Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
Having witnessed Sasha’s secret visit and her passionate embrace with Ivanov, Anna can no longer turn a blind eye to her husband’s betrayal. What begins as an interrogation into Sasha’s presence rapidly unravels years of suppressed resentment, financial anxiety, and emotional distance. Anna, gravely ill with tuberculosis, enters the room not just looking for answers, but carrying the crushing weight of having abandoned her family and heritage for a man who now shrinks away from her very
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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.
Performance Tips
- Avoid early shouting: Resist the urge to start the scene at maximum volume; let Anna’s initial inquiries stem from quiet, incredulous hurt so that the escalation feels earned as Ivanov’s defensiveness pushes her toward rage.
- Physicalize the illness: The actor playing Anna must allow her physical frailty to contrast sharply with her vocal fury, ensuring her exhaustion and coughing subtextually ground her explosive accusations of betrayal.
- Track Ivanov’s internal pressure cooker: The actor
Emotional Beat Breakdown
1. The Interrogation of Betrayal
What shifts: Anna moves from suspicious questioning to openly attacking Ivanov’s character, dismantling his past romantic promises as manipulative lies.
Character objectives: Anna seeks to force an admission of deceit from Ivanov to validate her betrayal, while Ivanov tries to shut down the interrogation and shield himself from further guilt.
Performance note: Keep the pacing tight and overlapping here; Ivanov should attempt to interrupt her not with
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