Anton Chekhov

  In reading the opening chapters of Henri Toyat's biography of Anton Chekhov, I am impressed by the love and dedication he held for his family. Anton became the adult in the room, despite his father's religious fervor in administering harsh, disciplinary rituals entrenched in the framework of Russian Orthodoxy without Christianity's loving spirit. It was Antosha's refined sensibilities, reasoning, and living by example that emanated an instilled religion and morality that filled the void and won the admiration of his siblings and mother who would turn to him for problem-solving (mostly money matters). This led to his ascendance as leader of the Chekhov clan, eventually winning his father's approval late in Anton's life. This came about once the merits of his studious pursuit of becoming a medical doctor and his literary proliferation enabling the family to acquire an estate on the outskirts of Moscow. Anton walked the walk he talked, unlike Pavel, his father.