English Literature GCE A/L Made easy-Drama: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekov

Act I

Brief Notes and Analysis

The place of the setting up the drama is Russia 1800's.

Act One opens in the early session of the day in the month of May in Madame Ranevskhy's estate - the Cherry Orchard. There's no division of scenes and the movements of the characters depict the entrance and the exit.

Dunyasha, a maid and Lopakhin, a wealthy neighbour await the arrival of Madame Ranevskhy and her daughters back to their Cherry Orchard from France. Dunyasaha and Lopakhin open conversation recalling his childhood memories; the existing condition of train journeys while Ephikodof, a clumsy clerk has a short discussion on the weather and the "squeaky boots" Dunyasha is taken up with the clerk's personality in spite of his clumsy manners.

The arrival of Madame Ranevskhy with her daughters Barbara and Anya, her brother Gayef, Charlotte and Pishtchik. Barbara carrying a ring of keys at her waist symbolize her authority. Madame Ranevskhy's careless manner of spending money which she does not possess and the family's hardship such as paying interest.

The ultimate decision is to auction Cherry Orchard in August. Barbara was hoping to marry Lopakhin, society may accept it, but a proposal has to be brought and that had not taken place yet. Anya making mention of her father's death six years ago, and her younger brother drowning at the age of seven, which made their mother to leave the country. Firs, their faithful servant expresses his joy as he welcomes his employer he respected sincerely.

Madame Ranevskhy's reactions such as kissing the old furniture highlights the weak qualities prevailing - showing more prominence to the old furniture than to her friends who have died during her absence.

She fails to understand the importance of building villas and selling them to the 'Nouveau Rich' to pay off the debts. Madame Ranevskhy tearing away the telegram from Paris emphasises the dramatic action prevailing. The pleasant attitude of Madame Raneveskhy towards her servants highlights "a beautiful aspect of the aristocratic world".

Gayef kneeling and reciting "a ridiculous ode" to the cupboard creating an embarrassing situation. Madame Ranevskhy offering a superficial cordial welcome to Trophimov and Charlotte, the governess a strange person and a misfit.

Gayef discussing the financial problems, with his neices and Madame Ranevskhy's marriage beneath her aristocratic status, resulting in becoming another man's mistress after the death of her husband.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Rtd. Specialist Teacher Eng Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.