Writers usually portray their thoughts through the characters in their plays. They talk about the consistency or a conflict which happened or is happening in their lives, culture and era. In The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, the audience can notice the social change and the growing importance of the global society which plays an important role in moving the plot forward. The play gives us a glimpse into the life style of the upper middle class Russians at the turn of the century. It evokes feelings of bliss, regret, pity and rage from the audience. This play represents a cultural conflict. By means of a historical event, the writer presents the transforming Russia with the Silence of Life. The characters in the play belonging to the customary culture are unable to resist the invading ones. The audience can see Chekovs views on Russian history, social and economic change, through the concept of progress in this play.
Torphimof is a character who has a vital role in this particular act of the play. His words are meaningful, as he sees the difference between the upper-class and the lower-class. He knows that libration is a must but not adequate. He is also a very positive character as he hopes that, the people of Russia will overcome their weakness. In this particular passage the major themes that are include self-determination, liberation, social revolution and development.
Barbara portrays herself as a mature character. She is completely different from her sister and her mother. The viewers realize the age gap between Barbara and Anya. She is self contented and doesnt mind living with only the bare necessities. She seems to be keen on learning new things and also is keen on finding out more things. She doesnt like it when Lopakhin is rude and sarcastic to Peter Torphimof; so very wisely she tells Peter to share some knowledge which he knows and of course Lopakhin doesnt know. I feel she is one of the most sensible characters throughout the play.
Madame Ranevsky on the other hand is a character who desires to lead a lavish life style; however she doesnt understand the fact that she doesnt have the sufficient amount of finance to support her through it. She is a lost romantic, who seems to be trapped in a world of fantasy in an orchard in which she forgets reality. She is a very peculiar character. She is very sentimental, emotional and still in denial and broken from her sons death, which was 5 years ago. She is a spendthrift and she is very wasteful even though she barely has any money and her orchard is going to be sold.
Lopakhin is a self made man as his father and grandfather were peasants and used to serve Madame Ranevsky and her family; but now he is richer than she. He is a practical character and advises Madame Ranevsky what to do about her cherry orchard and how she can save her land but she refuses to take his help.
Anya is just like her mother as she has spent a couple of years with her in Paris. She is sensitive, snobbish and doesnt care about others; as for her,she herself comes first.
The passage is very important as it talks about the proud man. What does the proud man actually mean? Its just a way of referring to the upper-class, as they think of themselves as the cream of society. They put others down, but in reality they only do it to make themselves feel good.
Madame Ranevsky seemed to be very interested in this particular topic even though they had discussed about the same topic the day before. Trophimof goes on talking and into his conversation, to attract the listeners and the audiences questions, he uses a rhetorical question, if we look at a simple mindedly, what room is there for pride? He does this as the question gives an obvious answer. Chekhov uses this, as it encourages the listeners to reflect on what the answer must be to the question.
Then he makes a statement which is absolutely true and practical as he says, We must give up admiring ourselves. The only thing to do is to work., which Lopakhin has been implementing since a long time but on the contrary Madame Ranevsky is doing the complete opposite.
Gayef , Madame Ranevskys brother is misunderstood as a character; at times he talks and makes no sense but at times when he thinks and talks even his one line can have a thousand words unsaid. He says, We shall all die the same, to save his flesh. He tries to prove that working will do no good as we come into this world empty handed and leave empty handed, we are all the same. He tries to contradict what Trophimof says as he thinks everyone doesnt have to work.
Trophimof contradicts Gayef as he gives a very strange and unusual answer using science and perception especially as things werent proven in that era.
Madame Ranevsky overwhelmed by everyone once again is intimidated by Trophimof as she praises Peter; and just a few days back she spoke to him and told him a few things which were not ethical. On the other hand Lopakhin is very sarcastic to the praise Peter gets from Madame Ranevsky.
Trophimof then begins a lengthy and revealing speech on the social status of Russia at that time. He speaks on the vastly differing economic and educational state of the many walks of life present at the time and age of the novel. Trophimof criticizes the higher rungs of the hierarchal order in aristocratic Russia. He blames them for hoarding wealth and knowledge and for referring to themselves as the Intelligentsia, while simultaneously ignoring and suppressing the lower class. Trophimof points out the false and self-deceptive nature of the higher order in their views of themselves and others. He mentions that All our clever conversations are only meant to distract our own attention and other peoples. Trophimof wants to know where all the things they talk about are and if they really exist. He says, Nothing exists except dirt, vulgarity and Asiatic ways, which is true. All people do is talk and they dont work. Trophimof doesnt like anything to be solemn as they are serious and earnest. Through this the audience can see how confident he is in his philosophy. We can see Camus criticizing society for its leaning towards science and its neglect of the arts and above all for the general lackadaisical attitude. Camus strikes at the disparity that exists between the aristocrats and the working class. The details suggest the lowly lifestyle of the lower class.
Lopakhin then talks about his life style and in that he tells them, one only has to begin to do anything to see how few honest and decent people there are. This shows the corruption level in Russia. Gayef notices that time has passed and the sun has set, making the audience aware that it is late and time has passed. Then he starts talking to nature. He realizes its importance, for nature has its positive and negative ability. His words are more meaningful than he can comprehend and hints at the cherry orchards ability. Bringing no gain for his sister, it does for Lopakhin, turning the tables of fortune. Barbara tries to stop him by saying, Uncle. Her entreating tone is significant as whatever Gayef has spoken is so different to what Trohimof and Lophakin say. He seems to be more of a dreamer and lacks the practical wisdom of the other two.
The extract allows the audience to understand the need for change in Russia. Through the characters one can perceive the lifestyles and norms that prevailed.
Bibliography
1. The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov was first produced by the Moscow Art Theatre On Chekhovs last birthday, January 17,1904
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