Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
Ivanov and his wife, Anna, were once very much in love, but the last few years, Ivanov has been so depressed that he is neglecting her and lashing out at those around him. Anna is dying of tuberculosis (which nobody has told her), and Ivanov is consumed with guilt. A trip to his boss Lébedev’s mansion proves to be very eye-opening when Lébedev’s daughter Sasha confesses her love for Ivanov. They kiss and Anna discovers them, which rips her heart apart. She confronts Ivanov at the end of Act 3,
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Start: ANNA. [After a pause] What did she come here for? What did she come here for, I ask you?
IVANOFF. Don't ask me, Annie. [A pause] I am terribly guilty. Think of any punishment you want to inflict on me; I can stand anything, but don't, oh, don't ask questions!
ANNA. [Angrily] So that is the sort of man you are? Now I understand you, and can see how degraded, how dishonourable you are! Do you remember that you came to me once and lied to me about your love? I believed you, and left my mother, my father, and my faith to follow you. Yes, you lied to me of goodness and honour, of your noble aspirations and I believed every word——
IVANOFF. I have never lied to you, Annie.
ANNA. I have lived with you five years now, and I am tired and ill, but I have always loved you and have never left you for a moment. You have been my idol, and what have you done? All this time you have been deceiving me in the most dastardly way——
IVANOFF. Annie, don't say what isn't so. I have made mistakes, but I have never told a lie in my life. You dare not accuse me of that!
ANNA. It is all clear to me now. You married me because you expected my mother and father to forgive me and give you my money; that is what you expected.
IVANOFF. Good Lord, Annie! If I must suffer like this, I must have the patience to bear it. [He begins to weep.]
ANNA. Be quiet! When you found that I wasn't bringing you any money, you tried another game. Now I remember and understand everything. [She begins to cry] You have never loved me or been faithful to me—never!
IVANOFF. Sarah! That is a lie! Say what you want, but don't insult me with a lie!
ANNA. You dishonest, degraded man! You owe money to Lébedev, and now, to escape paying your debts, you are trying to turn the head of his daughter and betray her as you have betrayed me. Can you deny it?
IVANOFF. [Stifled with rage] For heaven's sake, be quiet! I can't answer for what I may do! I am choking with rage and I—I might insult you!
ANNA. I am not the only one whom you have basely deceived. You have always blamed Borkin for all your dishonest tricks, but now I know whose they are.
IVANOFF. Sarah, stop at once and go away, or else I shall say something terrible. I long to say a dreadful, cruel thing [He shrieks] Hold your tongue, Jewess!
ANNA. I won't hold my tongue! You have deceived me too long for me to be silent now.
IVANOFF. So you won't be quiet? [He struggles with himself] Go, for heaven's sake!
ANNA. Go now, and betray Sasha!
IVANOFF. Know then that you—are dying! The doctor told me that you are dying.
ANNA. [Sits down and speaks in a low voice] When did he
IVANOFF. [Clutches his head with both hands] Oh, how guilty I am—how guilty! [He sobs.]
Chekhov, Anton, Ivanov, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1755/1755-h/1755-h.htm, 2008.
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