THE COMPOSITION OF ANTON CHEKHOVʼs “THE STEPPE” AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ST BASIL THE BLESSED

Abstract

The composition of “The Steppe” is considered within the linguo-semiotic approach, first, as a metaphor for the architecture of the Cathedral of St Basil; second, as a metaphor for the historical process, with the idea of Moscow as the Third Rome and the New Israel emphasized. The connection between the chapters and the deities and saints to whom the churches of the cathedral are dedicated is shown. The Church of St Nicholas of N. can be correlated with the southern Side-church of St Nicholas Velikoretsky. Chapter 2 mentions Alexander I of Russia. In Chapter 3 allusions to the story of Abrahamʼs hospitality are found. Panteley, Emelyan, and Vasya parody the three holy hierarchs; the gentleman and lady from the church parody St Cyprian and Justina. St Gregory of Armenia is referred to by mentioning Armenian settlements. Chapter 7 describes the entry of the waggons into the city. Chapter 8 contains allusions to the life and а posthumous miracle of St Barlaam of Khutyn. Analogies are drawn with the Book of Amos, after whom Alexander Svirsky was named. The journey takes place in the opposite direction to the movement of the sun, with which the Church of the Intercession of Our Lady is identified, and in terms of its duration corresponds to Godʼs creation. The historical process is limited by the events described in the Book of Genesis and the Revelation of St John the Divine. Classical antiquity is represented by Deniska, the Old Testament period by Moisei Moiseichʼs family, the period of religious syncretism by the drivers, the New Testament period by Konstantin Zvonyk. Going round the cathedral is an allusion to the story of the fall of Jericho and Jesusʼs words about the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem.