Act 2 Summary

This act opens at midday on a croquet lawn of Peter's estate. Near the rear of the lawn, Madame Arkadina, Yevgeny and Masha sit in the shade of some linden trees. The lake can be seen off in one direction, and Peter's home in the other. Suddenly, Madame Arkadina demands that Yevgeny and Masha stand along with her. She wants Yevgeny to tell her which of the two women looks younger.

Yevgeny answers that Madame Arkadina looks younger than Masha, much to Madame Arkadina's satisfaction. Madame Arkadina proceeds to tell Masha that her secrets of youthfulness lie in her maintaining her appearance and in staying busy with her work. Masha acknowledges her own drawbacks and her intent to change.

Madame Arkadina begins to read from the book Yevgeny holds in his lap about the life of French artists, and the methods of seduction...