Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya Summary | Act 1 Summary

On the veranda of a country home in Russia on a warm summer afternoon, Marina sits by a table set for tea and knits a stocking. Astrov paces nearby. Marina offers him a glass of tea. When he refuses, she offers him vodka instead. He tells her he doesn't drink every day and changes the subject, asking her how long they've known each other. Marina struggles to remember, and says he's changed a lot: he's older, he's less good looking, and he likes his vodka. Astrov explains that he drinks because he's tired from working all the time, and because "life is a dull, stupid dirty business." He jokes about having an oversized moustache, about having gone a bit strange, and about how he wants nothing, needs nothing and loves no one except possibly her. He becomes lost in a memory of a visit he paid to a community where there was an epidemic of typhoid. He started to operate on a patient who died on the table and suddenly had an attack of conscience, as though he'd killed the patient on purpose. He says he started thinking about people a hundred years in the future, whether they'd ever spare a thought for anyone now living. Marina says that people might not, but God will.

Vanya enters after a nap, and complains that ever since the Professor and his wife have arrived, life around the house has gone off its routine. Astrov asks how long they'll be around. Vanya tells him that they've decided to live there. Marina becomes angry, but Vanya tells her to calm down as the Professor and his wife are approaching the house.

The Professor, wearing a heavy black overcoat, his wife Yelena, his daughter Sonya and Sonya's godfather Telegin come in from the woods. The Professor goes straight into the house, telling Marina he wants tea sent to him in the study, where he has work to do. Yelena and Sonya follow him in, while Telegin sits next to Marina and talks about how happy he is because of the good weather, the beautiful garden, and everyone living in harmony. Meanwhile, Astrov and Vanya comment on Yelena's beauty, and on the fact that the Professor is wearing an overcoat on a beautiful day. Astrov tries to get Vanya to talk about something other than Yelena, but Vanya says there's nothing new to talk about. In a long speech, he grumbles about his own grumbling; about his mother, talking aimlessly about various subjects, about the Professor, whom he says writes books on art without knowing a thing about it, and about Yelena, who married the Professor when he was already old. When Astrov wonders whether Yelena is faithful, Vanya says she is but says her faithfulness is artificial. Telegin tells him that saying things like that upsets him, and talks about how his wife ran off but he is still faithful to his vows, and responsible for their children. He says that even though he's been unhappy, he still has his pride while his wife has nothing; her youth and beauty are gone and the other man is dead.

Sonya and Yelena return, followed by Maria, Vanya's mother, who sits off to one side and reads. Sonya sends Marina off to deal with some of the workers. Astrov reminds Yelena that he's there to see the Professor, who called the day before for the doctor but who now seems perfectly fine. Yelena says he is fine, and sips her tea. Astrov says that it doesn't matter, he'll stay the night so he'll have a good night's sleep. Sonya happily says he's perfectly welcome to stay, then comments that the tea's gone cold. Telegin agrees that it's lost a lot of its heat. Calling him by the wrong name, Yelena tells him they can drink it cold. Telegin tells her his correct name, and that he's been sitting at the dinner table with Yelena every day. Sonya starts to take him into the house, but an exclamation from Maria keeps them outside.

Maria mentions she's received a new pamphlet from a writer she likes, and comments that he's now attacking the very things that he was defending a few years ago. Vanya speaks sharply to her, and comments that Vanya has changed. He used to have convictions. Vanya agrees, and with an angry speech tells her that he can't sleep at night because he's so angry at himself for being old and doing nothing with his life. While Sonya tries to calm Vanya down, Maria tells him that having convictions means nothing without getting down to practicalities. It looks as if there's going to be an argument, but Sonya intervenes and stops the discussion. Vanya apologizes, but when Yelena says it's a nice day, Vanya replies that it's a nice day to hang yourself.

A workman enters, asking for Astrov and saying that they need him at the factory. Sonya invites him to come back for dinner, but Astrov says it'll be too late by the time he's finished and asks the workman to fetch some vodka. While he's waiting for the workman to return with the vodka, Astrov compares himself to a character in a play who has a large moustache and not much talent. He bids the others goodbye, and then invites Yelena to drop in on him at his small estate. Yelena mentions that she's been told that Astrov is passionate about forests, but wonders whether having a passion like that would interfere with his real work. She goes on to say that spending time with so many trees can't be that exciting. Sonya tells her it's very exciting, and that Astrov plants new trees every year and has been recognized for his work. She goes on to talk about Astrov's belief that in places where the forests are well tended, the people are more artistic, wiser, and better to their women.

Vanya interrupts with a cynical remark about still using wood in his outhouses and fireplaces. Astrov responds with a passionate speech about the value and beauty of nature, how foolish people are for destroying it. He says that large forests help moderate the environment and if people in a hundred years are happy and healthy, it will be at least in part because of him. When the workman returns with the vodka, Astrov drinks it, says it's all a crackbrained idea, and leaves. Sonya follows him, asking when he'll be back. Astrov says he doesn't know, and they disappear before we hear any more of their conversation.

Yelena and Vanya have a quiet moment together. Yelena asks Vanya why he's so quarrelsome. Vanya starts talking about Yelena's laziness, but she cuts him off and talks about how Astrov was right; not only do people destroy forests; people destroy other people. She asks Vanya why he fell in love with her, then answers her own question by saying that he can't believe she's happy with the Professor and wants to possess her himself, which she suggests would destroy her. Vanya tries to stop her from talking, but Yelena continues, saying that Sonya is obviously in love with Astrov, and that she, herself, is too shy to talk to him because she thinks he's pre-judged her. Yelena also says that the reason that she and Vanya are friends is that they're actually both very dull. Vanya protests that he loves her and that he's not trying to destroy her, but before he can say any more she leads him into the house where their conversation can't be heard.

During this act, Telegin plays on a guitar while Maria continues to read her pamphlet.