Teleology of A. P. Chekhov’s Story “My Life” (Theme and Thematical Motifs)

Purpose. The study is devoted to main thematical motifs of Chekhov’s story “My Life”. The correspondence between them reveals thematical integrity of the story. Teleology, the philosofical and conceptual aim of literary creative work, gets its manifestation by means of thematic unity. Results. The hero of the story, Misail Poloznev, breaks off relations with his narrow-minded father, an untalented civil architect. Gentry son, Misail would not choose some respectable job and prefers to work as a house-painter. He declares the importance of manual labor, so he feels like a social outcast in the town. The first leading motif of the story is a labor necessity. Another house-painter, Redka, shares its opinion. His credo is no lie, no deceive, technical skills. True and untrue way of living is the next important motif in the plot and thematical structure of the story. It realizes in two subjects: Masha Dolzhikova’s slogan “Everything is being past through” and Doctor Blagovo’s theory of progress indifferent to ethic goals of self-perfection. Misail Polosnev, on contrary, is sure that “nothing gets past through without a trace”, that a man is responsible on his deeds. The motif of life as a play is a derivate of the responsibility motif. Masha plays in life like an actress. She and Dr. Dolzhikov are completely egoistic, so Misail’s father is. Misail, his sister and Redka live for others’ good. Finally, this way is the only right way to live. Conclusion. The general theme of Chekov’s story “Me Life” is free will of the person tied with his or hers sense of responsibility. Motifs of free labor, true living and common duty units the thematical wholeness of the story. Its teleology is a need of ethic existence for everyone.