Fleeting Miracles: The Promise and Paradox of Eucatastrophe in Chekhov’s The Black Monk

The examined Anton Chekhov’s novella The Black Monk (1894), focusing on its exploration of eucatastrophe - a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe sudden turns from despair to joy. The story follows Andrey Kovrin, whose ecstatic visions lead to madness by illustrating the fragile nature of human existence tied to ambition, delusion, and longing for greatness. This study highlights how Chekhov subverts traditional fantasy structures. Through close reading, the analysis examines key passages to explore how eucatastrophe appears in the story with focus on Kovrin’s psychological state and transformative experiences. The findings show that, unlike typical fantasy, where eucatastrophe brings resolution, Chekhov twists this by showing that moment of inspiration and quest for enlightenment can end in doom and despair. Future research could explore the blend of psychological realism and supernatural mysticism in Chekhov’s works, along with comparisons to other Russian authors, to deepen our understanding of madness and the search for meaning. The contemporary relevance of The Black Monk in discussions of mental health and artistic ambition could also be explored.