الفهرس 
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Abstract
This thesis is a comparative study of symbolism in the full-length plays of the universal Russian dramatist, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) and the famous Irish dramatist, Sean O’Casey (1880-1964). The researcher proves that symbolism exists throughout their plays till their last works: The Cherry Orchard (1904) and Behind the Green Curtains (1961). In their early plays the symbols are realistic whereas in their last period of writing fantasy is more prevalent in their portrayal of symbols.
A further objective of this study is to reveal the playwrights’ use of symbolism, whether explicit or implicit, subjective or objective. The forms of symbols discussed in the research are: analogy, image, sign, association, allegory or allusion. Consequently, the two dramatists can be positively considered symbolists in spite of the claims of some critics who oppose this idea.
The thesis starts with a short introduction about the present study followed by five chapters. Chapter I defines symbolism whereas Chapter IT covers the lives of both playwrights. This latter chapter shows that O’Casey has been deeply influenced by Chekhov in spite of their belonging to two different cultures.
Chapter ill presents some examples of symbolic characters who represent real human beings,- whether Russian, Irish or English, from various social classes or who personify certain abstract ideas. The symbolic