Monologue

Arkadina Monologue from The Sea-Gull

From The Sea-Gull by Anton Chekhov

female · sarcastic · 1:15 min

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Is that so? I notice, though, that he did not choose an ordinary play, but forced his decadent trash on us. I am willing to listen to any raving, so long as it is not meant seriously, but in showing us this, he pretended to be introducing us to a new form of art, and inaugurating a new era. In my opinion, there was nothing new about it, it was simply an exhibition of bad temper. (TRIGORIN: Everybody must write as he feels, and as best he may.) Let him write as he feels and can, but let him spare me his nonsense. (DORN: Thou art angry, O Jove!) I am a woman, not Jove. (She lights a cigarette) And I am not angry, I am only sorry to see a young man foolishly wasting his time. I did not mean to hurt him.

About this piece

Arkadina expresses her disdain for a new play presented by a younger artist, criticizing its lack of substance and authenticity while revealing her own insecurities about artistic innovation.

40s · anger · art · identity · power · disillusionment

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