Literary models in the self-consciousness of Chekhov's heroes

In his works, A. P. Chekhov often responds to the work of his predecessors and contemporaries in various ways, whether, for example, literary parody, stylization or reminiscences. This form of interaction can be expressed through the correlation of the heroes themselves with various characters. Focusing on the literary model, the heroes begin to imitate well-known models, to build life events in accordance with the plots of works of art. We consider motivations, ways of penetration of literary models into the consciousness of Chekhov's heroes and their subsequent influence. Based on the analysis of the most representative short stories and novellas created in the period from 1881 to 1899, we have identified the following trends. In Chekhov's early oeuvre, the literary model often becomes a technique for creating a parody image of the hero, whereas at a later stage it creates a conflict between the mask worn by the hero and reality. The characters face certain difficulties and disappointment in those situations when they begin to follow literary models. In almost all the selected works, the central idea can be traced: to show a certain inner emptiness of the hero, focused on someone else's shell.