Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard is a play that addresses social and cultural change. It is set sometime just after the turn of the century, at a cherry orchard estate in the country. The play follows a family who own the old cherry orchard which has been passed down to the children by their parents. Chekov set the play just years after many very important political changes in Russia’s history. The major themes in this story address people’s attitudes toward breaking from the traditional ways of old culture, and accepting that change is inevitable.
The first act introduces all of the important characters and themes that the play addresses. Each one has some very strange intricacies, or character flaws. Chekov uses these individual flaws to comedically comment on the many implications of cultural change. Memory is a huge tool the writer used to exemplify the character’s thoughts and feelings. Characters often monologue about their past experiences. These reflections on the past shed light on how these characters feel about their present situations. Two major changes are often referenced in the dialogue. The first, is the abolition of the slavery of the serfs. The second is the economic stability of the farm in a changing market.
The first two characters introduced are Lopakhin and Dunyasha. Some time before the play begins, a group of people, called the serfs, were freed from slavery in Russia. These people becoming free altered the way the economy of Russian markets functioned. Lopakhin is a wealthy neighbor of the estate, though he was once a humble peasant, a serf. When he was freed from slavery he was allowed the chance to become a businessman. By these means he lifted himself from poverty to being a wealthy aristocrat. Dunyasha, just like Lopakhin, is fleeing memories of an unpleasant peasant upbringing. These two characters are embracing the change and attempting to capitalize on the new opportunities that the changing culture offers.
These ideas are foiled by many of the other characters introduced in the first act. Madame Ranevsky, the owner of the orchard, is revealed to be facing extreme financial crisis. She often complains of her money problems, claiming that she has spent too much, given too much, or can not afford the upkeep of owning the estate. Her character is also flawed because the is too compassionate to the needs of others. Many characters throughout the play go to Ranevsky when they are in financial need. At one point not long after complaining of her inability to pay the mortgage, a relative reveals that they need help with their mortgage. She is unable to say no, and pays the bill. She is hanging on to memories of a past when she could live in luxury. By not thinking about her spending, she is attempting to relive a time in her past when she had the ability to spend money freely. This is not a sustainable course of action for her.
In this first act, Lopakhin proposes the idea that the family should flatten the orchard that brought the family sustenance for so long. He thought the land would be more useful if the family rented out villas instead of harvesting cherries. This change is the major plot of the story, with Lopakhin driving behind the wheel. When Lopakhin first makes the suggestion to Ranevsky and, they all respond with disgust. They can not see this future for their orchard. The characters opposing Lopakhin are too connected to the orchard by their fond memories. Their desire for the past clouds their judgement for the future. For Ranevsky it is more expensive to run the farm than in the past, and she could not handle the work.
In the second act Lopakhin is still eager to persuade Madame Ranevsky to sell him the land. He also offer to help her pay the owed money to help her keep the estate. She would have to ask an aunt for the remaining sum. They complain that those stay in the villas would be annoying and vulgar. This is a slight shift from their earlier defense of the orchards importance. When Lopakhin continues to press them they ignore him, as well as their present situation. Instead, they reflect on issues of their past, or things that are unnecessary just to change the subject. Even when Lopakhin demands an answer, they continue to ignore him.
The third act picks up at a party Madame Ranevsky is hosting on the day of the auction. This lavish party further exemplifies her detachment from her current financial crisis. This party is occurring as the auction is taking place off stage. This highlights the separation these characters are attempting to make from their problems. Instead, they talk amongst themselves about the importance of love, brought on by the arranged marriage of Lopakhin with Charlotte. In perfect irony, as Madame Ranevsky was growing more and more anxious, Lopakhin was on his way to the estate from the auction. Upon arrival he announced that he had bought the orchard, and was going through with his plans to transform it, as well as the nature surrounding it, into a complex neighbourhood of cottages.
The transition into act four marks the fruition of the impending cultural shift. Madame Ranevsky and her family are now homeless, while former slave Lopakhin is now an even more wealthy land owner. This switch in power is attributed to Ranevsky’s inability to face her present, and ultimately her future. By clinging on to her past, she lost all of the things she held close. Chekov expertly reveals the irony of culture and change. It is important to remember one’s past, but only in the form of quick glances. At any point change can throw any individual out of their own home.
