Both atheists and Christians claim Chekhov as their own, a fact that affirms the ambiguity of his artistry. Chekhov separates the dogma of tradition from the essence of Christianity and depicts the various effects of faith in the lives of the faithful. Biblical Subtexts and Religious Themes in Works of Anton Chekhov elucidates biblical parallels of Chekhovian themes and demonstrates Chekhov’s dialogue with religious beliefs as it is played out in a number of his classic stories. This book also examines Chekhov’s psychological portraits of primordial religious experiences – the contemplation of natural beauty, the confrontation with mortality, and the quest for meaning. Attention is also given to affinities between Chekhov and Ecclesiastes, both skeptics who challenge common assumptions and profess the intellect’s inability to discern ultimate purpose.