Anton Chekhov's short story "The Darling" is a story that contains a number of themes: love, loss, and oppression. On the surface, the story of Olenka appears to be a tragic one; in addition to caring for her elderly and ill father, she endures the death of two husbands and the rejection of a suitor. While there is no denying that Olenka's life does indeed have some tragic elements, there is also a great deal of irony at play.

There is also the existence of what appears to be love throughout the story. Whether Olenka actually loved her husbands and suitor is really unimportant. She believed she loved them and behaved in the way she assumed women in love typically act. There is no doubt that Olenka believes that by fully immersing herself in her husbands' worlds, she is demonstrating her love and commitment. Further...