The Cherry Orchard.  A.P. Chekhov. Acts I and II Main events Act 2 cherry orchard

Field. An old, crooked, long-abandoned chapel, next to it there is a well, large stones that were apparently once gravestones, and an old bench. The road to Gaev's estate is visible. To the side, towering, the poplars darken: that’s where the cherry orchard begins. In the distance there is a row of telegraph poles, and far, far away on the horizon a large city is vaguely visible, which is visible only in very good, clear weather. The sun will set soon. Charlotte, Yasha and Dunyasha are sitting on a bench; Epikhodov stands nearby and plays the guitar; everyone sits thinking. Charlotte in an old cap; she took the gun off her shoulders and adjusted her belt buckle.

Charlotte (thoughtful). I don’t have a real passport, I don’t know how old I am, and it still seems to me that I’m young. When I was a little girl, my father and mother went to fairs and gave performances, very good ones. And I jumped salto mortale and various things. And when my father and mother died, a German lady took me in and began to teach me. Fine. I grew up, then became a governess. Where am I from and who am I? I don’t know... Who are my parents, maybe they didn’t get married... I don’t know. (Takes a cucumber out of his pocket and eats it.) I do not know anything.

I really want to talk, but not with anyone... I don’t have anyone.

Epikhodov (plays guitar and sings). “What do I care about the noisy light, what are my friends and enemies...” How pleasant it is to play the mandolin! Dunyasha. It's a guitar, not a mandolin. (Looks in the mirror and powders herself.) Epikhodov. For a madman who is in love, this is a mandolin... (Sings.) “If only the heart would be warmed by the heat of mutual love...”

Yasha sings along.

Charlotte. These people sing terribly... ugh! Like jackals. Dunyasha (Yasha). Still, what a joy to be abroad. Yasha. Yes, sure. I cannot but agree with you. (Yawns, then lights a cigar.) Epikhodov. Of course. Abroad, everything has long been in full complexion. Yasha. By itself. Epikhodov. I am a developed person, I read various wonderful books, but I just can’t understand the direction of what I actually want, whether I should live or shoot myself, strictly speaking, but nevertheless I always carry a revolver with me. Here he is... (Shows a revolver.) Charlotte. I finished. Now I'll go. (Puts on a gun.) You, Epikhodov, are a very smart person and very scary; Women should love you madly. Brrr! (He walks.) These smart guys are all so stupid, I have no one to talk to... All alone, alone, I have no one and... and who I am, why I am, is unknown... (Leaves slowly.) Epikhodov. Strictly speaking, without touching on other subjects, I must express myself, among other things, that fate treats me without regret, like a storm treats a small ship. If, let’s say, I’m mistaken, then why did I wake up this morning, for example, and look, and there’s a scary-sized spider on my chest... Like this. (Shows with both hands.) And you also take kvass to get drunk, and then, lo and behold, there is something extremely indecent, like a cockroach.

Have you read Buckle?

I would like to bother you, Avdotya Fedorovna, with a few words.

Dunyasha. Speak. Epikhodov. I would prefer to be alone with you... (Sighs.) Dunyasha (embarrassed). Okay... just bring me my little talma first... It's near the closet... it's a little damp here... Epikhodov. Okay... I'll bring it... Now I know what to do with my revolver... (Takes the guitar and leaves, strumming.) Yasha. Twenty-two misfortunes! Stupid man, just between you and me. (Yawns.) Dunyasha. God forbid, he shoots himself.

I became anxious, I kept worrying. I was taken to the masters as a girl, I was now unaccustomed to simple life, and now my hands are white, white, like a young lady’s. She has become tender, so delicate, noble, I’m afraid of everything... It’s so scary. And if you, Yasha, deceive me, then I don’t know what will happen to my nerves.

Yasha (kisses her). Cucumber! Of course, every girl must remember herself, and what I dislike most is if a girl has bad behavior. Dunyasha. I fell in love with you passionately, you are educated, you can talk about everything. Yasha (yawns). Yes, sir... In my opinion, it’s like this: if a girl loves someone, then she is immoral.

It's nice to smoke a cigar in the fresh air... (Listens.) Here they come... These are gentlemen...

Dunyasha impulsively hugs him.

Go home, as if you went to the river to swim, follow this path, otherwise they will meet and think about me, as if I were on a date with you. I can't stand it.

Dunyasha (coughs quietly). The cigar gave me a headache... (Leaves.)

Yasha remains and sits near the chapel. Enter Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev and Lopakhin.

Lopakhin. We must finally decide; time is running out. The question is completely empty. Do you agree to give up the land for dachas or not? Answer in one word: yes or no? Just one word! Lyubov Andreevna. Who is it here smoking disgusting cigars... (Sits down.) Gaev. Now the railway was built, and it became convenient. (Sits down.) We went into town and had breakfast... yellow in the middle! I should first go into the house and play one game... Lyubov Andreevna. You'll have time. Lopakhin. Just one word! (Pleadingly.) Give me the answer! Gaev (yawning). Whom? Lyubov Andreevna (looks at his wallet). Yesterday there was a lot of money, but today there is very little. My poor Varya, to save money, feeds everyone milk soup, in the kitchen the old people are given one pea, and I spend it somehow senselessly... (Dropped my wallet and scattered the gold ones.) Well, they fell... (She is annoyed.) Yasha. Let me pick it up now. (Collects coins.) Lyubov Andreevna. Please, Yasha. And why did I go to breakfast... Your restaurant is trashy with music, the tablecloths smell of soap... Why drink so much, Lenya? Why eat so much? Why talk so much? Today in the restaurant you spoke a lot again and all inappropriately. About the seventies, about the decadents. And to whom? Sexual talk about decadents! Lopakhin. Yes. Gaev (waves his hand). I'm incorrigible, that's obvious... (Irritated to Yasha.) What is it, you constantly spin before your eyes... Yasha (laughs). I can't hear your voice without laughing. Gaev (to his sister). Either me or him... Lyubov Andreevna. Go away, Yasha, go... Yasha (gives Lyubov Andreevna the wallet). I'll leave now. (Hardly refraining from laughing.) This minute... (Leaves.) Lopakhin. The rich man Deriganov is going to buy your estate. They say he will come to the auction in person. Lyubov Andreevna. Where did you hear from? Lopakhin. They're talking in the city. Gaev. The Yaroslavl aunt promised to send, but when and how much she will send is unknown... Lopakhin. How much will she send? Thousand one hundred? Two hundred? Lyubov Andreevna. Well... Ten to fifteen thousand, and thanks for that. Lopakhin. Forgive me, I have never met such frivolous people like you, gentlemen, such unbusinesslike, strange people. They tell you in Russian, your estate is for sale, but you definitely don’t understand. Lyubov Andreevna. What do we do? Teach what? Lopakhin. I teach you every day. Every day I say the same thing. Both the cherry orchard and the land must be rented out for dachas, do this now, as soon as possible - the auction is just around the corner! Understand! Once you finally decide to have dachas, they will give you as much money as you want, and then you are saved. Lyubov Andreevna. Dachas and summer residents it’s so vulgar, sorry. Gaev. I completely agree with you. Lopakhin. I will either burst into tears, or scream, or faint. I can not! You tortured me! (To Gaev.) You are a woman! Gaev. Whom? Lopakhin. Woman! (Wants to leave.) Lyubov Andreevna(scared). No, don't go, stay, darling. I ask you to. Maybe we'll think of something! Lopakhin. What is there to think about! Lyubov Andreevna. Don't leave, please. It's still more fun with you...

I keep waiting for something, as if the house was about to collapse above us.

Gaev (in deep thought). Doublet in the corner...Croiset in the middle... Lyubov Andreevna. We have sinned too much... Lopakhin. What are your sins... Gaev (puts a lollipop in his mouth). They say that I spent my entire fortune on candy... (Laughs.) Lyubov Andreevna. Oh, my sins... I always wasted money like crazy, and I married a man who made only debts. My husband died from champagne, he drank terribly, and unfortunately I fell in love with someone else, got together, and just at that time, it was the first punishment, a blow right in the head, right here on the river... my boy drowned , and I went abroad, completely left, never to return, never to see this river... I closed my eyes, ran, not remembering myself, but He behind me... mercilessly, rudely. I bought a dacha near Menton because He I fell ill there, and for three years I did not know rest either day or night; the sick man has tormented me, my soul has dried up. And last year, when the dacha was sold for debts, I went to Paris, and there he robbed me, abandoned me, got along with someone else, I tried to poison myself... So stupid, so shameful... And suddenly I was drawn to Russia, to my homeland , to my girl... (Wipes away tears.) Lord, Lord, be merciful, forgive me my sins! Don't punish me anymore! (Takes a telegram out of his pocket.) Received it today from Paris... Asks for forgiveness, begs to come back... (Tears up the telegram.) It's like there's music somewhere. (Listens.) Gaev. This is our famous Jewish orchestra. Remember, four violins, a flute and a double bass. Lyubov Andreevna. Does it still exist? We should invite him over sometime and arrange an evening. Lopakhin (listens). Don’t hear... (Sings quietly.) “And for money the Germans will Frenchize the hare.” (Laughs.) The play I saw in the theater yesterday was very funny. Lyubov Andreevna. And probably nothing is funny. You shouldn’t watch plays, but rather look at yourself more often. How you all live in a gray way, how much you say unnecessary things. Lopakhin. This is true. We must say frankly, our life is stupid...

My dad was a man, an idiot, he didn’t understand anything, he didn’t teach me, he just beat me when he was drunk, and that was all with a stick. In essence, I’m just as much of a blockhead and an idiot. I haven’t studied anything, my handwriting is bad, I write in such a way that people are ashamed of me, like a pig.

Lyubov Andreevna. You need to get married, my friend. Lopakhin. Yes it's true. Lyubov Andreevna. On our Vara. She's a good girl. Lopakhin. Yes. Lyubov Andreevna. She is one of the simple ones, she works all day, and most importantly, she loves you. Yes, and you’ve liked it for a long time. Lopakhin. What? I wouldn't mind... She's a good girl. Gaev. They offer me a position at the bank. Six thousand a year...Have you heard? Lyubov Andreevna. Where are you! Just sit...

Firs enters; he brought a coat.

Firs (to Gaev). If you please, sir, put it on, it’s damp. Gaev (puts on coat). I'm tired of you, brother. Firs. There’s nothing there... We left in the morning without saying anything. (Looks at him.) Lyubov Andreevna. How old you are, Firs! Firs. What would you like? Lopakhin. They say you have grown very old! Firs. I've been living for a long time. They were going to marry me, but your dad was not yet in the world ... (Laughs.) And the will came out, I was already a senior valet. Then I did not agree to freedom, I stayed with the masters...

And I remember everyone is happy, but they themselves don’t know what they’re happy about.

Lopakhin. It was very good before. At least they fought. Firs (not hearing). And still. The peasants are with the gentlemen, the gentlemen are with the peasants, and now everything is scattered, you won’t understand anything. Gaev. Shut up, Firs. Tomorrow I need to go to the city. They promised to introduce me to a general who could give me a bill. Lopakhin. You won't get anything. And you won’t pay interest, rest assured. Lyubov Andreevna. He is delirious. There are no generals.

Enter Trofimov, Anya and Varya.

Gaev. And here comes ours. Anya. Mom is sitting. Lyubov Andreevna(gently). Go, go... my family... (Embracing Anya and Varya.) If you both knew how much I love you. Sit next to me, like this.

Everyone sits down.

Lopakhin. Our eternal student always goes out with young ladies. Trofimov. None of your business. Lopakhin. He will be fifty years old soon, but he is still a student. Trofimov. Leave your stupid jokes. Lopakhin. Why are you angry, weirdo? Trofimov. Don't pester me. Lopakhin (laughs). Let me ask you, how do you understand me? Trofimov. I, Ermolai Alekseich, understand this: you are a rich man, you will soon be a millionaire. Just as in terms of metabolism you need a predatory beast that eats everything that gets in its way, so you are needed.

Everyone laughs.

Varya . You, Petya, tell us better about the planets. Lyubov Andreevna. No, let's continue yesterday's conversation. Trofimov. What is it about? Gaev. About a proud man. Trofimov. We talked for a long time yesterday, but came to nothing. In a proud person, in your sense, there is something mystical. Perhaps you are right in your own way, but if you think simply, without any pretense, then what kind of pride is there, is there any meaning in it, if a person is not physiologically structured, if the vast majority of them are rude, stupid, deeply unhappy. We need to stop admiring ourselves. We just need to work. Gaev. You'll die anyway. Trofimov. Who knows? And what does it mean to die? Perhaps a person has a hundred senses and with death only five known to us perish, while the remaining ninety-five remain alive. Lyubov Andreevna. How smart you are, Petya!.. Lopakhin (ironically). Passion! Trofimov. Humanity moves forward, improving its strength. Everything that is inaccessible to him now will someday become close and understandable, but he must work and help with all his might those who are seeking the truth. Here, in Russia, very few people still work. The vast majority of the intelligentsia that I know does not seek anything, does nothing, and is not yet capable of work. They call themselves intellectuals, but they say “you” to the servants, they treat men like animals, they study poorly, they don’t read anything seriously, they do absolutely nothing, they only talk about science, they understand little about art. Everyone is serious, everyone has stern faces, everyone talks only about important things, philosophizes, and yet in front of everyone the workers eat disgustingly, sleep without pillows, thirty, forty in one room, there are bedbugs everywhere, stench, dampness, moral uncleanness. .. And, obviously, all the good conversations we have are just to avert the eyes of ourselves and others. Tell me where we have the nursery, which is talked about so much and often, where are the reading rooms? They are only written about in novels, but in reality they don’t exist at all. There is only dirt, vulgarity, Asian... I am afraid and do not like very serious faces, I am afraid of serious conversations. Let's keep quiet! Lopakhin. You know, I get up at five o’clock in the morning, work from morning to evening, well, I always have my own money and other people’s, and I see what kind of people are around me. You just have to start doing something to understand how few honest, decent people there are. Sometimes, when I can’t sleep, I think: Lord, you gave us huge forests, vast fields, the deepest horizons, and living here, we ourselves should really be giants... Lyubov Andreevna. You needed giants... They are only good in fairy tales, but they are so scary.

Epikhodov passes at the back of the stage and plays the guitar.

(Thinkingly.) Epikhodov is coming... Anya (thoughtfully). Epikhodov is coming... Gaev. The sun has set, gentlemen. Trofimov. Yes. Gaev (quietly, as if reciting). O wonderful nature, you shine with eternal radiance, beautiful and indifferent, you, whom we call mother, combine being and death, you live and destroy... Varya (pleadingly). Uncle! Anya. Uncle, you again! Trofimov. You are better off with yellow in the middle as a doublet. Gaev. I'm silent, I'm silent.

Everyone is sitting, thinking. Silence. All you can hear is Firs mumbling softly. Suddenly a distant sound is heard, as if from the sky, the sound of a broken string, fading, sad.

Lyubov Andreevna. What's this? Lopakhin. Don't know. Somewhere far away in the mines, a bucket broke. But somewhere very far away. Gaev. Or maybe some kind of bird... like a heron. Trofimov. Or an owl... Lyubov Andreevna(shudders). It's unpleasant for some reason. Firs. Before the misfortune, there was the same thing: the owl was screaming, and the samovar was humming uncontrollably. Gaev. Before what misfortune? Firs. Before the will. Lyubov Andreevna. You know, friends, let's go, it's already getting dark. (To Anya.) There are tears in your eyes... What are you doing, girl? (Hugs her.) Anya. That's right, mom. Nothing. Trofimov. Someone is coming.

A passer-by appears in a shabby white cap and coat; he is slightly drunk.

Passerby. Let me ask you, can I go straight to the station here? Gaev. You can. Follow this road. Passerby. I am deeply grateful to you. (Coughing.) The weather is excellent... (Reciting.) My brother, suffering brother... go out to the Volga, whose groan... (Vara.) Mademoiselle, allow the hungry Russian thirty kopecks...

Varya got scared and screamed.

Lopakhin (angrily). Every ugliness has its decency! Lyubov Andreevna(dumbfounded). Take... here you go... (Looks in his wallet.) There is no silver... It doesn't matter, here's a gold one... Passerby. Dearly grateful to you! (Leaves.) Varya (scared). I'll leave... I'll leave... Oh, mommy, people at home have nothing to eat, but you gave him a gold piece. Lyubov Andreevna. What should I do with me, stupid! I'll give you everything I have at home. Ermolai Alekseich, lend me more!.. Lopakhin. I'm listening. Lyubov Andreevna. Come on, gentlemen, it's time. And here, Varya, we have completely matched you, congratulations. Varya (through tears). This, Mom, is no joke. Lopakhin. Okhmelia, go to the monastery... Gaev. And my hands are shaking: I haven’t played billiards for a long time. Lopakhin. Oxmelia, oh nymph, remember me in your prayers! Lyubov Andreevna. Let's go, gentlemen. It's time to have dinner soon. Varya . He scared me. My heart is still beating. Lopakhin. I remind you, gentlemen: on the twenty-second of August the cherry orchard will be for sale. Think about it!.. Think!..

Everyone leaves except Trofimov for Ani.

Anya (laughing). Thanks to the passerby, I scared Varya, now we are alone. Trofimov. Varya is afraid that we might fall in love with each other, and she doesn’t leave our side for whole days. With her narrow head, she cannot understand that we are above love. To get around those small and illusory things that prevent you from being free and happy, this is the goal and meaning of our life. Forward! We are moving uncontrollably towards the bright star that is burning there in the distance! Forward! Don't lag behind, friends! Anya (throwing up hands). How well you speak!

It's wonderful here today!

Trofimov. Yes, the weather is amazing. Anya. What have you done to me, Petya, why I no longer love the cherry orchard as before. I loved him so tenderly, it seemed to me that there was no one on earth better place like our garden. Trofimov. All Russia is our garden. The earth is great and beautiful, there are many wonderful places on it.

Think, Anya: your grandfather, great-grandfather and all your ancestors were serf owners who owned living souls, and don’t human beings look at you from every cherry tree in the garden, from every leaf, from every trunk, don’t you really hear voices... Own living souls after all, this has reborn all of you, who lived before and are now living, so that your mother, you, uncle no longer notice that you are living in debt, at someone else’s expense, at the expense of those people whom you do not allow beyond the front hall.. We are at least two hundred years behind, we still have absolutely nothing, there is no definite attitude towards the past, we only philosophize, complain about melancholy or drink vodka. After all, it is so clear that in order to begin to live in the present, we must first atone for our past, put an end to it, and we can atone for it only through suffering, only through extraordinary, continuous labor. Understand this, Anya.

Anya. The house in which we live is no longer our home, and I will leave, I give you my word. Trofimov. If you have the keys to the farm, then throw them into the well and leave. Be free like the wind. Anya (delighted). How well you said it! Trofimov. Believe me, Anya, believe me! I’m not yet thirty, I’m young, I’m still a student, but I’ve already endured so much! Like winter, I am hungry, sick, anxious, poor, like a beggar, and wherever fate has driven me, wherever I have been! And yet my soul was always, at every moment, day and night, full of inexplicable forebodings. I have a presentiment of happiness, Anya, I already see it... Anya (thoughtfully). The moon is rising.

You can hear Epikhodov playing the same sad song on the guitar. The moon is rising. Somewhere near the poplars Varya looks for Anya and calls: “Anya! Where are you?"

Still from the film “The Garden” (2008)

The estate of landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. Spring, cherry trees are blooming. But the beautiful garden will soon have to be sold for debts. For the last five years, Ranevskaya and her seventeen-year-old daughter Anya have lived abroad. Ranevskaya’s brother Leonid Andreevich Gaev and her adopted daughter, twenty-four-year-old Varya, remained on the estate. Ranevskaya's affairs are bad, there are almost no funds left. Lyubov Andreevna always littered with money. Six years ago, her husband died of alcoholism. Ranevskaya fell in love with another person, got along with him. But soon her little son Grisha died tragically by drowning in the river. Lyubov Andreevna, unable to bear her grief, fled abroad. The lover followed her. When he fell ill, Ranevskaya had to settle him at her dacha near Menton and look after him for three years. And then, when he had to sell his dacha for debts and move to Paris, he robbed and abandoned Ranevskaya.

Gaev and Varya meet Lyubov Andreevna and Anya at the station. At home, the maid Dunyasha and the familiar merchant Yermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin are waiting for them. Lopakhin's father was a serf of the Ranevskys, he himself became rich, but says of himself that he remained a “man a man.” The clerk Epikhodov comes, a man with whom something constantly happens and who is nicknamed “twenty-two misfortunes.”

Finally, the carriages arrive. The house is filled with people, all in a pleasant excitement. Everyone talks about their own things. Lyubov Andreevna looks at the rooms and through tears of joy remembers the past. The maid Dunyasha can’t wait to tell the young lady that Epikhodov proposed to her. Anya herself advises Varya to marry Lopakhin, and Varya dreams of marrying Anya to a rich man. The governess Charlotte Ivanovna, a strange and eccentric person, boasts about her amazing dog; the neighbor, the landowner Simeonov-Pishchik, asks for a loan of money. The old faithful servant Firs hears almost nothing and mutters something all the time.

Lopakhin reminds Ranevskaya that the estate should soon be sold at auction, the only way out is to divide the land into plots and rent them out to summer residents. Ranevskaya is surprised by Lopakhin’s proposal: how can her beloved wonderful cherry orchard be cut down! Lopakhin wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya, whom he loves “more than his own,” but it’s time for him to leave. Gaev makes a welcoming speech to the hundred-year-old “respected” cabinet, but then, embarrassed, he again begins to meaninglessly utter his favorite billiard words.

Ranevskaya does not immediately recognize Petya Trofimov: so he has changed, turned ugly, the “dear student” has turned into an “eternal student.” Lyubov Andreevna cries, remembering her little drowned son Grisha, whose teacher was Trofimov.

Gaev, left alone with Varya, tries to talk about business. There is a rich aunt in Yaroslavl, who, however, does not love them: after all, Lyubov Andreevna did not marry a nobleman, and she did not behave “very virtuously.” Gaev loves his sister, but still calls her “vicious,” which displeases Anya. Gaev continues to build projects: his sister will ask Lopakhin for money, Anya will go to Yaroslavl - in a word, they will not allow the estate to be sold, Gaev even swears by it. The grouchy Firs finally takes the master, like a child, to sleep. Anya is calm and happy: her uncle will arrange everything.

Lopakhin does not cease to persuade Ranevskaya and Gaev to accept his plan. The three of them had lunch in the city and, returning, stopped in a field near the chapel. Just now, here, on the same bench, Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha, but she had already preferred the young cynical lackey Yasha to him. Ranevskaya and Gaev do not seem to hear Lopakhin and talk about completely different things. Without convincing the “frivolous, unbusinesslike, strange” people of anything, Lopakhin wants to leave. Ranevskaya asks him to stay: with him "it's still more fun."

Anya, Varya and Petya Trofimov arrive. Ranevskaya starts talking about a "proud man." According to Trofimov, there is no point in pride: a rude, unhappy person should not admire himself, but work. Petya condemns the intelligentsia, who are incapable of work, those people who philosophize importantly, and treat men like animals. Lopakhin enters the conversation: he works “from morning to evening,” dealing with large capitals, but he is becoming more and more convinced how few decent people there are around. Lopakhin does not finish, Ranevskaya interrupts him. In general, everyone here does not want and does not know how to listen to each other. There is silence, in which the distant sad sound of a broken string can be heard.

Soon everyone disperses. Left alone, Anya and Trofimov are glad to have the opportunity to talk together, without Varya. Trofimov convinces Anya that one must be “above love”, that the main thing is freedom: “all of Russia is our garden,” but in order to live in the present, one must first atone for the past through suffering and labor. Happiness is close: if not they, then others will definitely see it.

The twenty-second of August arrives, trading day. It was on this evening, completely inappropriately, that a ball was being held at the estate, and a Jewish orchestra was invited. Once upon a time, generals and barons danced here, but now, as Firs complains, both the postal official and the station master “don’t like to go.” Charlotte Ivanovna entertains guests with her tricks. Ranevskaya anxiously awaits her brother's return. The Yaroslavl aunt nevertheless sent fifteen thousand, but it was not enough to redeem the estate.

Petya Trofimov “calms” Ranevskaya: it’s not about the garden, it’s over long ago, we need to face the truth. Lyubov Andreevna asks not to judge her, to have pity: after all, without cherry orchard her life loses meaning. Every day Ranevskaya receives telegrams from Paris. At first she tore them right away, then - after reading them first, now she no longer tears them. “This wild man,” whom she still loves, begs her to come. Petya condemns Ranevskaya for her love for “a petty scoundrel, a nonentity.” Angry Ranevskaya, unable to restrain herself, takes revenge on Trofimov, calling him a “funny eccentric”, “freak”, “neat”: “You have to love yourself... you have to fall in love!” Petya tries to leave in horror, but then stays and dances with Ranevskaya, who asked him for forgiveness.

Finally, a confused, joyful Lopakhin and a tired Gaev appear, who, without saying anything, immediately goes home. The Cherry Orchard was sold, and Lopakhin bought it. The “new landowner” is happy: he managed to outbid the rich man Deriganov at the auction, giving ninety thousand on top of his debt. Lopakhin picks up the keys thrown on the floor by the proud Varya. Let the music play, let everyone see how Ermolai Lopakhin “takes an ax to the cherry orchard”!

Anya consoles her crying mother: the garden is sold, but there is more to come whole life. Will new garden, more luxurious than this, “quiet, deep joy” awaits them...

The house is empty. Its inhabitants, having said goodbye to each other, leave. Lopakhin is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov is returning to Moscow, to the university. Lopakhin and Petya exchange barbs. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a “beast of prey,” necessary “in the sense of metabolism,” he still loves his “tender, subtle soul.” Lopakhin offers Trofimov money for the trip. He refuses: no one should have power over the “free man”, “in the forefront of moving” to the “highest happiness”.

Ranevskaya and Gaev even became happier after selling the cherry orchard. Previously they were worried and suffered, but now they have calmed down. Ranevskaya is going to live in Paris for now with money sent by her aunt. Anya is inspired: it’s starting new life- she will graduate from high school, will work, read books, and a “new wonderful world” will open before her. Suddenly, out of breath, Simeonov-Pishchik appears and instead of asking for money, on the contrary, he gives away debts. It turned out that the British found white clay on his land.

Everyone settled down differently. Gaev says that now he is a bank employee. Lopakhin promises to find a new place for Charlotte, Varya got a job as a housekeeper for the Ragulins, Epikhodov, hired by Lopakhin, remains on the estate, Firs should be sent to the hospital. But still Gaev sadly says: “Everyone is abandoning us... we suddenly became unnecessary.”

There must finally be an explanation between Varya and Lopakhin. Varya has been teased as “Madame Lopakhina” for a long time. Varya likes Ermolai Alekseevich, but she herself cannot propose. Lopakhin, who also speaks highly of Varya, agrees to “end this matter right away.” But when Ranevskaya arranges their meeting, Lopakhin, without deciding, leaves Varya, using the very first pretext.

“Time to go! On the road! - with these words they leave the house, locking all the doors. All that remains is old Firs, who, it would seem, everyone took care of, but whom they forgot to send to the hospital. Firs, sighing that Leonid Andreevich went in a coat, and not in a fur coat, lies down to rest and lies motionless. The same sound of a broken string is heard. "There is silence, and only one can hear how far in the garden they knock on wood with an ax."

Retold

One of the works studied in school curriculum, is a play by A.P. Chekhov " The Cherry Orchard" A summary of the play "The Cherry Orchard" by action will help you navigate the content, break the text into storylines, highlight the main and minor characters. The events connected with the sale of a beautiful cherry orchard, the loss of the estate by the careless owners of the old merchant Russia will pass before your eyes.

Act one

The action begins on an estate located somewhere in the outback of Russia. It's the month of May and the cherry trees are blooming. The owners are waiting in the house where the whole play will take place. The maid Dunyasha and the merchant Lopakhin talk while they are waiting. Lopakhin recalls how, as a teenager, he was hit in the face by his father, a merchant in a shop. Lyubov Raevskaya (one of those who should come) reassured him, calling him a peasant. Now he has changed his position in society, but in his heart he still belongs to the peasant breed. He falls asleep while reading and does not see beauty in many things. The clerk Epikhodov comes with flowers, he is embarrassed and drops them on the floor. The clerk leaves quickly, clumsily dropping his chair. Dunyasha boasts that Semyon Epikhodov proposed to her.

The arrivals and their escorts pass through the room. The landowner Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna has two daughters: her own Anna, seventeen years old, and her adoptive Varya, twenty-four years old. Her brother, Leonid Gaev, came with her. The owners are happy to see the house; they are overwhelmed with Nice memories of the past. From a conversation with her sister, it turns out that Varya is waiting for an offer from Lopakhin, but he delays, is silent. Firs (servant) serves his mistress like a dog, trying to predict all her desires.

The merchant Lopakhin warns the owners that the estate is up for auction. He will be sold if some action is not taken. Lopakhin proposes to cut down the garden, divide the land into plots and sell it as dachas. Brother and sister are against cutting down cherry trees. Firs remembers how many things were made from the aromatic berries. Lopakhin explains that summer residents are a new class that will soon fill all of Russia. Gaev does not believe the merchant. He boasts about the age of the cabinet, which is 100 years old. He addresses the furniture with pathos, practically crying over the closet. Emotions cause silence and bewilderment of those present.

Landowner Pischik hopes that everything will resolve itself. Ranevskaya does not understand that she is ruined, she “wastes” money, which is almost none, and cannot give up her lordly habits.

A mother came to visit the young footman Yakov; she is sitting in the servants' room waiting for her son, but he is in no hurry to come out to her.

Gaev promises Anna to solve the difficult situation with the garden, to find a way out that will allow her not to sell the estate. Dunyasha shares her problems with her sister, but no one is interested in them. Among the guests there is another character - Pyotr Trofimov. He belongs to the category of “eternal students” who do not know how to live independently. Peter speaks beautifully, but does nothing.

Act two

The author continues to introduce the reader to the characters of the play. Charlotte doesn't remember how old she is. She doesn't have a real passport. Once upon a time, her parents took her to fairs, where she gave performances, twisting "somersaults".

Yasha is proud to have been abroad, but cannot give an exact description of everything he saw. Yakov plays on Dunyasha's feelings, is frankly rude, the lover does not notice deceit and insincerity. Epikhodov boasts of his education, but cannot figure out whether he should live or shoot himself.

The owners are returning from the restaurant. From the conversation it is clear that they do not believe in selling the estate. Lopakhin tries to reason with the owners of the estate, but in vain. The merchant warns that the rich man Deriganov will come to the auction. Gaev dreams of financial help from his landowner aunt. Lyubov Andreevna admits that she is wasting money. Her fate cannot be considered happy: still young enough, she remained a widow, married a man who easily falls into debt. After the loss of his son (he drowned), he goes abroad. She has been living with her sick husband for three years. I bought myself a cottage, but it was sold for debts. The husband left without property and went to another. Love tried to poison herself, but she probably got scared. She came to Russia to her native estate, hoping to improve her situation. She received a telegram from her husband in which he called her to return. The woman's memories pass against the background of the music of the Jewish orchestra. Love dreams of calling the musicians to the estate.

Lopakhin admits that he lives gray and monotonous. His father, an idiot, beat him with a stick, he became a "dummy" with handwriting like a pig's. Lyubov Andreevna proposes to marry Varya, Ermolai Alekseevich does not mind, but these are just words.

Trofimov joins the conversation. Lopakhin, chuckling, asks the student's opinion about himself. Peter compares him to a predatory beast that eats everything in its path. The conversation is about pride, human intelligence. Gaev turns to nature with pathos, his beautiful words are rudely interrupted and he falls silent. A passing passerby asks Varya for 30 kopecks, the girl screams in fear. Lyubov Andreevna, without hesitation, hands over the gold one. Lopakhin warns about the imminent sale of the cherry orchard. It seems that no one hears him.

Anya and Trofimov remain on stage. Young people talk about the future. Trofimov is surprised by Varya, who is afraid of the emergence of feelings between him and Anna. They are above love, which can prevent them from being free and happy.

Act three

There is a ball on the estate, many people are invited: a postal official, a station chief. The conversation is about horses, the animal figure of Pishchik, and cards. The ball takes place on the day of the auction. Gaev received power of attorney from his grandmother. Varya hopes that he will be able to buy a house with a debt transfer; Lyubov Andreevna understands that there is not enough money for the deal. She frantically waits for her brother. Ranevskaya invites Varya to marry Lopakhin, she explains that she cannot propose to the man herself. Gaev and Lopakhin return from the auction. Gaev has purchases in his hands and tears in his eyes. He brought food, but these are unusual products, but delicacies: anchovies and Kerch herrings. Lyubov Andreevna asks about the results of the auction. Lopakhin announces who bought the cherry orchard. It turns out that he is the lucky one and the new owner of the garden. Ermolai talks about himself in the third person, he is proud and cheerful. The estate where his father and grandfather were enslaved became his property. Lopakhin talks about the auction, how he raised the price in front of the rich man Deriganov, how much he gave in excess of his debt. Varya throws the keys in the middle of the room and leaves. The new owner picks them up, smiling at the acquisition. The merchant demands music, the orchestra plays. He does not notice the feelings of women: Lyubov Andreevna is crying bitterly, Anya is kneeling before her mother. The daughter tries to calm her mother down, promising her a new garden and a quiet, joyful life.

Act four

The men come to say goodbye to the owners who are leaving the house. Lyubov Andreevna gives her wallet. Lopakhin offers a drink, but explains that he was busy and bought only one bottle at the station. He regrets the money he spent, as much as 8 rubles. Only Yakov drinks. It’s already October, the house is as cold as the souls of many present. Trofimov advises the new owner to wave his hands less. The habit is not good, according to the “learned” student. The merchant chuckles, ironizing about Peter's future lectures. He offers money, but Peter refuses. Lopakhin again reminds of his peasant origin, but Trofimov says that his father was a pharmacist, and this means nothing. He promises to show the way to the highest happiness and truth. Lopakhin is not upset by Trofimov’s refusal to borrow. He boasts again about how hard he works. In his opinion, there are some people who are needed simply to circulate in nature; they have no business or benefit. Everyone is preparing to leave. Anna wonders if Firs was taken to the hospital. Yakov entrusted the task to Yegor; he is no longer interested in it. His mother came to see him again, but he is not happy, she is driving him out of patience. Dunyasha throws herself on his neck, but there is no response. Yasha’s soul is already in Paris, he reproaches the girl for indecent behavior. Lyubov Andreevna says goodbye to the house, she looks around the places familiar from childhood. The woman leaves for Paris, she has the money that her grandmother gave to buy the estate, it’s not much and it won’t last long.

Gaev got a job at a bank for 6 thousand a year. Lopakhin doubts his hard work and ability to stay in the banking service.

Anna is happy with the changes in her life. She will be preparing for her high school exams. The girl hopes to meet her mother soon; they will read books and explore a new spiritual world.

Pishchik appears in the house, everyone is afraid that he will ask for money again, but everything happens the other way around: Pishchik returns part of the debt to Lopakhin and Ranevskaya. He has a happier fate, it was not for nothing that he suggested hoping for “maybe.” White clay was found on his estate, which brought him income.

Lyubov Andreevna cares (in words) about two things: the sick Firs and Varya. About the old servant they tell her that Yakov sent the old man to the hospital. The second sadness is her adopted daughter, whom she dreams of marrying Lopakhin. The mother calls the girl, Yermolai promises to put an end to the proposal Ranevskaya wants. Varya appears in the room. The groom asks about her plans when he finds out that she is leaving for the Ragulins as a housekeeper, talks about her departure and quickly leaves the room. The proposal did not take place. Gaev tries to pathetically say goodbye to the house and garden, but he is rudely cut off.

Brother and sister are left alone in someone else's house. Gaev is in despair, Lyubov Andreevna is crying. Everyone is leaving.

Firs approaches the door, but it turns out to be closed. They forgot about the old servant. He gets upset, but not about himself, but about the gentlemen. First he wants to sit, then lie down. Firs' strength leaves him and he lies down motionless. The sound of an ax is heard in the silence. The cherry orchard is being cut down.

"The Cherry Orchard" is a lyrical play by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov in four acts, the genre of which the author himself defined as a comedy.

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The success of the play, written in 1903, was so obvious that on January 17, 1904, the comedy was shown at the Moscow Art Theater. “The Cherry Orchard” is one of the most famous Russian plays created at that time. It is noteworthy that it is based on Anton Pavlovich Chekhov’s own painful impressions of his friend A.S. Kiselev, whose estate was also sold at auction.

An important thing in the history of the creation of the play is that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov wrote it at the end of his life, being seriously ill. That is why work on the work progressed very difficultly: about three years passed from the beginning of the play to its production.

This is the first reason. The second lies in Chekhov’s desire to fit into his play, intended for production on stage, the entire result of thoughts about the fate of his characters, the work on whose images was carried out very scrupulously.

Artistic originality The play became the pinnacle of Chekhov's work as a playwright.

Act one: meeting the characters of the play

The heroes of the play - Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, the maid Dunyasha, the clerk Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich (who is very clumsy, “22 misfortunes”, as those around him call him) - are waiting for the owner of the estate, landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, to arrive. She is due to return after a five-year absence, and the household is in a state of excitement. Finally, Lyubov Andreevna and her daughter Anya crossed the threshold of their house. The owner is incredibly happy that she has finally returned to her native land. Nothing has changed here in five years. Sisters Anya and Varya are talking with each other, rejoicing at the long-awaited meeting, the maid Dunyasha is preparing coffee, ordinary household little things cause tenderness in the landowner. She is kind and generous - both to the old footman Firs and to other members of the household, willingly talks with her brother, Leonid Gaev, but her beloved daughters evoke special reverent feelings. Everything seems to be going as usual, but suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, a message from the merchant Lopakhin: “... Your estate is being sold for debts, but there is a way out... Here is my project...” An enterprising merchant offers to rent out plots of the cherry orchard for dachas , having previously knocked him out. He claims that this will bring considerable income to the family - 25 thousand a year and save them from complete ruin, but no one agrees to such an offer. The family does not want to part with the cherry orchard, which they consider the best and to which they are attached with all their hearts.

So, no one listens to Lopakhin. Ranevskaya pretends that nothing is happening and continues to answer meaningless questions about the trip to Paris, not wanting to accept reality as it is. A casual conversation about nothing starts again.

Entered Petya Trofimov, a former teacher dead son Ranevskaya's Grisha, at first unrecognized by her, brings tears to her mother's eyes with his reminder. The day ends... Finally everyone goes to bed.

Action two: there is very little left before the sale of the cherry orchard

The action takes place in nature, near an old church, from where you can see both the cherry orchard and the city. There is very little time left before the sale of the cherry orchard at auction - literally a matter of days. Lopakhin is trying to convince Ranevskaya and her brother to rent the garden for summer cottages, but no one wants to hear him again, they hope for the money that the Yaroslavl aunt will send. Lyubov Ranevskaya recalls the past, perceiving her misfortunes as a punishment for sins. First, her husband died from champagne, then Grisha's son drowned in the river, after which she left for Paris so that memories of the area where such grief happened would not stir her soul.

Lopakhin suddenly opened up, talking about his difficult fate in childhood, when his father “did not teach, but only beat him while drunk, and everything with a stick ...” Lyubov Andreevna invites him to marry Vara, her adopted daughter.

Enter student Petya Trofimov and both daughters of Ranevskaya. A conversation ensues between Trofimov and Lopakhin. One says that “in Russia, very few people are still working”, the other calls to evaluate everything that is given by God and start working.

The attention of the conversers is attracted by a passerby who recites poetry, and then asks to donate thirty kopecks. Lyubov Andreevna gives him gold coin, for which her daughter Varya reproaches her. “People have nothing to eat,” she says. “And you gave him the gold…”

After Varya leaves, Lyubov Andreevna, Lopakhina and Gaev Anya and Trofimov are left alone. The girl admits to Petya that she no longer loves the cherry orchard as before. The student argues: “... To live in the present, you must first redeem the past ... by suffering and continuous work ...”

Varya is heard calling for Anya, but her sister is only annoyed, not responding to her voice.

Act three: the day the cherry orchard is sold

The third act of The Cherry Orchard takes place in the living room in the evening. Couples dance, but no one feels joy. Everyone is depressed about looming debts. Lyubov Andreevna understands that they started the ball completely inappropriately. Those in the house are waiting for Leonid, who must bring news from the city: whether the garden has been sold or whether the auction did not take place at all. But Gaev is still not there. Household members begin to worry. The old footman Firs admits that he is not feeling well.

Trofimov teases Varya with Madame Lopakhina, which irritates the girl. But Lyubov Andreevna really offers to marry the merchant. Varya seems to agree, but the catch is that Lopakhin still hasn’t proposed, and she doesn’t want to impose herself.

Lyubov Andreevna worries more and more: has the estate been sold? Trofimov reassures Ranevskaya: “Does it matter, there is no turning back, the path is overgrown.”

Lyubov Andreevna takes out a handkerchief, from which a telegram falls, informing her that her beloved has fallen ill again and is calling her. Trofimov begins to reason: “he’s a petty scoundrel and a nonentity,” to which Ranevskaya responds with anger, calling the student a klutz, a neat freak, and a funny eccentric who doesn’t know how to love. Petya is offended and leaves. A crash is heard. Anya reports that a student fell down the stairs.

The young footman Yasha, talking with Ranevskaya, asks to go to Paris if she has the opportunity to go there. Everyone seems to be busy talking, but are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the auction for the cherry orchard. Lyubov Andreevna is especially worried; she literally cannot find a place for herself. Finally, Lopakhin and Gaev enter. It is clear that Leonid Andreevich is crying. Lopakhin reports that the cherry orchard has been sold, and when asked who bought it, he answers: “I bought it.” Ermolai Alekseevich reports details of the auction. Lyubov Andreevna sobs, realizing that nothing can be changed. Anya consoles her, trying to focus on the fact that life goes on, no matter what. She seeks to instill hope that they will plant “a new garden, more luxurious than this... and quiet, deep joy will descend on the soul like the sun.”

Act four: after the sale of the estate

The property has been sold. In the corner of the children's room there are packed things ready for removal. Peasants come to say goodbye to their former owners. The sounds of cherries being cut down can be heard from the street. Lopakhin offers champagne, but no one except the footman Yasha wants to drink it. Each of the former residents of the estate is dejected by what happened, and family friends are also despondent. Anya voices her mother’s request that the garden not be cut down until she leaves.

“Really, is there really a lack of tact,” says Petya Trofimov and leaves through the hallway.

Yasha and Ranevskaya are going to Paris, Dunyasha, in love with a young footman, asks him to send a letter from abroad.

Gaev hurries Lyubov Andreevna. The landowner sadly says goodbye to the house and garden, but Anna admits that a new life is beginning for her. Gaev is also happy.

Governess Charlotte Ivanovna sings a song as she leaves.

Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik, a neighboring landowner, comes into the house. To the surprise of everyone, he repays the debt to both Lyubov Andreevna and Lopakhin. He reports the news about a successful deal: he managed to lease the land to the British for the extraction of rare white clay. The neighbor did not know that the estate had been sold, so he is surprised to see the suitcases packed and the former owners preparing to leave.

Lyubov Andreevna, firstly, is worried about the sick Firs, because it is still not known for certain whether he was sent to the hospital or not. Anya claims that Yasha did it, but the girl is mistaken. Secondly, Ranevskaya is afraid that Lopakhin will never propose to Varya. They seem to be not indifferent to each other, however, no one wants to take the first step. And although Lyubov Andreevna makes a last attempt to leave the young people alone to resolve this difficult issue, nothing comes of such an undertaking.

After the former owner of the house looks longingly at the walls and windows of the house for the last time, everyone leaves.

In the bustle, they did not notice that they had locked up the sick Firs, who was muttering: “Life has passed, as if he had never lived.” The old footman holds no grudge against his masters. He lies down on the sofa and passes into another world.

We bring to your attention a story by Anton Chekhov, where, with the subtle and inimitable irony characteristic of the writer, he describes the character main character- Shchukina. What was the peculiarity of her behavior, read in the story.

The essence of the play “The Cherry Orchard”

From literary sources it is known that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was very happy when he came up with the title for the play - “The Cherry Orchard”.

It seems logical, because it reflects the very essence of the work: the old way of life is changing to a completely new one, and the cherry orchard, which the former owners treasured, is mercilessly cut down when the estate passes into the hands of the enterprising merchant Lopakhin. “The Cherry Orchard” is a prototype of old Russia, which is gradually fading into oblivion. The past is fatefully crossed out, giving way to new plans and intentions, which, in the author’s opinion, are better than the previous ones.

Speaking about the work of A.P. Chekhov, his short humorous stories, filled with deep meaning and often tragedy, immediately come to mind, and for theatergoers, he is, first of all, one of the most outstanding playwrights late XIX– beginning of the 20th century. Chekhov's play “The Cherry Orchard” was the last in his work. Written in 1903, it was staged on the stage of his beloved Moscow Art Theater in 1904 and became the result of thoughts about the fate of Russia. For those who do not have time to read the entire play by A.P. Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" a brief summary of the actions will help you get acquainted with this work.

Critics called Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's play “The Cherry Orchard” a drama, but the writer himself believed that there was nothing dramatic in it, and it was, first of all, a comedy.

Main characters

Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna- a landowner who left her estate after the tragic death of her son. A lonely middle-aged woman, prone to rash and frivolous actions, living in an ideal world, unwilling to accept a reality that could hurt her.

Anya- seventeen-year-old daughter of Ranevskaya. A young, sensible girl who understands that reality has changed, and she must adapt to a new life, which cannot be started to build without breaking with the past.

Gaev Leonid Andreevich- brother of Ranevskaya. Loves to talk about everything in the world. Very often he speaks out of place, which is why he is perceived as a buffoon and asked to remain silent. Outlook on life is the same as that of my sister.

Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich- a merchant, a very wealthy man, a typical representative of bourgeois Russia. The son of a village shopkeeper with the business acumen and flair with which he made his fortune. At the same time, he cannot boast of education.

Varya- Ranevskaya’s adopted daughter, who dreams of making a pilgrimage to holy places. During her mother's absence, she acted as the mistress of the house.

Trofimov Petr Sergeevich- student, former teacher of Grisha (Ranevskaya’s son), who died in childhood. An eternal student who loves to think about the fate of Russia, about what is right and wrong. Very progressive thoughts, but does not take any action to implement them.

Other characters

Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich- a landowner, Ranevskaya’s neighbor, like her, completely in debt.

Charlotte Ivanovna– governess, spent her childhood in the circus where her parents worked. He knows a lot of tricks and tricks, loves to demonstrate them, does not understand why he lives and constantly complains about the lack of a soul mate.

Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich- a clerk, very clumsy, “22 misfortunes”, as those around him call him, in love with Dunyasha.

Dunyasha- housemaid. A young girl, thirsty for love, tries to behave like a young lady, “a gentle creature accustomed to gallant treatment.”

Firs- a footman, an old man of 87 years old, who served the family of Ranevskaya and Gaev all his life, who refused to create his own hearth and acquire freedom.

Yasha- a young footman who imagines himself to be a very important person after a trip abroad. An arrogant, dissolute young man.

Early May dawn. It’s still cold, but the cherry orchard has already blossomed, filling everything around with aroma. Lopakhin (overslept the trip to railway station) and Dunyasha are waiting for the arrival of Ranevskaya, who has spent the last 5 years abroad with her daughter Anya, governess, and footman Yasha. Lopakhin remembers Lyubov Andreevna as human lung and simple. He immediately tells about his fate, saying that his father was a simple man, and he was “in a white vest and yellow shoes.” Without hesitation, he mentions that, despite his wealth, he did not receive an education. But at the same time he reproaches Dunyasha for dressing like a young lady and behaving inappropriately for a maid. Dunyasha is very excited about the arrival of her owners. Epikhodov suddenly comes in with a bouquet. Dunyasha tells Lopakhin that Epikhodov had previously proposed to her.

Finally the crews arrive. In addition to those who arrived, other characters from the play “The Cherry Orchard” appear on stage, who met them at the station - Gaev, Varya, Semeonov-Pishchik and Firs.

Anya and Lyubov Andreevna are glad to be back. We are glad that nothing has changed around, the situation is so unchanged that it feels like they never left. A lively bustle begins in the house. Dunyasha happily tries to tell Anya what happened in their absence, but Anya shows no interest in the maid's chatter. The only thing that interested her was the news that Petya Trofimov was visiting them.

From the conversations in the first act, it becomes clear that Ranevskaya is now in extreme distress. She has already been forced to sell her overseas property, and in August her estate with a cherry orchard will be sold for debts. Anya and Varya discuss this and understand how deplorable their situation is, while Lyubov Andreevna, not used to saving, just sighs and listens to Firs’ memories of how they used to sell cherries and what they cooked from them. Lopakhin proposes to cut down the cherry orchard, and divide the territory into plots and rent them out as dachas to city residents. Lopakhin promises “at least twenty-five thousand a year in income.” However, Lyubov Andreevna and her brother are categorically against such a decision; they value their garden: “If there is anything interesting, even wonderful, in the entire province, it is only our cherry orchard.” And yet Lopakhin invites them to think and leaves. Gaev hopes that it will be possible to borrow money to pay off debts, and during this time he will be able to establish relations with the rich aunt countess and, with her help, finally resolve financial problems.

In the same action, Petya Trofimov appears, passionately in love with Anya.

Act 2

The second action of “The Cherry Orchard” takes place in nature, near an old church, from where there is a view of the cherry orchard and the city visible on the horizon. A lot of time has passed since Ranevskaya’s arrival; only a few days remain before the auction for the sale of the garden. During this time, Dunyasha’s heart was conquered by Yasha, who is in no hurry to advertise the relationship and is even shy about it.

Epikhodov, Charlotte Ivanovna, Dunyasha and Yasha are walking. Charlotte talks about her loneliness, that there is no person with whom she could have a heart-to-heart talk. Epikhodov feels that Dunyasha gives preference to Yasha and is very upset by this. It hints that he is ready to commit suicide. Dunyasha is passionately in love with Yasha, but his behavior shows that for him this is just a passing hobby.

Ranevskaya, Gaev, Lopakhin appear near the church. Gaev talks about the advantages of the railway, which allowed them to easily get to the city and have breakfast. Lopakhin asks Lyubov Andreevna to give an answer about renting the estate’s lands, but she doesn’t seem to hear him, talking about the lack of money and scolding herself for spending it unreasonably. At the same time, a little later, after these considerations, he gives a gold ruble to a random passerby.

Ranevskaya and Gaev are waiting money transfer from the aunt countess, but the amount is not enough to pay off debts, and renting land to summer residents is not acceptable for them, even vulgar. Lopakhin is surprised at the frivolity and short-sightedness of their behavior, it even angers him, because the estate is for sale, and if you start leasing it, then this will be the best guarantee for any bank. But the landowners do not hear and do not understand what Lopakhin is trying to convey to them. Lyubov Andreevna reproaches the merchant for his lack of education and earthly judgments. And then he tries to marry Varya to him. Gaev, as always at the wrong time, reports that he was offered a job in a bank, but his sister besieges him, saying that he has nothing to do there. Old Firs comes, recalls his youth and how well life was under serfdom, everything was clear and understandable: who was the master and who was the servant.

Then Varya, Anya and Petya join the walkers. And yesterday's conversation continues about pride, about intellectuals, who, despite external education, are in fact small and uninteresting creatures. It becomes clear how different people have come together.

When everyone went home, Anya and Petya were left alone, and then Anya admitted that the cherry orchard was not so important to her, and that she was ready for a new life.

Act 3

The third act of The Cherry Orchard takes place in the living room in the evening.

An orchestra is playing in the house, couples are dancing around. All characters here, except for Lopakhin and Gaev. August 22 is the day on which the auction for the sale of the estate was scheduled.

Pishchik and Trofimov are talking, they are interrupted by Lyubov Andreevna, she is extremely excited, waiting for her brother to return from the auction, he is delayed. Ranevskaya wonders whether the auction took place and what its result was.

Was there enough money sent by her aunt to buy the estate, although she understands that 15 thousand is not enough, which is not even enough to pay off interest on debts. Charlotte Ivanovna entertains those present with her tricks. Yasha asks to go to Paris with his hostess, as he is burdened by the surrounding rudeness and lack of education. The atmosphere in the room is tense. Ranevskaya, anticipating her imminent departure to France and meeting her lover, is trying to sort out the lives of her daughters. She also prophesies Lopakhin to Varya, and would not mind marrying Anya off to Petya, but she is afraid of his incomprehensible position as an “eternal student.”

At this moment, a dispute arises that you can lose your head for the sake of love. Lyubov Andreevna reproaches Petya for being “above love,” and Petya reminds her that she is striving for an unworthy person who has already robbed and abandoned her once. Although there is no exact news yet about the sale of the house and garden, it is felt that everyone present has decided what they will do if the garden is sold.

Epikhodov is trying to talk to Dunyasha, who has completely lost interest in him; Varya, who is just as excited as her adoptive mother, drives him away, reproaching him for being too free for a servant. Firs is fussing around, serving treats to the guests, everyone notices that he is not feeling well.

Lopakhin enters, barely hiding his joy. He arrived with Gaev, who was supposed to bring news from the auction. Leonid Andreevich is crying. The news of the sale is reported by Ermolai Alekseevich. He's the new owner! And after that he gives vent to his feelings. He is delighted that the most beautiful estate, in which his grandfather and father were slaves, now belongs to him, and he can allow himself to do whatever he wants in it, the owner of not only the estate, but also life: “I can pay for everything.” ! He can’t wait to start cutting down the garden in order to build dachas in its place, and this is the new life that he sees.

Varya throws away the keys and leaves, Lyubov Andreevna sobs, Anya tries to console her, saying that there is still a lot of good things ahead, and life goes on.

Act 4

Act four begins in the nursery, but it is empty, except for luggage and things prepared for removal in the corner. The sound of trees being cut down can be heard from the street. Lopakhin and Yasha are waiting for the former owners to appear, to whom their former peasants came to say goodbye. Lopakhin sees off the Ranevskaya family with champagne, but no one has the desire to drink it. All characters have different moods. Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev are sad, Anya and Petya are looking forward to the beginning of a new stage of life, Yasha is glad that he is leaving his homeland and mother, which is boring to him, Lopakhin can’t wait to close the house as soon as possible and start the project that he has in mind. The former owner holds back her tears, but when Anya says that after the sale of the estate it only became easier for everyone, since they were all able to understand where to move next, everyone agrees with her. Now everyone is going to Kharkov together, and there the heroes’ paths will diverge. Raevskaya and Yasha leave for Paris, Anya - to study, Petya - to Moscow, Gaev agreed to serve in a bank, Varya found a job as a housekeeper in a nearby town. Only Charlotte Ivanovna is not attached, but Lopakhin promises to help her settle down. He took Epikhodov to his place to help resolve issues with the estate. Of the former inhabitants of this house, only the ill Firs does not fuss, who was supposed to be taken to the hospital in the morning, but because of the turmoil they cannot figure out whether he was taken there or not.

Pishchik runs in for a minute, to the surprise of everyone, he repays the debt to Lopakhin and Ranevskaya, and says that he leased his land to the British for the extraction of rare white clay. And he admits that handing over the land of the estate for him was like jumping from the roof, but after handing over, nothing terrible happened.

Lyubov Andreevna makes one last attempt to arrange the marriage of Lopakhin and Varya, but left alone, Lopakhin does not propose, and Varya is very upset. The crews arrived and the loading of things began. Everyone leaves, only the brother and sister are left to say goodbye to the house in which childhood and youth passed, they sob, hugging, saying goodbye to the past, dreams and memories, with each other, realizing that their life has changed irrevocably.

The house is closed. And then Firs appears, who was simply forgotten in this turmoil. He sees that the house is closed and he has been forgotten, but he has no anger at the owners. He simply lies down on the sofa and soon dies.
The sound of a string breaking and an ax hitting wood. A curtain.

Conclusion

This is a retelling of the content of the play “The Cherry Orchard”. By reading “The Cherry Orchard” in abbreviation, you will, of course, save time, but for a better acquaintance with the characters, to understand the idea and problems of this work, it is advisable to read it in full.

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Retelling rating

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