The Cherry Orchard: Full Play Summary

Overview

• Title: The Cherry Orchard
• Author: Anton Chekhov
• Setting: Russia, a May morning, pre-dawn, estate of Ranevsky.

Characters

• Yermolay Lopakhin: Local businessman, mixed feelings about Ranevsky.
• Dunyasha: Maid at Ranevsky estate.
• Ranevsky: Owner of the estate, has been in Paris for five years.
• Anya: Ranevsky's daughter, has been in Paris with her.
• Yasha: Young manservant, traveled with Ranevsky.
• Charlotte: Anya's governess.
• Firs: 87-year-old manservant.
• Leonid Gayev: Ranevsky's elder brother.
• Varya: Adopted daughter.
• Simon Yephikodov: Nicknamed "Simple Simon."
• Boris Simeonov-Pischik: Impoverished landowner.
• Peter Trofimov: Grisha's former tutor.

Act One

• Setting: The nursery room of the estate.
• Plot:
  • Ranevsky returns from Paris, revealing her financial difficulties.
  • Estate is to be auctioned due to debts.
  • Lopakhin proposes selling estate land as cottages.
  • Ranevsky resists Lopakhin's plan due to sentimental attachment.
  • Gayev suggests alternative financing options.

Act Two

• Setting: Estate, emphasis on young servants' love triangle.
• Plot:
  • Continuation of debating Lopakhin’s plan.
  • Ranevsky reveals past lover issues.
  • Trofimov discusses work and Russian society.
  • Anya and Trofimov discuss their platonic relationship.

Act Three

• Setting: Day of the auction, party setting.
• Plot:
  • Ranevsky throws a party.
  • Anxiety over auction results.
  • Lopakhin buys the estate; plans to destroy the cherry orchard.
  • Ranevsky is devastated; Anya comforts her.

Act Four

• Setting: October, orchard being cut down.
• Plot:
  • Characters prepare to leave.
  • Each character has a new direction.
  • Emotional goodbyes exchanged.
  • Firs is accidentally left behind and dies.
  • Sounds of snapping string and axe cutting reflect conclusion.

Themes

• Change vs. Tradition: Conflict between preserving the past and embracing new societal changes.
• Social Mobility: Lopakhin’s rise contrasts with Ranevsky’s fall.
• Loss and Memory: The cherry orchard as a symbol of lost past.

Important Symbols

• Cherry Orchard: Represents the past, beauty, and loss.
• Snapping String: Ominous symbol of change and loss.

Conclusion

• The play ends with the estate changing hands, reflecting societal shifts and personal losses.