This paper will discuss differences and similarities of The Child-Who-Was-Tired first published on February 24 in the New Age and later, short after her return from Bavaria, in ‘In a German Pension’ published in 19112 by Katherine Mansfield and Anton Chekhov’s Sleepy, which was written nearly 20 years earlier3. The parallels between the characters and the plots, especially in the outcome of both short stories, make Katherine Mansfield suspicious of having committed plagiarism.
“Anton Chekhov’s short stories were first welcomed in England and America just after the turn of the century as examples of late nineteenth-century realism [...].“ Characterised as ‘slices of life’ they could have served as patterns or examples for Mansfield’s stories, which are characterised in the same way. In so far she writes at least in Chekhov’s tradition. She “could have read Sleepy at Queen’s College as early as 1903, when [...] her literary interest was expending.”
The question of plagiarism will be answered in the conclusion of this paper, when the differences and similarities are worked out properly.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1. Background of the Texts
1.2. Summary of Chekhov’s Sleepy
2. Comparison
2.1. The Setting
2.2. The Plot
2.3. The Characters
2.3.1. Varka/The Child-Who-Was-Tired
2.3.2. The Shoemaker/The Man and The Mistress/The Frau
2.3.3. The Baby
2.3.4. Missing and Additional Characters
2.4. Symbolism
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography
4.1. Main Sources
4.2. Secondary Sources
4.2.1. List of Works Cited
4.2.2. List of Works Consulted
5. Appendix: Chekhov’s Sleepy
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis between Katherine Mansfield’s "The Child-Who-Was-Tired" and Anton Chekhov’s "Sleepy" to evaluate the parallels in plot and characterization, while ultimately addressing the critical debate surrounding potential plagiarism in Mansfield’s work.
- Comparative analysis of literary parallels and differences between the two short stories.
- Examination of setting, plot structure, character psychology, and symbolism.
- Evaluation of the influence of late nineteenth-century realism on Mansfield’s narrative style.
- Assessment of the literary autonomy of Mansfield’s work in the context of intertextuality.
Excerpt from the Publication
2.4. Symbolism
There are two very important symbols in both story: Sleep or rather the Child’s tiredness and her dream of the road that leads far away. Mansfield used both symbols quite differently than Chekhov.
It begins with the protagonist whose name is changed from ‘Varka’ into ‘The Child-Who-Was-Tired’ (compare 2.3.1.). This name which is rather a description of the ‘little nurse’ emphasises her sleepiness. But she is not only tired because of too few sleep. As I wrote before, the sleepiness stands for the sickness she feels for her life. She is sick of being treated like a slave, she is sick of living a life that is not the life of a girl in her age.
Both symbols - the dream and the Child’s sleepiness- are connected closely. ‘Varka’ dreams about a “broad high road covered with liquid mud“. That is perhaps what a usual road looked like at the end of the nineteenth century. There is nothing special about it except that there are people who are not walking along this road but sleeping on it. Sleeping on a road connects the two symbols in the main character’s longing for relief of her situation. Sleep is the solution for her tiredness and the road which could carry her far away from her masters’ house would free her from that life in suppression and abuse.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides historical context on both stories, summarizes Chekhov's original work, and establishes the investigation into potential plagiarism.
2. Comparison: A structural analysis comparing the settings, plots, characters, and symbolic elements between the two stories.
3. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings to argue that Mansfield's adaptation constitutes an original narrative rather than mere plagiarism, citing literary theory.
4. Bibliography: Lists the primary and secondary sources utilized for the comparative study.
5. Appendix: Chekhov’s Sleepy: Provides the full original text of Anton Chekhov’s "Sleepy" for reference.
Keywords
Katherine Mansfield, Anton Chekhov, The Child-Who-Was-Tired, Sleepy, literary comparison, plagiarism, realism, symbolism, character analysis, nineteenth-century literature, short stories, narrative intertextuality, psychological trauma, child labor, literary adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on comparing Katherine Mansfield’s "The Child-Who-Was-Tired" with Anton Chekhov’s "Sleepy" to explore their narrative similarities and differences.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key areas include the psychological state of the protagonists, the impact of their oppressive environments, the use of symbolism (specifically sleep and the road), and the influence of realism on both authors.
What is the central research question?
The core research question is whether Mansfield’s "The Child-Who-Was-Tired" constitutes plagiarism of Chekhov’s "Sleepy" or if it is an independent, creative adaptation.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis method, examining text-internal elements like plot, character motivation, and symbolic changes to derive conclusions.
What does the main body of the work consist of?
The main body examines the setting, plot developments, character profiles (Varka vs. The Child), and the symbolic significance of the dream sequences in both texts.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Relevant keywords include literary comparison, plagiarism, realism, symbolism, narrative intertextuality, and character analysis.
How does Mansfield's protagonist differ from Chekhov’s?
Mansfield’s protagonist lacks a name and is defined by her condition as "The Child-Who-Was-Tired," with a back-story that emphasizes her diminished mental capacity due to maternal abuse, unlike Varka’s traumatic loss of her parents.
What role does the "road" symbol play in the two stories?
While both represent an escape, Mansfield shifts the symbolism from a "muddy road" in Chekhov to a "white road" with trees, symbolizing a more attractive, distinct path toward liberation from a dark, abusive reality.
How does the author conclude the debate on plagiarism?
The author concludes that Mansfield did not commit plagiarism; instead, she consciously adapted themes and tone to create a new, distinct story, functioning as a form of literary intertextuality.
- Citation du texte
- Christian Schlegel (Auteur), 2001, Rewriting Chekhov: a comparison of Mansfield's "The Child-Who-Was-Tired" and Chekhov’s "Sleepy", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/78180
