Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The play has multiple layers. Dr. Astrov is an environmentalist who cares deeply about forest preservation, which I found amazing since it was written in 1898. I didn't grasp the full picture of the story until the very last two acts, when everything finally clicked. I shed tears upon reaching the ending. Vanya's misery and his deep feeling of emptiness stem from missing the best part of his life because he willingly worked to sustain the retired professor's estate and lifestyle when he was young, allured by the professor's cultural status. I also found that the ending echoes the acute pain of a constant need to work in a quickly evolving modern world, especially when one can't find meaning from such work.
🔖 SONIA: What can we do? We must live our lives. [A pause] Yes, we shall live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live through the long procession of days before us, and through the long evenings; we shall patiently bear the trials that fate imposes on us; we shall work for others without rest, both now and when we are old; and when our last hour comes we shall meet it humbly, and there, beyond the grave, we shall say that we have suffered and wept, that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on us. Ah, then dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful life; we shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here; a tender smile—and—we shall rest. I have faith, Uncle, fervent, passionate faith. [SONIA kneels down before her uncle and lays her head on his hands. She speaks in a weary voice] We shall rest.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Probably one of my least fave Chekhov plays ngl I just find it so boring and mundane (which is arguably the whole point)
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So concludes my “Four Great Plays by Chekhov.”
They definitely saved the best for last. This will either convince you to kill yourself or save your life. No in between.
They definitely saved the best for last. This will either convince you to kill yourself or save your life. No in between.
I can understand why this is considered one of the greatest plays of all time because it is written very well...but I did not enjoy the process of reading this play one bit. I like ennui as a concept or as a condiment that you sprinkle on the proverbial food that you eat, but if that is literally all that defines characters lives and their actions, I tune out almost entirely.
First Chekov I've read, didn't expect it to be fun??