Cherry Orchard

The Cherry Orchard

The "Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov, is a symbolic story about change. The story centers on one family, and the people that come into their lives. It takes place during a time where Russia is changing, becoming a more modern world. The cherry orchard symbolizes the past, and each character deals with leaving the past behind.

The play begins with Lopakhin, a friend of the family, coming to the house, and being greeted by the maid, Dunyasha, only to find out that the owner, Ranevsky has been in Paris for the past five years. We find out that Lopakhin is a businessman, and that he used to be a peasant, already revealing the changes that have taken place in Russian Culture. No longer is it only aristocratic families that can become rich.

Ranevsky and her daughter, Anya, soon arrive home. Ranevsky seems overjoyed to have finally arrived home, and in a later scene, we find out that Varya found her mother living in poverty in Paris. This is when Varya reveals that the family's estate is going to be sold in August, so they can pay their debts. We also learn that the father and brother of Varya have drowned, and Ranevsky moved to Paris in order to escape the pain.

Lopakhin begins thinking of ideas to sell the house. Ranesvsky is hesitant, because she does not want to cut down the cherry orchard that means so much to the family. The second act consists of the family questioning whether they should or should not cut down the cherry orchard. The orchard seems to symbolize something of memory, as looking at it, many of the characters describe a scene from their past.

Trofimov, and important character appears. He was Ranesvky's sons tutor and brings back painful memories of the past. Yet he also gives long speeches about Russia, revealing the attitude some Russian people at this time in history. He speaks of the importance of work, and he calls Russian intellectuals lazy. He feels the ideas of the modern Russia are morally wrong and stupid.

The third act takes place on the day of the auction, and there is a party in the house. The play ends with the characters contemplating as they are leaving, and the cherry orchard is already being cut down. They are all going their separate ways. Firs, an old servant, get left behind. He seems to represent the last generation of Russia that is fading out, their beliefs and way of life, being forgotten.