“Late-blooming Flowers” by Anton P. Chekhov: Aspects of Genre and Narrative Structure

Abstract

The article discusses the problem of the narrative structure and genre transformations in early Chekhov’s stories. “Late-blooming Flowers” is known as one of the serious stories written by Chekhov in the 1880s. Nevertheless, it is written for those readers who prefer popular literature. In terms of severe competition, authors were to make up such literary devices that would allow them not only to satisfy readers’ expectations but also to surprise the audience. “Late-blooming Flowers” represents two narrative strategies: it demonstrates to the reader the fictitious nature of the stories and characters, but at the same time makes the readers identify themselves with the feelings of the characters, understand the feeling of the text.