One of the largest themes in “Uncle Vanya” is the passage of time and change over time. The arrival of the professor and his young wife in this country home catalyzes self-reflections, arguments and regrets with regards to how the characters have spent their time. Starting with the doctor, Astrov, Marina tells him honestly that, “You were young then, and handsome…you’ve lost your looks. And you like your vodka” (63). Astrov and Uncle Vanya share a discontent that time is passing them by and they are facing a stark and limited future. As Uncle Vanya reports despondently, “Everything’s old. I’m the same as always. Well, maybe a bit worse” (66). Not only is time passing, but any change it brings is for the worst.

Astrov remains obsessed with this idea of change in the form of the environment. In his rant about how the forests are being destroyed by lazy Russians, he despairs, “There are fewer and fewer forests, rivers are drying up, game animals are all but extinct, the climate is being ruined, and day by day the land gets poorer and uglier” (72). These remarks appear very forward-thinking, especially for the late 19^th century. Yet the character who takes his views to heart is the young and in-love Sonya. This suggests few are as enamored with this idea of taking care of the environment. Regardless, the doctor continues later, equating healthy forests with gentler climates and thereby gentler people. This remark presents a hopeful possibility for harsh Russia (and Russians).

The artwork Astrov dedicates himself to also represents this change over time as he depicts the successive diminution of the forest in the country. In showing the pictures to Yelena, his conclusion, “What we have here is basically a picture of gradual but unmistakable decay” reiterates the negative change time has wrought. In this story, the deterioration of the environment mirrors the social decay prevalent in the household as the characters become listless; they become obsessed with beauty over their other passions and works and drink themselves silly. Yet, the ending of the story provides a sobering glance of the future as once the professor and Yelena leave, every aspect of life for the others returns to as it was before. Powerless in the face of time, the best they can do is live as the world deteriorates around them. Or do they render themselves powerless by not trying?