The phenomenon of “exchange” in Anton Chekhov’s story “Ionych” and Yuri Trifonov’s novel “Obmen”

This paper traces the intertextual connections between Anton Chekhov’s story “Ionych” and Yuri Trifonov’s novel “Obmen” (“The Exchange”) by focusing on the behavioral and psychological model of “exchange.” Multiple levels of poetics are taken into consideration: from implicit references (names, bodily imagery, and poetic citations) and the artistic embodiment of exchange and self-deception to a shared authorial perspective. A comparative analysis of characters, plot structure, and forms of authorial presence uncovers a creative dialogue between Trifonov and Chekhov. The semantics of “exchange” is manifested in “Ionych” through nomination, central plot events, character systems, and the evolution of the protagonist. The spiritual transformation of Ionych stems from his failure to achieve self-discovery, leading to the substitution of his authentic self with a social function. The genre specificity of Trifonov’s novel allows him to develop and refine the psychological model of human existence first explored by Chekhov. Interpreting the image of Dmitriev in comparison with the image of Startsev reveals the origins and motivations behind the position of Trifonov’s protagonist. The evolution of Dmitriev is defined as a rejection of existential being in favor of social conformity (exchange).

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