How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #1
Olga: Well, that's all right, it's God's will, but sometimes I think if I'd gotten married and could stay home all day long, that would be better somehow. (Pause) I would have loved my husband. (1.12)
Well, Olga, who knows if you would have. Masha doesn't. Irina's not planning on loving hers (until he dies, anyway). Most of the characters express regret, with varying degrees of self-pity, when it comes to marriage—whether they've got it or not.
Quote #2
Masha: I heard someone saying yesterday she's supposed to marry Protopopov, the chairman of the County Council, and I certainly hope she does. (1.19)
Perhaps the sisters' opposition to Natasha is part of what drives Andrey to fall in love with and propose to her. Also, we see the seeds of the Protopopov affair way early, before Andrey even proposes.
Quote #3
Vershinin: I have wife and two little girls, and my wife is not a well woman, and what with one thing and another, if I could start life over again, believe me, I certainly wouldn't get married. (1.149)
It's true: marriage is an unappealing prospect in this play. On the other hand, the alternatives lived out by Chebutykin and Olga are not so thrilling, either. Could this be saying that turn-of-the-century-Russia just wasn't that fun a place?