Discuss the characters of "The Darling" by Anton Chekhov

An example Anton Chekhov's depiction of the place of women
in Russian society, "The Darling," has elicited varied interpretation from its
critics. The story is a character sketch of Olenka Plemyanniakov, who assumes her
persona from whomever she marries. In his parody of this character who "was always fond
of some one and could not exist without loving," some critics feel that Chekhov
inadvertently develops her into a worthy personage in her final devotion to the boy
Sasha as a mother, a true woman.

Ivan
Petrovitch Kukinis a boarder at Olenka's lodge.  He is the perennial
pessimist, throwing his arms up whenever it is going to rain as he is the owner of an
outdoor amphitheatre.  As Olenka listens to him, tears of sympathy form in her eyes, and
his despair arouses a "deep and genuine" affection in Olenka's heart.  After their
marriage, Olenka mimics everything that her husband says and feels.  When he despises
the public for their ignorance, she, too, despises them.  Kukin loves her for her accord
with him, calling her his pet. But, when he goes to Moscow to collect a new troupe, he
suddenly dies.

Vassily Andreitch
Pustovalov. the manager at the timber merchant's, accompanies Olenka from
the funeral of her husband.  However, he appears more as a country gentleman than a
tradesman.   With a sense of fate, he consoles Olenka, "it is the will of God, so we
ought to have fortitude and bear it submissively."  After he leaves, his image remains
with Olenka.  Shortly thereafter, an elderly lady came to have coffee with Olenka; this
woman tells Olenka that Pustavalov is an excellent man.  When he comes to visit, Olenka
he only stays ten minutes, but when he leaves "Olenka loved him so much that she lay
awake all night in a perfect fever."  In the morning, she sends for the elderly lady and
the marriage is arranged.  He and Olenka get on well and Olenka takes his place in the
office when he is gone, discussing the timber as though she is the merchant.
"Vassitchka's" ideas are hers, and she abandons her interest in the theatre that she has
had with her first husband. However, after six years, Pustovalov goes out to the yard
one day, caught cold and becomes fatally ill and
dies.

Vladimir Platonitch
Smirninis a veterinary surgeon whom Olenda meets after having lived an
isolated life with her cook, Mavra. Unlike the other men in
her life, Smirnin does not want Olenda talking with the other veterinarians when they
visit. She asks, "What will I talk about then?"  Unhappy because she desires "a love
that would absorb her whole being," Olenka is discontent. Smirnin is called to his
regiment and is gone for years. But, one night Smirnin comes dressed as a civilian and
says that he has reconciled with his wife.  Olenka gives them lodging; however, it is
not long before the wife leaves
again.

Sasha Smirnin is the
son of the surgeon. While his father is away, Olenka cares for him, but she smothers him
with attention.  When he goes to high school, Olenka finds that she "has opinions of her
own" as she can discuss the school.  Later, when Sasha's mother sends for him, Olenka is
in despair. 

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But another minute would pass, voices would be
heard:  it would turn out to be the veterinary surgeon coming home from the
club.

"Well, thank God!" she would
think. 

Olga
Semyonovna, referred to as Olenka, has life only by attaching hers to
whomever she is married and to Sasha, whom she smothers. (Her characterization is
included with the husbands')