Miłosne nieporozumienia w świetle teorii umysłu (na materiale wczesnej prozy Antoniego Czechowa)
Love misunderstanding in the light of theory of mind (on Anton Chekhov’s early prose)

Summary/Abstract: In this article we endeavour to draw the attention to one of the most essential themes in the research on Chekhov’s literary works, being the problem of communication. For Chekhov communication is not only a simple exchange of points, but it itself becomes the matter of interest and in-depth observations. Hence, it's entirely realistic — bearing in mind various errors — picture of human contacts in Chekhov’s prose, which in turn can be analysed by diverse methodologies. As a tool for observation of the misunderstandings between the heroes (in the area of love), there is the defective theory of mind employed. And a few texts from early stage of Chekhov’s career fall here under scrutiny (e.g. Nervers, Verochka’). In these short stories misunderstandings emerge from inaccurate reading of consciousness, emotions and feelings of others. In this way, the writer creates the real picture of communication, in which the language is only one of many phenomena determining the success in human relationships.

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