How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #4
YELENA ANDREYEVNA: [in anger] Leave me in peace! You're so cruel! (3.44-45)
Yelena accuses Vanya of cruelty because of the way he incessantly tries to get her to love him. He, of course, would blame her for being so attractive, and for being married to such a horrible old man; she blames him for not letting her be. It's funny that Vanya never sees what a difficult position he's putting Yelena in. In a lot of ways, he's just as selfish as old Serebryakov.
Quote #5
YELENA ANDREYEVNA: [taking him by the hand] You don't love her, I can see it in your eyes… She is suffering… You must understand that and… stop coming here. (3.211-13)
Talk about mixed messages. Just as she's taking Astrov on a guilt trip for leading Sonya on, she's leading him on by taking him by the hand. She's also confirming, probably as much for herself as for Sonya, that he is not interested in the younger girl and blaming him for Sonya's suffering.
Quote #6
YELENA ANDREYEVNA: Phew, what an unpleasant conversation! I'm in such a state I feel I've been carrying a thousand pud load. Well, thank God, it's over. (3.216-18)
Really, Yelena? A thousand puds? In case you're wondering, a pud, or pood, is a Russian unit of weight measurement equal to just under 36 pounds. So Yelena's guilt feels like around 18 tons to her. And why does she feel the weight of a few elephants on her shoulders? Because she's got a crush on the same guy that her stepdaughter does, she's, ahem, married, and the crush likes her back.