Symbolism

An article with some interesting ideas of the symbolism in each action:

http://cfac-old.byu.edu/fileadmin/tma/user_files/Production_History/Study_Guides-PH/Three_Sisters_SG.pdf


Protopopov, the invisibly menacing character, is portrayed entirely through such clues. His presence at the opening celebration is indicated by the sound of a carriage and by the gift of a cake, both symbols of middle-class respectability completely at odds with his function as base destroyer.

Masha perceives the dichotomy and expresses distrust of the man.

Solyony’s hand, which bring death, smells
like a corpse;

Tchebutykin’s newspaper and notes pitifully echo his youthful efforts as a medical student;

Kuligin’s twice
given book shows both his indifference to the desires of his in-laws and the mediocrity of his own professional life


"You tell me that people cry at my plays. I’ve heard others say the same. But that was not why I wrote them. It is Alexeyev [Stanislavsky] who made my characters into cry-babies. All I wanted was to say honestly to people: “Have a
look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!” The important thing is that people should realize that, for when they do, they will most certainly create another and better life for themselves. I will not live to see it, but I know
that it will be quite different, quite unlike our present life. And so long as this different life does not exist, I shall go on
saying to people again and again: “Please, understand that your life is bad and dreary!” What is there to cry about?"
-Anton Chekhov