James Joyce vs Anton Chekhov

James Joyce vs Anton Chekhov

First, I would like to define the characteristics of each author, starting with James Joyce. Based on Joyce's stories I've read so far, I felt that his stories are very concise and efficient. And he also manages well to use the advantage of writing a short story and maximize it. Instead, Chekhov focuses on the change of the character's mindset which is also emphasized by the same daily routine that is described differently from each perspective, before the change, during the change, and after the change. Both authors end the story with an open conclusion, but I found Chekhov's conclusion more intriguing to read. In the story <The Lady with the Dog>, Chekhov doesn't imply any ethical messages or moral lessons in his conclusion. For example, writers like Tolstoy would end the conclusion of wrongdoers with punishment, but in this story, Gurov and Anna don't pay anything for committing adultery, leaving the readers to decide. Overall I think Joyce manages to deliver the theme in an efficient way, allowing the readers to make this story become their own, while Chekhov rather allows the readers to be part of the story until the conclusion. To conclude, I personally enjoyed Joyce more, since his stories introduced me to the necessity of short stories, but I believe Chekhov has his own charm of attracting the readers too.