Do you know the heartache of leaving behind a cherished place? Anton Chekhov's renowned play, The Cherry Orchard, explores this pain through the Ranevsky family's struggle to save their ancestral home and the beloved cherry orchard amidst financial turmoil. As they grapple with looming auction and difficult decisions, the play delves into themes of loss, social change, and the consequences of denial.
The Cherry Orchard was penned between 1901 and 1903 by Anton Chekhov, a well-known Russian playwright and short story writer. Its premiere on January 17, 1904, coincided with Chekhov's 44th and final birthday. Despite his battle with tuberculosis, the author was able to attend the premiere at the Moscow Art Theatre only five months before his passing.
Chekhov's most notable works include The Seagull (1896), Uncle Vanya (1898), Three Sisters (1901), and The Cherry Orchard (1904). Each of these plays premiered under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski at the Moscow Art Theatre. While Chekhov intended them as comedies, they were often performed as tragedies, much to his dismay.
As you read The Cherry Orchard, consider whether you believe it to be a comedy or a tragedy. What elements do you think categorize it as one over the other?
The social changes taking place in Russia during the 1800s greatly influenced the story of The Cherry Orchard. Chekhov's own childhood occurred during the reign of Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881), also known as Alexander the Liberator. During his rule, the Emancipation Declaration of 1861 was enacted, freeing serfs from slavery.
Serfs were considered the property of landowners and worked the land as slaves. The declaration sparked controversy as it initiated a transition towards a free-market economy, leading to a decline in the power of the aristocratic class. For the first time, the lower class had the opportunity to rise above their previously limited means. The Cherry Orchard captures the upheaval of this social class structure as the play's noble family is forced to sell their estate to a former serf turned successful businessman.
Interestingly, Chekhov's own grandfather was a former serf who bought his freedom in 1841. His family faced financial hardships, and, like the Ranevsky family in the play, had to sell their estate to pay off their debts.
The Cherry Orchard is divided into four acts, a signature feature of Chekhov's plays. Act 1 introduces Lubov Ranevsky, who returns to her family's Russian estate after five years in Paris. Her daughter, Anya, is sent to bring her home, and they are welcomed back by friends, family, and the estate's staff on a chilly spring day when the cherry trees are in full bloom.
As the family catches up, Anya expresses her concerns about her mother's lavish spending habits, despite their debts. Lubov, who is still mourning the loss of her husband and son, has been living in Paris with a French lover, surrounded by strangers. She continues to live beyond her means, contributing to their dire financial situation.
With the auction of the estate approaching in three months, everyone scrambles for a solution. Lubov's brother, Gaev, and a family friend, Lopakhin, both express their love for the estate but offer different ideas for financial stability. While Gaev suggests selling off some of the land, Lopakhin proposes renting it out for villas to be built, a decision that causes tension within the family and raises questions about the consequences of avoiding reality.
In Act 2, Lubov is hesitant to make any decisions regarding the estate as it would entail demolishing their family home and beloved orchard. Meanwhile, her sentimental brother, Gaev, suggests seeking financial support from wealthy acquaintances and an aunt.
Businessman Lopakhin proposes using the nearby land owned by the Ranevsky family to build summer villas. Lubov and Gaev are appalled at the thought of selling their cherished home for such development.
In Anton Chekhov's famous play, The Cherry Orchard, audiences are introduced to the Ranevsky family and their circle of acquaintances. Their interactions and emotions shape the narrative, illustrating the shifting times and challenges of maintaining an aristocratic lifestyle.
Throughout the play, characters are referred to by their first and last names, so it is important to become familiar with their Russian names for better understanding.
Lubov Ranevsky, the head of the family, is the owner of the cherry orchard estate. After her husband's death from alcoholism and her son's tragic drowning, she spends five years in Paris with her lover. Known for her lavish spending habits, Lubov represents the upper-class who struggle to accept societal changes while holding onto their traditional ways of life.
At only 17 years old, Anya is Lubov's daughter and often treated as the baby of the family. When she learns of her mother's attempted suicide, she is sent to Paris with a governess to bring her back. Anya is the favorite of the Ranevsky family and tries to console her mother with her kind and gentle nature.
Varya, 27 years old and Lubov's adopted daughter, takes on the role of the responsible elder sister and manages household affairs. Despite rumors of a potential marriage to Lopakhin, he never proposes. Varya dreams of becoming a nun, but her family's financial struggles prevent her from pursuing her aspirations.
Gaev, Lubov's brother, is the beloved uncle of Anya and Varya. He is known for his long and sentimental speeches, often requiring his family to interrupt and tell him to stop.
As the play progresses, it becomes evident that Lubov has been careless with her money and is struggling to come to terms with her past mistakes. She shares the tragic events of her life, including her husband's death from alcoholism, her own failed attempt at taking her life, and the untimely death of her son. Despite everything, her focus remains on preserving the cherry orchard.
Soon, a student named Peter Trofimov appears and delivers lengthy speeches about the importance of hard work and taking action to move the nation forward. Ironically, Trofimov himself is unemployed and often ridiculed for being a perpetual student.
Meanwhile, a beggar approaches Lubov for money, and she carelessly gives him gold. This action frustrates those around her, and eventually, only Anya and Trofimov remain. They walk away towards the moonlit river, leaving behind the distant cries of Varya.
In the third act, a final party takes place at the estate on August 22nd. Lubov is anxious about her brother's return, fearing that their attempt to borrow money from their aunt to save the estate has failed. However, Varya assures her that their grandmother has sent some money, bringing some relief, although Lubov feels it is not enough.
Trofimov playfully teases Varya by calling her "Madame Lopakhin," sparking a conversation about her potential marriage to him. Varya becomes upset and runs away, leading to a heart-to-heart between Lubov and Trofimov. Lubov confesses to being lost and clinging onto the house and orchard because it holds immense sentimental value to her. She asks Trofimov for pity, and he sympathizes with her.
Lubov then shares a telegram with Trofimov from her lover in Paris, who has used her and left her with nothing. Despite this, she declares her love for him and proclaims she cannot live without him. The two argue, but Trofimov, who has never experienced love, cannot understand her situation. The act concludes with everyone dancing, except for Lopakhin and Gaev, who enter with Gaev visibly upset.
In the final act, the house is mostly empty as the family prepares to leave. Lopakhin reveals that he has purchased the cherry orchard, proudly boasting about his journey from an uneducated child to the owner of the magnificent estate. He plans to chop down the orchard and build a new future for the rising lower class on the land.
Meanwhile, Lubov is seen weeping in the drawing room, and Anya kneels before her, offering reassurance that she will eventually find happiness again. The play ends with the family gathering their belongings and bidding farewell to the estate, symbolizing the end of an era.
Gaev, a family friend of the Ranevskys, desperately tries to save their beloved home by borrowing money from his wealthy aunt and friends. However, his efforts are in vain.
Lopakhin, the son of a serf and now a successful businessman, remains a family friend to the Ranevskys despite being mistreated by his alcoholic father. He suggests that the solution to Lubov's financial troubles is to rent out their land for villas. However, when she refuses, Lopakhin takes matters into his own hands by purchasing the cherry orchard, representing the rise of the lower class. Although he strives for success, his obsession with money often overshadows his good intentions.
Peter Trofimov, a former tutor to Lubov's son, is like family to the Ranevskys. He is an outspoken radical intellectual, often ridiculed for still studying at the age of 30 instead of pursuing a conventional career. Trofimov frequently criticizes the aristocrats and intellectuals of Russia for talking about change without taking action. He serves as a foil to Lopakhin, as he values truth and progress over material possessions.
A foil character serves to contrast another character, highlighting their differing traits and values.
Fiers, the 87-year-old footman who has been with the family for many years, is left behind when they move out of the house. As he becomes trapped inside when Lopakhin locks up, he laments the loss of the cherry orchard and listens to the sound of the trees being chopped down in the distance.
In Anton Chekhov's play, The Cherry Orchard, Fiers symbolizes the consequences of clinging to outdated traditions and refusing to adapt to changing times. As a senile member of the old aristocracy, he longs for the days of serfdom when everyone knew their place in society. His fate at the end of the play, being accidentally left locked in the ancestral home, represents the abandonment of old ways and the inevitability of progress.
The Cherry Orchard is set on a lavish estate in Russia during the early 1900s, a time marked by significant social change. The lower class's rise and the diminishing power of the nobility are reflected in the play's setting. The beauty of the land and the sentimental value of the ancestral home heavily influence the story. As the cherry blossoms bloom on a cold day in May, it foreshadows the tension and beauty that will unfold as the family reunites and faces the possibility of selling their beloved home.
The cherry orchard is a recurring symbol in the play, representing both beauty and change. Like the cherry trees that bloom briefly before decaying, the Ranevsky family's happiness and comfort in their ancestral home cannot last forever. As the threat of the orchard being chopped down looms, it serves as a reminder that change is inevitable, and traditions often have to give way to progress.
Furthermore, the cherry orchard also represents tradition in the play. While some characters, like Lubov and Gaev, cling to the orchard and their upper-class lifestyle, others, like Trofimov, embrace change and see the orchard as a symbol of old ways that must give way to new opportunities. Through the fate of the cherry orchard, Chekhov highlights the conflicting views of the traditional upper and lower classes during a time of social change.
Change and Identity
The Cherry Orchard showcases how societal change affects individuals on a personal level. As the lower class rises and the power of the aristocracy diminishes, the characters find themselves in new, unfamiliar situations.
After losing their wealth and the safety of their traditional roles, the Ranevsky family must adapt to a new way of life. Meanwhile, the domestic help must navigate a society where their previous roles and identities no longer hold weight. The play follows the struggles of these characters as they confront love, change, and the pursuit of freedom in a changing world.
The Influence of Money and Work
The Cherry Orchard explores the relationship between money and work, with these two themes constantly intertwining. Money serves as a source of conflict and discussion among the characters, each with their own views on its value. Lubov is carefree with her wealth, while Lopakhin uses a combination of generosity and business sense to become a wealthy businessman. On the other hand, Trofimov believes that seeking truth is more important than chasing after money. Chekhov also portrays the contrast between money and work, emphasizing how Lopakhin's success is a result of his hard work and determination, while the wealthy intellectuals are criticized for their lack of action and preoccupation with money. Work is also shown as a source of purpose and identity, seen through Lubov's concern for Varya's future without her role as the house manager and the fears of the house helpers about losing their jobs when the orchard is sold.
Love and the Quest for Freedom
The Cherry Orchard presents various potential romantic relationships, but none of them come to fruition. Lopakhin never proposes to Varya, Dunyasha ignores Epikhodov's advances, and Anya and Trofimov both leave to pursue their own studies. These unfulfilled love affairs highlight the theme of freedom, as the characters struggle to break free from societal expectations and find personal fulfillment outside of traditional roles and relationships.
Written in 1904 by Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard is a reflection of Russian society during a time of significant social change. Set on the Ranevsky estate in Russia, the play delves into the themes of love, identity, money, work, and freedom.
Despite the significant changes taking place, the characters are often oblivious or in denial, resulting in comical but poignant interactions that showcase the absurdity of their situations. The cherry orchard, a fleeting symbol of beauty, represents the downfall of traditional class structures and the need for adaptability in a constantly evolving society.
