Time. It's unstoppable in The Seagull, just like everywhere else. When the characters try to fight the repercussions of old age, Doctor Dorin says, in effect, "What do you expect?"
Everyone fears aging, particularly the famous actress. Her vanity is so powerful that she'd rather keep her son at a distance. His presence reveals her age. Death is often on the mind of these melancholy characters, whether they are young or old. Some of them long for the rest; others work to leave an eternal mark with their art.
Questions About Time
- Why does Chekhov place the first three acts together in time, but the final act two years later?
- How present is the past in The Seagull? In what way do events that happened before the play affect the story?
- What do you think Sorin and Arkadina were like in childhood?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Sorin's illness increases in severity throughout The Seagull to highlight the passage of time.
Konstantin's suicide is one approach to avoiding a slow demise like Sorin's.