Student Question

How does weather impact characters in "The Darling"?

Quick answer:

In "The Darling," the relentless rain early in the story increases the despair of Olga's first husband, Kukin. Winter, often associated with death, foreshadows the declining health of both of Olga's husbands. When the veterinarian returns, it is a hot day in July, and the warmer temperature matches Olga's enthusiasm for finding love again, this time as a maternal influence on young Sasha.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Olga's first husband, Kukin, is a theater owner with a rather pessimistic personality. He believes that the public is greatly unappreciative of the splendor of the theater he owns and that, generally speaking, they are "a great boor." Instead of intellectual stimulation, he claims they want a "circus" and are too simple minded to appreciate a more refined art. As he complains, the weather matches his spirits. It rains every day, beginning in early May and lasting through the entire month of June. This furthers Kukin's state of depression as he becomes convinced that the rain should simply "drown the whole theatre, and [him], too."

When winter arrives, the cold signals a sharp decline in Kukin's health. Though Olga grows "fuller" and is "always beaming," Kukin grows thin. He begins coughing, and Olga gives him treatments each evening. The cold winter is a turning point for Kukin and foreshadows his death; he never fully recovers from this chronic illness and dies while on a trip to Moscow.

Winter again proves an ominous time for Olga's second husband, Vassily Andreitch Pustovalov. After spending several years together, the cold weather again foreshadows an upcoming loss for Olga. After going outside without a hat, Pustovalov grows ill. Though he is treated by "the best physicians," he continues to decline and dies after four months of illness.

Olga forms a brief relationship with the veterinarian who lodges in a room of her home. When he is transferred to a faraway town, Olga again finds herself alone. She finds herself quite emotional when she encounters the "breath of spring," likely a warm breeze which should signal new life. However, for Olga there seems to be no sign of continuing life; instead, she faces loss over and over again. Thus, these winds of springtime inflict great grief on Olga as she is reminded of her own losses and solitude.

The weather is hot, a warm day in July, when the veterinarian returns to her. In contrast to the deaths which come to her in the winter, this hot July day signals the return of life; the veterinarian brings his ten-year-old son, who becomes the joy of Olga's existence. The weather in this instance signals a new beginning, and Olga mentally and physically improves when young Sasha moves in with her.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial