Anton Chekhov

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Anton Chekhov’s early life and childhood was much rougher than most others’. Although Anton Chekhov was forced to endure various hardships through his childhood, he used these experiences as inspiration for his much acclaimed later works.
Anton Chekhov was born on January 17th, 1860 in Taganrog, Ukraine. His father was a grocer, and his grandfather was a former serf who paid for his own freedom and for the freedom of his children. (Anton 1) “Chekhov was well acquainted with the harsh realities of 19th century lower-middle class life.” (Contemporary Authors Online in Anton 1) Anton Chekhov’s father, Pavel was said to have terrorized his sons. In a letter Anton sent to his brother Alexander, Chekhov remarked, “Despotism and lying mangled our childhood to such a degree that one feels queasy and fearful recalling it.” (Anton 1) Chekhov was said to have gained many of his storytelling skills through his mother, Yevgeniya Chekhov. He also learned how to read and write from his mother. (Anton 1) In grammar school Chekhov wasn’t known for outstanding grades or exemplary writings, but for creating clever anecdotes, nicknames for teachers, and for playing pranks. (Anton 1)
In 1875, Pavel Chekhov’s grocery business failed and he left Taganrog to look for work in Moscow. Yevegeniya was left with Anton and his younger siblings in Taganrog. Short after his father left, Anton and his family lost their house. The next year, Yevegeniya left with Anton’s younger siblings to go to Moscow. Although Chekhov was devistated by his father’s leaving, he used these traumatic times to influence his later works. Chekhov’s later works were also provoked by his family’s low economic status and also his grandfather’s serfdom. to These occurrences led Chekhov to write the play Fatherless which he later destroyed. (Anton 1)
Later on in Anton Chekhov’s career he wrote the short story “Late Blooming Flowers”. This pla...