He finally became a full-time writer in 1892 and wrote his famous stories such as "Neighbors", "Ward Number Six", "The Black Monk", and "The Murder".
[3] The main character of Olenka may be based in part on Chekhov's mother, who had deeply loved her own father, traveling all over Russia with him as a fabric merchant, and who stayed loyal to her husband through abuse, alcoholism and bankruptcy.
Olenka soon finds another man she becomes attached to, Vasily Pustovalov, a merchant from a timber yard; after a few days she becomes infatuated by him and they marry.
The two of them live a comfortable life of casual talk and religious activities until Vasily becomes ill and dies from a prolonged cold.
Smirnin complains that he had left his wife and son because of her unfaithfulness, so he is offered the lodge to live in with Olenka until he is able to fix the situation.
Smirnin leaves to travel to Moscow and is gone for months, during this time Olenka cannot think of anything independently from her husband or predominant male figure and is unable to create an opinion.
Olenka offers money to struggling actors, free room and board to the veterinary surgeon, and full time care to Sasha as a way to stay connected to them.
The story ends abruptly with Sasha rejecting Olenka, calling out her codependent behavior; pointing out her folly in the way only a child can do.