The Prozorov sisters, despite residing in the town for over ten years and often hosting guests in their home, still experience a profound sense of isolation. Their advanced education distinguishes them intellectually from the locals, deepening their feelings of alienation. Vershinin tries to comfort them by saying that no town could be "so boring and so dismal that it doesn't need intelligent, cultivated people," but the sisters remain unconvinced by his optimistic perspective and progressive mindset.

Most of their social circle consists of military officers who are temporarily stationed in the town and eventually leave. Andrei seeks solace in his room with his violin, while Olga avoids social events, complaining of headaches. Irina, driven by a desire for engagement, reluctantly agrees to marry Tuzenbach, but a sudden act of violence disrupts her chance to escape the family's cycle of isolation that began with their father's death. Their aspiration to move to Moscow in hopes of finding like-minded people is challenged by Vershinin, who has recently come from Moscow and remembers feeling lonely there.

The play intricately intertwines a series of romantic involvements, each illustrating different degrees of sincerity and fervor. The characters present unique viewpoints on love. Andrei embodies the role of someone hopelessly exploited in love, as Natasha takes advantage of him while making sacrifices for her children. Masha and Vershinin discover genuine happiness together, escaping their confining marriages. In contrast, Kulygin, despite his lack of imagination, demonstrates pure and selfless affection by comforting his wife when she grieves the loss of her lover. He also confides in Olga, revealing that he should have married her instead of Masha, underscoring his dedication to Masha.

Irina shares a playful connection with Chebutykin, who adores her, although a romantic relationship is out of reach due to their age difference. Chebutykin also treasures memories of Irina's mother. Tuzenbach is content with his love for Irina, fully aware that she doesn't feel the same way, while Solyony, perhaps incapable of love, models his life after a romantic poet. None of these relationships end happily, yet there is an admirable nobility in how each character chases their fleeting desires.

The core of the three sisters' dissatisfaction is their lack of purpose. Other characters in the play reflect the varied outlooks the sisters have on the meaning of life. Olga finds solace in memories of the past, particularly her parents, which aligns with her role as a teacher—someone who deals with established ideas and lives with Anfisa, a constant reminder of her childhood. Masha, once creative, has fallen into despair, saying she has forgotten how to play the piano. She feels that being cultured in a small town is futile: "We know a lot that isn't any use." Her connection with Vershinin rekindles her artistic talent, and she uses music to subtly communicate with him in public. Irina is hopeful about the future but lacks clarity about her desires, making it challenging for her to realize her dreams. She is open to marrying Tuzenbach if it allows her to move to Moscow, where she hopes to find true love. Her plan is flawed, yet she cannot come up with a more effective strategy. Ultimately, she commits to the equally uncertain belief that work will give her life meaning, though she remains unsure how.

Visitors to the Prozorov home casually debate the meaning of life, treating existential mysteries like a game. For example, when Vershinin comments, "Well, if they won't give us any tea, at least let's philosophize," Tuzenbach responds, "Yes, let's." Vershinin believes that work gives life purpose, even if the results are not immediately clear. Solyony embodies an absurdist view, suggesting such conversations are pointless, which he mocks with intentionally nonsensical comments. Chebutykin shares this sense of futility when he drops the clock belonging to the woman he loved, questioning whether reality is as it appears. Tuzenbach only comes to appreciate the world when he faces death in a duel.