The sea-gull
The Seagull, first staged in St Petersburg in 1896, failed so badly that Anton Chekhov swore off the theater; two years later Stanislavsky's production at the Moscow Art Theatre made it the founding work of a new kind of drama. On a country estate, the aging actress Arkadina holds court with her lover, the successful writer Trigorin. Her son Konstantin, who wants to invent new forms, stages a play for Nina, the neighbor's daughter he loves, and watches her fall for Trigorin instead. Nothing much happens on stage, and everything happens to the characters: wasted talent, unrequited love, the gap between art and life. The dead seagull that Konstantin lays at Nina's feet became an emblem of the play. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first act free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The sea-gull
The sea-gull by Anton Chekhov can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The sea-gull online?
Yes. The sea-gull opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The sea-gull free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The sea-gull is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The sea-gull in the public domain?
Yes. The sea-gull by Anton Chekhov is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The sea-gull?
About 1 h 16 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The sea-gull?
The sea-gull by Anton Chekhov is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
