The Three Sisters Character Analysis

Olga Prozorov

Olga is the eldest of the three Prozorov sisters, 28 at the beginning of the play. Olga takes a maternal role toward her sisters, Masha and Irina, and her brother, Andrey; she is… read analysis of Olga Prozorov

Masha Prozorov

Masha, 23, is the middle Prozorov sister, between Olga and Irina. Less emotionally demonstrative than her sisters, Masha is bookish and musically talented. At 18, she married Kulygin, thinking him intimidatingly clever; within… read analysis of Masha Prozorov

Irina Prozorov

Irina is the youngest Prozorov sister, after Olga and Masha; she is 20 at the start of the play. Irina is the most lively and cheerful sister at first, taking childish delight in gifts… read analysis of Irina Prozorov

Andrey Prozorov

Andrey is the lone brother of Olga, Masha, and Irina, who idolize him. A promising academic in his youth, he gives up his dream of becoming a professor at Moscow University after… read analysis of Andrey Prozorov

Aleksandr Ignatyevich Vershinin

Vershinin is a new commander in the army brigade. He grew up in Moscow and served in the Prozorovs’ father’s brigade there; he also remembers their mother and met the sisters when they were little… read analysis of Aleksandr Ignatyevich Vershinin

Baron Nikolay Lvovich Tuzenbakh

Tuzenbakh is an army lieutenant and frequent guest at the Prozorov house. At the start of the play, he’s not yet 30. A tender-hearted and noble man, he is in love with Irina and shares… read analysis of Baron Nikolay Lvovich Tuzenbakh

Kulygin

Kulygin is Masha’s good-natured, loyal, unflappable husband. A high school teacher, he seemed intimidatingly clever when Masha first married him, but after a few years of marriage, he no longer seems very intelligent to… read analysis of Kulygin

Ivan Romanych Chebutykin

Chebutykin is a physician and an old Prozorov family friend who is especially devoted to Irina. He is 60 at the beginning of the play and is usually seen reading a newspaper or making… read analysis of Ivan Romanych Chebutykin

Solyony

Solyony is an army captain and frequent Prozorov guest. Shy in company, he has a tendency to talk nonsense, make crude comments, and pick quarrels. He loves Irina, but she feels uncomfortable around him… read analysis of Solyony

Natasha

Natasha is Andrey’s love interest and, later, his wife. At the beginning of the play, her social awkwardness and backwards fashion elicit the Prozorov sisters’ scorn. However, soon after marrying Andrey, she essentially takes… read analysis of Natasha

Minor Characters

Anfisa

Around 80 years old, she’s been a servant with the Prozorov household for 30 years. When Natasha mistreats her, Olga allows her to live in her apartment for free, making her one of the happiest characters in the play.

Ferapont

Ferapont is Andrey’s elderly, hard-of-hearing servant.

Protopopov

Though he doesn’t appear in the play, Protopopov is the head of the District Council, on which Andrey serves. He also has a longstanding affair with Andrey’s wife, Natasha.

Fedotik

Fedotik, an army lieutenant, is a frequent Prozorov guest, along with Rode. He is especially devoted to Irina, often bringing her gifts. He also loves to take photographs.

Rode

An army lieutenant, Rode often accompanies his friend Fedotik to the Prozorov house.

Bobik

Andrey’s and Natasha’s baby son.

Sofochka

Andrey’s and Natasha’s baby daughter.