Chekhov’s “Uncle ___”

The crossword clue refers to the title character of Anton Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya.” The character’s name is Vanya, which is short for Ivan Petrovich Voynitsky. The play, which premiered in 1899, is about an aging, disillusioned professor and his interactions with his family and their estate manager, Vanya. Vanya is portrayed as a complex and tragic figure, struggling with unrequited love for the professor’s wife and a sense of futility in his life. The play is considered a masterpiece of realism and psychology, and Vanya is one of Chekhov’s most memorable characters.