The Seagull

Content Warning: This play depicts an attempted suicide and a death by suicide. It also contains depictions of alcohol dependency and a brief mention of infant death.

The Seagull opens on the grounds of Sorin’s estate in the Russian countryside. Masha, the daughter of Polina and Shamraev (who work for Sorin) is speaking with Medvedenko, a local schoolteacher, about how unhappy she is about life. Medvedenko is upset that his love for Masha is unrequited, while not realizing that Masha is dealing with unreturned affections of her own. The two are waiting for the rest of the crowd to gather so they can watch a play that Sorin’s nephew, Konstantin, wrote, starring his lover, the young and lovely actress, Nina.

Sorin and Konstantin enter, and Sorin expresses his discontent with the country, even though he chooses to stay and live there. Konstantin distracts his uncle by pointing out the stage that has been constructed on the property: “Curtain—wings—then nothing but empty space—no scenery, sightlines straight to the lake and the horizon” (3). Sorin agrees that it is beautiful. They are waiting on Nina, who is late for the performance, to sneak out from under the watchful eyes of her father. While they are alone, they discuss Konstantin’s mother (Sorin’s sister), Arkadina. Konstantin tells Sorin that Arkadina is in a bad mood because she is jealous of the attention Nina will get tonight, even if it is on a small stage in the country. Additionally, Konstantin is convinced that his mother will hate the play before she has even seen it. Sorin assures him he is overthinking, and leaves Konstantin alone to get ready.

Finally, Nina arrives and the two of them prepare for the show. Nina had a hard time getting away from her father and cannot stay long after the performance. She admits that she is nervous to perform because Arkadina has brought along Trigorin, a famous writer, with her to watch the play. She tells Konstantin that she prefers Trigorin’s writing, saying that Konstantin’s play is “hard to do […] there isn’t much action in [his] play, it’s all—you know—lines” (9). Without another word, the two lovers go backstage to get ready for the performance.

The crowd gathers and the play begins. Arkadina interrupts the performance multiple times, mocking everything about it, until Konstantin finally stops the show and ends it early. He closes the curtain and storms off the stage. Sorin turns on his sister, saying “my dear girl—that’s no way to treat a young man’s self-respect” (14). Arkadina will not admit she has done anything wrong, claiming she never intended to hurt Konstantin’s feelings, but that she cannot take his art seriously. When Trigorin and the others try to defend Konstantin’s efforts, Arkadina changes the subject, drawing their attention to the beauty of the lake and days gone by. Masha volunteers to go after Konstantin while Arkadina and the others turn to Nina, who emerges from backstage.

Arkadina praises Nina for her performance and introduces her to Trigorin. They ask her to stay longer, but Nina insists that she must get home before her father and his wife notice. The audience follows her lead and starts to disperse, with the exception of Dorn, the local physician. Dorn notices Konstantin returning and, having enjoyed the performance, decides to stay back and congratulate him. He tells Konstantin, “[your play] made a powerful impression. You’re a young man with talent. You must carry on” (19). Konstantin is overwhelmed with gratitude and hugs Dorn, tears in his eyes.

Masha enters and tells Konstantin his mother wants him to come in, but he brushes her off, saying he must go after Nina. Masha is left alone with Dorn; as Konstantin leaves, she breaks down and confesses her love for him. Dorn holds her close, just as he held Konstantin, helpless to heal her broken heart. He curses the lake, where dreams and love grow only to be shattered.