The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov

Book Summary

The play "The Cherry Orchard" with a comedic genre, is the last work published by Anton Chekhov. The story revolves around a wealthy woman from the Russian aristocracy who faces bankruptcy but has no solution to escape this situation, and neither she nor her family makes any effort to change it. They only have a cherry orchard, which is their ancestral inheritance, and it has been mortgaged to the bank to be sold at auction within a specified time.

Interestingly, during the gathering of family members to find a suitable solution, they do not neglect their enjoyment and pass the time idly until ultimately a newly wealthy peasant buys it. Chekhov, known for crafting various masterpieces, is expected to deliver nothing less, especially since the story and its characters symbolize the rise of a new class in Russian society that brings about noticeable social changes.

The prominent Russian playwright, who predicted this before the Russian Revolution, chose not to write a piece filled with elements of fear, astonishment, and anxiety; instead, he reflects on the shift of power in society and the paralysis of will among certain social classes, beautifully weaving it all together. "The Cherry Orchard" is rich with events and characters that display passivity.

About the Author

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian playwright, physician, humorist, and short story writer born on January 29, 1860, in the Russian Empire. He had a religious and harsh father who forced him and his brothers to go to church, punishing them physically if they refused. After his father's bankruptcy, the family moved to Moscow, while Anton remained alone in Taganrog to complete his secondary education. From his final years in high school, he began writing and studied medicine at Moscow University. His first work was published in 1880, and a few years later, he collaborated with the Petersburg newspaper and "New Times." Chekhov passed away on July 15, 1904, from tuberculosis, leaving behind numerous works during his lifetime. Some of his notable titles include "The Chameleon," "Ward No. 6," "Misery," "Kashtanka," "A horsey name," "Oysters," "The lady with the dog," and "The bet."

Who Should Read the Book?

Enthusiasts of Anton Chekhov's plays with political and social themes are among the main audience for "The Cherry Orchard."

Book Quotes

Yasha: Lyuba Andreyevna, let me ask you something. If you return to Paris, please take me with you. Don’t deny me this kindness. Please take me with you. It’s practically impossible for me to stay here any longer.

What’s the point of saying it? You can see for yourself. This place is a backward country, with people who have no morals. One gets bored here; the food prepared in the kitchen is disgusting, plus there’s Firs wandering around everywhere, and God knows what he mutters under his breath.

Dunyasha: This young lady tells me to dance; there are too many men and too few women, but when I dance, I get dizzy, and my heart races. Just a moment ago, Firs Nikolayevich, the postman, said something to me that left me breathless.

I remember when I was a fifteen-year-old boy, my late father, who at that time had a store in this village, hit my nose so hard that I got a nosebleed. I don’t remember why. But we were in the yard, and my father was drinking something. It feels like it was just yesterday.

Mrs. Ranosky, who was a young girl back then—oh, how graceful she was—brought me to this very room to wash my face. At that time, this was the children's room. She said to me: "Little muzhik, don’t cry. Your nose will be fine for your wedding day. Little muzhik!" Of course, my father was a muzhik, but now I’m wearing a white vest and brown boots and have a silk purse full of money that you probably think was made from pig's ears.