How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #10
SONYA: [...] I've loved him for six years now, I love him more than my mother; every minute I hear him, I feel the pressure of his handshake; and I look at the door, I wait, I always think he's about to walk in. And, you see, I keep on coming to you to talk about him. Now he's here every day, but he doesn't look at me, he doesn't see me… It's such torment! (3.69-74)
Oh, that is harsh. Astrov is totally snubbing Sonya, and she's in agony. It's hard to imagine that she can call what she feels "love," because it's absolutely and completely unrequited. We also see one of the real downsides of love here. Sonya obviously feels deeply for Astrov, but because he doesn't return the feeling, her love has trapped her. Love is a powerful thing; it can be totally hard to resist it, even if you know it won't go anywhere. And that's one of Sonya's big problems.