Summary of The Darling by Anton Chekhov

Natasha is the protagonist of The Darling, a young woman who is constantly seeking love and companionship from the men in her life. She becomes infatuated with each man she meets, adapting her personality and opinions to mirror theirs. Natasha's longing for affection leads her to become overly dependent on her relationships, losing her sense of self in the process.

Ivan Petrovich is one of Natasha's lovers in The Darling, a man who she idolizes and emulates during their relationship. He is a hunter and a farmer, and Natasha takes on his interests and beliefs as her own while they are together. Ivan Petrovich's death leaves Natasha devastated and lost, searching for a new man to fill the void in her life.

Dmitri Dmitritch Gurov is another of Natasha's lovers in The Darling, a married man who she becomes entangled with. Gurov is charming and seductive, drawing Natasha into a passionate affair. However, Gurov's inability to commit to Natasha leaves her heartbroken and longing for his return. Their tumultuous relationship highlights Natasha's desire for love and connection at any cost.

The story begins with a young girl named Olenka, who falls in love with a man named Kukin. She adopts his opinions and interests as her own, becoming completely absorbed in his world. Olenka becomes known as The Darling by those around her, due to her ability to adapt to the men she loves.

After Kukin leaves town, Olenka marries a veterinarian named Pustoval. She once again immerses herself in her husband's interests, taking on his beliefs and opinions. Olenka becomes devoted to Pustoval, even attending his lectures on animal diseases.

When Pustoval dies, Olenka marries a timber merchant named Smirnin. Once again, she becomes completely engrossed in her husband's world, adopting his thoughts and mannerisms. Olenka's friends and acquaintances remark on how she changes with each new man she loves.

After Smirnin's death, Olenka marries an engineer named Tchervyakov. She once again molds herself to fit her husband's interests and beliefs, losing her own sense of identity in the process. Olenka's friends and family observe her transformation with a mixture of amusement and concern.

When Tchervyakov dies, Olenka is left alone and adrift. She begins to adopt the opinions and interests of those around her, becoming a reflection of the people she encounters. Olenka's ability to adapt and change with each new love is both her defining trait and her downfall.

As Olenka grows older, she becomes increasingly isolated and lonely. She longs for the companionship and love of another man, but struggles to find someone who can fill the void left by her previous husbands. Olenka's friends and acquaintances watch as she becomes a mere shadow of her former self.

In her final years, Olenka becomes a caretaker for her nephew's children. She once again becomes absorbed in their world, adopting their interests and beliefs as her own. Olenka's ability to adapt and change with each new love remains intact, even in her old age.

As Olenka nears the end of her life, she is remembered as The Darling by those who knew her. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing oneself in love, and the importance of maintaining one's own identity. Olenka's legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew her, a reminder of the power of love to shape and transform us.