“The Three Sisters” by Anton Chekhov

Blake Grissom

1/22/18

THEA 1352.002

“Three sisters” was written by Anton Checkhov. It was written in 1900 and first performed in

1901 at the Moscow Art Theatre. This is known as one of Checkhov’s most outstanding works.

Act 1 Scene 1

(Father Died on Irinas saint day )

Olga, Masha and Irina are seated in the Prozorv House. Olga speaks briefly about her father’s

death and how a year has passed. It was raining the day he died, there was music and the

progression fired a salute. Irina doesn’t understand Olgas need to speak about this.

The sisters all speak about their want to go to Moscow and live there. It’s Irinas Saint Dayand

she remembers her mother being alive. Tusenbach says they will be receiving a visist from

battery commander, Vershinin. He’s married to an insane woman and has three daughters.
Solyony enters. Irina expresses to everyone her unfiltered desire to work. She doesn’t want to be

an aristocrat anymore. Tusenbach also shares this similar yearn to work. Chebutykin does not

feel the need to work, for he has never worked in his life. He leaves.

Masha decided to leave. She expresses her depression from her late Father and how things aren’t

the same anyore. Olga is very upset for her choice to leave.

Act 1 Scene 2 ( Vershinin is very poetic)

Anfisa and Ferapont enter with a cake and present irina with a silver samovar. Irina doesn’t

know how to feel about the gift. Vershinin enters and says he re,ebers a time when they were

little girls, not woman. We find out that Vershinin has just come from Moscow. He studied there

and was stationed there. Olga cannot seem to remember Vershinin. Olga and Irina finally

remember the man as the “Lovesick Major”. The girls all really become nostalgic about

Moscow, and their mother. Vershinin starts to philosophize about the future and how much

significance our lives honestly hold. Offstage, the sisters brother, Andrey starts to play the violin.

He went for the scholar route over the military per his Fathers request. He’s in love with Natasha

who none of the sisters like. Andrey walks in and the sisters begin to brag about his education

and multiple talents. He admits that him and his sisters know three languages. Masha states that

in this town its useless to know three languages. Vershinin gets really poetic and states that the

families knowledge is very important and that they may be different now, but in the future,

everyone will be educated. Masha decides to stay for lunch. Andrey has left without anybody

noticing. Tusenbach reiterates his want to work, and speaks about how we must work now to
prepare for the educated future. Vershinin talks about if he could re live his life again he

wouldn’t get married.

Act 1 Scene 3 ( I don’t want to go)

Mashas Husband, Kulygin is a professor from their High School, he enters to give Irina a

present. It’s a memory book of the High School. It was the same present as last year..

Vershinin thinks he nees to leave because of his intrusion on Irinas name day, but everyone begs

him to stay. Kulygin wants Masha to go to a school function with him, she isn’t thrilled. Olga

states that lunch is being served and they’re going to have a saint’s day pie. Masha warns

Cebutykin not to drink any alchohol. He says that it’s a thing of the past. Masha really doesn’t

want to go to the function and everybody convinces her not to. They make a tost on Irinas

health. Tusenbach tells irina to hold back. He speaks to her about his unconditional love for her.

He says he can only think about the beauty in life. He awkwardly proposes to her. Natasha enters

late and Olga doesn’t like her belt. Natasha is upset, but Andrey calms her down with his caring

words about his love for her. The act ends

Act 2 Scene 1 (Baby Bobik)

Natasha enters the same house. Time has passed. Natasha and Andrey have had a baby boy

named Bobik. They need to find a warmer place for the baby to sleep, because hes getting cold at

night. The sisters had invited some carnival people to come over, but Natasha's concerned that
this will be bad for the baby. She convinces Andrey to take back the invitation. She's also

working to take over Irina's room for her son

Act 2 scene 2 (Oh Moscow)

Ferapont comes in. He is old and deaf. Ferapont just needs Andrey to sign the papers, but Andrey

is having problems and begins to share them. He doesn’t feel the want to connect with his wife

anymore, and fantasizes about being in Moscow instead. The problem in this scene is they

obviously cannot go to Moscow right now.

Act 2 scene 3 ( I Love Love Love your eyes)

Masha walks in with Vershinin. She begins to rant about the Military Men in their town and her

insufferable hate for her husband’s colleagues. He begins to expresses his depression today. His

daughters are sick and his wife is crazy. He confesses that he only has her. The wind howls in the

chimney exactly the same as the night her Father died. He asks is she’s superstitious. Vershinin

confesses his love for her, he admits to only thinking of her. Masha hears someone and insits

they change the conversation.

Act 2 scene 4 (Work sucks. I hate my job)

Tusenbach and Irina enter. Tusenbach talks about marriage, but Irina is super tired. She had a

bad day at the telegram office. Tusenbach says she always returns home from work miserable.

Irina clearly doesn’t like the telegram office. She complains about wanting another job. The

doctor does a signal knock and tusenbach signals for him to come up. They discuss about

andreys gambling problem and how once he loses everything they can go to Moscow. They all

constantly dream of going to Moscow.

Act 2 Scene 5 (Does life get better?)

Chebutykin enters. The girls mention he hasn’t paid his rent in 8 months. Tuzenbach and

vershinin speak about the future. Vershinin is persistently positive on his outlook, he thinks

things will still pickup, but Tuzenbach believes things will just always be the same. Vershinin

believes that if you keep working you will stay happy. Masha finds all of this really funny and

ponders on how man always must be searching for a faith otherwise his life is just empty.. Anfisa

comes in with a letter for Verhsinin. His wife has poisoned herself again. He leaves

Act 2 Scene 6 ( I’m leaving to go work)

Masha gets really upset at Anfisa, irina and chebutykin. Shes in a really pissed off mood.

Natasha tries to calm her down with sweet words in French. Tusenbach and Star to have a drink
and solyony confesses that he gets anxious in group sitations. They begin to drink cognac to

make peace. Tusenbach admits that he always thought Solyony had problem with him. He says

he has a very strange character. Tusenbach announces that hes resigning from the Millitary and

hes going to go and work. The guys begin to get really drunk and have another famous civil

dispute over life. Natasha enters

Act 2 Scene 7 (Let’s go gambling)

Chebutykin says he needs to go, the sisters are confused. Chebutykin says that Bobkin is sick and

they cannot have the Maskers over. The girls immediately are upset at Natasha. Andrey and

chebutykin are drunk and decide to go gambling. Andrey is worried about Natasha catcing him

so they go out the kitchen.

Act 2 Scene 8 (Can you sleep with Olga?)

The doorbell rings. Irina and Solyony are alone, he starts to name everything pure about her and

admits his love for her. She tells him to leave. He obviously doesn’t get the idea and continues to

list things about her he loves. He says he will kill any other suitors or rivals who get in his way.

Solyony leaves as Natahsa enters. She tells Irina that she has put bobik in he rroom, and asks her

to room with Olga. The maid whispers that Protopov is at the door and he asks if Natasha would

go on a sleigh ride, she says yes.

Act 2 scene 9 ( Moscow, Moscow!)

Kulygin, Olga and vershinin enter. Kulygin wonders what happened to the gathering waiting for

the maskers. He also wants to know why Prtopov is waiting in his sleigh. Irina isn’t having it and

says she doesn’t know. Vershinin says his wife is alright, and he’s doing ok. He asks Kulygin to

go out, but He doesn’t want to go. He leaves with Kulygin. Olga says she doesn’t feel goof and

heads off. Irina Is left alone to ponder on her thoughts about Moscow. The act ends

Act 3 Scene 1 ( Theres a fire!)

This act takes place in Olga and Irina's bedroom. Fire alarms are heard in the distance.

Masha's lying on the sofa. Theirs a fire alarm in the distance, but She obviously doesn't care

about the bells.

Anfisa enters, talking about the Vershinin daughter who are downstairs. They've been run out of

their house by a fire.

Olga is collecting clothes. The family will host the Vershinins and all of the other families

affected by the fire.

They decide they cnnot can't put anyone in with Chebutykin. He turned to te bottle again and

hasn’t been the same since.

Anfisa suddenly begs Olga not to send her away. Olga has no intention of doing so. Natasha

comes in and lashes out at Anfisa for sitting down when she should be working. Olga is really

upset by Natasha. Masha exits

Act 3 Scene 2 ( To hell with all of them)

Olga and Natasha have a huge fight. At the end of it, Natasha suggests Olga move into the

basement apartment so they can stop fighting so much.

Kulygin enters looking for Masha. She's nowhere to be found.

Chebutykin enters drunk and delivers a long speech about his self pride and the trials of being a

doctor.

Act 3 Scene 3 (Mothers clock)

Irina, Vershinin, and Tuzenbach enter. Tuzenbach is dressed in the plain. Tuzenbach has been

asked to organize a benefit concert for the victims of the fire. He asks Masha to play the piano,

but Kulygin expresses his concern. Tuzenbach doesn’t know if its apropriate. Chebutykin

purposefully breaks a clock that belonged to the sisters mother. He mentions that he knows

Natasha's affair with Protopopov and leaves.

Act 3 Scene 4 (Let me in)

Vershinin has a long monologue describing the scene of the fire. His kids were not

dressed and their mother wasn’t around. It was chaos. Solyony tries to come in to the

bedroom but Irina doesn't want him to. He's mad that Tuzenbach is allowed in, but he's

not. Solyony leaves with Vershinin and Fedotik.

Act 3 Scene 5 (I love Irina)

Tuzenbach is alone with Irina and declares his love to her. Masha tells him to get out; he

does. She wants Kulygin to leave, as well. The sisters are angry that Andrey took out a

mortgage on the house without asking them to gambl. They are also upset by the affair

Natasha has with Protopopov. They're also disappointed that their brother hasn't

amounted to anything. Irina has a big break down. Olga thinks that she needs to marry the

baron. Masha admits to the sisters that she loves Vershinin. Andrey comes in looking for

a key. He confronts his sisters about their problems with him. Vershinin comes for Masha

and she leaves.

Act 3 Scene 6 (Moscow… again…)

Andrey starts to defend Natasha’s decision to not choose a career. He apologizes for

mortgaging the house, and eventually gives up and starts crying. Kulygin enters looking

for Masha again. The act ends with Irina once more begging to go to Moscow. She hears

about the brigade maybe being sent somewhere else. It seems everything is going crazier

by the second, but Moscow still looks hopeful.

Act 4 Scene 1 ( Au Revoir)

The housemates are in the old garden saying goodbye to the departing soldiers. Fedotik

and Rode are departing among them. Tusenbach, Irina and Kulygin say their farewells

and leave.

Act 4 Scene 2 (The confrontation)

The charcters sit and discuss the future. Kulygin has shaved his moustache. Andrey is

pushing a baby carriage with a sleeping bobik inside. Irina asks Chebutkyin about the

rising tension between Solyony and the baron. They had a confrontation last night.

Solyony is in love with Irina and that he has gotten it in for the baron.

Act 4 scene 3 ( go off into the sunset)

Masha is waiting for Vershinin to arrive. She's anxious and unhappy. comes over to

Chebutykin and Masha. Chebutykin fills him in. Solyony has challenged Tuzenbach to a

duel. Andrey is worried about being in the house alone. He doesn't really consider his

wife a human being anymore. Chebutykin advises him to walk off into the sunset.

Act 4 Scene 4 ( Let’s Duel)

Solyony enters; he and Chebutykin leave for the duel. Ferapont enters with papers for

Andrey. Tuzenbach enters and talks with Irina. She's still honest about not loving him. He

says goodbye to her and she has a premonition that he won't be coming back. She doesn't

try to stop him, though. Andrey confesses to the deaf Ferapont all his regrets and

disappointments. Natasha yells shrewishly from the window for Andrey to be quiet.

Speaking of not being listened to... Anfisa is excited that she gets to live with Olga at the

school.
Act 4 Scene 5 (No Moscow)

Vershinin appears. He asks Olga to help with his wife and girls Hes going off to the

Army. Masha is sobbing and Kulygin enters. In typical form, he promises not to reproach

her. Natasha emerges and declares her intention to cut down all the trees in the garden.

She criticizes Irina's belt. A march is played; the soldiers are leaving. Chebutykin comes

in with bad news: the baron has been killed. The three sisters stand close to each other,

feeling pretty surly about their lives, their suffering, and the need to start over. Everyone

is really upset and sighs