• F. Dürrenmatt’s Drama in the Light of A. Chekhov’s Themes: Uncle Vanya and The Physicists

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DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-3-135-156

EDN: GBDCWY

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Daniil E. Panov

National Research Tomsk State University
Tomsk, Russia
E-mail: danya_panov_ifiyam@mail.ru

F. Dürrenmatt’s Drama in the Light of A. Chekhov’s Themes: Uncle Vanya and The Physicists

Abstract

The works of A.P. Chekhov had a significant impact on world literature of the 20th century, which is the subject of a number of studies. Though the comparative line Chekhov — Durrenmatt both in Russian and foreign literary studies remains undeveloped. From Durrenmatt’s essay it is known that he was familiar with Chekhov’s drama and prose. A representative example of the Swiss playwright’s perception of Chekhov’s images and motifs is the comedy The Physicists (1961), which takes place in the former estate The Cherry Orchard. The report attempts to bring Durrenmatt’s comedy closer to the play Uncle Vanya (1897). The problematic of both plays deals with the illusory nature of man’s position in the world and leads to the images of the heroes (Sonya in Chekhov’s play, Moebius in Durrenmatt’s one). They embody the author’s ideals: philanthropists, victims of a merciless world, experiencing an epiphany and revelation of the true state of affairs. The plots of the plays are built on the exposure of the “masters” of life, Professor Serebryakov and the head doctor Matilda von Zand, and of reality itself, ending with significant monologues. The labyrinth-space and picturesque stage directions become metaphors for disparate human relationships.

Keywords

Chekhov, Durrenmatt, Uncle Vanya, The Physicists, motif of illusion, image of the victim, labyrinth chronotope, dramatic innovation.

For citation

Daniil E. Panov. F. Dürrenmatt's Drama in the Light of A. Chekhov's Themes: Uncle Vanya and The Physicists / Theatre. Fine Arts. Cinema. Music. 2025, no. 2, pp. 135–156.

DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-3-135-156

EDN GBDCWY

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Received: 11.06.2025

Revised: 24.07.2025

Accepted: 12.08.2025