Date of Award
Spring 5-2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
English
Department
English
Major Professor
Nancy Easterlin
Second Advisor
Daniel Doll
Third Advisor
Leslie White
Abstract
While most critics agree that Anton Chekhov is a funny writer and much critical commentary about his comedic techniques identifies how Chekhov is humorous, none examines why readers find him so. Using the tools of cognitive science, this paper explores the cognitive processes behind humor and narrative, as well as Chekhov’s exploitation of them for comical effect in his early short stories – namely the very concise and blatantly humorous “Kids,” “Grisha,” “Vanka,” and “At Home” – and uncovers, in these early writings, the origins of his celebrated and oft-imitated authorial legacy.
Recommended Citation
Goode, Rich W. IV, ""Little Things": Chekhov's Children and Discourse in the Comic Short Story" (2013). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1630.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1630
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.