lot.” How does this apply to the end of the story?apply to the end of the story?