The Lake

Chekhov's setting of the play around a lake repeats and emphasizes its purpose with Treplev's setting of his play by the lake in Act One. The lake represents both Treplev and Chekhov's desire to move to a more naturalistic theater not limited by three walls. The lake means several different things to the play's characters. The lake is a place of reflection, respite, and escape. Trigorin goes there by himself to fish. Treplev goes to the lake to mope and reflect, perhaps also, to get attention for his bruised ego. To Nina, the lake magnetically draws her to it. It is a place to roost, to feel secure and at home when there is no home to be found. To Nina the lake also represents curiosity and exploration of childhood. She tells Trigorin that she knows all of the little islands on the lake. Treplev tells Nina that losing her love feels like the lake sunk into the ground. To him, losing her affection feels like losing a recognizable place, a place of peace and renewal. Treplev's metaphor describes a life-source—the lake—drying up and disappearing. This is how Treplev feels about his own life in relation to his loss of Nina.