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University of Missouri -- Kansas City

Family Systems Theory in Chekhov’s ‘Big Four’ Plays

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis discusses the Bowen family systems theory and its application to character analysis and family relationships in drama. Chekhov’s plays are renowned for their psychological realism. Each character has his or her own unique history, which was a boon to the creation and development of the Stanislavski acting system. This thesis is an exercise in character creation through psychological analysis. The primary character relationships are explored in each of Chekhov’s four major plays. Each play is analyzed using the Bowen principle that appears most overtly in that play. It is concluded that character creation for actors and directors, as well as literary analysis, will benefit from the application of this method.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A.
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Theatre Arts (UMKC)
Grantor dc:publisher
University of Missouri -- Kansas City
Year dc:date.issued
2018

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Welder, Calan Hughes
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Londré, Felicia Hardison, 1941-

Rights

Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/67044
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/67044

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Base URL
mospace.umsystem.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Welder, Calan Hughes. Family Systems Theory in Chekhov’s ‘Big Four’ Plays. Masters thesis, University of Missouri -- Kansas City, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/10355/67044