The work "Cherry Orchard" was created by Chekhov in 1903. This is a play about the decline of noble life on the estates, about the imaginary and real masters of the Russian land, about the inevitable renewal of Russia. Chekhov presented the obsolete past of Russia with the play “Cherry Orchard”. A summary is given below.
First, introduce the main actors:
Landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. Her own daughter Anya is 17 years old. Foster daughter Varya 24 years old. The brother of Ranevskaya is Gayev Leonid Andreevich. Student Trofimov Petr Sergeevich. Governess Charlotte Ivanovna. Merchant Lopakhin Ermolay Alekseevich. Landowner Semionov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich. Maid Dunyasha. Young footman Yasha. Old footman Firs. The clerk Semyon Panteleevich Epikhodov.
The Cherry Orchard: A Summary of the First Action
Dawn. Outside the spring window, blooming cherry trees can be seen. Only the garden is still cold, so all windows are closed. Lopakhin and Dunyasha enter the room. They are talking about a train that is late. And Lopakhin is upset that he could not meet Lyubov Andreevna, who had recently lived abroad, at the station.
Then Epikhodov enters, he recently made an offer to Dunyasha. Everyone hears two crews approaching. The turmoil begins. A footman Firs enters, dressed in an old livery. And after him comes Ranevskaya, Gaev, Anya, Simionov-Pishchik and Charlotte Ivanovna. Anya and Ranevskaya remember the past.
Then Anya talks with Varya. She talks about her trip to Paris. The fact that she found her mother there without money, among strangers. But Ranevskaya did not seem to understand her position. She gives the lackeys a ruble for tea, ordering the most refined and expensive dishes. But in fact, there was barely enough money to get home. And now the estate should be sold, bidding is scheduled for August.
"Cherry Orchard": a summary of the second action
Evening. Sunset. The action takes place at an abandoned chapel. Lopakhin is interested in plots for summer cottages. He believes that the land should be divided into plots and leased. Only for this will have to cut down the cherry orchard. But Ranevskaya and Gaev are against it, they call it vulgarity. Gaev dreams of some kind of inheritance, of the Yaroslavl aunt, who promised to give money, but how much it will be and when is unknown. Merchant Lopakhin once again recalls the bidding.
The Cherry Orchard: Summary of Acts Three and Four
A Jewish orchestra is playing. Around dancing couples. Varya is worried that the musicians were invited, but there was nothing to pay them. Ranevskaya can’t wait for her brother to come from the auction. Everyone hopes that he bought the estate for the money sent by the Yaroslavl aunt. Only she sent only fifteen thousand, and even there will not be enough percent for them. Gay and Lopakhin are returning from the auction. Gaev is crying. Ranevskaya finds out that the garden was sold, its new owner is Lopakhin. She nearly faints.
The rooms have little furniture, no curtains or paintings. Luggage is worth it. Lopakhin warns that in a few minutes you need to go. Gaev joined the bank. Ranevskaya goes to Paris for auntie’s money sent from Yaroslavl. Together with her, Yasha rides. Gaev and Ranevskaya are suppressed, they say goodbye to the house. Anya thinks that her mother will return to her soon. And she will study at the gymnasium, go to work and help her mother. All come out with noise and leave for the station. And only the forgotten Firs remained in the closed house. Silence. An ax knock is heard.
The Cherry Orchard: An Analysis. Highlights
The fact that Gaev and Ranevskaya is an obsolete past tells us a brief summary. The cherry orchard is dear to them as a memory of children's days, of well-being, of youth, of an easy and elegant life. And Lopakhin understands this. He is trying to help Ranevskaya, offering to lease land. There is simply no other way out. Only Madam, as always, is careless, she thinks that everything will somehow resolve itself. And when the garden was sold, she did not grieve for long. The heroine is not capable of serious experiences, easily moves from anxiety to cheerful animation. And Lopakhin is proud of the purchase and dreams of his new life. Yes, he bought the estate, but still remained a man. And the owners of the cherry orchard, although ruined, but they, as before, are gentlemen.