English Literature GCE A/L Made easy-Drama: Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard

General Analysis:-

The drama Cherry Orchard highlights 'Tensions of changing times'

eg. Nursery (Act I) though there had been nobody for years.

There are the tragic events: Death of Madame Raneveskhy's on Grisha.

The major changes in society at that time.

(a) The freedom of the serfs.

(b) Declining power of the aristocrats.

(c) Lopakhin's first speech stressing the 'Theme of Russia's new found class mobility.'

eg. Lopakhin, born a serf becoming a wealthy land owner-an equal of Madame Raneveskhy, the aristocrat yet he refers to himself as 'peasant of the peasants.'

Solution or judgement remains whether Lopakhin could possess love, respect and honour for Madame Raneveskhy and her family, that held 'his father and grandfather as slaves.'

Though Loparkhin is financially sound, he calls himself a peasant, thus showing the difference between the nouveau rich and the Aristocrat. The tension about class differences running throughout the play highlights the mentality of the rich and the serfs leaving a margin being unable to reach a definite conclusion-whether Loparkhin is the portrayal of a hypocrite eg. criticising Dunyasha.

Lopakhin: You're too refined and sensitive Dooniasha. You dress yourself up like a lady and you do your hair like one. That won't do, you know. You must remember your place.

The comic element created by the character of Ephikhodof acting like a clown but different from other comical characters. Babara carrying keys the symbol of power-though it reflects absurd and ridiculous characteristics in her.

Anya's criticism of her 'mother's over spending in France' though the action is not visible on the stage. The play seems to 'revolve around the characters' on stage reaction to such off stage reaction, for although this sort of action is not seen it actually drives the plot' (Grade saver: classic note:) 'Thus indirect action informing the audience of the past and maneuvers the development of the action'. Firs' character symbolizes 'the remnant of the past' for his entire life had been spent as a serf.

Lopakhin and Firs symbolize two different sides of the Russian Serfs freedom. Firs remaining a serf while Lopakhin becomes independent and wealthy. Madame Raneveskhy and her brother symbolize the changing fate of the Aristocracts. They fail to change with the 'changing times'. The attitudes of the old Aristocracy seem to remain unchanged.

Pishtchik's rather a selfish person shrewd as to insist Madame Ranevskhy to give him money and strives on till he meets with success. "I never lose hopes" Yasha's a similar character more concerned with himself and feeding off Madame Ranevskhy to get what he wants.

Yasha and Pishtchik are both 'fundamentally parasites who frequent the Cherry Orchard for the purpose of benefiting from Madame Ranvesky's weak control of her purse' (Grade saver classic note).

Act two - The Cherry Orchard Brief notes: summer season

Charlotta, Yasha, Duniasha and Yepihodov appear on the scene. Charlotta, an orphan who had her childhood experience performing tricks at country fairs, expressing her feelings of loneliness and isolation. Dunyasha and Yasha engage in a conversation revealing their romantic involvement.

Duniasha: "... I've grown sensitive and delicate, just as if I was one of the nobility; I'm afraid of everything... just afraid. If you deceive me Yasha I don't know what will happen to my nerves.

Yasha: (Kisses her) Little peach! Mind you, a girl ought to keep herself in hand, you know.

Personally I dislike it more than anything if a girl doesn't behave herself.

Dooniasha: I love you so much, so much! you're educated. You can reason about every thing.

Lopkhin trying to convince Madame Ranaveskyia the importance of selling the orchard. No one responds to his suggestion, about putting up villas.

Madame Ranaveskyia's repentance comes too late she, getting married to an alcoholic and after his death going out with another man, who robbed her in love and found another woman. Madame Ranaveskyia advising Lopakhin to get married and suggesting Barbara as a wife. Trophimov's sensible expressions are highlighted in this Act II.

"It may be that man is possessed of a hundred sense and only five that are known to us perish in death while the remaining ninety five live afterwards".

And his disapproval of the behaviour pattern of the rich "but they talk contemptuously to their servants, they treat the peasants as if they were animals, they study without achieving anything, they don't read anything serious, they just do nothing.

Trofimov's forecasting the events that would take place "... I can see happiness Ania I can see it coming.." symbolizing the events to follow. Trofinov considering the whole of Russia as an orchard and his logical comments "... Ania your grand father, your great grandfather and all your forefathers were serf owners - they owned living souls.

Don't you see human beings gazing at you from every cherry tree in your orchard, from every leaf and every tree trunk, don't you hear voices. They owned living souls-and it has perverted you all..." and his announcement "... I can see happiness, Ania, I can see it coming."

When analyzing Act II it's clear that in Act I the characters are presented in 'a thematic manner' while in Act II the social and economic changes in Russia are clearly epitomized and the repercussion of progress through the actions of the characters employed.

Madame Ranevskhy's dropping her purse talking to herself, spilling her money though by accident and what she speaks tending to betray her own concepts. This symbolic procedure mirrors forth the inner feelings, motives and the qualities of the persons concerned.

For instance the inner motives of Yasha, aiming at personal benefit. Lopakhin trying to persuade Madame Ranevskhy and Gayev to sell the Cherry Orchard displaying the contrast between the Aristocrat and the wealthy serf. Madame Ranevskhy and Gayav fail to fit themselves to the changing society.

Firs is thrilled displaying the happiness of the serfs after the liberation. Madame Ranevskhy's and Gayev's attitude towards villa residents coming from the Nouveau rich due to the rearrangement of the Russian class system" is significant showing their inability to adjust themselves to the changing pattern of the society.

The visible fact 'A fair class system' to improve the living status of the general public has also persuaded most of the workers to remain with their employers. Trophimof, the character that brings life to the play chooses to remain with Madame Ranevskhy. His optimistic view of the liberation is highlighted by his attitudes and actions.

Trofimou: Yes, the moon is rising (A pause) there it is - happiness - it's coming nearer and nearer, I seem to hear its footsteps. And if we don't see it, if we don't know when it comes what does it matter? Other people will see it!

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist teacher English, St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.