Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov is our Febryary 2025 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on February 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

In Act 1, people are in love with the wrong people. Oh this indicates major unhappiness of characters

I have finished the play and written my review. Just some thoughts:

(view spoiler)[Not one person in this play finds his love returned or receives any comfort or satisfaction from it. In fact, the love we see here is very destructive in nature. Masha finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage with a man who is beneath her; Medviedenko gets the woman he wants, but she does not return his love and we can see how unhappy and belittled he is in his life. Nina rejects the love of Constantine for that of Trigorin, however, as Trigorin has predicted upon seeing the dead gull, she is robbed of her innocence, used and discarded by a man who is only attempting to fill the boredom that surrounds his meaningless life. Arkadina is simply in love with herself, which makes her a good match for Trigorin, who suffers the same malady; however, they can never mean anything real to one another and actual love between them never enters the picture. Constantine is the saddest of all. He does not receive any love from his mother, whose approval he seeks; he is rejected by Nina, whom he cannot let go of, and his art proves to be held by the masses to be mediocre and worthless.

Must an artist suffer for his art? Does it improve art to suffer for it? Constantine suffers, Nina suffers, but Trigorin does not, nor does Arkadina; and yet the first two meet with no success, while the last two are revered. It is difficult for me to say whether Constantine really has any talent or anything to offer to the world of art (his play seems rather strange), but he is given no opportunity or encouragement to find out.

As for fame, Trigorin and Nina’s conversation seems to sum that up rather well. She thinks fame brings both fortune and happiness, Trigorin insists he is hounded to constantly write for his need to maintain his position and that it therefore drains his life of meaning. He is obviously bored and disillusioned at the least. At the end of the play, she maintains she is a good actress and she is probably on her way to greater fame. She is most certainly still in pursuit of it, but she is also clearly no longer the happy girl we met at the play’s opening and never will be again.

In the beginning I thought the seagull itself represented Nina and the destruction of her innocence, but I came to believe it represented Constantine and the sacrifice of self on the altar of his love and his art. Neither of these brings him any return or satisfaction, and both lead directly to his death. I think it is significant that it is Constantine who kills the seagull and also himself. (hide spoiler)]

I am interested in what others think the seagull symbolizes. This is a complex play by a Russian author, so I'm betting there will be things I have completely missed.

This is not a deal breaker, just an everyday irritation with art I do not understand: Why all the talk of their inner truths/talk at each other than with each other. Ahhh Answer: To show how isolated they are from each other. It is not just love they deny each other. It is just simple communication. They are all each isolated beings

About the seagull. (view spoiler)[Seagulls are both land and sea birds, two separate things in one. . .Much separateness/isolation within play. (hide spoiler)]

Act 2.
Horses and Social Class.
Shamraeff the estate manager concerns himself with using horses to help make the estate profitable while the landed class concerns itself with travel and leisure that horse can help provide.

(I am reminded of Mansfield Park: Mary Crawford wanted her harp brought from London to her in the country right in the middle of hay-making.)

Hi All,

Excited to start this book. I am taking a writing course this spring and the first week had to read an article talking about short stories. Sure enough, the article praises Chekhov as the master of the genre. The article states that short stories fall into 2 categories: "Chekhovian" and "plot-driven". He's got a whole style of short story named after him! I have read "In the Cart" and "The Darling" by him, and looking back remember how they are more subtle character observations than plot-driven. I haven't started the The Seagull yet, but I think I will appreciate it in a different way knowing it fits a certain genre of short story. The article link is below, and thought some of you might be interested in it.

https://www.theshortstory.org.uk/down...

- T

Just wanted to point out, Thomas, that The Seagull is a play, rather than a short story. I have read some of his short stories and never knew that there was a term that applied to his style. Thanks for the link.

Sara wrote: "Just wanted to point out, Thomas, that The Seagull is a play, rather than a short story. I have read some of his short stories and never knew that there was a term that applied to his style. Thanks..."

Thanks Sara. My bad. I hadn't even cracked it open just assumed a short story.

Finished Act 1. I agree with Cynda that it seems that the majority of people are unhappy.

Am I mistaken or is part of Act 1 in the play, discussing and acting out a play?

I did notice Nina said... "... But I am drawn here to the lake, like a gull... my heart is filled with all of you." I appreciate the low hanging fruit with "gull" specifically mentioned, lol, but will be keeping an eye on whether this leads to a thru-line for me to follow.

I didn't want you to be disappointed by not knowing, Thomas.

I liked the play within a play idea because it seemed almost a reversal of Shakespeare...this play within a play did not achieve what the man putting it on had in mind, where Shakespeare's sealed the deal for Hamlet.

Interesting summary of Wikipedia:
Chekhov's approach distinguishes itself through its ensemble cast and reliance on subtext rather than overt dramatization. "The Seagull" aligns itself more with reality and less with the sensationalism typical of 19th-century melodrama. For instance, major events like Constantine's suicide attempt occur offstage, emphasizing psychological depth over physical action. This stylistic choice aligns with Chekhov's intent of portraying the work not as a tragedy, but as a comedy of life.

It is a comedy in that --to reference Shakespeare again--people love the wrong people, just like in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The comedy is there in how the characters are in love with the wrong people. There may not be a better selection among the characters on stage, but somewhere there will be better choices. After reading, I watched a 1970s version. Bad me. I should remember the seriousness of art during the period. If you watch a play, perhaps on YouTube, do not select this version: https://youtu.be/qiPfPzt8azc?si=4t4Rk...-
Watch another production .

I love Chekhov and enjoyed this.

I have a really cool old 1945 edition of his plays, and there's an introduction by Arthur Ziegler. One of his comments was that Chekhov wrote about “…people with super-sensitivities, yet each shut tight within himself; and above all, a cumulative futility encircling all the characters like an ineluctable fog of steel.”

I was thinking of that futility, because Turgenev was mentioned in the play, and Fathers and Sons, which I remember concerns nihilism.

My thoughts on the seagull are kind of aligned with Sara's and also what Pharmacdon wrote. (view spoiler)[I think the seagull represents innocence and beauty and life. We feel life is meaningful, but at the same time it’s senseless/futile. We spend all this time falling in love with the wrong people, being jealous, striving for fame, yet it can all be undone in a senseless act, like Treplev shooting the seagull. I saw the theme as symbolism versus reality. We hold up symbols and they disappoint us because they don’t match reality. That’s why it was both tragic and comic (silly us). (hide spoiler)]

Ah yes melodrama with its subtext. Good reminder.

Kathleen. Lovely explanation of the seagull. I find myself tossing around all kinds of ideas about what it might mean to both the characters within the play and to us as viewers.

Kathleen wrote: "I love Chekhov and enjoyed this.

I have a really cool old 1945 edition of his plays, and there's an introduction by Arthur Ziegler. One of his comments was that Chekhov wrote about “…people with s..."

Excellent explanation.

This happened to be a five star read for me. I read the Christopher Hampton translation and followed with audio from L.A. TheaterWorks (also using the Hampton translation) This translation captured more of the humor of the play than I had previously noticed and I found it very refreshing.

I am very inexperienced when it comes to reading plays and my exposure to Russian literature is severely lacking. I started this earlier in the month and only got through Act 1 due to time constraints and I was confused with all the different names (first names being used in dialogue with the last names denoting who's speaking). As I am reading this on a kindle I was put off by having to click and return to the "Cast" page and then click and go back to where I was reading. To remedy this I wrote out on a sheet of paper the cast list and held it with my kindle so I could quickly reference. I also heard somewhere that if plays are meant to be acted over 2, 3 or 4 hours, they could be read in that time, if not quicker. I set aside a couple hours to start and complete this and from now on that's how I will be reading plays.

I enjoyed how much I disliked Arkadina's character. Absolutely disgustingly conceited. She didn't even read any of her son's work!

Like Cynda and Sara mentioned above, everyone is unhappy and loving the wrong person. I highlighted the line from Dorn saying "If society loves actors and treats them differently from, say, shopkeepers, it's only natural. Its what we call idealism." Perhaps they were in love with the idea of what that person represents. Arkadina loves Trigorin because he's a famous writer. Nina likes Trigorin because he's a famous writer. Trigorin likes Trigorin because he's a famous writer, and he only cares about himself and that his capriciousness is satisfied. Treplyov likes Nina because she's and actress (and I didn't see any other prospects around). Medvedenko likes Masha, and vice versa, but that doesn't work out. Sorin sounds like he gave 28 years to the country and got the shaft. Dorn spent his whole life taking care of others in a backwater town for scruples and now is too old to see the world. Not what I'd describe as "feel good."

I enjoyed Trigorin's rant/ego-stroking in Act 2. Whenever I read something and one of the characters is a writer, I also have to wonder if the author is describing himself. This was doubly interesting because we have an aspiring writer in Treplyov who is crying out for "new forms" and jealous that Trigorin has found his style and is successful with it. Is Checkhov Trigorin, or Treplyov? I would guess that he is both, and neither. He has probably had the struggles and the successes of both of those characters, and has vacillated between them several times. I guess as he wrote this he had landed somewhere in the middle, and being able to realize both sides of the spectrum, used these characters as an outlet, not only for himself but to diametrically distinguish the two.

The Seagull... dun dun dun... After I read it, that was my question. What was "The Seagull?" Who was "The Seagull?" My first instinct was that everyone had a bit of the Seagull in them. I say this because a Seagull has to return to the sea. It can and sometimes does fly inland, but must always return to the sea. Everyone returns to their own nature. Nina was in love with Treplyov, and for a bit Trigorin, but in Act 4 she comes back and admits her love for Treplyov, but her ultimate love, what she must return to, her "sea" is acting. So off she goes... Trigorin loves himself, and although he fancies Arkadina for a bit, and then Nina, he does whatever suits him (his "sea"). The same thing with Arkadina, she loves herself, and even though Trigorin says he'd rather be with Nina, she doesn't care, because if she loves him, then he might love her, and if he loves her, their relationship establishes her self-worth and celebrity - again an absolutely deliciously disgusting character to dislike. Last but not least, our boi Treplyov. I think his "sea," that as a "Seagull," he must return to his own misery. He's never more himself than when he's unhappy. These were just my first impressions. Upon reading other's (Sara, Kathleen, Cynda, etc) posts I say to myself "Oh, they're right, I'm wrong!" But like what Sara said, it's a complex Russian play so there might be a variety of different, valid, interpretations. Who knows? Definitely not me that's for sure.

I liked this work for a multitude of reasons. First it was short and sweet and made me think. Second, it's from a Russian heavy, and I am sorely lacking in that department. Third, I didn't know I would like a play this much. The last play I read was Richard the 3rd, but I didn't read it in one sitting, and I used the "For Dumbies" version that has his text on one page and plain english for my dumb bum opposite. This comes out to like 300 pages which I just can't consume in one sitting. Last but not least these characters were fascinating once I knew who was who (not only themselves but their relation to each other). Good pick!

I enjoyed your take on this, Thomas. I must say there is no right or wrong and I liked your idea of the seagull representing each persons nature that he must return to...on the other hand, our seagull isn't returning to the sea, he is dead. So, I would have to carry your idea at least one step further and say they are all after the unobtainable ideal that they see as their destiny, but which there is no chance they will ever truly possess. The absolute fame (Tigorin), the desire to always be the young actress when you are beyond the young parts (Arkadina), the adoration of the audience (Nina), love and recognition (Treplyov)--all illusory.

I love your thoughts, Thomas. I have a habit of always making a written list of characters too when reading Russian authors because I get so confused by the names.

I really like what you say about the seagull representing how we always return to our own nature. And as Sara adds, I think this ties into the futility in the story, that here these desires are illusory.

Thomas, I too have had little discussions--like this--about fiction writers writing about writers. Writers tend to poke a little or a lot of fun at writers. I laugh when Nick Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream where he keeps trying to rewrite lines to great comic effect. Here Trigorin is not quiet about his wonderfulness either--just he is not kind hearted and contributes to real problems.

Sara wrote: "I enjoyed your take on this, Thomas. I must say there is no right or wrong and I liked your idea of the seagull representing each persons nature that he must return to...on the other hand, our seag..."

Thanks, Sara, for driving that point home. I forgot to connect those dots, haha. Another reason I am grateful for these book discussions.

Cynda, I agree. I read Midsummer Night's Dream last year and noticed the same thing!

Thomas wrote: "I am very inexperienced when it comes to reading plays and my exposure to Russian literature is severely lacking. I started this earlier in the month and only got through Act 1 due to time constrai..."

I suggest now that you have read the play, viewing or listening to a couple of productions to see how your interpretation fares compared to the directors of those productions.

I finally got a chance to sit down and read this. While I was kinda left dumbstruck at that ending, I like it. Just the whole vibe, and while i didnt actually think it could be a comedy, I can see it now by the way everyone here has described it. By that same token, it is still very sad.

I dont know that i really have much to add. I was nodding along to a lot of things said here, and other things i hadnt thought of.
I definitely was skipping back and forth from chapter to the character list for a little bit, because I am new to Russian writing and Chekov as well, but then got acquainted with the characters by the end, mostly. Ha!

As far as the meaning of the seagull, obviously, we can only guess what the real meaning is or if there even is one, but all I was thinking is that the seagull was foreshadowing T 's own death. (Omg, dont ask me to spell these names from memory! Haha because i cant!) But yeah, i didnt really think of anything much further than that. I am simple. Ha!

Will start this next month , after I have succeeded in pushing forward Kazuo Ishiguro ' s novel . Since this one is a short read, I won't have trouble finishing it quickly . Meanwhile , I 'll go through the above comments to get an idea about what the play is like 😏 .

Will probably be able to start this novella tonight or tomorrow. Very late for the party , but I am keen to read another one by Anton Chekov .

Sara wrote: "I have finished the play and written my review. Just some thoughts:

Not one person in this play finds his love returned or receives any comfort or satisfaction from it. In fact, the love we see he..."

Didn't read your ( and other members ' ) spoiler( s ) , Sara . Will like to do so after reading the story .

Thomas wrote: "Hi All,

Excited to start this book. I am taking a writing course this spring and the first week had to read an article talking about short stories. Sure enough, the article praises Chekhov as the..."

Hmm .... Chekhovian ! What an honour !

I have reached Act 1V and am enjoying the read very much . The names are a bit difficult , but writing them down , and using nick names ( as Sara had previously suggested ) is helping enormously . Though the sad thing is that mostly everyone seems to have got involved with the wrong person.. unrequited love , yet the story is not really dragging down and depressing, perhaps because it's just a play so the emotional descriptions are not there to have the reader appreciate the magnitude of sorrow heavy on each unfortunate victim ??
I have 2or 3 comments to make .. but , perhaps the latter two I'll be able to make only tomorrow.

In Act 2 Masha [ who is passionately in love ☆ ☆Beware Spoilers(view spoiler)[ with Treplieff .. who is in love with Nina ( whose father and stepmother treat her very meanly ) ... who is in love with Trigorin ( famous author ) .. who is loved by Treplieff's mother ( Arkadina , famous actress ) (hide spoiler)] ] .. declares , " I have no desire to live . " Whereupon , Dr Dorn who is passionately loved by ☆☆Beware Spoilers (view spoiler)[ Shamraeff's wife .. (hide spoiler)] ☆☆ says something curious , " Tell her , oh flowers ... " .
By a curious coincidence, at about the time when I was reading this part of the novel , my cousin sister happened to send me a Goodmorning message on WhatsApp , showing a bunch of lovely African daises in a pretty vase , alongside which was a brief , optimistic message linking the flowers to happiness . Because of shortage of time I'll complete this message tomorrow... the happiness message on my cousin sister 's whatsapp chat , and also 2 ( last ) lines from Wordsworth's poem " The Daffodils " . What Dr Dorn meant by his incomplete sentence I don't know if I have interpreted correctly, but it seems to me that he , too , was wanting to tell Masha to take her cue from Heaven 's kind , uncomplicated gifts of happiness lying so freely all around . If only we would but notice them , instead of passing them by with dead , unseeing eyes . 🤔

Msg 30 cont'd : My cousin sister in law's msg , alongside the gently powerful and compelling bunch of daisies, read " Every morning you have the a new opportunity to become a happier version of yourself. . And there were these fragile beauties doling out generous spoonfuls of baby pink happiness into our humble , jaded , earthly air! " Sure " , my uplifted soul responded , " And , thank you kind visitors , do keep coming back ! " . Then I remembered William Wordsworth's beautiful poem .. The Daffodils " .. . a timeless beauty ! .. the last line reads : ( in a despondent moment , back home from the valley , when the daffodils suddenly appear in his mind's eye ) .. and then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils ! ...
Perhaps Dr Dorn was trying to nudge Marsha out of her un happiness by reminding her of our kind and compassionate Maker's gentle , simple , compelling, powerful , optimistic messages strewn subtlely everywhere around us , that can entice the misery darkened soul towards light and direction 🕯🤔🕯. Dr Dorn says this unfinished sentence twice in the story so far . I am still to finish the last Act ... perhaps there'll be elucidation later on .
I haven't read the above comments yet.. perhaps some member may have explained.

Two more comments to make ( in the story so far ) . Will do so shortly .

Oh no , while typing a comment on Trigorin , when I was nearly done with my comment, I accidentally clicked on preview below the comment box ☹ ! The whole comment disappeared ! I don't know where it has gone ! ?
Well , it's too late tonight to start typing again, so I will re type it tomorrow 🥺 and hope for better luck .

Msg 30 cont'd : In Act 2 , I was a bit surprised by the comments of the famous author , Trigorin , while describing himself, as an author, to Nina ( who's secretly in love with him ... possibly more like infatuation ) . Trigorin uses words like " violent obsessions " and " possibly mentally diseased " . In spite of his creative profession, his fame and ( I suppose ) his immense wealth , he's not a happy man . Nina asks him , " .... doesn't the act of creation give you moments of lofty happiness? .... " . The same query came to my mind also . From Trigorin 's answer he seems to be with being no.1 . He wants to be better than authors like Tolstoy etc . But , was that 👈what drove his creative writing ? The urge to be no. 1 ? Should it not have been to weave , in beautiful words , his thiught provoking experiences in life ? ... leave guiding message( s) for humanity, messages born from his own life's experiences/ or his own uplifted soul emotions showing humanity a better path .. now here , now there ? Ralph Emerson said : .. to know that even one life has breathed easier because of you have lived , this 👈 is to succeed. ... . I love wbat he said . It makes so much of sense .
Somerset Maugham, who left his medical studies to become a full time author - a rather scary decision.. from the economic stability point of view , said in his latter years .. there's no profession that can give more fulfillment to the soul than the work of a creative author .. . I read this long back , so I don't remember his exact words , just the gist .
Sanjay L Bansali , a contemporary director of our Hindi film industry , once said : I love my work so much , for me working on the sets is like being on an eternal holiday. I dislike taking leave from work ! Sanjay L Bansali is known for the very beautiful sets he creates while making period films .
Not , to my mind , is it difficult to understand the sentiments of the above mentioned creative artists .
Ironically , the author with whom Trigorin wishes to compete, Tolstoy , I think also attempted suicide , when he was at the peak of his career , which he mentioned in his autobiographical novelette, Confessions ( if I'm not mistaken ) .
True , happiness does not necessarily come with fame and wealth . It comes with contentment . So all the scriptures say 🕯🪔💖🪔🕯

I have finished The Seagull . The ( to me ) unexpected ending can't but provoke a strong dismayed , emotional response in the reader . I fully blame (view spoiler)[ Arakadina ( Treplieff 's cold hearted , calculating, selfish , world hardened mother and Trigorin ( the supposed to be famous author ) for the deaths of the two young people.. Treplieff and Nina . Nina may not be physically dead ( as yet) , but use and throw playboy Trigorin has mutilated her life so badly , she's virtually dead too . (hide spoiler)] I would like to give myself a little space of time to think about the largely unhappy lives of the players in this moving drama ... the four mentioned above , but also Paulina , Masha and Medviedenko . (view spoiler)[ I wish someone would hold up a soul mirror in front of Paulina , so that she may see what an astonishingly ugly mother she is 🤔 (hide spoiler)]
Dr Dorn's comment this looks like a hurdle race .. made me laugh 😃.. just about sums up the gist of the whole novelette!! 👌

Will put in a follow up comment when my annoyed current of thoughts have settled and I will be, hopefully, less caustic about the behavior of some of the players ☹😠🤯 . Maybe I'll be able spot their better sides 🤨 . (view spoiler)[ But pushing two young , emotion driven and emotion bewildered people to their deaths , while they themselves sit around playing cards , or whatever they are playing, ... why , I think Satan himself would be embarrassed and ashamed to hear of their deeds 🤔 ! (hide spoiler)]

I never read a Russian novel or play and expect anything other than a catastrophic ending, Savita. I have enjoyed sharing your journey though this story. Hope you have something light and uplifting in the wings to read as an antidote.

Thank you , Sara ! Actually , before The Seagull , I read Animal Farm, which , incidentally, is also supposed to be based on the Russian political scene of that time , but written by an English author . I loved how the author has written that novelette, but the end there , too , was (view spoiler)[ very sad . Another member , on this thread , said she was hoping that perhaps Clover would lead a second revolt , but nothing of the sort happened. (hide spoiler)] I suppose , being a satire , the author wished only to depict / draw from real life events . I now intend to have a look at the books selected for July and hopefully come across something light and
cheerful 😊 !

After putting one or two further comments on The Seagull, I am looking forward to reading the spoiler comments by you and the other members . Especially the sad transition from a (view spoiler)[ living , free , soaring seagull to a dead seagull, to a dead , preserved (hide spoiler)] seagull . A very dark side of humanity, limited by no means only by the boundaries of Russia. 🤔 . In David Copperfield, for instance , Charles Dickens created a parallel scene in the life of that blue eyed girl , who used to live ( happily) with her grandfather, near the seaside . I forget her name .

Funny about how you expect these endings, Sara!

Savita, i agree with Sara it was enjoyable to read your thoughts. Especially neat how that whatsapp message of flowers came through while you were reading that. This type of thing happens to me a lot too! I am always finding patterns or parallells to the books i am reading, sometimes learn important and pertinent lessons too. It is awesome! Also, hope you can read something light now. I am also needing to read something, well, not necessarily light, but easy breasy and enjoyable after my last challenging read (Virginia Woolf haha!)

April wrote: "Funny about how you expect these endings, Sara!

Savita, i agree with Sara it was enjoyable to read your thoughts. Especially neat how that whatsapp message of flowers came through while you were ..."

Thank you , April , for your appreciation ! Since I post Goodreads ' messages from my android smartphone, I don’t have the option of posting a relevant Whatsapp message etc , it's screenshot at least, on the Goodreads 'thread. I think those who post through a desktop do have this option . If I had been able to post a screenshot of my cousin sister in law 's message , you would have loved those fragile , beautiful flowers in the lovely vase . Truly , a thing of beauty is joy for ever 😍 ( but , when applied to human beauty, it should rather read an encounter with beauty of the human soul is joy forever .
April , what you've written about finding ( real life ) patterns and parallels to the books you happen to be reading,, may not always ,always be a mere coincidence. 🤔 . It may be , April , that on some of these occasions , it's , in actual fact , kind Heaven that has stopped by to give 👉 you a helping hand ... this may not necessarily be a question of right or wrong direction, but rather just a nudge to show you , perhaps , an easier way out in a practical difficulty 🤯 or a relationship that has come up in knots 🤨 . And , if Heaven is stopping to lend a helping hand, April , it must mean you deserve it . And , to my mind , that a real enviable thing 🤗🤢 ! If faith keeps one's soul doors open , then we do become less spiritually myopic and spiritually deaf to the instances when Heaven reaches out to help us on this , sometimes, difficult road of life. When you say that you sometimes learn important and pertinent lessons from these parallel occurrences.. it does seem thought provoking. Heaven is no distant, cold , indifferent , emotionless witness of our difficulties ( small or big ) . Heaven does care .. but , divine response does not appear to be knee jerk reactions , but rather , when we have come to deserve Heaven 's appreciation and help . .... so here's lighting a candle to your thought provoking experiences , April .... 🕯🙏

Have not been able to finish reading all the above spoilers yet , but the ones I have read have highlighted some aspects of the story that I missed altogether 🤔 . I also want to post my thoughts on the seagull ... hope to do this tomorrow.. if life's other commitments are a bit co- operative ..🤨😊

I agree these patterns cant all be coincidence, and that some are meant for divine guidance... or aliens. 😜 i joke about the aliens. I mean, they could be out there, they could even be sending us messages, but not all of the messages. I mean, some definitely are like answers to prayers, so i agree on that too. But i just know of some UFO and aliens enthusiasts and they might totally say something like i did. 😄 by the way Savita, you seem sweet! Enjoy your reading!

April wrote: "I agree these patterns cant all be coincidence, and that some are meant for divine guidance... or aliens. 😜 i joke about the aliens. I mean, they could be out there, they could even be sending us m..."

April , wow ... I never thought of the alien angle ... 😳 !! Gosh 😲 🤗🤭 !!

And your second last closing line .. well, April , I intend to preserve such a nice remark in my memory compartment.. intended be used whenever the colors of real life get .. well .. less colorful .. and I need a boost up to my self esteem .. 🙃.. 😊.. 🙏.. thank you , April !

I have finished reading through all the above comments and really loved all the different views expressed.. and some quite intriguing.. opening up new lines of thoughts that had never entered my mind 🤔 . My interpretation of what the seagull symbolizes is a bit like what has been mentioned by various members, but also a bit different . Definitely tomorrow I'll be able to post my comment. My impression of Nina's character has taken a beating because of what Sara mentioned about her , and, somehow I missed that aspect of her character. (view spoiler)[ I sort of thought that Nina didn't want to come back into Treplieff 's life now that her own life had become so badly soiled . What Sara has mentioned in her post has quite lowered Nina's esteem in my eyes . So , ultimately, she's not so very different from Trigorin after all ! (hide spoiler)] . Hmm ...

Msg 44 cont'd : The break up of the sea gull symbolization could , in my mind , have the following interpretation - (view spoiler)[ i) The free living sea gull , happy , carefree, soaring high above in the beautiful blue skies , above the sparkling waters ( as shown in the cover picture ) could represent the lives of Treplieff and Nina before Trigorin was brought into their lives by Arakadina ( Treplieff 's mother ) . In the last few scenes Nina herself recalls how happy she and Treplieff were in the beautiful olden days , anď also mentions that she loves Trepliff . ii ) The dead seagull: That would correlate with Treplieff after he successfully commits suicide 😒 . iii ) The dead and preserved seagull seems to correlate most with Nina ... a beautiful , young life mauled and badly soiled by the bored and couldn't care less Trigorin ( who appears to have effectively shut up the voice of his conscience ) . He must have damaged ( perhaps beyond repair ) Nina's trust and faith in love relationships , perhaps for life .. unless a mature , wise and good hearted mentor can restore her emotional stability. So , at present. at least , Nina , a badly ( emotionally ) mutilated woman is really much more dead than alive ... a living dead ... a dead but preserved seagull ... still trying to drag herself forward in life . Horrible. (hide spoiler)]

Very interesting comments, Savita. I love that you are giving this so much thought. I think Chekhov not only requires us to open our minds and ponder his work, but deserves it from us.

Thank you , Sara ! I definitely agree about Chekhov ... so much thought provoking power in just a play ! He's really a master of words ! And , as Pharmacdon has mentioned, he presents events in quite a toned down , low keyed manner.. and lets the reader 's emotions get so very churned up !! 😒☹😲🥺😳😱😠🤯 ..

I am reading Fahrenheit 451 next .. hope it's light and breezy , even funny .. wouldn't mind a good laugh 😆 ! Sometimes , Sara , you'll be astonished to know , I even re - read an Enid Blyton .. Adventures of the Wishing Chair or ( my favorite ) The Far Away Tree 👌👌 .. Enid Blyton's magic will never fade in my mind !

Loved and enjoyed this thread even though it was a serious one .

Oh, goodness, don't read Fahrenheit 451 for light or funny! I know what you mean about reading something you know you will love because you have loved it before. I read Mary Stewart for that!

Gosh , so F.. 451 is not what I was hoping for at the present moment . Well , Sara , I will tread with care , forewarned is forearmed . It's a Buddy Read in another group.. Indian Readers, decided last month , and started mid June . I have reached page 25 .. it's a dystopian novel .
I can't recall reading any book by Mary Stewart. From your description , I am convinced that I should definitely add it to my ' to be read and definitely enjoyed ' list , because your reviews / comments are so dependable/ trustworthy / insightful .