How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #7
VOYNITSKY: Exactly. You'll sell the estate, excellent, a splendid idea… And where would you like me and my old mother and Sonya here to go? (3.354-56)
Hmm. We think that Vanya might be using a little bit of sarcasm with his "exactly," "excellent," and "splendid" adjectives. Of course he's threatened by Serebryakov's proposal because it would mean losing the only home he's known for many, many years. He's also drawing attention to the way Serebryakov thinks of no one but himself.
Quote #8
VOYNITSKY: [...] Until now I've been stupid enough to think this estate belongs to Sonya. My late father bought this estate as a dowry for my sister. Up till now I've been naïve, I assumed we weren't living under Turkish law and I thought the estate had passed from my sister to Sonya. (3.360-64)
Where to begin? Patriarchy, racial stereotypes, and yet another healthy dose of sarcasm are flying our way. Vanya is pointing out that, while Serebryakov is living off the estate's profits, it's not actually his. It belongs legally to Sonya, who also sees it as her home. The deal with Turkish law is that, in Vanya's mind, in Turkey, women like Sonya wouldn't have property rights.
Quote #9
YELENA ANDREYEVNA: I am leaving this hell this very minute. [She is shouting.] I can't stand it any longer! (3.444-45)
They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and apparently one man's home is another woman's hell. Yelena is talking about the country estate when she says "this hell," and the reason that she can't stand it any longer is that every man there is throwing himself at her. We'd probably want to get out of Dodge, too.