“The Cherry Orchard” is the last play by A. Chekhov. He wrote it a year before his death. Behind the story of a noble family that lost its garden, the writer hid the history of his homeland, which, according to the author, in the future awaited the same miserable existence as the nobility without a manor. We wrote more about his plan in drama analysis, and now we can find out the plot and the main events of the book by reading a brief retelling of the actions of Literaguru.
Action 1
Love Ranevskaya lived in France for five years. The youngest daughter, Anya, spent several months with her. In May, both of them had to return to their homeland. The footman Firs, the brother of Ranevskaya Gaev and the eldest daughter Varia (these are their characteristics) leave for the station. And at home they are waiting for the merchant Lopakhin and the maid Dunyasha. They are sitting in a room, which is still called the "nursery" by old habit. Lopakhin discusses how life can turn out, that he, the son of a serf, is now a free and prosperous merchant.
Arriving crews from the station. Ranevskaya and Anya are happy to return. The estate has not changed since their departure. It soon becomes apparent to the reader that Lyubov Andreevna was in a difficult financial situation. She had to sell all of her overseas property and would return to Russia. Lopakhin reminds her that in August he will have to sell the estate with a garden if he and his brother urgently do not come up with a solution. The merchant immediately offers them an option that seems to him very successful. Cut down the garden, divide the land into plots and rent it to summer residents. But Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev only wave it off, saying that the garden is the most valuable in the entire province. They hope for the help of a rich aunt from Yaroslavl, although relations with her are strained.
Action 2
Several weeks have passed since Ranevskaya’s arrival. But neither she nor Gaev are in a hurry to solve their problems. Moreover, they continue to waste money. Returning from the city where they went in the company of Lopakhin for breakfast, they stop at the old church. Shortly before their appearance, on this bench, the clerk Epikhodov declared his love for Dunyasha. But the frivolous girl preferred the footman Yasha to him.
Lopakhin again recalls the bidding. Once again, he offers them to cut down the garden. But the brother and sister only wave his words away, saying that the aunt will certainly send money. And there’s still enough time. The merchant does not understand them, calls them strange and frivolous.
The daughters of Ranevskaya and Petya Trofimov are suitable for the shop (here is their description). Ranevskaya starts a conversation about a proud man. But the conversation does not go out, and soon everyone, one by one, leaves the bench at the church. Anya and Petya are left alone. Loving Trofimov is trying to charm a girl with his speeches. He says that it is necessary, having rejected everything material, strives for the ideal. Anya, who, like her mother, easily yields to beautiful words, is carried away by Petya, not noticing his worthlessness.
Action 3
August is coming. Ranevskaya, it seems, does not think at all about the fate of the estate. On the day of bidding, she throws a magnificent party. Lyubov Andreevna even invites the orchestra. Everyone dances, communicates and rejoices. However, there is a pretense of fun. Everyone’s thoughts in the room turned to Gaev and Lopakhin, who went to the auction.
During the conversation, Petya begins to criticize Ranevskaya and her affair with a swindler from France, who robbed her. He laughs at her reluctance to acknowledge the obvious truth. But she immediately accuses him of duplicity. After all, he is an “eternal student” who cannot even finish the course, preaches hard work and striving for the ideal to everyone. Petya runs away from the room in hysterics.
Gaev and Lopakhin are returning from the auction. The merchant triumphs, although he tries to hide it in the first minutes. And Gaev next to him did not even try to hide his tears and disappointments. They say that both the manor and the garden are sold. Now the merchant is the owner of the very estate where his father was a serf. The orchestra abates, Ranevskaya, heavily sinking into a chair, sobs. Anya, whose brain is drugged by the words of Petit, reassures her mother that now they begin a new life, not burdened with anything material.
Action 4
The last action takes place in October. Lopakhin, not waiting for the departure of the previous owners, begins to cut down the garden. Aunt from Yaroslavl still gave money to Gaev and Ranevskaya. But Lyubov Andreevna took them from her brother and returned to France to her lover. Vara, her daughter, had to go to work as a housekeeper in a neighboring estate, because the new owner of the garden did not make her an offer, still feeling lower than the masters. Anya is preparing to take the gymnasium exam and is looking for a side job. Petya is leaving for Moscow to continue his studies. He is only concerned about a couple of lost galoshes. Gaev offered a place in the bank. However, the whole family is sure that because of his laziness he will not stay there for long. Lopakhin, unable to confess to Vara his feelings, leaves for work in Kharkov. Everyone says goodbye, the estate is locked.
Firs appears on the scene, which even the owners have forgotten about. He walks around the estate, muttering to himself about the past life. When he reached the couch, the old man sank down on him and finally calmed down. Silence is broken only by the sound of axes.
Junkie
St. John's wort
