Thanatos as Catharsis in the Short Stories of Anton Chekhov and Pudumaippithan

Abstract

Sigmund Freud propagates Eros and Thanatos as the two major drives of human life, which represent procreation and death respectively. The Greek term ‘Catharsis’ means ‘Purgation’, i.e. the purification of soul through pity and fear. The term is used in common in Greek tragedies. While Thanatos is regarded as death and destructive, the better understanding of the drive in many ways help human beings to lead a meaningful life. Anton Chekhov and Pudumaippithan handle Thanatos in the effective manner to sense Catharsis at the end. To explain the concept, this paper has the following four short stories as primary sources: Anton Chekhov’s “In the Graveyard” and “A Dead Body”; and Pudumaippithan’s “Kayitraravu” [“Severing Life’s Thread] and “Theru Vizhakku” [“Street Light”]. . Instead of identifying it only as a force of destruction, the short stories aim to identify a better life for the protagonists through their better understanding of Thanatos. In the stories mentioned above, Thanatos functioned as catharsis, and helped the purgation of the protagonists.