The play "The Seagull" was completed by Chekhov in 1896. In the same year, it was published and staged at the St. Petersburg
Alexandrinsky Theater. If we make an analysis of Chekhov's “The Seagull”, then this work seems to be with a straightforward everyday plot: the eternal problem of children and parents and the old love triangle as the world. But practically behind every remark of the heroes one can consider not only their fate and character, a whole human life arises in front of you. Each action shows the simple life of ordinary people, while Chekhov reveals to us the complexity of their relationship. "The Seagull" (you will read the summary of the play below) is designated as a comedy, only there are no funny characters in it. You will not find there any fun scene or curious incident. The whole play is built on the clash of generations between confident and venerable adult characters and still unrecognized and inexperienced youth.
"Gull". Chekhov. Summary of the first action
A retired state councilor and his nephew Konstantin Treplev live in the estate of Peter Sorin. Konstantin's mother, Irina Nikolaevna Arkadina, is a venerable actress who came here to stay. Along with her came her lover Trigorin, the then-famous fiction writer.
Konstantin is passionate about writing. He prepared a play for the show, in which the daughter of the neighboring landowners Nina Zarechnaya will play the only role. The girl dreams of a scene, but her parents consider it indecent and strongly resist the passion of her daughter. Konstantin is in love with Nina, but Masha, the daughter of retired lieutenant Shamraev, is in love with him. His family is also invited to watch the play.
Everyone is seated in front of a hastily put together scene in which Nina, dressed in all white, utters a rather strange monologue in a decadent style. He provokes a direct protest from Arkadina, she sees that her son is trying to teach her how to write and what to play. Constantine, furious, leaves. Nina does not follow him, she gladly accepts compliments to her talent. Especially in this Trigorin tries.
"Gull". Chekhov. Summary of the second action
Two days later, the same people reassemble on the estate. Nina is surprised that such famous people as Arkadina and Trigorin in life are no different from ordinary ones. The girl falls in love with Trigorin and begins to avoid Constantine, who associates everything with the failure of his play. He is trying to explain to her, but for Nina it only causes irritation. Trigorin is her new idol, for which she is ready for anything. Konstantin appears, he carries a dead seagull in his hand and puts it at the feet of Nina with the statement that he will soon kill himself.
"Gull". Chekhov. Summary of the third action
A week later, Konstantin makes an unsuccessful attempt at suicide. Mother decides that jealousy is the reason. She is sure that Trigorin should be taken to Moscow. But he does not want to leave the estate, he is passionate about Nina, it seems to him that it was her who he had been looking for all his life. He frankly tells Arkadina about this, but she does not believe in the seriousness of his hobby and convinces Trigorin to go. Before leaving, he still encounters a girl. She, too, is going to leave for Moscow, and they agree that they will secretly meet there.
"Gull". Chekhov. Summary of the fourth actionTwo years have passed. Konstantin still writes, and his works are printed. Masha got married, but, not paying attention to her husband and her child, spends a lot of time in the Treplevs' house. Nina in Moscow met Trigorin, they even had a baby, but soon died. The husband left her and returned to Arkadina. Nina's career as an actress failed, as her play was rude and tasteless. Parents do not want to know anything about her and do not let her on the threshold of the house.
They again come to the estate to visit Arkadin and Trigorin. They play lotto with the guests. And Konstantin is in his office. Suddenly, Nina comes to him. Now she is a tired and frustrated woman who has lost faith in her recognition. But Konstantin still loves her and wants to go with her to the provincial theater, where she will play. Nina does not seem to hear him: Trigorin's voice comes from another room, and she loves him even more than before.
Everyone playing lotto hears a sound like a shot. The doctor who was visiting the estate suggested that one of his bottles was torn apart. He leaves the room, and when he returns, he asks Trigorin to take Arkadina somewhere, since Konstantin Gavrilovich shot himself ...