Symbolism in Chekhov - Research Paper Example

Later in the story, a seagull is shot down and given to her, this is later used by another character Trigorin to show how he will destroy Nina just as the seagull had been killed. The character refers to herself as the seagull and this makes a change in the meaning of the seagull from representing freedom to the destruction of an individual under the hands of a loved one. The lake has several effects on different characters. It represents a place where they can escape to, respite or go for personal reflection.

Some just go out to the lake to reflect over their lives, to Nina, the lake is a source of security and it reminds her of her home. Treplev views the lake as a source of life and uses it to describe his feelings towards Nina. Weather has been used in the story to act as a backdrop for what is set to happen. It represents the feelings of the various characters and is a premonition of things to come when Nina goes to visit Treplev, she has many troubled thoughts. This is similar to the weather which is stormy.

There is a similarity because stormy weather is associated with bad moods and this is the case at this time. In other parts of the novel, the weather is calm and sunny and Nina is in happier moods. There is a direct relation between the character’s moods and the weather and this makes the reader able to use the weather to determine the moods of the various characters. Another famous novel by Chekhov is gooseberries where the author uses symbolism in several instances. The night sky and food and drink have been used to symbolize several things in the novel.

The wealth of the characters n the novel is highlighted by the food and drinks that they consume. The peasants eat simple meals while the rich families feast on more than three meals a day. Food is therefore used to symbolize affluence and the status of an individual in the society. The night sky is seen in different ways by the