The Influence of Anton Chekhov in Moment
Deirdre Kinahan’s work is clearly influenced by the techniques of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Specifically, Kinahan uses a naturalist approach to dialogue, which is frequently disjointed and unclear. Chekhov is famous for his innovative use of naturalism in everyday and family situations. His conversations often include topics that seem mundane and insignificant, yet hint towards complex character motivations and themes. Kinahan uses a similar approach, with characters often discussing food or tea rather than the real issues that are under the surface.
To highlight parallels between Chekhov and Kinahan’s work, readers can observe a passage from Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Here, characters attempt to communicate, yet experience difficulty staying on topic and expressing their thoughts clearly.
ANYA: Let's come through here. Do you remember what this room is, mother?
LUBOV: [Joyfully, through her tears] The nursery
VARYA: How cold it is! My hands are quite numb. [To LUBOV ANDREYEVNA] Your rooms, the white one and the violet one, are just as they used to be, mother.
LUBOV: My dear nursery, oh, you beautiful room. . . . I used to sleep here when I was a baby. [Weeps] And here I am like a little girl again. [Kisses her brother, VARYA, then her brother again] And Varya is just as she used to be, just like a nun. And I knew Dunyasha. [Kisses her.]
GAEV: The train was two hours late. There now; how's that for punctuality?
CHARLOTTA: [To PISCHIN] My dog eats nuts too.
PISCHIN: [Astonished] To think of that, now!
All go out except ANYA and DUNYASHA.
DUNYASHA: We did have to wait for you!
Takes off ANYA'S cloak and hat.
ANYA: I didn't get any sleep for four nights on the journey. . . . I'm awfully cold.
DUNYASHA: You went away during Lent, when it was snowing and frosty, but now? Darling! [Laughs and kisses her] We did have to wait for you, my joy, my pet. . . . I must tell you at once, I can't bear to wait a minute.
ANYA: [Tired] Something else now . . . ?
DUNYASHA: The clerk, Epikhodov, proposed to me after Easter.
ANYA: Always the same. . . . [Puts her hair straight] I've lost all my hairpins. . . .
Dunyasha makes the major announcement that she is engaged, to which Anya responds “I’ve lost all my hairpins.” Gaev asks a question about the train ride, and Charlotta responds with the non sequitur “My dog eats nuts, too.” Characters are often focused on their own situations rather than the overarching story, making for dialogue that is strange and difficult to follow, yet closely mirrors real life conversations. Similarly, Kinahan uses this naturalist approach to her dialogue. We can compare the scene from The Cherry Orchard to the scene in which Theresa greets Nial and Ruth after their arrival in Dublin.
NIAL: So how are you then?
CIARA: Good, great. Still in James’.
TERESA: She’s a nurse…cancer.
RUTH: Oh…lovely!
CIARA: And I still tolerate Dave!
NIAL: Ah, great. Dave’s a great guy.
TERESA: He's a tiler--
CIARA: He’s coming over later, actually.
NIAL: Is he?
CIARA: Yeah--
TERESA: For the tea--
NIAL: Oh--
CIARA: He’s looking forward to seeing you--
TERESA: I made quiche.
RUTH: Lovely.
TERESA: Yes.
Teresa interjects with comments that do not advance the plot or conversation, yet recreate the disjointed and confusing reality of conversations. While the characters are discussing Ciara's husband Dave, Teresa suddenly says "I made quiche," reminiscent of Charlotta's line "my dog eats nuts, too." Small talk serves not just to fill up the time of the play, but to show how conflicts and character motivations can be “hidden” within seemingly meaningless conversation. Kinahan also uses a traditionally Chekhovian story structure: an arrival of a guest that shakes up a family’s current situation. Understanding Kinahan’s literary influences and Chekhov’s naturalist approach to dialogue can give us a stronger understanding of the work and its context in the world of dramatic literature.
To highlight parallels between Chekhov and Kinahan’s work, readers can observe a passage from Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Here, characters attempt to communicate, yet experience difficulty staying on topic and expressing their thoughts clearly.
ANYA: Let's come through here. Do you remember what this room is, mother?
LUBOV: [Joyfully, through her tears] The nursery
VARYA: How cold it is! My hands are quite numb. [To LUBOV ANDREYEVNA] Your rooms, the white one and the violet one, are just as they used to be, mother.
LUBOV: My dear nursery, oh, you beautiful room. . . . I used to sleep here when I was a baby. [Weeps] And here I am like a little girl again. [Kisses her brother, VARYA, then her brother again] And Varya is just as she used to be, just like a nun. And I knew Dunyasha. [Kisses her.]
GAEV: The train was two hours late. There now; how's that for punctuality?
CHARLOTTA: [To PISCHIN] My dog eats nuts too.
PISCHIN: [Astonished] To think of that, now!
All go out except ANYA and DUNYASHA.
DUNYASHA: We did have to wait for you!
Takes off ANYA'S cloak and hat.
ANYA: I didn't get any sleep for four nights on the journey. . . . I'm awfully cold.
DUNYASHA: You went away during Lent, when it was snowing and frosty, but now? Darling! [Laughs and kisses her] We did have to wait for you, my joy, my pet. . . . I must tell you at once, I can't bear to wait a minute.
ANYA: [Tired] Something else now . . . ?
DUNYASHA: The clerk, Epikhodov, proposed to me after Easter.
ANYA: Always the same. . . . [Puts her hair straight] I've lost all my hairpins. . . .
Dunyasha makes the major announcement that she is engaged, to which Anya responds “I’ve lost all my hairpins.” Gaev asks a question about the train ride, and Charlotta responds with the non sequitur “My dog eats nuts, too.” Characters are often focused on their own situations rather than the overarching story, making for dialogue that is strange and difficult to follow, yet closely mirrors real life conversations. Similarly, Kinahan uses this naturalist approach to her dialogue. We can compare the scene from The Cherry Orchard to the scene in which Theresa greets Nial and Ruth after their arrival in Dublin.
NIAL: So how are you then?
CIARA: Good, great. Still in James’.
TERESA: She’s a nurse…cancer.
RUTH: Oh…lovely!
CIARA: And I still tolerate Dave!
NIAL: Ah, great. Dave’s a great guy.
TERESA: He's a tiler--
CIARA: He’s coming over later, actually.
NIAL: Is he?
CIARA: Yeah--
TERESA: For the tea--
NIAL: Oh--
CIARA: He’s looking forward to seeing you--
TERESA: I made quiche.
RUTH: Lovely.
TERESA: Yes.
Teresa interjects with comments that do not advance the plot or conversation, yet recreate the disjointed and confusing reality of conversations. While the characters are discussing Ciara's husband Dave, Teresa suddenly says "I made quiche," reminiscent of Charlotta's line "my dog eats nuts, too." Small talk serves not just to fill up the time of the play, but to show how conflicts and character motivations can be “hidden” within seemingly meaningless conversation. Kinahan also uses a traditionally Chekhovian story structure: an arrival of a guest that shakes up a family’s current situation. Understanding Kinahan’s literary influences and Chekhov’s naturalist approach to dialogue can give us a stronger understanding of the work and its context in the world of dramatic literature.