Describe the theme of the story as precisely as possible.

One major theme in Chekhov's story is the nature of love. This theme is illustrated through the character of Olga Semyonovna, who lives for the idea of love and withers away without it. In the story, however, Chekov questions Olga's feelings about love, and the fact that she is dependent on the thought of love...... rather than the true feeling of love for another human being. Olga's life revolves her relationship with others..... she has no real life of her own..... no sense of independence, and the person who she spends time with matters little, as long as there is someone else there.