There are so many good roles for women in The Three Sisters. Between the Prozorov sisters and their sister-in-law, Chekhov creates a pretty comprehensive portrait of different feminine personalities. There's the born caretaker Olga, tempestuous Masha, idealistic Irina, and the striving breeder and obnoxious-lady-extraordinaire Natasha. These recognizable types get along, then clash, change alliances, and grow, as Chekhov profiles them from youth to engagement to marriage, motherhood, spinsterhood, and the beginnings of aging.
Questions About Women and Femininity
- How does the sisters' gender affect their opportunities and decisions?
- Do you think this play is feminist? Misogynist? Neither? Pick one and explain.
- How do the sisters contrast with Natasha as images of femininity?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
If the sisters were men, they would make it to Moscow.
The sisters' hatred of Natasha is a result of female rivalry as much as class warfare.