Character Analysis
Sorin is Arkadina's big brother. He's sixty years old and lives with Konstantin on the farm. He's a friendly old guy with bad health and bad luck, and he hasn't achieved the things he wanted in life:
"There was a time, all I ever wanted was two things: get married and be a writer. And I never did either one. Yes." (1.33)
That's a resounding "womp womp" right there.
But he doesn't feel sorry for himself, like Masha; despite his age he has some pep to get up and change his life. Sorin wants to go to town in Act 3, and he half-seriously fantasizes about having a young wife like Nina. Dorn makes fun of his attachment to life. "Having second thoughts about life at your age—seems a bit silly to me," says Dorn. But Sorin insists:
"You never let up, do you? Can't you understand? I want to live!" (4.54)
His health, which declines drastically throughout the play, is a reminder of the passage of time for all the characters. It's surely a sad surprise to him that he outlives his beloved nephew.
Basically, Sorin is kind. He encourages Konstantin, and he tries to intervene on his behalf with Arkadina. "I think the best thing might be for you to… well, to give him some money. He really needs some decent clothing and whatever" (3.30). Of course, Arkadina throws a fit and Sorin backs down, but there's a pattern of care between uncle and nephew that provides perhaps the only model of healthy love in the whole play.