Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

"The Cherry Orchard"

The estate of landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. Spring, cherry trees are blooming. But the beautiful garden will soon have to be sold for debts. For the last five years, Ranevskaya and her seventeen-year-old daughter Anya have lived abroad. Ranevskaya’s brother Leonid Andreevich Gaev and her adopted daughter, twenty-four-year-old Varya, remained on the estate. Things are bad for Ranevskaya, there are almost no funds left. Lyubov Andreevna always squandered money. Six years ago, her husband died from drunkenness. Ranevskaya fell in love with another person and got along with him. But soon her little son Grisha died tragically, drowning in the river. Lyubov Andreevna, unable to bear the grief, fled abroad. The lover followed her. When he fell ill, Ranevskaya had to settle him at her dacha near Menton and look after him for three years. And then, when he had to sell his dacha for debts and move to Paris, he robbed and abandoned Ranevskaya.

Gaev and Varya meet Lyubov Andreevna and Anya at the station. The maid Dunyasha and the merchant Ermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin are waiting for them at home. Lopakhin's father was a serf of the Ranevskys, he himself became rich, but says of himself that he remained a “man a man.” The clerk Epikhodov comes, a man with whom something constantly happens and who is nicknamed “twenty-two misfortunes.”

Finally the carriages arrive. The house is filled with people, everyone is in pleasant excitement. Everyone talks about their own things. Lyubov Andreevna looks at the rooms and through tears of joy remembers the past. The maid Dunyasha can’t wait to tell the young lady that Epikhodov proposed to her. Anya herself advises Varya to marry Lopakhin, and Varya dreams of marrying Anya to a rich man. The governess Charlotte Ivanovna, a strange and eccentric person, boasts about her amazing dog; the neighbor, the landowner Simeonov-Pishchik, asks for a loan of money. The old faithful servant Firs hears almost nothing and mutters something all the time.

Lopakhin reminds Ranevskaya that the estate should soon be sold at auction, the only way out is to divide the land into plots and rent them out to summer residents. Ranevskaya is surprised by Lopakhin’s proposal: how can her beloved wonderful cherry orchard be cut down! Lopakhin wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya, whom he loves “more than his own,” but it’s time for him to leave. Gaev makes a welcoming speech to the hundred-year-old “respected” cabinet, but then, embarrassed, he again begins to meaninglessly utter his favorite billiard words.

Ranevskaya does not immediately recognize Petya Trofimov: so he has changed, turned ugly, the “dear student” has turned into an “eternal student.” Lyubov Andreevna cries, remembering her little drowned son Grisha, whose teacher was Trofimov.

Gaev, left alone with Varya, tries to talk about business. There is a rich aunt in Yaroslavl, who, however, does not love them: after all, Lyubov Andreevna did not marry a nobleman, and she did not behave “very virtuously.” Gaev loves his sister, but still calls her “vicious,” which displeases Anya. Gaev continues to build projects: his sister will ask Lopakhin for money, Anya will go to Yaroslavl - in a word, they will not allow the estate to be sold, Gaev even swears by it. The grumpy Firs finally takes the master, like a child, to bed. Anya is calm and happy: her uncle will arrange everything.

Lopakhin never ceases to persuade Ranevskaya and Gaev to accept his plan. The three of them had breakfast in the city and, on their way back, stopped in a field near the chapel. Just now, here, on the same bench, Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha, but she had already preferred the young cynical lackey Yasha to him. Ranevskaya and Gaev don’t seem to hear Lopakhin and are talking about completely different things. Without convincing the “frivolous, unbusinesslike, strange” people of anything, Lopakhin wants to leave. Ranevskaya asks him to stay: “it’s still more fun” with him.

Anya, Varya and Petya Trofimov arrive. Ranevskaya starts a conversation about a “proud man.” According to Trofimov, there is no point in pride: a rude, unhappy person should not admire himself, but work. Petya condemns the intelligentsia, who are incapable of work, those people who philosophize importantly, and treat men like animals. Lopakhin enters the conversation: he works “from morning to evening,” dealing with large capitals, but he is increasingly convinced how few decent people there are around. Lopakhin doesn’t finish speaking, Ranevskaya interrupts him. In general, everyone here does not want and does not know how to listen to each other. There is silence, in which the distant sad sound of a broken string can be heard.

Soon everyone disperses. Left alone, Anya and Trofimov are glad to have the opportunity to talk together, without Varya. Trofimov convinces Anya that one must be “above love”, that the main thing is freedom: “all of Russia is our garden,” but in order to live in the present, one must first atone for the past through suffering and labor. Happiness is close: if not they, then others will definitely see it.

The twenty-second of August arrives, trading day. It was on this evening, completely inappropriately, that a ball was being held at the estate, and a Jewish orchestra was invited. Once upon a time, generals and barons danced here, but now, as Firs complains, both the postal official and the station master “don’t like to go.” Charlotte Ivanovna entertains guests with her tricks. Ranevskaya anxiously awaits her brother's return. The Yaroslavl aunt nevertheless sent fifteen thousand, but it was not enough to redeem the estate.

Petya Trofimov “calms” Ranevskaya: it’s not about the garden, it’s over long ago, we need to face the truth. Lyubov Andreevna asks not to judge her, to have pity: after all, without the cherry orchard, her life loses its meaning. Every day Ranevskaya receives telegrams from Paris. At first she tore them right away, then - after reading them first, now she no longer tears them. “This wild man,” whom she still loves, begs her to come. Petya condemns Ranevskaya for her love for “a petty scoundrel, a nonentity.” Angry Ranevskaya, unable to restrain herself, takes revenge on Trofimov, calling him a “funny eccentric”, “freak”, “neat”: “You have to love yourself... you have to fall in love!” Petya tries to leave in horror, but then stays and dances with Ranevskaya, who asked him for forgiveness.

Finally, a confused, joyful Lopakhin and a tired Gaev appear, who, without saying anything, immediately goes home. The Cherry Orchard was sold, and Lopakhin bought it. The “new landowner” is happy: he managed to outbid the rich man Deriganov at the auction, giving ninety thousand on top of his debt. Lopakhin picks up the keys thrown on the floor by the proud Varya. Let the music play, let everyone see how Ermolai Lopakhin “takes an ax to the cherry orchard”!

Anya consoles her crying mother: the garden has been sold, but there is a whole life ahead. There will be a new garden, more luxurious than this, “quiet, deep joy” awaits them...

The house is empty. Its inhabitants, having said goodbye to each other, leave. Lopakhin is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov is returning to Moscow, to the university. Lopakhin and Petya exchange barbs. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a “beast of prey,” necessary “in the sense of metabolism,” he still loves his “tender, subtle soul.” Lopakhin offers Trofimov money for the trip. He refuses: no one should have power over the “free man”, “in the forefront of moving” to the “highest happiness”.

Ranevskaya and Gaev even became happier after selling the cherry orchard. Previously they were worried and suffered, but now they have calmed down. Ranevskaya is going to live in Paris for now with money sent by her aunt. Anya is inspired: a new life is beginning - she will graduate from high school, work, read books, and a “new wonderful world” will open up before her. Suddenly, out of breath, Simeonov-Pishchik appears and instead of asking for money, on the contrary, he gives away debts. It turned out that the British found white clay on his land.

Everyone settled down differently. Gaev says that now he is a bank employee. Lopakhin promises to find a new place for Charlotte, Varya got a job as a housekeeper for the Ragulins, Epikhodov, hired by Lopakhin, remains on the estate, Firs should be sent to the hospital. But still Gaev sadly says: “Everyone is abandoning us... we suddenly became unnecessary.”

There must finally be an explanation between Varya and Lopakhin. Varya has been teased as “Madame Lopakhina” for a long time. Varya likes Ermolai Alekseevich, but she herself cannot propose. Lopakhin, who also speaks highly of Varya, agrees to “end this matter right away.” But when Ranevskaya arranges their meeting, Lopakhin, having never made up his mind, leaves Varya, taking advantage of the first pretext.

“It's time to go! On the road! - With these words they leave the house, locking all the doors. All that remains is old Firs, whom everyone seemed to care about, but whom they forgot to send to the hospital. Firs, sighing that Leonid Andreevich went in a coat and not a fur coat, lies down to rest and lies motionless. The same sound of a broken string is heard. “Silence falls, and you can only hear how far away in the garden an ax is knocking on a tree.”

Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya always squandered money. While she lived abroad with her daughter Anna, her brother, Leonid Andreevich Gaev, and the landowner's adopted daughter, Varya, lived on the estate. Now the cherry orchard must be sold for debts.

Lyubov Andreevna is met by her brother and Varya, the merchant Lopakhin, the clerk Epikhodov, the maid Dunyasha, the governess Charlotte Ivanovna, the neighbor Simeonov-Pishchik and the old servant Firs. Petya Trofimov, the former teacher of Lyubov Andreevna’s drowned son, Grishenka, turned from a sweet young man into a dull eternal student.

Lopakhin proposes dividing the garden into plots to rent out to summer residents. Lyubov Andreevna is against cutting down trees. She cannot imagine her life without the cherry orchard. Gaev comes up with rescue plans: Lyubov Andreevna will borrow money from her aunt, who does not communicate with them. He swears that he will not allow the garden to be cut down. He mumbles something incoherent as he is taken to bed.

Dunyasha likes Yasha, the footman, and therefore refuses Epikhodov’s attempts to establish a relationship with her. Lopakhin talks to Gaeva and Ranevskaya about the benefits of his plan to pay off his debts. Brother and sister don't hear him. The merchant wants to leave, but Lyubov Andreevna stops him. Petya, Varya and Anya join them. They are talking about pride. The teacher claims that pride becomes a hindrance for a poor person. Lopakhin works all day and notices that you rarely meet a decent person. The argument is interrupted by Ranevskaya with a reproach that people do not hear each other. The sound of a broken string is heard somewhere in the distance. Trofimov and Anya are left alone. He assures her that she must atone for the past through work and suffering in order to live in the present.

The day of the auction has arrived, Ranevskaya is throwing a ball and inviting a Jewish orchestra. The guests are having fun. An aunt from Yaroslavl sent money, but this is not enough to pay off the debts. Trofimov says that the garden has long been finished. He condemns Lyubov Andreevna for her love for the scoundrel who robbed her, and now sends telegrams from Paris asking her to return. Ranevskaya responds by calling Petya names, then asks for forgiveness.

Lopakhin bought a cherry orchard at auction. Gaev doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Varya threw the keys at the merchant’s feet. He's happy. Now he will cut down the trees and carry out his plan. The inhabitants of the estate are about to leave.

Ranevskaya wants to go to Paris, live on her aunt’s money with her beloved scoundrel. Anya will go to school. If he works and reads books, a new life begins. Simeonov-Pishchik, who appeared unexpectedly, unexpectedly gives away his debts to everyone. Gaev got a job at a bank, Varya was hired as a housekeeper, old Firs is about to be sent to the hospital. Lopakhin left the clerk Epikhodov on the estate and promised Charlotte that he would place her in a good place.

Varya and Lopakhin sympathize with each other, but cannot explain themselves. Left alone, the merchant becomes embarrassed. Instead of proposing to Varya, he came up with the first excuse he came across and left her.

Everyone leaves the estate, they have forgotten old Firs. He sighs that the master went lightly dressed. He goes to rest and lies motionless. Again the sound of a broken string. The sound of axes can be heard in the garden.

Essays

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On our website) take place in an old noble estate, which belongs to Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. The estate is located not far from a big city. Its main attraction is a huge cherry orchard, occupying almost a thousand acres. Once upon a time this garden was considered one of the most wonderful places in the province and brought great income to the owners. There is even a mention of it in the Encyclopedic Dictionary. But after the fall of serfdom, the economy on the estate fell into disarray. There is no longer a demand for cherries, which are born only once every two years. Ranevskaya and her brother, Leonid Andreevich Gaev, who lives here on the estate, are on the verge of ruin.

Act 1 of The Cherry Orchard takes place on a cold May morning. Ranevskaya and her daughter Anya return from France. On the estate, where the cherries have already bloomed, her eldest (adopted) daughter Varya (24 years old), who manages the farm in her mother’s absence, and the merchant Ermolai Lopakhin, the son of a serf, a clever man who has become very rich in recent years, are waiting for her.

Lyubov Andreevna and Anya arrive from the railway station, accompanied by Gaev and their neighbor-landowner Simeonov-Pishchik, who met them. The arrival is accompanied by a lively conversation, which well outlines the characters of all the characters in this Chekhov play.

"The Cherry Orchard". Performance based on the play by A. P. Chekhov, 1983

Ranevskaya and Gaev are typical inactive aristocrats, accustomed to living on a grand scale without difficulty. Lyubov Andreevna thinks only about her love passions. Six years ago her husband died, and a month later her boy-son Grisha drowned in the river. Having taken most of the estate's funds, Ranevskaya left to console herself in France with her lover, who shamelessly deceived and robbed her. She abandoned her daughters on the estate with almost no money. 17-year-old Anya came to visit her mother in Paris only a few months ago. The adopted Varya had to manage the income-free estate herself, saving on everything and incurring debts. Ranevskaya returned to Russia only because she was left abroad completely penniless. The lover squeezed everything he could out of her, forced her to sell even her dacha near Menton, and he himself remained in Paris.

In the dialogues of the first act, Ranevskaya appears as a woman, exaggeratedly sensitive and vulnerable. She loves to show kindness and give generous tips to footmen. However, in her random words and gestures, spiritual callousness and indifference to loved ones creep in every now and then.

Matching Ranevskaya and her brother, Gaev. The main interest of his life is billiards - he constantly sprinkles billiard terms. Leonid Andreevich loves to make pompous speeches about the “bright ideals of goodness and justice”, about “social self-awareness” and “fruitful work”, but, as you can understand, he himself does not serve anywhere and does not even help young Varya manage the estate. The need to save every penny makes Varya stingy, preoccupied beyond her age, and like a nun. She expresses a desire to give up everything and go wandering through the splendor of holy places, but with such piety she feeds her old servants with only peas. Varya’s younger sister, Anya, is very reminiscent of her mother in her penchant for enthusiastic dreams and isolation from life. A family friend, Simeonov-Pishchik, is a bankrupt landowner like Ranevskaya and Gaev. He is only looking for somewhere to borrow money.

The peasant, poorly educated, but businesslike merchant Lopakhin reminds Ranevskaya and Gaev that their estate will be sold in August for debts. He also offers a way out. The estate is located next to a big city and a railway, so its land can be rented out profitably to summer residents for 25 thousand in annual income. This will not only allow you to pay off your debt, but also make a greater profit. However, the famous cherry orchard will have to be cut down.

Gaev and Ranevskaya reject such a plan with horror, not wanting to lose the dear memories of their youth. But they are unable to come up with anything else. Without cutting down, the estate will inevitably pass to another owner - and the cherry orchard will still be destroyed. However, the indecisive Gaev and Ranevskaya shy away from destroying him with their own hands, hoping for some miracle that will help them out in unknown ways.

Several other characters also participate in the dialogues of the first act: the unlucky clerk Epikhodov, with whom minor misfortunes constantly occur; the maid Dunyasha, who from constant communication with bars herself has become sensitive, like a noblewoman; 87-year-old footman Gaeva Firs, devoted to his master like a dog and refusing to leave him after the abolition of serfdom; Ranevskaya's footman Yasha, a stupid and boorish young commoner, who, however, was imbued with contempt in France for the “ignorant and wild” Russia; superficial foreigner Charlotte Ivanovna, a former circus performer, and now Anya’s governess. The former teacher of Ranevskaya’s drowned son, the “eternal student” Petya Trofimov, also appears for the first time. The character of this remarkable character will be outlined in detail in the following acts of The Cherry Orchard.

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On January 17, 1904, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov’s play “The Cherry Orchard” was staged for the first time at the Moscow Art Theater. It was this play that was destined to become a symbol of Russian drama of the twentieth century.

“The Cherry Orchard” is Chekhov’s last play and the pinnacle of his dramatic creativity. By the time this play was written in 1903, Chekhov was already a recognized master of thoughts and the author of four plays, each of which became an event - “Ivanov”, “The Seagull”, “Uncle Vanya”, “Three Sisters”.

The main dramatic feature of The Cherry Orchard is symbolism. The main character-symbol of the play is not this or that character, but the cherry orchard itself. This garden was grown not for profit, but to please the eyes of its noble owners. But the economic realities of the beginning 20th century inexorably dictate their laws, and the garden will be cut down, just as the noble nests will disintegrate, and with them the noble Russia of the 19th century will go down into history, and it will be replaced by Russia of the 20th century with its revolutions, the first of which is just around the corner.

Chekhov had already worked closely with the Moscow Art Theater. While working on the play, he often discussed it with Stanislavsky, and the main role of Ranevskaya was originally intended for the actress Olga Knipper-Chekhova, who became the writer’s wife in 1901.

The premiere of The Cherry Orchard was a great success and became the main event in Moscow at the beginning of 1904, which was facilitated by the skill and fame of Chekhov, the reputation of the Moscow Art Theater, the directorial talent of Stanislavsky and the brilliant performance of the Moscow Art Theater actors. In addition to Olga Knipper-Chekhova, the premiere performance featured Konstantin Stanislavsky himself (who played the role of Gaev), Leonid Leonidov (who played the role of Lopakhin), Vasily Kachalov (who played Trofimov), Vladimir Gribunin (the role of Simeonov-Pishchik), Ivan Moskvin (who played Epikhodov) , and Alexander Artem delighted the audience in the role of Firs, which Chekhov wrote especially for this favorite actor.

In the same 1904, Chekhov, whose tuberculosis worsened, went to Germany for treatment, where he died in July.

And “The Cherry Orchard” began a triumphal march through the theater stages of Russia and the world, which continues to this day. Only in 1904, this play by Chekhov was staged at the Kharkov Theater by Dyukova (simultaneously with the production at the Moscow Art Theater, premiere on January 17, 1904), by the New Drama Partnership in Kherson (director and performer of the role of Trofimov - Vsevolod Meyerhold), at the Kiev Solovtsov Theater and in Vilna Theater. And in 1905, “The Cherry Orchard” was also seen by spectators in St. Petersburg - Yuri Ozerovsky staged Chekhov’s play on the Alexandrinka stage, and Konstantin Korovin acted as a theater designer.

Scene from Act II of the play “The Cherry Orchard” based on the play by A.P. Chekhov. Moscow Art Theater, 1904. Photo from the almanac “Album of the Sun of Russia”, No. 7. "Moscow Art Theatre. Plays by A.P. Chekhov"








Poster for the production of “The Cherry Orchard” at the Kiev Theater. 1904.

Anton Chekhov wrote "The Cherry Orchard" in 1903. The author defined the genre of his work as a comedy, but the last scene contains tragic notes. In January 1904, the premiere of the play based on Chekhov’s play “The Cherry Orchard” took place on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater. This dramatic work is still included in the repertoire of many theaters today. In addition, the play has been filmed several times.

History of creation

An important image in the work of A.P. Chekhov is the cherry orchard. The main character, due to frivolity and impracticality, found herself in a difficult financial situation. The estate where she spent her early years is for sale. The new owner does not admire the beauty of the cherry orchard. In his short work, Chekhov more than once emphasizes the contrast between the characters of Ranevskaya and Lopakhin. And this opposite symbolizes disunity and misunderstanding between representatives of different social strata.

Why did the writer name his work that way? Chekhov's Cherry Orchard is an image of noble culture, which had outlived its usefulness by the beginning of the 20th century. Stanislavsky, the chief director of the Moscow Art Theater, recalled in his autobiographical book how he first heard about this play from Anton Chekhov. These memories explain the author's intention.

The playwright loved to attend rehearsals; he often sat in the dressing room. One day, during an idle, meaningless conversation, he told the director the idea of ​​the future play. “I will call the work “The Cherry Orchard,” - Chekhov pronounced these words solemnly, but Stanislavsky did not understand what was unusual about such a name.

Several months have passed. The director had already forgotten about the new play called “The Cherry Orchard.” A. Chekhov, it is worth saying, at the first mention of his future work, the emphasis in the word “cherry” was on the first syllable. But then I changed the name a little. The writer happily shared with the director: “Not a cherry tree, but a cherry orchard.” Even then Stanislavsky did not understand A.P. Chekhov. Only later, when I read the play, did I comprehend the meaning hidden in the title.

Cherry is an adjective derived from the name of trees that are planted for profit. The word “cherry” has more poetry and sublimity. Stanislavsky understood: the cherry orchard does not generate income, it is the keeper of the poetry of a bygone lordly life. This garden is pleasing to the eye. But he grows at the whim of impractical, spoiled aesthetes. Chekhov's play “The Cherry Orchard” is a sad comedy about the passing of time.

Criticism

Not all writers and critics were delighted with Chekhov's play. The emigrant nobleman Ivan Bunin especially did not like The Cherry Orchard. This writer knew very well what the real estate of the landowner looked like, and he stated that cherries were rarely planted there.

In Russia, according to Bunin, it was difficult to find a large cherry orchard. A. Chekhov tried to convey the beauty of the May landscape with the help of dialogues. His characters continually admire the beauty of the garden (all except the merchant, the son of a former serf). Contrary to Chekhov's vision, in the cherry orchard, according to Bunin, there is nothing beautiful. Small, low trees with small foliage, even at the time of flowering, do not represent a picturesque sight.

Ivan Bunin was also outraged by the ending of Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard. Namely, the haste with which Lopakhin began to cut down trees, without waiting for the former owner to leave. Bunin found this scene ridiculous, and he noted: “Lopakhin had to hastily cut down trees just so that the audience could hear the sound of axes, symbolizing the passing era.” In addition, the writer claimed that his colleague knows nothing about Russian estate culture, and Firs (one of the characters in The Cherry Orchard) is a hero worthy of attention, but by no means original. Nevertheless, Chekhov's play has not lost popularity for more than a hundred years. Not many agree with Bunin's point of view.

Below is the content of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. The play consists of four acts. It will take no more than an hour to read Chekhov's work. We will present a brief summary of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” according to the following plan:

1. Return.
2. Main character.
3. Estate.
4. Merchant.
5. Sale of the estate.
6. Petya Trofimov.
7. Anna.
8. Rich aunt.
9. Trading day.
10. New life.

Return

Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya is the main female character in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and one of the most striking heroines in Russian literature. The events in the work begin at the end of May. The story that happened to Chekhov's heroes ends at the end of August.

After a five-year absence, Lyubov Ranevskaya returns to the family estate with her daughter Anna. Her brother, Leonid Gaev, and her adopted daughter Varvara lived here all this time. Later, the reader learns some details from the life of Chekhov's heroes.

In the play "The Cherry Orchard" the author built the dialogues in a special way. The conversation between the characters may seem incoherent and chaotic. The main feature of Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" is that the characters do not hear each other, each is busy with their own experiences.

The carriage arrives. The master's house is filled with people, pleasantly excited. Everyone is happy about Ranevskaya’s arrival, but at the same time everyone talks about their own things. The heroes of Chekhov's work "The Cherry Orchard", as already mentioned, do not hear or listen to each other.

main character

So, Ranevskaya returns to the family estate. Things are bad for her, she has almost no money left. Six years ago her husband died. He died from drunkenness. Then her little son drowned, after which Ranevskaya decided to leave Russia - so as not to see this house, the beautiful cherry orchard and the deep river, which reminded her of the terrible tragedy. But I had to return - I needed to resolve the issue of selling the estate.

Ranevskaya and her brother are “big children.” These are people completely unadapted to life. Lyubov Andreevna wastes money. People in the house are starving, but she is ready to give the last of her food to a random passerby. Who is she - a disinterested woman, a saint? Not at all. This is a lady who is accustomed to living in luxury and is unable to limit herself in anything. She gives money to a tipsy passer-by not out of the kindness of her heart, but rather out of carelessness and frivolity.

After the death of her husband, Ranevskaya became friends with a man who, like her, did not like to limit his expenses. In addition, he was a dishonest person: he spent mainly Lyubov Andreevna’s savings. It was his fault that she squandered her last funds. He followed her to Paris, was ill there for a long time, then got involved in dubious affairs, and then left for another woman.

Manor

When Lyubov Andreevna arrives at the family estate, she indulges in memories. In the garden, which she will later call the only interesting place in the entire province, she suddenly sees the image of her dead mother. Lyubov Andreevna also rejoices at the atmosphere of the house, which has not changed at all since her childhood.

Merchant

While Varya and Gaev meet Ranevskaya and her daughter at the station, the maid Dunyasha and the merchant Lopakhin are awaiting the arrival of the hostess at home. Ermolai Alekseevich is a simple but insightful person. He has not seen Lyubov Andreevna for five years and now doubts whether she recognizes him. Over the years, Lopakhin has changed a lot: he made a considerable fortune, from the son of a serf he turned into a successful merchant. But for Ranevskaya and Gaev, he will remain a simple, uneducated, uncouth man.

The clerk Epikhodov appears. This is a person with whom all sorts of failures constantly occur. “Twenty-two misfortunes” is what those around him call Epikhodov.

Other characters

Epikhodov proposed to the maid Dunyasha the day before, which the girl happily informs Anna about. But she does not listen to her - not only because she is tired from the road, but also because she is busy with completely different thoughts. By the way, marriage is quite a discussed topic. Anna persuades Varvara to marry Lopakhin, a practical man who stands firmly on his own two feet. She, in turn, dreams of marrying Ranevskaya’s seventeen-year-old daughter to a rich nobleman.

The governess Charlotte Ivanovna also appears in this scene. This eccentric, strange person boasts about her “amazing” dog. Simeonov-Pishchik is also present here, constantly asking for a loan.

Sale of the estate

Lopakhin raises a topic that is unpleasant for Ranevskaya and Gaev. The family estate will soon be sold at auction. The only way out for Ranevskaya is to cut down the cherry orchard, divide the land into plots and rent it out to summer residents. Despite the fact that Lyubov Andreevna’s financial situation is worse than ever, she doesn’t want to hear about selling the house. And she and her brother perceive the idea of ​​​​destroying the cherry orchard as blasphemy. After all, their estate is the only place in the province worthy of attention. The cherry orchard is even mentioned in the encyclopedia - Gaev, an impractical and childish person like his sister, recalls this.

It is worth adding to Lopakhin’s characterization. If Ranevskaya and Gaev admire the beauty of the garden, the merchant says this: “The trees bear fruit once every two years, they don’t buy cherries. The only beauty of the garden is that it is big.” Lopakhin does not appreciate the beauty of a blooming garden. He sees only the practical side in everything. But one cannot say that this is a negative character. Chekhov does not divide heroes into good and bad.

Petya Trofimov

This is a very interesting character in Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard". The genre of the work, as already mentioned, is comedy. But there are many sad moments in the play, for example, scenes in which the main character remembers the death of her little son. Petya Trofimov is an eternal student. He was the tutor of Ranevskaya’s deceased son, and therefore on the day of Lyubov Andreevna’s arrival he is asked not to appear in front of her for the first time. After all, he is a living reminder of the tragic event that happened five years ago.

But Trofimov still appears. Ranevskaya cries, remembering her drowned son Grisha. Trofimov indulges in speculation from time to time. Perhaps the words of this hero also contain the author’s point of view.

Trofimov's monologue

The words of this character below are part of the dialogue. But since Ranevskaya, Gaev and other characters do not particularly listen to what their interlocutors say, Trofimov’s speeches can safely be called a monologue.

Trofimov talks about Russian society, where few people work. He talks about the intelligentsia, probably alluding to people like Ranevskaya and Gaev. They don’t look for anything, don’t do anything, and are not suited to work. They call themselves intellectuals, but they treat the servants in a casual manner, and they treat the men like animals. They read little, have a superficial understanding of science, and know little about art.

Representatives of the intelligentsia, according to Trofimov, have serious faces, they philosophize, talk about important things, but at the same time calmly look at the conditions in which the workers find themselves. Ranevskaya doesn’t hear him. Both Lyubov Andreevna and Varvara only say to Trofimov: “How old you are, Petya!”

In one of the scenes, an argument breaks out between the main character and a student. Lyubov Andreevna confesses to Trofimov that she loves the man who is in Paris and sends her telegrams. The student is perplexed. How is it possible? After all, he is a rogue! Trofimov tells her everything he thinks about her frivolity. And she, in turn, insults the student, calling him a “pathetic freak.” However, the quarrel is soon forgotten. In this house they don't really know how to get angry.

Anna

The only person who really listens to Trofimov is Ranevskaya's daughter. Anna and the eternal student have a friendship. Trofimov says: “We are above love.” Anna admires the student’s speeches; she hangs on his every word. Trofimov says that both the girl’s grandfather and great-grandfather were serf owners: they owned souls and did not work. All this should be gotten rid of, the former tutor believes. Therefore, he advises Anna to forget both the family estate and the beautiful cherry orchard - a symbol of the destructive way of life of the landowners.

Rich aunt

Lopakhin again raises the topic of renting land. But as before, the impoverished owners of the luxurious family estate do not understand him. Cut down the cherry orchard? It's like destroying pleasant memories of childhood and youth. Rent out land to summer residents? In the understanding of Ranevskaya and Gaev, this is commonplace. But they do not consider it vulgar to expect money from a rich aunt.

Ranevskaya and Gaev don’t even want to hear about renting land. Although very soon the house will go up for auction. An amount of one hundred thousand rubles can save your financial situation. A rich relative will send no more than fifteen thousand.

Gaev is afraid that his aunt will not give money. After all, his sister did not marry a nobleman, and besides, she did not behave “very virtuously.” He calls Lyubov Andreevna vicious, hinting at her connection with the man who robbed her completely in Paris. Gaev is talking about how to marry off his niece successfully. At the same time, he constantly repeats that he will not allow the sale of the estate.

Another character is the old servant Firs, who constantly mutters, as if talking to himself. At the same time, this hero sometimes utters words that are not devoid of deep meaning. It was to him that the author gave the final monologue in the play.

Firs treats Gaev like a child. When he launches into his usual arguments about the impossibility of selling the estate, he takes him away and puts him to bed.

A few days after their arrival, Ranevskaya, together with her brother and Lopakhin, go to the city, to a restaurant. After returning, they stop at the chapel. The merchant is outraged by the frivolity of these people, who perceive the idea of ​​renting land as vulgarity and do not want to face the truth. He angrily tries to leave Ranevskaya’s house, but she, as always, is careless. Lyubov Andreevna says to Lopakhin: “Stay, it’s more fun with you!”

Trading day

On August twenty-first, Ranevskaya’s house is being sold. On this day, despite the lack of money, she organizes a small celebration. The guests dance and have fun, only by the end of the evening the hostess of the ball begins to worry. She anxiously awaits Gaev's return. The rich aunt nevertheless sent money - fifteen thousand rubles. But, of course, they are not enough to buy out the estate.

Finally, Lopakhin appears. He is pleased, but somewhat confused. The cherry orchard was sold, the new owner was a merchant, the son of a former serf. The new landowner is happy. He made a profitable deal, outbidding a certain Deriganov.

New life

Ranevskaya finally realizes that the cherry orchard has been sold. Anna reassures her mother, assuring her that a new life will soon begin.

Several days pass. The main character seemed to cheer up after the sale of the estate. She used to worry and suffer. Now I've calmed down. She is going to Paris again, because now she has money sent by her rich aunt. Anna is also inspired. She has a new life ahead of her: studying at the gymnasium, working, reading. Suddenly Simeonov-Pishchik appears, but this time he does not ask for a loan, but, on the contrary, gives out money. It turns out that white clay was discovered on his land.

The last scene shows an empty house. The previous inhabitants have left, the new owner is going to Kharkov for the winter. Trofimov returned to Moscow - he finally decided to complete the course.

Final scene

There is only one Firs left. The old servant pronounces a sad monologue, which contains the following words: “The man has been forgotten.” The house is empty. Everyone left. And only the sound of axes can be heard - trees are being cut down on Lopakhin’s orders. This is a summary of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard.

Analysis

The story that Chekhov told in his work “The Cherry Orchard” was not uncommon at the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, something similar happened in the life of the writer. The house, along with the shop that belonged to his father, was sold back in the eighties. This event left an indelible mark in the memory of Anton Chekhov. Having become a writer, he decided to talk about the psychological state of a person who lost his home.

The characters in the play “The Cherry Orchard” can be divided into three groups. The first includes aristocrats Ranevskaya and her brother. The second - people of a new type. Lopakhin is opposed to the main character. The son of a former serf, unlike Ranevskaya and Gaev, is able to adapt to the realities of new times.

The third group should include Petya Trofimova and Ranevskaya’s daughter. Chekhov wrote the play “The Cherry Orchard” two years before the First Russian Revolution. It is not by chance that criticism of the nobility comes from Trofimov’s lips. This is a kind of echo of revolutionary sentiments that intensified at the beginning of the 20th century.

Chekhov's characters do not understand and do not hear each other. With this, the author wanted to emphasize not the peculiarities of the characters of his characters, but the heterogeneity of Russian society at the turn of the century. Among the nobles there were more and more people who were unable to engage in serious business. These were mostly idle people who spent most of their time abroad. This is partly the reason for the revolution that took place in 1917.

There is no open conflict in Chekhov's play. And this is another feature of the work. The main event is the sale of the cherry orchard. Against this background, we can consider the contradictions between representatives of a bygone era and “new” people.

The play depicts the clash between the present and the future. The conflict of generations in Russian literature in 1903 was by no means new, but no writer had previously revealed changes in historical time on a subconscious level. After all, Chekhov did not know what would happen to the Russian nobility decades after the audience first watched the play “The Cherry Orchard.” Considering the events that occurred after the revolution, it is difficult to call this play a comedy. There is a premonition of a terrible impending thunderstorm.

In this article:

“The Cherry Orchard” is a work that is studied according to the school curriculum in literature classes. In recent years, students have been asked to compile a Reader's Diary based on the works they have read.

This text is suitable for a sample based on the characteristics of the main characters and the description of the content of the work.

How it all began: briefly about the history of the creation of A.P.’s play. Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard"

Play by A.P. Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" was completed in 1903. The writing of the work lasted 2 years due to the writer’s poor health.

The work is based on the abolition of serfdom in 1861 and the subsequent changes in social life in Russia. In each hero of “The Cherry Orchard” you can see a vivid image of a representative of a certain class.

After the liberation of the peasants, not only the nobles did not understand what would happen next. Many serfs (the image of Firs) also did not know what to do with the freedom that had fallen so suddenly on their heads.

There was a gradual destruction of the noble nests: representatives of the free class got used to living off the free labor of the peasants, without doing anything. In this situation, the more mobile representatives of the merchant class, accustomed to hustling to earn money, begin to win. Anton Pavlovich takes the materials for “The Cherry Orchard” and the characters from the real lives of his acquaintances. The following events helped in writing the work:

• the writer’s acquaintance with the Kiselev family in 1885-1887, who went bankrupt and sold their estate;
• Chekhov's vacation in 1888-1889 on the Lintvarev estate, not far from Sumy, Kharkov province, where there were many lonely noble nests;
• life in Melikhovo in 1892-1898;
• stay of the author of the play in 1902 in the village of Lyubimovka - Stanislavsky’s estate

This is how the storyline of the play develops smoothly. Thanks to observations of people’s lives during different periods of his work, A.P. Chekhov created a unique comedy work, which is distinguished by subtle humor and reflects the fundamental problems of society at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

The main characters of the play “The Cherry Orchard”

1. Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna is a landowner, a widow, mourning her drowned son Grisha. An emotional, dreamy person who does not want to acknowledge the truth of life and is accustomed to living on everything that is ready.
2. Gaev Leonid Andreevich is her brother, who fully supports his sister’s views.
3. Anya is Ranevskaya’s 17-year-old daughter. The heroine has gotten used to the idea of ​​losing the garden and is ready to change her life.
4. Varya, an adopted daughter, remained on the estate as the mistress in the absence of her mother.
5. Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich is a merchant, wealthy, practical, illiterate. His parents were serfs on the Ranevsky estate. He tries to prove to everyone and himself that he is worth something.
6. Petya Trofimov is an “eternal student”, a former teacher of Ranevskaya’s drowned son. He loves to philosophize and teach everyone, but he has never been able to achieve anything worthwhile in life.

Basic information about minor characters

1. Dunyasha is a maid, a sensual, vulnerable girl.
2. Yasha is an arrogant young lackey who strives for luxury and a comfortable, intelligent life.
3. Charlotte Ivanovna is a governess.
4. Firs is an 87-year-old footman, a faithful servant, who would be glad to still be a serf.
5. Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik is a landowner who lives in debt all his life.
6. Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich is a clerk with whom something happens all the time.

The Ranevskys do not have enough funds to maintain their estate. Due to the debts he has acquired, he is put up for auction. Family members, as well as their friends, are looking for ways to preserve their beloved cherry orchard. But hardly any of them are really trying to solve the problem.

First action

At Ranevskaya’s estate, everyone is awaiting the arrival of the owner and her daughter Anya from Paris: Lopakhin, Dunyasha, Firs, Simeonov-Pishchik. Lyubov Andreevna's brother and adopted daughter meet them at the station.

Lopakhin tells Dunyasha about how he, despite the poor origins of his parents and their subordination to the Ranevskys, became a rich and independent merchant. Although he immediately admits that he remains uneducated and cannot even understand the book he read. And while reading, he falls asleep.

Epikhodov intervenes in the conversation, complaining about another misfortune that has happened to him: squeaky boots - everyone is tired of his complaints. Because of his constant troubles, this hero is called “22 Misfortunes.” After he leaves, Dunyasha confesses to Lopakhin that the clerk proposed to her. But Ermolay Alekseevich, like other gentlemen, does not care about the inner world and problems of the servants.

The crew with the owners arrives. Dunyasha and Firs warmly welcome the Ranevskys, worry and bother about the housework. The footman Yasha and the governess Charlotte arrived with Lyubov Andreevna and Anya.

Varya rejoices at the arrival of her relatives. In communication with her sister, Anya admits the deplorability of the current situation: all the family’s funds have been squandered, the land near Menton has been sold, the cherry orchard is about to be put up for sale, the auction is scheduled for August 22. But the mother does not see this and continues to spend money thoughtlessly. Varya admits that Lopakhin is in no hurry to propose to her, although everyone already considers her the merchant’s wife.

Anya complains of fatigue and goes to bed, ignoring her uncle’s compliments and her mother’s questions. Lyubov Andreevna finds an excuse for her: she is very tired.

Gaev retells to his sister the changes that have occurred (who died, who moved to another estate), sucking on lollipops. Lopakhin finds an opportune moment to offer Ranevskaya to divide the estate into plots and rent it out to summer residents. This way you can cover your debts. The owners are hostile to the proposal: they are against chopping their favorite cherries.

However, instead of looking for other ways to solve the problem, everyone smoothly moves on to discussing everyday little things: furniture, medicine, nature. Upon arrival, Lyubov Andreevna constantly admires everyone and everything she sees in the house. The hostess is overwhelmed with emotions. She doesn’t seem to notice the threat hanging over the estate.

Lopakhin leaves, giving Ranevskaya 3 weeks to think. Pyotr Trofimov, the former teacher of Lyubov Andreevna’s son, arrives. The hostess remembers Grisha with tears in her eyes, but quickly moves on to another topic. Pishchik asks for a loan of two hundred and forty rubles. The lack of extra money does not prevent the housewife from giving the landowner the required amount.

To save the cherry orchard, Gaev suggests turning to the aunt-countess from Yaroslavl for help. He notes that a distant relative does not like them because of the ignoble origin of Lyubov Andreevna’s husband and her unrighteous lifestyle. But it should still help. Leonid Andreevich also considers it necessary to ask for a loan from Lopakhin and take out a loan against bills.

Despite the naivety and hopelessness of Gaev’s proposal, the Ranevskys like it, and everyone quickly calms down. Anya arrives only reproaches her uncle for what he said to his mother. The nieces accuse Leonid Andreevich of frequent idle talk and call on him to remain silent. The heroes go to bed.

Second act

The action takes place in a field, not far from an abandoned chapel. Yasha, Dunyasha, Charlotte and Epikhodov are talking on the bench. Charlotte talks about her past: her parents staged performances at fairs, then died, and the girl was raised by a German mistress. The governess is indignant that she has no one to talk to.

The clerk plays the guitar and confesses his love to Dunyasha. However, the girl is in love with Yasha, who flirts with her without serious intentions. The footman is embarrassed about his relationship with Dunyasha.

Everyone except Yasha leaves. The voices of the owners are heard: Gaev, Ranevskaya and Lopakhin. Lopakhin is trying to persuade Lyubov Andreevna to agree to rent out the garden. But the conversation again leads nowhere: everyone continues to communicate on unrelated topics.

Ranevskaya admits that she can’t do anything about her extravagance and gives a gold coin to a passing alcoholic. The lady talks about a failed relationship with a man who went abroad with her and ruined her. Letters from Paris from him - asks Ranevskaya to forgive and return.

Lyubov Andreevna wooes Varya to Lopakhina, the merchant agrees to marry. Gaev is again scolded for unnecessary, empty chatter. Firs doesn’t hear well - everyone laughs at him, but they don’t notice that they themselves are talking to each other like a deaf lackey: everyone talks about his own things, without listening to others.

Trofimov and the Ranevsky sisters join the gentlemen. Lopakhin calls Trofimov an “eternal student.” Petya says a lot of beautiful words, but you won’t get any action from him.

Anya and Petya are happy to be alone. The former teacher talks about the current realities, calls on himself, Anya and her relatives to face the truth. 17-year-old Ranevskaya is ready to leave family property and start a new life.

Third act

August 22 is auction day. A ball was held in the Ranevskys' living room. Everyone is waiting for Leonid Gaev. Pishchik again asks everyone for money to pay off his debts.

Petya teases Varya Lopakhina. She responds by calling the offender “an eternal student” and a “shabby gentleman.” In fact, Varya is upset that Lopakhin has not yet proposed to her.

Nobody understands why the ball is organized, who will pay the musicians. But everyone, as always, goes with the flow. Charlotte demonstrates her skills by performing magic tricks: everyone applauds, especially Pishchik.

Another letter arrives from Paris. Lyubov Andreevna decides to go to Paris because her lover is sick and needs help. Trofimov condemns such an impulse, calling her lover a “scoundrel.”

In response, Ranevskaya reproaches Petya for empty chatter about high love, the inability to really love and forgive. Petya is offended, leaves and falls down the stairs, the hostess apologizes for what she said.

Firs is not feeling well. But he cannot go away to rest: without the old footman there will be no one to serve the masters. Epikhodov continues to complain about life, but says about himself that he always smiles and laughs. Varya chases him out of the house with a stick and hits Lopakhin.

Ermolai Alekseevich announces that he bought the garden. Now he can do whatever he wants with the estate in which his father and grandfather were serfs. Lyubov Andreevna is in despair. Anya calms her down and promises to grow a new garden.

Act Four

Suitcases are stacked in the children's room. There is practically no furniture, the room is empty. Everyone is preparing to leave. Lopakhin prepared a tray of champagne. Nobody except Yasha drinks it.

Ranevskaya and her brother are in a confused state, Anya and Petya are looking forward to a new interesting life - it’s as if they have escaped from captivity. Everyone notes that after the sale of the estate, life has become easier: nothing is burdensome. Lopakhin is waiting for the former owners to leave in order to implement his project - cutting down the garden for summer cottages.

Trofimov and Lopakhin start a conversation. Petya advises Yermolai Alekseevich not to wave his arms unnecessarily. The merchant offers the student to borrow money, but Trofimov, demonstrating his pride and love of freedom, refuses.

Everyone is leaving in different directions: Lyubov Andreevna - to Paris, Petya - to Moscow, Anya - to study, Gaev is taken to the bank, and Varya goes as a housekeeper to another estate. Ermolai Alekseevich goes to work in Kharkov for the winter.

Dunyasha is upset by Yasha’s departure, and the young footman is waiting - he can’t wait to go to Paris. Epikhodov and Charlotte remain to work for Lopakhin.

Pischik comes running and gives Ranevskaya part of the debt. Everyone is surprised, but the landowner explains that the British found his deposits of valuable white clay and rented his plot for a lot of money.

Ranevskaya makes another attempt to bring her adopted daughter together with Lopakhin. Ermolai Alekseevich agrees to take her as his wife, but during a personal conversation with the girl about the proposal he does not stutter.

The sick Firs, forgotten by everyone, remains in the house. The gentlemen had so much talk about sending him to the hospital, but no one did it. Firs dies in a closed, empty house, thinking about how his former owner would not freeze.