The main character of "The Cherry Orchard": analysis, characteristics and features. The beginning of a new era in the play “The Cherry Orchard of Heroes means the Cherry Orchard”

Origins of the work

Very often the question arises: what is included in the history of the creation of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”? In order to understand this, it is necessary to remember at the turn of which eras Anton Pavlovich worked. He was born in the 19th century, society was changing, people and their worldview were changing, Russia was moving towards a new system, which developed rapidly after the abolition of serfdom. The history of the play " Cherry Orchard» A.P. Chekhov - the final work of his work - begins, perhaps, with the very departure of young Anton to Moscow in 1879.

WITH early years Anton Chekhov was fond of drama and, as a student at the gymnasium, tried to write in this genre, but these first attempts at writing became known only after the death of the writer. One of the plays is called "Fatherless", written around 1878. A very voluminous work, it was staged on the theater stage only in 1957. The volume of the play did not correspond to Chekhov’s style where “brevity is the sister of talent,” however, those touches that changed the entire Russian theater are already visible.

Anton Pavlovich's father had a small shop located on the first floor of the Chekhovs' house, and the family lived on the second. However, since 1894, things in the store went from bad to worse, and in 1897 the father went bankrupt completely, the whole family was forced, after selling the property, to move to Moscow, where the older children had already settled by that time. Therefore, from an early age, Anton Chekhov learned what it was like to have to part with the most precious thing - his home - to pay off his debts. Already at a more mature age, Chekhov more than once encountered cases of the sale of noble estates at auctions to “new people”, and modern language– businessmen.

Originality and timeliness

The creative history of “The Cherry Orchard” begins in 1901, when Chekhov first wrote to his wife about what he had in mind. new play, unlike those that were written by him before. From the very beginning, he conceived it as a kind of comedy farce, in which everything would be very frivolous, fun and carefree. The plot of the play was the sale of an old landowner's estate for debts. Chekhov had already tried to reveal this theme earlier in “Fatherlessness,” but it took him 170 pages of handwritten text, and a play of such volume could not fit into the framework of one performance. And Anton Pavlovich did not like to remember his early brainchild. Having honed his skills as a playwright to perfection, he took it up again.

The situation of selling a house was close and familiar to Chekhov, and after the sale of his father’s house in Taganrog, he was interested and excited by the mental tragedy of such cases. Thus, the basis of the play was both his own painful impressions and the story of his friend A.S. Kiselev, whose estate was also sold at auction, and he became one of the directors of the bank, and it was from him that the image of Gaev was largely copied. Likewise, before the writer’s gaze, many abandoned noble estates in the Kharkov province, where he was vacationing. The action of the play takes place, by the way, in those parts. Anton Pavlovich observed the same deplorable state of the estates and the position of their owners both on his estate in Melikhovo and as a guest at the estate of K.S. Stanislavsky. He observed what was happening and comprehended what was happening for more than 10 years.

The process of impoverishment of the nobles lasted a long time; they simply lived through their fortunes, squandering them unwisely and without thinking about the consequences. The image of Ranevskaya has become collective, depicting proud, noble people who have difficulty adapting to modern life, from which the right to own human resources in the form of serfs working for the welfare of their masters disappeared.

A play born in pain

About three years passed from the start of work on the play to its production. This was due to a number of reasons. One of the main ones was the author’s poor health, and even in letters to friends he complained that the work was progressing very slowly, sometimes it was possible to write no more than four lines a day. However, despite his poor health, he tried to write a work that was light in genre.

The second reason can be called Chekhov’s desire to fit into his play, intended for staging on stage, the entire result of thoughts about the fate of not only the ruined landowners, but also about such typical people of that era as Lopakhin, the eternal student Trofimov, in whom one senses a revolutionary-minded intellectual . Even working on the image of Yasha required enormous effort, because it was through him that Chekhov showed how erased historical memory about their roots, how society and attitudes towards the Motherland as a whole are changing.

The work on the characters was carried out very meticulously. It was important for Chekhov that the actors could fully convey the idea of ​​the play to the audience. In his letters, he described in detail the characters' characters and gave detailed comments to each scene. And he especially noted that his play is not a drama, but a comedy. However, V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko and K.S. Stanislavsky failed to consider anything comedic in the play, which greatly upset the author. The production of The Cherry Orchard was difficult for both the directors and the playwright. After the premiere show, which took place on January 17, 1904, on Chekhov’s birthday, controversy broke out between critics, but no one remained indifferent to it.

Artistic methods and stylistics

On the one hand, the history of writing Chekhov’s comedy “The Cherry Orchard” is not so long, but on the other hand, Anton Pavlovich went to it all his life. creative life. Images have been collected for decades, artistic techniques, showing everyday life without pathos on stage, have also been perfected for many years. “The Cherry Orchard” became another cornerstone in the chronicle of the new theater, which began largely thanks to the talent of Chekhov, the playwright.

From the moment of the first production until today, the directors of this performance have not had a common opinion on the genre of this play. Some see the deep tragedy in what is happening, calling it a drama; some perceive the play as a tragicomedy or tragedy. But everyone is unanimous in the opinion that “The Cherry Orchard” has long become a classic not only in Russian but also in global drama.

A brief description of the history of the creation and writing of the famous play will help 10th grade students prepare notes and lessons while studying this wonderful comedy.

Work test

A.P. Chekhov wrote his famous play “The Cherry Orchard” in 1903. In this play, the central place is occupied not so much by the personal experiences of the characters, but by an allegorical vision of the fate of Russia. Some characters personify the past (Ranevskaya, Gaev, Firs, Varya), others - the future (Lopakhin, Trofimov, Anya). The characters in Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" reflect the society of that time.

Main characters

The heroes of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" are lyrical characters with special features. For example, Epikhodov, who was constantly unlucky, or Trofimov, an “eternal student.” Below will be presented all the characters of the play "The Cherry Orchard":

• Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna, mistress of the estate.
• Anya, her daughter, 17 years old. I am not indifferent to Trofimov.
• Varya, her adopted daughter, 24 years old. In love with Lopakhin.
• Gaev Leonid Andreevich, brother of Ranevskaya.
• Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, a native of peasants, now a merchant. He likes Varya.
• Trofimov Pyotr Sergeevich, eternal student. He likes Anya, but he is above love.
• Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich, a landowner who constantly has no money, but he believes in the possibility of unexpected enrichment.
• Charlotte Ivanovna, the maid, loves to show tricks.
• Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich, clerk, unlucky man. He wants to marry Dunyasha.
• Dunyasha, the maid, considers herself like a lady. In love with Yasha.
• Firs, an old footman, constantly takes care of Gaev.
• Yasha, Ranevskaya's spoiled lackey.

Images of the characters in the play

A.P. Chekhov always very accurately and subtly noticed his features in each character, be it appearance or character. This Chekhovian feature is also supported by the play “The Cherry Orchard” - the images of the heroes here are lyrical and even a little touching. Each has its own unique features. For convenience, the characteristics of the heroes of The Cherry Orchard can be divided into groups.

Old generation

Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna appears as a very frivolous but kind woman who cannot fully understand that all her money has run out. She is in love with some scoundrel who left her without funds. And then Ranevskaya returns with Anya to Russia. They can be compared to people who left Russia: no matter how good it is abroad, they still continue to yearn for their homeland. The image chosen by Chekhov for his homeland will be written below.

Ranevskaya and Gaev are the personification of the nobility, the wealth of past years, which during the author’s time began to decline. Both brother and sister cannot fully understand this, but nevertheless they feel that something is happening. And by the way they begin to act, you can see the reaction of Chekhov’s contemporaries - it was either a move abroad, or an attempt to adapt to new conditions.

Firs is an image of a servant who was always faithful to her masters and did not want any change in order, because they did not need it. If with the first main characters of “The Cherry Orchard” it is clear why they are considered in this group, then why can Varya be included here?

Because Varya occupies a passive position: she humbly accepts the developing position, but her dream is the opportunity to walk in holy places, and strong faith was characteristic of people of the older generation. And Varya, despite her seemingly vigorous activity, does not take an active part in conversations about fate cherry orchard and does not offer any solutions, which shows the passivity of the rich class of that time.

Young generation

Representatives of the future of Russia will be considered here - these are educated young people who put themselves above any feelings, which was fashionable in the early 1900s. At that time, public duty and the desire to develop science were put in first place. But one should not assume that Anton Pavlovich portrayed revolutionary-minded youth - this is, rather, a depiction of the majority of the intelligentsia of that time, who were only engaged in discussing lofty topics, putting themselves above human needs, but were not adapted to anything.

All this was embodied in Trofimov - the “eternal student” and “shabby gentleman”, who was never able to graduate from anything and had no profession. Throughout the play he only talked about various matters and despised Lopakhin and Varya, who was able to admit the thought of his possible romance with Anya - he is “above love.”

Anya is a kind, sweet, still completely inexperienced girl who admires Trofimov and listens carefully to everything he says. She personifies youth, who have always been interested in the ideas of the intelligentsia.

But one of the most striking and characteristic images of that era was Lopakhin, a native of peasants who managed to make a fortune for himself. But, despite his wealth, he remained essentially a simple man. This is an active person, a representative of the so-called “kulaks” class - wealthy peasants. Ermolai Alekseevich respected work, and work always came first for him, so he kept postponing an explanation with Varya.

It was during that period that Lopakhin’s hero could appear - then this “rising” peasantry, proud of the realization that they were no longer slaves, showed a higher adaptability to life than the nobles, which is proven by the fact that it was Lopakhin who bought Ranevskaya’s estate.

Why was the characterization of the characters in The Cherry Orchard chosen specifically for these characters? Because it is on the characteristics of the characters that their internal conflicts will be built.

Internal conflicts in the play

The play shows not only the personal experiences of the characters, but also the confrontation between them, which makes the images of the heroes of “The Cherry Orchard” brighter and deeper. Let's take a closer look at them.

Ranevskaya - Lopakhin

Most main conflict is in the pair Ranevskaya - Lopakhin. And it is due to several reasons:

• belonging to different generations;
• contrast of characters.

Lopakhin is trying to help Ranevskaya preserve the estate by cutting down the cherry orchard and building dachas in its place. But for Raevskaya this is impossible - after all, she grew up in this house, and “dachas are so vulgar.” And in the fact that it was Ermolai Alekseevich who bought the estate, she sees this as a betrayal on his part. For him, buying a cherry orchard is the resolution of his personal conflict: he, a simple man, whose ancestors could not go beyond the kitchen, has now become the owner. And this is where his main triumph lies.

Lopakhin - Trofimov

The conflict in a pair of these people occurs due to the fact that they have opposing views. Trofimov considers Lopakhin an ordinary guy, rude, limited, who is not interested in anything other than work. The same one believes that Pyotr Sergeevich is simply wasting his mental abilities, does not understand how one can live without money, and does not accept the ideology that man is above all earthly things.

Trofimov - Varya

The confrontation is most likely based on personal hostility. Varya despises Peter because he is not busy with anything, and fears that with the help of his clever speeches he will make Anya fall in love with him. Therefore, Varya tries in every possible way to prevent them. Trofimov teases the girl “Madame Lopakhina,” knowing that everyone has been waiting for this event for a long time. But he despises her because she equated him and Anya with herself and Lopakhin, because they are above all earthly passions.

So, above it was briefly written about the characters of the heroes of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”. We described only the most significant characters. Now we can move on to the most interesting thing - the image of the main character of the play.

The main character of "The Cherry Orchard"

The attentive reader has already guessed (or is guessing) that this is a cherry orchard. He personifies Russia itself in the play: its past, present and future. Why did the orchard itself become the main character of “The Cherry Orchard”?

Because it is to this estate that Ranevskaya returns after all the misadventures abroad, because it is because of him that the heroine’s internal conflict intensifies (fear of losing the garden, awareness of her helplessness, reluctance to part with it), and a confrontation arises between Ranevskaya and Lopakhin.

The Cherry Orchard also helps resolve internal conflict Lopakhin: he reminded him that he was a peasant, an ordinary man who miraculously managed to get rich. And the opportunity that arose with the purchase of the estate to cut down this garden meant that now nothing else in those parts could remind him of his origin.

What did the garden mean to the heroes?

For convenience, you can write the characters’ attitude towards the cherry orchard in a table.

Symbolism of the cherry orchard in the play

But how then is the image of the main character of “The Cherry Orchard” connected with the image of the Motherland? Through this garden, Anton Chekhov showed the past: when the country was rich, the class of nobles was in its prime, and no one thought about the abolition of serfdom. In the present, there is already a decline in society: it is divided, guidelines are changing. Russia was already on the threshold of a new era, the nobility was becoming smaller, and the peasants were gaining strength. And the future is shown in Lopakhin’s dreams: the country will be ruled by those who are not afraid to work - only those people will be able to lead the country to prosperity.

The sale of Ranevskaya's cherry orchard for debts and its purchase by Lopakhin is a symbolic transfer of the country from the rich class to ordinary workers. Debt here means debt for how their owners treated them for a long time, how they exploited the common people. And the fact that power in the country is passing to the common people is a natural result of the path along which Russia has moved. And the nobility had only to do what Ranevskaya and Gaev did - go abroad or go to work. And the younger generation will try to fulfill their dreams of a bright future.

Conclusion

Having carried out such a small analysis of the work, you can understand that the play “The Cherry Orchard” is a deeper creation than it might seem at first glance. Anton Pavlovich was able to masterfully convey the mood of society at that time, the situation in which it found itself. And the writer did this very gracefully and subtly, which allows this play to remain loved by readers for a long time.

“The Cherry Orchard” is a lyrical play by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov in four acts, the genre of which the author himself defined as a comedy.

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The success of the play, written in 1903, was so obvious that already on January 17, 1904, the comedy was shown at the Moscow Art Theater. “The Cherry Orchard” is one of the most famous Russian plays created at that time. It is noteworthy that it is based on Anton Pavlovich Chekhov’s own painful impressions of his friend A.S. Kiselev, whose estate was also sold at auction.

An important thing in the history of the creation of the play is that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov wrote it at the end of his life, being seriously ill. That is why work on the work progressed very difficultly: about three years passed from the beginning of the play to its production.

This is the first reason. The second is Chekhov’s desire to fit into his play, intended for production on stage, the entire result of thoughts about the fate of his characters, the work on whose images was carried out very scrupulously.

Artistic originality The play became the pinnacle of Chekhov's work as a playwright.

Act one: meeting the characters of the play

The heroes of the play - Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, the maid Dunyasha, the clerk Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich (who is very clumsy, “22 misfortunes”, as those around him call him) - are waiting for the owner of the estate, landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, to arrive. She is due to return after a five-year absence, and the household is in a state of excitement. Finally, Lyubov Andreevna and her daughter Anya crossed the threshold of their house. The owner is incredibly happy that she has finally returned to her native land. Nothing has changed here in five years. Sisters Anya and Varya are talking with each other, rejoicing at the long-awaited meeting, the maid Dunyasha is preparing coffee, ordinary household little things cause tenderness in the landowner. She is kind and generous - both to the old footman Firs and to other members of the household, willingly talks with her brother, Leonid Gaev, but her beloved daughters evoke special reverent feelings. Everything, it would seem, is going as usual, but suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, a message from the merchant Lopakhin: “... Your estate is being sold for debts, but there is a way out... Here is my project...” An enterprising merchant offers to rent out plots of the cherry orchard for dachas , having previously knocked him out. He claims that this will bring considerable income to the family - 25 thousand a year and save them from complete ruin, but no one agrees to such a proposal. The family does not want to part with the cherry orchard, which they consider the best and to which they are attached with all their hearts.

So, no one listens to Lopakhin. Ranevskaya pretends that nothing is happening and continues to answer meaningless questions about the trip to Paris, not wanting to accept reality as it is. A casual conversation about nothing starts again.

Entering Petya Trofimov, the former teacher of Ranevskaya’s deceased son Grisha, who at first was unrecognized by her, brings tears to his mother’s eyes with his reminder. The day ends... Finally everyone goes to bed.

Action two: there is very little left before the sale of the cherry orchard

The action takes place in nature, near an old church, from where you can see both the cherry orchard and the city. There is very little time left before the sale of the cherry orchard at auction - literally a matter of days. Lopakhin is trying to convince Ranevskaya and her brother to rent out the garden for dachas, but again no one wants to hear from him, they are hoping for the money that the Yaroslavl aunt will send. Lyubov Ranevskaya remembers the past, perceiving her misfortunes as punishment for sins. First, her husband died from champagne, then her son Grisha drowned in the river, after which she left for Paris so that memories of the area where such grief happened would not stir her soul.

Lopakhin suddenly opened up, talking about his difficult fate in childhood, when his father “didn’t teach, but only beat him when he was drunk, and that was all with a stick...” Lyubov Andreevna invites him to marry Varya, his adopted daughter.

Enter student Petya Trofimov and both daughters of Ranevskaya. A conversation ensues between Trofimov and Lopakhin. One says that “in Russia, very few people still work,” the other calls to appreciate everything that has been given by God and start working.

The attention of the conversation is attracted by a passerby who recites poetry and then asks to donate thirty kopecks. Lyubov Andreevna gives him a gold coin, for which her daughter Varya reproaches her. “People have nothing to eat,” she says. “And you gave him the gold…”

After Varya, Lyubov Andreevna, Lopakhin and Gaeva leave, Anya and Trofimov are left alone. The girl admits to Petya that she no longer loves the cherry orchard as before. The student reasons: “...To live in the present, you must first atone for the past... through suffering and continuous work...”

You can hear Varya calling Anya, but her sister only gets annoyed and does not respond to her voice.

Act three: the day the cherry orchard is sold

The third act of The Cherry Orchard takes place in the living room in the evening. Couples dance, but no one feels joy. Everyone is depressed about looming debts. Lyubov Andreevna understands that they started the ball completely inappropriately. Those in the house are waiting for Leonid, who must bring news from the city: whether the garden has been sold or whether the auction did not take place at all. But Gaev is still not there. Household members begin to worry. The old footman Firs admits that he is not feeling well.

Trofimov teases Varya with Madame Lopakhina, which irritates the girl. But Lyubov Andreevna really offers to marry the merchant. Varya seems to agree, but the catch is that Lopakhin still hasn’t proposed, and she doesn’t want to impose herself.

Lyubov Andreevna worries more and more: has the estate been sold? Trofimov reassures Ranevskaya: “Does it matter, there is no turning back, the path is overgrown.”

Lyubov Andreevna takes out a handkerchief, from which a telegram falls, informing her that her beloved has fallen ill again and is calling her. Trofimov begins to reason: “he’s a petty scoundrel and a nonentity,” to which Ranevskaya responds with anger, calling the student a klutz, a neat freak, and a funny eccentric who doesn’t know how to love. Petya is offended and leaves. A crash is heard. Anya reports that a student fell down the stairs.

The young footman Yasha, talking with Ranevskaya, asks to go to Paris if she has the opportunity to go there. Everyone seems to be busy talking, but are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the auction for the cherry orchard. Lyubov Andreevna is especially worried; she literally cannot find a place for herself. Finally, Lopakhin and Gaev enter. It is clear that Leonid Andreevich is crying. Lopakhin reports that the cherry orchard has been sold, and when asked who bought it, he answers: “I bought it.” Ermolai Alekseevich reports details of the auction. Lyubov Andreevna sobs, realizing that nothing can be changed. Anya consoles her, trying to focus on the fact that life goes on, no matter what. She seeks to instill hope that they will plant “a new garden, more luxurious than this... and quiet, deep joy will descend on the soul like the sun.”

Act four: after the sale of the estate

The property has been sold. In the corner of the children's room there are packed things ready for removal. Peasants come to say goodbye to their former owners. The sounds of cherries being cut down can be heard from the street. Lopakhin offers champagne, but no one except the footman Yasha wants to drink it. Each of the former residents of the estate is dejected by what happened, and family friends are also despondent. Anya voices her mother’s request that the garden not be cut down until she leaves.

“Really, is there really a lack of tact,” says Petya Trofimov and leaves through the hallway.

Yasha and Ranevskaya are going to Paris, Dunyasha, in love with a young footman, asks him to send a letter from abroad.

Gaev hurries Lyubov Andreevna. The landowner sadly says goodbye to the house and garden, but Anna admits that for her it is beginning new life. Gaev is also happy.

Governess Charlotte Ivanovna sings a song as she leaves.

Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik, a neighboring landowner, comes into the house. To the surprise of everyone, he repays the debt to both Lyubov Andreevna and Lopakhin. He reports news of a successful deal: he managed to lease the land to the British for the extraction of rare white clay. The neighbor did not know that the estate had been sold, so he is surprised to see the suitcases packed and the former owners preparing to leave.

Lyubov Andreevna, firstly, is worried about the sick Firs, because it is still not known for certain whether he was sent to the hospital or not. Anya claims that Yasha did it, but the girl is mistaken. Secondly, Ranevskaya is afraid that Lopakhin will never propose to Varya. They seem to be not indifferent to each other, however, no one wants to take the first step. And although Lyubov Andreevna makes a last attempt to leave the young people alone to resolve this difficult issue, nothing comes of such an undertaking.

After the former owner of the house last time looks longingly at the walls and windows of the house, everyone is leaving.

In the bustle, they did not notice that they had locked up the sick Firs, who was muttering: “Life has passed, as if he had never lived.” The old footman holds no grudge against his masters. He lies down on the sofa and passes into another world.

We bring to your attention a story by Anton Chekhov, where, with the subtle and inimitable irony characteristic of the writer, he describes the character main character- Shchukina. What was the peculiarity of her behavior, read in the story.

The essence of the play “The Cherry Orchard”

From literary sources it is known that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was very happy when he came up with the name for the play - “The Cherry Orchard”.

It seems logical, because it reflects the very essence of the work: the old way of life is changing to a completely new one, and the cherry orchard, which the former owners treasured, is mercilessly cut down when the estate passes into the hands of the enterprising merchant Lopakhin. “The Cherry Orchard” is a prototype of old Russia, which is gradually fading into oblivion. The past is fatefully crossed out, giving way to new plans and intentions, which, according to the author, are better than the previous ones.

The image of the garden in the play "The Cherry Orchard" is ambiguous and complex. This is not just part of the estate of Ranevskaya and Gaev, as it might seem at first glance. This is not what Chekhov wrote about. The Cherry Orchard is a symbolic image. It signifies the beauty of Russian nature and the life of the people who raised it and admired it. Together with the death of the garden, this life also perishes.

A center that unites characters

The image of the garden in the play “The Cherry Orchard” is the center around which all the characters unite. At first it may seem that these are just old acquaintances and relatives who, by chance, gathered at the estate to solve everyday problems. However, this is not true. It is no coincidence that Anton Pavlovich united characters representing various social groups and age categories. Their task is to decide the fate of not only the garden, but also their own.

Gaev and Ranevskaya’s connection with the estate

Ranevskaya and Gaev are Russian landowners who own an estate and a cherry orchard. This is brother and sister, they are sensitive, smart, educated people. They are able to appreciate beauty and feel it very subtly. That’s why the image of the cherry orchard is so dear to them. In the perception of the heroes of the play “The Cherry Orchard”, he personifies beauty. However, these characters are inert, which is why they cannot do anything to save what is dear to them. Ranevskaya and Gaev, for all their spiritual wealth and development, are devoid of responsibility, practicality and a sense of reality. Therefore, they cannot take care not only of loved ones, but also of themselves. These heroes do not want to listen to Lopakhin’s advice and rent out the land they own, although this would bring them a decent income. They think that dachas and summer residents are vulgar.

Why is the estate so dear to Gaev and Ranevskaya?

Gaev and Ranevskaya cannot rent out the land because of the feelings connecting them with the estate. They have a special relationship with the garden, which is like a living person to them. Much connects these heroes with their estate. The Cherry Orchard seems to them to be the personification of bygone youth, past life. Ranevskaya compared her life to a “cold winter” and a “dark stormy autumn.” When the landowner returned to the estate, she again felt happy and young.

Lopakhin's attitude to the cherry orchard

The image of the garden in the play “The Cherry Orchard” is also revealed in Lopakhin’s attitude towards it. This hero does not share the feelings of Ranevskaya and Gaev. He finds their behavior illogical and strange. This person is surprised why they do not want to listen to seemingly obvious arguments that will help find a way out of a difficult situation. It should be noted that Lopakhin is also capable of appreciating beauty. The cherry orchard delights this hero. He believes that there is nothing more beautiful in the world than him.

However, Lopakhin is a practical and active person. Unlike Ranevskaya and Gaev, he cannot just admire the cherry orchard and regret it. This hero strives to do something to save him. Lopakhin sincerely wants to help Ranevskaya and Gaev. He never ceases to convince them that they should rent out both the land and the cherry orchard. This must be done as soon as possible, since the auction will be soon. However, the landowners do not want to listen to him. Leonid Andreevich can only swear that the estate will never be sold. He says he won't allow the auction.

New owner of the garden

Nevertheless, the auction still took place. The owner of the estate is Lopakhin, who cannot believe his own happiness. After all, his father and grandfather worked here, “were slaves”, they weren’t even allowed into the kitchen. The purchase of an estate for Lopakhin becomes a kind of symbol of his success. This is a well-deserved reward for many years of work. The hero would like his grandfather and father to rise from the grave and be able to rejoice with him, to see how much their descendant has succeeded in life.

Negative qualities of Lopakhin

The cherry orchard for Lopakhin is just land. It can be bought, mortgaged or sold. This hero, in his joy, did not consider himself obliged to show a sense of tact towards the former owners of the purchased estate. Lopakhin immediately begins to cut down the garden. He did not want to wait for the former owners of the estate to leave. The soulless lackey Yasha is somewhat similar to him. He completely lacks such qualities as attachment to the place in which he was born and raised, love for his mother, and kindness. In this respect, Yasha is the complete opposite of Firs, a servant who has unusually developed these feelings.

Relation to the garden of the servant Firs

In revealing it, it is necessary to say a few words about how Firs, the oldest of everyone in the house, treated him. For many years he faithfully served his masters. This man sincerely loves Gaev and Ranevskaya. He is ready to protect these heroes from all troubles. We can say that Firs is the only one of all the characters in The Cherry Orchard endowed with such a quality as devotion. This is a very integral nature, which is fully manifested in the servant’s attitude towards the garden. For Firs, the estate of Ranevskaya and Gaev is a family nest. He strives to protect it, as well as its inhabitants.

Representatives of the new generation

The image of the cherry orchard in the play “The Cherry Orchard” is dear only to those characters who have important memories associated with it. The representative of the new generation is Petya Trofimov. The fate of the garden does not interest him at all. Petya declares: “We are above love.” Thus, he admits that he is not capable of experiencing serious feelings. Trofimov looks at everything too superficially. He doesn't know real life, which he is trying to remake based on far-fetched ideas. Anya and Petya are outwardly happy. They thirst for a new life, for which they strive to break with the past. For these heroes, the garden is “all of Russia,” and not a specific cherry orchard. But is it possible to love the whole world, not loving your home? Petya and Anya are losing their roots in their quest for new horizons. Mutual understanding between Trofimov and Ranevskaya is impossible. For Petya there are no memories, no past, and Ranevskaya deeply worries about the loss of the estate, since she was born here, her ancestors also lived here, and she sincerely loves the estate.

Who will save the garden?

As we have already noted, it is a symbol of beauty. Only people who can not only appreciate it, but also fight for it can save it. Active and energetic people, replacing the nobility, treat beauty only as a source of profit. What will happen to her, who will save her?

The image of the cherry orchard in Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" is a symbol of the home and the past, dear to the heart. Is it possible to boldly move forward if the sound of an ax is heard behind you, destroying everything that was previously sacred? It should be noted that the cherry orchard is and it is no coincidence that such expressions as “hitting a tree with an ax”, “trampling a flower” and “cutting off the roots” sound inhumane and blasphemous.

So, we briefly examined the image of the cherry orchard as understood by the characters in the play “The Cherry Orchard.” Reflecting on the actions and characters of the characters in Chekhov’s work, we also think about the fate of Russia. After all, it is a “cherry orchard” for all of us.

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 tenacious man who has become very rich in recent years, are waiting for her.

Lyubov Andreevna and Anya arrive with 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 running into debt. 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 every now and then slips callousness, indifference to loved ones.

Matching Ranevskaya and her brother, Gaev. The main interest of his life is billiards - he constantly throws out 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.