sandbox
April 24, 2025
Back to Chekhov for a moment. I came across a moving Chekhov passage in a Netflix film, Anna, a shoot-em-up murder/espionage/mystery (highly recommended, though it does get overly gory in spots). A young agent is seeking a bigger assignment and the older, seasoned agent (admirably performed by Helen Mirren) questions her cultural background and sensitivity for the assignment, reciting a line from Dostoevsky. Anna tops her with a recitation of the Chekhov passage below. Wilson fans will notice glimpses of Levee Green (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Troy Maxsom (Fences), and traces from Toledo (Ma Rainey) and Herald Loomis (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) in the monologue. Wilson did say he was fond of Chekhov.
"Like a captive in a dungeon deep and void, I know not where I am, nor what awaits me. One thing only is not hidden from me: in my fierce and obstinate battle with Satan, the source of the forces of matter, I am destined to be victorious in the end. Matter and spirit will then be one at last in glorious harmony, and the reign of freedom will begin on earth. But this can only come to pass by slow degrees, when after countless eons the moon and earth and shining Sirius himself shall fall to dust. Until that hour, oh, horror! horror! horror!"
--Chekhov, The Seagull