A review by hazelppp
Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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.