How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Julius West's translation.
Quote #1
ANYA. [Thoughtfully] Father died six years ago, and a month later my brother Grisha was drowned in the river--such a dear little boy of seven! (1.75)
From the beginning of the play, death is on the characters' minds. They remember the deaths of Lubov's husband and Grisha, and regularly comment on Fiers's closeness to death.
Quote #2
FIERS. [Joyfully] The mistress is home again. I've lived to see her! Don't care if I die now. ... [Weeps with joy.] (1.80)
Like Anfisa in Three Sisters, Fiers is the dedicated old servant who eventually outlives his usefulness. He becomes a burden, a problem to be dealt with, even as he seeks to serve.