Vocabulary in The Seagull

Small, plump game birds often hunted for sport or food; here listed among the creatures of the earth to suggest the full variety of living things.

Deer bearing antlers; used here as part of a sweeping catalogue of all living creatures on earth.

To live in or occupy a particular place as one's natural home or environment.

Star-shaped sea creatures with five arms; included here in a poetic list meant to evoke every form of life in the universe.

Too small or hidden to be seen without aid; used here to extend the catalogue of life to microscopic organisms beyond ordinary human perception.

In a state of grief or sorrow, traditionally expressed by wearing black; here used figuratively to mean grieving over one's own wasted or unhappy life.

Delightfully attractive or pleasing in manner and appearance; used here as faint, slightly condescending praise for Nina's performance.

A theme or idea chosen as the basis for a story or work of art; here Trigorin means the seagull image has given him material to write about.

The inner strength or determination to make and carry out one's own decisions; lacking it means being unable to resist others' wishes or demands.

To say no to someone's request or desire; here used to show Trigorin's inability to deny women what they want from him.

Capable of being helpful or serving a purpose; here an offer to sacrifice everything one has for another person's benefit.

Intense romantic or emotional attachments to another person; here used to mean a great love affair, with the word 'last' implying there have been many before.

A strong inner sense of purpose or vocation — the work one feels destined to do; here Nina means her identity and mission as an actress.

A firm belief or trust — here not necessarily religious, but a deep personal conviction that gives one the strength to endure suffering and keep going.

Fired a gun at oneself, resulting in death; a direct statement of suicide, here delivered quietly by Dorn to reveal the truth of Konstantin's death.

Roughly put together from whatever is available, as a temporary substitute for something properly built; describes the improvised outdoor stage Konstantin constructs.

Overwhelmed by an intense but often short-lived romantic obsession with someone; used to describe Konstantin's consuming feelings for Nina.

Relating to a late-19th-century artistic movement that used symbols and abstract imagery rather than realistic depiction to express inner truths and emotions.

The regions of a country outside the capital or major cities; here used to suggest small, unglamorous theatres far from the cultural centre, where Nina struggles as an actress.

The handwritten or typed pages of an unpublished or unfinished work; here Konstantin tears up his own writings as a final act of despair before his death.