The predominant theme in the story is codependency. Olenka is obsessed with her male companions because she depends on them for validation and social status. "It was evident that she could not live without attachment." When she is married to the theatre manager, she lives and breathes for the theatre. When she is married to the devout lumber merchant, she only thinks of lumber and attends church instead of the theatre. When she becomes the companion to the veterinary surgeon, she learns everything she can about animal husbandry and animal disease so that she can keep up with the dinner party conversations with other veterinarians. After the veterinary surgeon leaves town for work, she becomes deeply depressed without someone to be attached to. "What was worst of all, she had no opinions of any sort. She saw the object about her and understood what she saw, but could not form any opinion about them, and did not know what to talk about. And how awful it is to not have any opinions." Her final codependent relationship is with the son of the veterinary surgeon, Sasha. She becomes as obsessed with the child as with any of the adult men in her life. "How she loved him. Of her former attachments, none had been so deep." Olenka even begins to study so that can keep up with his schoolwork. Through this education, she finally is able to develop opinions of her own.
The secondary theme is the trap of selflessness inherent in codependency. 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. Everyone calls her "The Darling" because she is generous and supportive; which is seen by adults in the community as a positive trait. 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.
