moment before

After multiple readings of the play, the scene that baffles me the most is the short exchange between Konstantin and Nina right before Trigorin enters with his “Takes snuff and drinks vodka…” I wanted to talk about this scene and I think this might be helpful for Daisy when she is thinking about the moment before her scene with Tyree. Here is the scene and below it are my thoughts.
[SCENE TOO LONG TO ADD]
This scene is hysterical. Too funny!! It probably does not take up more than three or four minutes of stage time but the characters, especially Konstantin, use the strangest tactics I have ever seen in a scene. Konstantin enters asking Nina if she is alone. He clearly wants to show his seagull to Nina and only to Nina. When she assures him that she is alone, Konstantin appeals to Nina with three phrases. He repents (I’ve done a vile thing). He shocks (I killed this seagull). And he worships (I lay it at your feet). What is he trying to get from Nina through such a strange ruse? Does he want her forgiveness? Does he want her to shelter him? Does he want an apology? Nina’s response is surprising. She is not moved by his repentance, nor is she shocked, nor does she feel worshipped. She actually picks up the seagull and looks at it (What’s the matter with you?) Konstantin’s burnt offering, his sacrifice to the gods, only baffles her. And yet, instead of cringing, she actually touches the seagull. Then again, her response is not that much of a surprise, with the exception of her picking up the seagull. How could she react with anything but bafflement? And then Konstantin says “Soon I will kill myself in the same way.” Most people who are actually serious about suicide never let on that they are planning to kill themselves. But of course Konstantin attempts it multiple times. Is he begging Nina to save him from himself? Does he think that slaying a seagull makes him look thoroughly insane and the appearance of insanity will force Nina to take care of him? But Nina simply dismisses him: “I don’t recognize you,” she says. And Konstantin responds by reciprocating the sentiment, the way children snap back at other children when they can’t think of a good comeback: “Well I don’t recognize you…etc). Nina just doesn’t get it. He knows Konstantin wants something from her but he doesn’t understand his “symbols.” The exchange ends with Konstantin proclaiming his usual self pity, unsuccessful at achieving his goal of “I’m crazy!! Help me!!,” if that is what he wants. I remember times when I have consciously done rash things to get attention from other people. The difference here is that Konstantin actually does end up killing himself.