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Uncle Vanya Summary (Part 2)
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Act II
The next scene is in the dining room of the house. The
professor is dozing in his chair and wakes to find Helena sitting by his side.
He starts complaining about how troublesome old age is. He feels that everybody
hates him especially Helena and tells her not to worry, as soon he will be
setting her free. Helena begs him to be quiet, as she can’t bear his cruel
talk anymore. He goes on to tell her that since he retired he no longer
gets the kind of respect he commanded from his colleagues and students. He
is sick of this village where the people he lives with are incapable of
having a decent conversation. Just then his daughter Sonya comes in and chides
him for calling the doctor and then refusing to see him. The professor
replies that the doctor doesn’t know much about his profession. Vanya
enters to relieve the two ladies of their duties because they haven’t
slept for two nights. The professor prefers to stay alone rather than with
Voynitsky because he does not enjoy his constant talking. Marina, the nanny
comes in and comforting the professor, they both leave the room. |
Helena tells Voynitsky that she’s worried that these petty
squabble will destroy the household. When again he begins to lament
about his spurned love she leaves the room disgusted because he has
been drinking. After she leaves he further laments as to why he
didn’t marry her when they were both younger. He feels deceived by
the old professor because all these years he has supported him both
financially and in his work. But today the professor is an unknown
man and none of his work is of any importance. |
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Dr. Astrov and Telegin enter, a bit drunk. Astrov comments that Voynitsky looks
sad and attributes it to it being either pity for the professors present
condition or because he is in love with the beautiful Helena. He goes on in
this drunkenness to proclaim how he is mankind’s greatest benefactor.
Sonya enters and is surprised to see everyone drunk. She asks her uncle
Vanya why he has tears in his eyes and he leaves the room saying that his
heart is bursting with pain.
Sonya requests Dr. Astrov that he can drink if he pleases but implores that he
doesn't encourage her uncle Vanya to do so as it is very bad for his health. He
replies that like her uncle, she is also dissatisfied with his life. He is
fed up of his work as a doctor and sees no bright future ahead of him. The people
of the village think him odd and strange because he is a man who loves forests
and doesn’t eat meat. He admits that for a long time he has loved no one.
Sonya asks him what he would do if he found out that someone likes him very
much. He replies that he would do nothing and on the contrary would explain
to the lady that he has no time for love with so many things to do. Sonya
tells him what a fine man he is and what a sweet voice he has and begs him
not to drink anymore. The doctor promises that he will never drink again.
After he leaves, Sonya feels very elated for some unexplainable reason. She wishes
she were a good-looking girl so that the doctor would find her attractive.
Meanwhile Helena enters and the two of them decide to put their differences
aside and be good friends. Helena confides in her step- daughter and tells
her that she is really unhappy with her life because she has realized that
she does not actually love the professor. Then they begin to speak of Astrov.
Helena says that he is a man of great foresight and learning. People like
him are few and rare. She is happy for Sonia and wishes her the true happiness
which she has never had or will ever have. Helena wishes to play the piano
and cry out her sorrow but the professor does not like music when he’s
ill and so denies her permission.
Click here for part 3 of the summary of
Uncle Vanya |
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