Speaking about the work of A.P. Chekhov, his small humorous stories immediately pop up in my memory, filled with deep meaning and often tragedy, and for theatergoers, he is, first of all, one of the most prominent playwrights. late XIX- the 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 reflections on the fate of Russia. For those who do not have time to read A.P. Chekhov "The Cherry Orchard" summary step by step will help to get acquainted with this work.

Critics called the play "The Cherry Orchard" by Chekhov Anton Pavlovich a drama, and the writer himself believed that there was nothing dramatic in it, and, first of all, it was 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 reality that could hurt her.

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

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

Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich- a merchant, a very wealthy person, 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- the adopted daughter of Ranevskaya, 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- a student, a 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 ideas, but no action is taken to implement them.

Other characters

Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich- the landowner, a neighbor of Ranevskaya, like her, is all in debt.

Charlotte Ivanovna- a governess, she spent her childhood in the circus, where her parents worked. He knows many 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, longing for love, tries to behave like a young lady, "a gentle creature, accustomed to a gallant attitude."

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

Yasha- a young lackey who imagines himself a very important person after a trip abroad. An impudent, dissolute young man.

The play consists of 4 acts that take place in the estate of L.A. Ranevskaya.

Action 1

The first action of The Cherry Orchard takes place in "the room that is still called the nursery."

Early May dawn. Still cold but The Cherry Orchard already bloomed, filling the aroma all around. Lopakhin (who overslept the exit to the railway station) and Dunyasha are waiting for the arrival of Ranevskaya, who has spent the last 5 years abroad with her daughter Anya, a governess, and footman Yasha. Lopakhin recalls Lyubov Andreevna as human lung and simple. He immediately tells about his fate, saying that his father was a simple peasant, and he was already "in a white vest, yellow shoes." Without embarrassment, he mentions that, despite his wealth, he did not receive an education. But at the same time, she reproaches Dunyasha with the fact that she dresses like a young lady and behaves inappropriately as a maid. Dunyasha is very excited about the arrival of the hosts. Epikhodov suddenly enters with a bouquet. Dunyasha tells Lopakhin that earlier Epikhodov proposed to her.

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

Anya and Lyubov Andreevna are happy to return. We are glad that nothing has changed around, the situation is so unchanged that there is a feeling that they did not leave. 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 an extremely distressed situation. She has already been forced to sell foreign property, and in August her estate with a cherry orchard is to be sold for debts. Anya and Varya discuss this and understand how deplorable their situation is, while Lyubov Andreevna, not used to saving money, only 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 it out to the townspeople as dachas. Lopakhin promises "at least twenty-five thousand a year 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 whole province, it is only our cherry orchard.” And yet Lopakhin invites them to think and leaves. Gaev hopes that there will be an opportunity 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, ardently in love with Anya.

Action 2

The second action of The Cherry Orchard takes place in nature, near the old church, from where a view of the cherry orchard and the city visible on the horizon opens up. A lot of time has passed since the arrival of Ranevskaya, and 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 them.

Epikhodov, Charlotte Ivanovna, Dunyasha and Yasha are walking. Charlotte talks about her loneliness, that there is no person with whom she could talk heart to heart. Epikhodov feels that Dunyasha prefers 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 benefits railway which allowed them to easily get to the city and have breakfast. Lopakhin asks Lyubov Andreevna to give an answer about the lease of the estate's lands, but she does not seem to hear him, talking about the lack of money, and scolding herself for their unreasonable spending. At the same time, a little later, after these arguments, he gives the golden ruble to a random passerby.

Ranevskaya and Gaev are waiting for a money transfer from the countess's aunt, but the amount is not enough to pay off their debts, and it is not acceptable for them to rent land to summer residents, it’s 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 landlords 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 woo 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 gathered 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.

Action 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 the actors are here, except for Lopakhin and Gaev. August 22 - 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 if the auction took place, and what is their result.

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 her hostess to go to Paris, 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 with her lover, is trying to sort out the lives of her daughters. She also prophesies Lopakhin to Varya, and she would not mind marrying Anya to Petya, but she fears his incomprehensible position of an “eternal student”.

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

Epikhodov tries to talk to Dunyasha, who has completely lost interest in him; Varya, who is just as much agitated as her adoptive mother, drives him away, reproaching him for acting too freely for a servant. Firs bustles around serving treats to the guests, everyone notices that he is not feeling well.

Enter Lopakhin, barely hiding his joy. He arrived with Gaev, who was supposed to bring news from the auction. Leonid Andreevich is crying. The news about the sale is reported by Ermolai Alekseevich. He is 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 new life that he sees.

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

Action 4

Act four begins in the nursery, but it is empty, only in the corner there is luggage and things prepared for removal. From the street comes the sound of trees being cut down. Lopakhin and Yasha are waiting for the former owners to appear, with whom their former peasants have come to say goodbye. Lopakhin escorts the Ranevskaya family with champagne, but no one wants to drink it. Every character's mood is different. Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev are sad, Anya and Petya are in anticipation of the beginning of a new stage in their lives, Yasha is glad that he is leaving his homeland and mother that bothered him, Lopakhin can not wait to close the house as soon as possible and start the project that he conceived. The former owner is holding 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 on, everyone agrees with her. Now everyone is going to Kharkov together, and there the paths of the heroes 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 also took Epikhodov to him to help in resolving 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 they took him 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 carriages arrived and the loading 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 forgotten, but he has no anger at the owners. He just lays down on the couch and soon dies.
The sound of a broken string and the blows of an ax on wood. The curtain.

Conclusion

Such is the retelling of the content of the play "The Cherry Orchard". By reading The Cherry Orchard in abbreviated form, of course, you will save time, but for best acquaintance with the characters, in order to understand the idea and problems of this work, it is desirable to read it in full.

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Retelling rating

Average rating: 4.3. Total ratings received: 9130.

The dramaturgy of Anton Chekhov is a special niche in Russian fiction and the pinnacle of his work is this work, the storyline of which can be told by the summary of the play "The Cherry Orchard" for reader's diary, but about the richness of the images of the characters and the non-standard lyrical atmosphere - only a complete reading.

Plot

Ranevsky Lyubov and her daughter Anya return to their native estate from Paris after a 5-year absence. The family is on the verge of poverty, after the second husband of Ranevskaya robbed her and fled. Now the Ranevsky family estate is under the threat of being sold for debts. The women are met by the brother of the eldest Ranevskaya and her adopted daughter, who have been living on the estate all this time.

The estate, along with the cherry orchard, wants to be acquired by Lopakhin, who comes from peasants, but who has become decently rich. He intends to cut down the garden, and sell the land and hand over summer cottages. Love is horrified at such a prospect. She has always lived and lives in illusions, distributes money and does not believe that they are about to run out.

The garden and house are up for auction. They are bought by Lopakhin, who dreams, but decides to propose to his adopted daughter Ranevskaya. Love cries, her daughter soothes her. The women are going to return to Paris. At the end, the sound of an ax is heard - the cherry orchard goes under the log house.

Conclusion (my opinion)

In an age when benefits and personal enrichment have increased many times over, there is no place for languid memories. Pragmatists cannot comprehend romantics.

We present a summary of Chekhov's work Cherry Orchard by Action.

The play" The Cherry Orchard"contains 4 actions that take place in the estate of L.A. Ranevskaya.

Cherry Orchard Summary by Action

Brief retelling by actions:

The first act of the play "The Cherry Orchard" takes place in the early May dawn in the room "which is still called the nursery."

The second act of The Cherry Orchard takes place in nature, not far from the old church, which offers a beautiful view of the cherry orchard and the city visible on the horizon.

The third act of the play begins in the evening in the living room. Music is playing in the house, couples are dancing. It is there that a dispute arises that for the sake of love you can lose your head.

The fourth act of Chekhov's play takes place in an empty nursery, where luggage and other things are waiting to be taken out in the corner. The sound of trees being cut down can be heard from the street.

At the end of the play, the house is closed. After that, the lackey Firs appears, who was simply forgotten in the confusion. He understands that the house is already closed, and he was simply forgotten. True, he is not angry with the owners, but simply lies down on the sofa and soon dies.

There is a sound of a broken string and ax hitting a tree. The curtain.

The Cherry Orchard - summary read

The work of A.P. Chekhov - "The Cherry Orchard" begins with scenes of waiting for all the hostesses of the estate. The hostess is Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna, a landowner. She went abroad five years ago, after the death of her husband and the tragic death of her beloved little son.

lyric piece in four steps Anton Pavlovich Chekhov describes such a season as spring, the time when cherry trees and with all its beauty delight the eyes of others. All the characters who are waiting at home for the arrival of the hostess are very worried and worried, because very soon this beautiful garden must be sold in payment of all those debts that have accumulated during the absence of the hostess and during the time that she lived in Paris and spent money to please herself. In addition to her husband and son, Ranevskaya has a seventeen-year-old daughter, Anya, with whom the owner of the estate has lived with her for the past five years abroad. In the estate itself, after the departure of Lyubov Andreevna, her native Leonid Andreevich Gaev and her adopted daughter, a twenty-four-year-old girl, whom everyone called simply Varya, remained. Over the past five years, Ranevskaya has turned from a wealthy society lady into a poor woman with a bunch of debts behind her back. All this happened because Lyubov Andreevna always and everywhere wasted money and never saved on anything. Six years ago, Ranevskaya's husband died from drunkenness. However, the wife is not very upset by this fact and soon falls in love with another person and converges with him. To all the misfortunes that have already happened to Lyubov Andreevna, her little son Grisha tragically dies by drowning in the river. Ranevskaya is simply unable to endure such a terrible grief and sees no other way out, how to quickly escape abroad. Her lover, unable to live without her, followed her. However, the troubles of Lyubov Andreevna do not end there. Soon her lover became very ill, and Ranevskaya simply had no choice but to settle him in her dacha near Menton and almost never leave his bed for three years and constantly look after him. However, all the lover's love was just a deception, because as soon as the dacha had to be sold for debts and moved to Paris, he simply took, robbed and abandoned Ranevskaya.

Leonid Andreevich Gaev and Ranevskaya's adopted daughter Varya meet Lyubov Andreevna and Anya at the station. In the estate, the mistress and her daughter are impatiently maid Dunyasha and family friend, merchant Yermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin. The father of this same Lopakhin was in previous years a serf of the Ranevskys. Yermolai Alekseevich himself became rich, but still believes that wealth did not affect his character and life prerogatives in any way. The merchant considers himself an ordinary, simple man without special requirements. Also on the occasion of the arrival of the landlady herself, the clerk Epikhodov comes to the estate of the landowner. The clerk is the same person with whom something constantly happens and who, jokingly, with a grain of truth, was nicknamed "twenty-two misfortunes."

Carriages are approaching the estate. The Ranevsky estate is filled with people who are all in pleasant excitement. Each of those in the house speaks about his own, while paying little attention to the problems and desires of others. Lyubov Andreevna walks all over the estate, examines all the rooms, and through tears of joy recalls the past, the very moments that gave her so much joy and warmth. The play also described some love stories. For example, the maid Dunyasha, upon the arrival of the young lady, is simply impatient to tell that Epikhodov himself made a marriage proposal to her. Ranevskaya's daughter Anya advises her sister Varya to marry Lopakhin, and Varya, in turn, dreams of marrying Anya to a very rich man. The governess Charlotte Ivanovna, being a very strange and eccentric person, boasts to everyone about her wonderful dog. Neighbor landowner Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik asks for a loan from Ranevskaya. The very old and most faithful servant Firs can no longer hear anything, and all the time he mutters quietly something under his breath.

Merchant Ermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin reminds Lyubov Ranevskaya that her estate should be sold at auction in the near future. The merchant sees the only way out of this situation in dividing the land into small areas, which can then be rented to summer residents. This kind of proposal by Lopakhin is very surprising to Ranevskaya. She cannot understand how it is even possible to cut down her beloved and wonderful cherry orchard. Lopakhin, in turn, really wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya. The merchant turns out to be madly in love with Lyubov Andreevna. Gaev makes a welcoming speech to the century-old "respected" closet, but then, embarrassed, begins to talk again, while using all sorts of his favorite billiard words.

Ranevskaya does not immediately recognize the former teacher of her drowned seven-year-old son, Petya Trofimov. In her eyes, the teacher has changed a lot, has become less handsome, has become one of those people who study all their lives, but at the same time most often do not apply the knowledge they have received. The meeting with Petya awakens in the landowner the memories of her little drowned son Grisha, whose teacher was Trofimov.

Leonid Andreevich Gaev, left alone with Varya, and taking this opportunity, tries to talk about all important matters that have come upon them lately. Gaev also recalls a very rich aunt who lives in Yaroslavl, who, however, does not like them. All her dislike is connected with the fact that Lyubov Andreevna did not marry a nobleman, and besides everything else, she did not behave modestly and in financial matters and in secular life. Leonid Andreevich loves his sister very much, but still calls her lung woman behavior, which in turn causes Ani's strong dissatisfaction. Gaev makes certain plans for the future life path all his family members. He really wants his sister to ask Lopakhin for money so that Anya goes to Yaroslavl. Simply put, he wants to do everything possible to ensure that the estate is not sold. Gaev even swears in all this. Grumpy, but the most devoted servant Firs, finally takes his master, like a child, to his chambers and puts him to bed. Anya wholeheartedly believes that her uncle will be able to solve all the problems they have, she is happy and calm.

Lopakhin, in turn, does not deviate a single step from his magnificent plan and continues to persuade Ranevskaya and Gaev to accept his magnificent plan. further action. Ranevskaya, Gaev and Lopakhin all had breakfast together in the city and on the way home they decided to stop in a field near the chapel. At the same time, a little earlier, on the same bench near the chapel, Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha. But to his disappointment, Dunyasha had already preferred the cynical and young lackey named Yasha to him. The owners of the estate, namely Ranevskaya and Gaev, in a conversation with Lopakhin, do not seem to hear him at all and talk about completely different things. All persuasion and begging lead to nothing, Lopakhin wants to leave, because it does not make sense to continue this conversation with such unbusinesslike, strange and frivolous people. However, Lyubov Andreevna asks him to stay, because she really likes Lopakhin's company.

After that, Anya, Varya and Petya Trofimov come to Ranevskaya, Gaev and Lopakhin. Ranevskaya starts a conversation about such a human quality as pride, about the features of this quality and the types of people for whom this quality human nature peculiar. Trofimov is sure that there is no point in pride. He believes that it is better for an unhappy and rude person to start working than to continue to admire himself. Petya simply condemns the very intelligentsia, which is completely incapable of work. He condemns those people who only know how to philosophize importantly, and ordinary men are treated simply simply, like animals. Lopakhin also participates in this conversation. Because of the peculiarity of his life, he is at work day and night. In his work, he encounters large quantity people, but among this mass there are very few decent people. On this topic, small disputes and certain demagoguery occur between the participants in the conversation. Lopakhin does not finish, Ranevskaya interrupts him. It can be concluded that most of participants in the conversation do not want or do not know how to listen to each other. After all the arguments, there is a deaf silence, in which a rather distant sad sound of a broken string is heard.

Soon after such a lively conversation, everyone begins to disperse. Left alone with each other, Anya and Trofimov were very glad to have the opportunity to talk together, without Varya. Trofimov tells Anya that it is simply necessary to extinguish in oneself all those feelings that people call love. He tells her about such a human condition as freedom, that it is simply necessary to live in the present. But in order to know all the delights of life, one must first atone for all the bad things that were done in the past through suffering and labor. Happiness is already very close, and if they don’t see it and don’t experience it, then others will definitely see that very happiness and freedom.

The most important and responsible day is coming - the day of trading - the twenty-second of August. On this day, in the evening, a special evening was planned at the estate - a ball. Even a Jewish orchestra was invited to this event. There were times when only generals and barons danced at balls on the estate. And now, as Fiers notes, postal officials and stationmasters are barely going to this event. Charlotte Ivanovna entertains all those present at this event in every possible way with her tricks. The owner of the estate, Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, is anxiously awaiting the return of her brother. The Yaroslavl aunt, despite all her hatred for the landowner, nevertheless sent fifteen thousand. However, this amount was not enough to buy the entire estate.

The former teacher of the deceased son of Ranevskaya, Petya Trofimov, reassured Ranevskaya with all his might. He persuaded her not to think about the garden anymore, that it was finished long ago, you just need to face the truth. Lyubov Andreevna found herself in a very difficult situation, both financial and spiritual. The hostess asks not to condemn her, but on the contrary - to regret. Without the cherry orchard, her life loses all meaning. All the time while Ranevskaya is on the estate, she receives telegrams from Paris every day. At first, she just tore them right away, but then the next ones began to read and also then tear. The same runaway lover, whom she still loved to this day, in each of the letters begged her to come back to Paris. Although Petya does not want to cause Ranevskaya even more pain, he still condemns her for her love for such a petty scoundrel, a nonentity. Offended and very angry, Ranevskaya, with all her upbringing, could not restrain herself, takes revenge on Trofimov. She calls him an eccentric, an ugly man and a miserable tidy man. Ranevskaya pays attention to the fact that people just need to love and fall in love. Petya, having heard this addressed to him, wants to leave, but soon decides to stay, dances with Ranevskaya, who asked him for forgiveness.

A tired Gaev and a joyful Lopakhin appear on the threshold of the ballroom. Gaev immediately goes to his room without saying anything. The Cherry Orchard still turns out to be sold, and the same Lopakhin bought it. The new owner of the estate is very happy, because at the auction he managed to surpass the rich Deriganov, giving ninety thousand in excess of the debt. Lopakhin proudly picks up the keys that were thrown on the floor by proud Varya. Now his main desire is for the music to continue to play and for everyone to see how Ermolai Lopakhin rejoices that it is he who is now the owner of this whole beautiful cherry orchard.

After the news that the garden was sold, Anya had no choice but to comfort her crying mother. The daughter assured her mother that even though the garden was sold, life did not end there and they still had a whole life ahead of them. Anya was sure that in their lives there would still be new garden, more luxurious than what was sold, and what awaits them is a calm, moderate life, in which there will still be a lot of reasons for joy.

The house, which recently belonged to Ranevskaya, gradually became empty. All those who lived there, saying goodbye to each other, began to disperse. Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov Petya returns to Moscow again, to his university and continues to live life as a bosom student. Lopakhin and Petya exchange several barbs with each other at parting. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a predatory person, he still sees in him a person who is capable of tender feelings, who can enter into the situation of others and who subtly feels those around him. Lopakhin, out of the kindness of his soul, even offers Trofimov money for the journey. He, of course, refuses. He believes that this type of handout is like a powerful hand, which, for the sake of its subsequent profit, is now ready to assist common man. Trofimov is simply sure that a person should always be free and independent of someone or something, no one and nothing should interfere with him on the path to achieving his life goals.

After the sale of the cherry orchard, Ranevskaya and Gaev even cheered up, as if a weight had fallen from their shoulders, they stopped carrying this heavy burden. If earlier they were agitated, experienced constant suffering, now they have completely calmed down. Mrs. Ranevskaya's future plans include life in Paris for those very cash sent by my aunt. Ranevskaya's daughter Anya is inspired. She believes that right now she is starting a completely new life, in which she must graduate from high school, find a job, work, read books, in general, she is simply sure that a new wonderful world will open before her. Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik, on the contrary, instead of asking for money, on the contrary, distributes debts. It turned out that on his land the British found white clay.

All the heroes of the lyrical play settled down in different ways. Gaev has now become a bank servant. Lopakhin promises to find a new place for Charlotte with all his might. Varya got a job as a housekeeper to the Ragulin family. Epikhodov, in turn, was hired by Lopakhin and remains on the estate to serve the new owner. The elderly Firs should be sent to the hospital for further care and treatment. However, Gaev thinks, and he has reason to believe that all people, one way or another, leave us, we just suddenly become unnecessary to each other.

Between lovers Varya and Lopakhin, finally, such a long-awaited explanation should occur. For a long time, Varya has been teased by everyone around and called Madame Lopakhin, while laughing at the fact that she is still not one. Varya, as a timid girl, cannot propose, even though she really likes Ermolai Alekseevich. Lopakhin, too, was no longer satisfied with the current situation, he wanted to end it as soon as possible and explain himself to Varya already. He spoke well of Vara, was completely ready to put an end to this matter once and for all. Ranevskaya, who was also aware of the situation, decides to arrange a meeting for them. However, at the meeting, Lopakhin, still not daring to explain himself, leaves Varya, using the first pretext for this.

The play "The Cherry Orchard" ends on a sad note, when all the people who met in the estate leave it, while locking all the doors to the castle. It would seem that all the inhabitants of the estate cared for and helped the old Firs, but still he remains completely alone. No one even remembered that he needed treatment, rest and care. And even after that, old Firs remains a man and sincerely worries, because Leonid Andreevich went into such a cold in a thin coat, and not in a warm fur coat. Due to his age and condition, he lies down to rest and lies motionless, as if accepting and understanding his future fate without a fight. The sound of a broken string will be heard. There comes a deaf pitch silence, which is interrupted only by the barely audible somewhere in the distance, in the very center of the cherry orchard, the blows of an ax knocking on a tree.

⚿ Cherry Orchard Summary of Actions.
⚿ The Cherry Orchard as a play about the past, present and future of Russia.

The estate of the landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. Spring, cherry blossoms. But the beautiful garden is soon to be sold for debts. For the past 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 in her dacha near Menton and take care of him for three years. And then, when he had to sell the 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 he says about himself that he remained "a man a man." The clerk Epikhodov arrives, a man with whom something constantly happens and who is called "twenty-two misfortunes."

Finally, the carriages arrive. The house is filled with people, all in a pleasant excitement. Everyone talks about their own. Lyubov Andreevna looks around the rooms and through tears of joy recalls the past. 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 of her amazing dog, the neighbor landowner Simeonov-Pishchik asks for a loan. He hears almost nothing and all the time mutters something old faithful servant Firs.

Lopakhin reminds Ranevskaya that the estate should soon be sold at auction, the only way out is to break the land into plots and lease them to summer residents. Lopakhin’s proposal surprises Ranevskaya: how can you cut down her favorite wonderful cherry orchard! Lopakhin wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya, whom he loves "more than his own," but it's time for him to leave. Gaev delivers a welcoming speech to the hundred-year-old "respected" closet, but then, embarrassed, again begins to senselessly pronounce his favorite billiard words.

Ranevskaya did not immediately recognize Petya Trofimov: so he changed, became uglier, the “dear student” 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 causes Ani's displeasure. 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 it. Grumpy 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 here, on the same bench, Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha, but she had already preferred the young cynical footman Yasha to him. Ranevskaya and Gaev do not seem to hear Lopakhin and talk about completely different things. So without convincing “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 peasants like animals. Lopakhin enters the conversation: he just works “from morning to evening”, dealing with big capital, but he is becoming more and more convinced of how few decent people 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 is 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 redeem the past with suffering and labor. Happiness is near: if not they, then others will definitely see it.

Comes the twenty-second of August, the day of trading. It is on this evening, quite inopportunely, that a ball is being held in the estate, a Jewish orchestra is invited. Once, generals and barons danced here, and now, as Firs complains, both the postal official and the head of the station "do not go willingly." Charlotte Ivanovna entertains guests with her tricks. Ranevskaya anxiously awaits the return of her brother. The Yaroslavl aunt nevertheless sent fifteen thousand, but they are not enough to buy the estate.

Petya Trofimov “reassures” Ranevskaya: it’s not about the garden, it’s been over for a long time, we need to face the truth. Lyubov Andreevna asks not to condemn her, to feel sorry for her: after all, without a cherry orchard, her life loses its meaning. Every day Ranevskaya receives telegrams from Paris. At first, she tore them up immediately, then - after reading them first, now she doesn't vomit. "That 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”, “clean”: “You must love yourself ... you must fall in love!” Petya tries to leave in horror, but then stays, dancing with Ranevskaya, who asked for his forgiveness.

Finally, the embarrassed, joyful Lopakhin and the tired Gaev appear, who, without saying anything, immediately goes to his room. The Cherry Orchard was sold and Lopakhin bought it. The "new landowner" is happy: he managed to beat the rich Deriganov at the auction, giving ninety thousand in excess of the debt. Lopakhin picks up the keys thrown on the floor by the proud Varya. Let the music play, let everyone see how Yermolai Lopakhin “suffices with an ax in the cherry orchard”!

Anya comforts her crying mother: the garden has been sold, but there is a whole life ahead. There will be a new garden, more luxurious than this, "quiet deep joy" awaits them ...

The house is empty. Its inhabitants, having said goodbye to each other, disperse. Lopakhin is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov returns to Moscow, to the university. Lopakhin and Petya exchange barbs. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a "predatory beast", necessary "in the sense of metabolism", he still loves in him "a tender, subtle soul." Lopakhin offers Trofimov money for the journey. He refuses: over the "free man", "in the forefront going" to the "higher happiness", no one should have power.

Ranevskaya and Gaev even cheered up after the sale of the cherry orchard. Previously, they were worried, suffering, but now they have calmed down. Ranevskaya is going to live in Paris for the time being on the money sent by her aunt. Anya is inspired: a new life begins - she will finish the gymnasium, she will work, read books, "a new wonderful world" will open before her. Suddenly, out of breath, Simeonov-Pishchik appears and, instead of asking for money, on the contrary, distributes 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 servant. Lopakhin promises to find a new place for Charlotte, Varya got a job as a housekeeper to the Ragulins, Epikhodov, hired by Lopakhin, remains on the estate, Firs should be sent to the hospital. But still, Gaev sadly says: "Everyone is leaving us ... we suddenly became unnecessary."

Between Varya and Lopakhin, an explanation must finally occur. For a long time, Varya has been teased by "Madame Lopakhina." Varya likes Yermolai Alekseevich, but she herself cannot propose. Lopakhin, who also speaks well of Vara, agrees to "put an end immediately" to this matter. But when Ranevskaya arranges their meeting, Lopakhin, without deciding, leaves Varia, 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."

HISTORY OF CREATION

Time of creation of the work. The play was written at the very beginning of the 20th century (1903), during the period of reassessment and rethinking of established values ​​and old traditions. Three "revolutions" of the 19th century prepared a sense of catastrophe, which was described in art and felt by contemporaries: biological (Darwinism), economic (Marxism) and philosophical (Nietzsche's teaching).

The Cherry Orchard is the last play by A. Chekhov. This is a symbolic farewell of the writer to life. He created it as an epilogue to own life and as an epilogue to Russian literature - the golden age of classical Russian literature was actually ending, the silver age was beginning. The work contains elements of both tragedy (a metaphor for the end of life) and comedy (the characters are depicted in a parody). The main event in the life of theater in Moscow. The play "The Cherry Orchard" was Chekhov's first absolute success as a playwright. It was written in 1903, and already in January 1904 the first production took place at the Moscow Art Theater.

This work formed the basis of a new drama. It was Chekhov who first realized that the old theatrical techniques were outdated. The nature of the conflict, the characters, Chekhov's dramaturgy - all this was unexpected and new. There are many conventions (symbols) in the play, and they should be interpreted based on the author's definition of the genre - "a comedy in four acts". This play has become a classic of the Russian theater and still remains relevant. It manifested the artistic discoveries of the playwright, which marked the beginning of modernism in the literature and dramaturgy of Russia. At the end of the piece, the ax is knocked and the string is broken. Chekhov says goodbye to the old Russian life, and to the landowner's estate, and to the Russian landowner. But, above all, it is imbued with the mood of the writer's farewell to life.

At the end of the play, all its characters leave, forgetting in closed house the old servant of Firs - they all have no time for him. Both kind Petya and romantic Anya forgot about Firs. Chekhov's innovation. The play does not have a main character. If in the classical drama the hero manifested himself in actions, then in Chekhov's - the characters manifest and reveal themselves in experiences (the pathos of action was replaced by the pathos of reflection). The author actively uses remarks that form the subtext: silence, silence, pause. New form conflict: “People are having lunch, drinking tea, and at this time their destinies are broken” (A. Chekhov).

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WHY THE PLAY IS NAMED "THE CHERRY ORDER"

The central image of the play is displayed in the title of the work. All the action takes place around the cherry orchard: sometimes the events themselves unfold there, the characters constantly talk about it, they try to save it, it unites all the heroes of the work.

The small homeland is a secluded corner of nature, the family nest of Ranevskaya and Gaev, in which they spent their childhood and youth. Such places become part of the person himself. The symbol of beauty - the cherry orchard - is something beautiful and delightful, a beauty that always influences the souls of people and their emotional condition. The symbol of the passing time is the departure of the nobility from the life of Russia.

Smart and educated people are unable to preserve the garden, that is, their way of life and way of life. In the play, the garden is cut down, but in life, noble nests are disintegrating. "All Russia is our garden." These are the words of one of the characters in the play, Petya Trofimov. The Cherry Orchard is a symbol of the future of Russia, reflections on the fate of the whole country. Will the younger generation be able to raise a new blooming garden? This question remains open in the play.

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GENRE PLAY

The plot is the sale of a cherry orchard, the owners of which are the bankrupt nobles Ranevskaya and Gaev, brother and sister. The new owner of the garden is the merchant Lopakhin, the grandson of a serf who used to work on this estate.

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FEATURES OF THE GENRE

A. Chekhov himself called The Cherry Orchard a comedy not for genre definition. Thus, the author noted that the play should be performed as a comedy. If you play it as a drama or tragedy, you will not get the intended dissonance, and the deep meaning of the work will be lost. In the play, in fact, there are many comedic moments, situations, characters, lines. "The Cherry Orchard" has the structure of a musical work - the play is built on leitmotifs, musical techniques, repetitions are used, the sound of a broken string appears twice. There are many tears in the play, but the author noted that these are not serious tears, you can laugh at them. The funny in Chekhov is intertwined with the sad, the comic with the tragic - everything, as in real life. The characters are like sad clowns. “I didn’t get a drama, but a comedy, in some places even a farce” (A. Chekhov).

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LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA RANEVSKAYA

Once a wealthy noblewoman Ranevskaya traveled to Paris, had a dacha in the south of France, and “generals, barons, admirals danced” at balls in her house. Now the past appears to her as a blooming cherry orchard. She cannot adapt to new conditions - she continues to squander money, showing lordly carelessness in everything. “She is good, kind, glorious…”, says her brother Gaev about her. “She is a good person. Light, simple ... ”, Lopakhin speaks about Ranevskaya. He enthusiastically admits: “My father was a serf with your grandfather and father, but you, in fact, you once did so much for me that I forgot everything and love you like my own ... more than my own.” Ranevskaya is also loved by Anya and Varya, and the landowner-neighbor Simeonov-Pishchik, and Petya Trofimov, and the servants. She is equally affectionate, generous and kind to everyone. But everything positive traits, connecting with carelessness, spoiledness and frivolity, often turn into their opposite - cruelty and indifference. Ranevskaya generously gives gold to a random passerby, but there is nothing to eat at home. Lyubov Andreevna invites an orchestra to the ball, unable to pay the musicians. Frivolity and inability to live independently appeared thanks to the serfs who did all the work on her estate. She says that she cannot live without a cherry orchard, but the orchard has been sold, and she is throwing an inappropriate ball in the house. Ranevskaya is emotional and inconsistent in her actions. In the first act, she resolutely tears, without even reading, the telegrams from Paris. In the future, the heroine no longer does this, and in the finale of the play, calmed and cheered up, she willingly returns to Paris to her former lover, who tormented her, leaving Varya and Anya without money, forgetting about Firs. Love for her is the most important thing in life (the name and surname are not given by chance - the heroine is impressionable, sensitive and vulnerable). At first she assured that Paris was finished forever. But when the Yaroslavl aunt sent money, it turned out that they were not enough to save the estate, but enough to return to Europe. The nobility of Ranevskaya is that she does not blame anyone for the misfortunes that befell her. And no one reproaches Lyubov Andreevna for the fact that she actually led to the complete collapse of the family estate.

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LEONID ANDREEVICH GAEV

Gaev is the embodiment of the image of a miserable aristocrat. He himself admits: "They say that I ate my entire fortune on candy." Gaev can be called an overgrown baby: he is 51 years old, and the lackey, who is already 87, undresses him before going to bed. Leonid Andreevich got used to an idle life. He has two passions - playing billiards and making passionate speeches (it is no coincidence that the surname Gaev is so consonant with the word gaer, which means a jester; the one who clownishes grimaces for the amusement of others). He looks like a parody of an educated nobleman. he has a special speech, replete with billiard terms, a characteristic word - "whom?". Worthlessness, laziness, idle talk and conceit - these are the main features of this personality. Anya says to Gaev: “Everyone loves you, respects you ... How good you are, uncle, how smart!” But Chekhov questions this opinion. Along with the lordly elegance and sensitivity in Gaev, lordly arrogance and arrogance are noticeable. Leonid Andreevich is convinced of the exclusivity of the people of his circle (“white bone”) and every time he makes others feel his position as a gentleman. He is gentle with his relatives, but contemptuously - squeamish with servants ("Go away, my dear, you smell like chicken," he says to Yasha. "You're tired of you, brother" - to Firs). He considers the “grimy” Lopakhin to be a boor and a fist. But at the same time, Gaev is proud of his closeness to the people, he claims: “It’s not for nothing that a man loves me.” At the beginning of the play, he swears on his honor that the cherry orchard will not be sold. But Lopakhin buys the garden, and no one remembers his empty promises and words. Gaev and Ranevskaya rejected Lopakhin's proposal, but they themselves were unable to save their estate. This is not only the frivolity and impracticality of the ruined nobles, this is the idea that the nobility is not able, as before, to determine the path of the country's development. Their heightened sense of beauty does not allow to make a poetic cherry orchard commercial enterprise. The actions of the characters demonstrate to the viewer that it is impossible to trust the words of the landowners, even sincerely and excitedly. Returning from the auction where the cherry orchard was sold, Gaev does not hide his tears. However, his tears instantly disappear as soon as he hears the blows of the cue. This proves that deep feelings are alien to him.

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The former serf of Gaev and Ranevskaya becomes the new owner of the cherry orchard. In the recent past, his ancestors were serfs who worked on the estate, "grandfather and father were slaves", "they were not even allowed into the kitchen." Lopakhin exclaims: “If my father and grandfather got up from their graves and looked at the whole incident, like their Yermolai, beaten, illiterate Yermolai, who ran barefoot in winter, how this same Yermolai bought an estate, more beautiful than which there is nothing in the world. Yermolai managed to get out of poverty and achieve material well-being without outside help. he has a lot positive traits: he remembers the goodness of Ranevskaya, hardworking (“You know, I get up at five o’clock in the morning, I work from morning to evening ...”), friendly, “a man of the greatest mind,” as Pishchik speaks of him. An enterprising merchant has great energy and acumen. His industriousness and perseverance were formed in difficult living conditions, and they tempered his purposeful nature. Lopakhin lives for today. His ideas are rational and practical. He correctly assesses the position of Ranevskaya and Gaev, gives them a very valuable advice. If they accepted the offer to break the cherry orchard into summer cottages and rent out the land, they could save their estate and get out of a difficult financial situation. The characters have different attitudes towards Lopakhin. Ranevskaya considers him a good, interesting person, Gaev - a boor and a fist, Simeonov-Pishchik a man of great intelligence, and Petya Trofimov compares him with a predatory beast. This contradictory perception of Lopakhin also reflects Chekhov's attitude towards him. A fashionably dressed and successful businessman has no culture and education, and he himself often feels his inferiority. Business acumen corroded spirituality in him (Chekhov notes the predatory nature of capitalism). Contributing to the economic progress of the country, Lopakhins are unlikely to be able to eliminate poverty, injustice, lack of culture, because in the first place they have personal interest, profit and profit. The sound of an ax cutting down a cherry orchard symbolizes the transition from the past to the present. And the future looks great when the younger generation plant and grow their new garden.

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SECONDARY CHARACTERS

The characters of the second plan participate in the play along with the main ones. actors. They often repeat the thoughts of the main characters. In addition, the author put important thoughts for understanding the play into their mouths. Governess Charlotte Ivanovna turns everything serious into funny. With her tricks and ventriloquism, she emphasizes the comedy of what is happening. It is she who owns the phrase that any character could have said: “I don’t know where I come from and who I am ...” The servants Yash and Dunyasha are ridiculous in their desire to be like masters in everything. In fact, these are the images of Ranevskaya and Gaev brought to the grotesque. Dunyasha always powders herself, declares that she "has become tender, so delicate" and is very reminiscent of Ranevskaya. Cheeky Yasha, accusing everyone of ignorance, is a recognizable parody of Gaev. The old servant Firs personifies " old life"," the old order. He rarely appears in the play, nevertheless he plays a significant role - he is entrusted with the final monologue. In the image of Firs, those features that his owners are deprived of are emphasized: solidity, thriftiness.

Chekhov dislikes Gaev, who has nothing left in his head but the rules of billiards. Lopakhin, a representative of the newly born Russian capitalism, arouses his curiosity. But the author does not accept pragmatic people, it is obvious to him that nothing will come of the self-satisfied Lopakhin. (Everything miraculously settles with non-pragmatic characters: for example, rare white clay was suddenly discovered at Simeonov-Pishchik's estate, and he received money for its rent in advance). Yermolai Lopakhin is waving his arms all the time, Petya gives him advice: “Get out of this habit of waving. And also to build dachas, to expect that individual owners will come out of the dacha owners over time, to count in this way - this also means to wave ... ” Lopakhin has Napoleonic plans, but, according to the author, they are not destined to come true. This is a temporary character, other times will come and the Lopakhins, having done their job, will be transferred. Chekhov's sympathies are on the side of Petya and Anya. The eternal student Trofimov is ridiculous (miserable galoshes, falls down the stairs), but he gets Anya's love.

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PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF RUSSIA

The Cherry Orchard is often called a work about the past, present and future of Russia. The past is Ranevskaya and Gaev. They live in memories, they are not satisfied with the present, and they don’t even want to think about the future. These are educated, refined people, full of inactive love for others. When they are in danger, the heroes behave like children who close their eyes in fear. Therefore, they do not accept Lopakhin's proposals to save the cherry orchard and hope for a miracle, without even trying to change anything. Ranevskaya and Gaev are not capable of being masters of their land. Such people cannot influence the development of their country. The real one is Lopakhin. Smug Lopakhin - bright representative emerging bourgeoisie in Russia. Society places great hopes on people like him. The hero feels himself the master of life. But Lopakhin remained a “man”, unable to understand that the cherry orchard is not only a symbol of beauty, but also a kind of thread connecting the past with the present. You can't cut your roots. And Yermolai recklessly destroys the old, not having built and not having plans to build something new. He cannot become the future of Russia, because he destroys beauty (the cherry orchard) for his own benefit. The future is Petya and Anya. It cannot be said that the future belongs to a 17-year-old girl, only full of strength and desire to do good. Or for the eternal student, the ridiculous “shabby gentleman” (his whole appearance is rather pitiful), who is trying to rebuild life on the basis of only vague ideas. Chekhov does not see a hero in Russian life who would become the real master of the cherry orchard. The question in the play remains open. Chekhov sees that there is no connection between times (a broken string is a symbol of the gap between generations). But Anya and Petya have to look for an answer, because so far there is no one else but them.

Dawn. Outside the window is a blooming cherry orchard.

Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya returns to her estate from Paris with her daughter Anya. The day passes in conversations with family and guests. Everyone is excited by the meeting, they talk without listening to each other.

In a confidential conversation with Varya, Ranevskaya's adopted daughter, Anya learns that the merchant Lopakhin, who is considered Varya's fiancé, never made an offer, and this event is not expected. Anya, on the other hand, complains about the eternal lack of money in Paris and her mother’s misunderstanding of the situation that has arisen: she thoughtlessly scatters the last money, orders the most expensive in restaurants, gives the lackeys a ruble for tea. In response, Varya reports that there is money here too.
no, moreover, the estate will be sold in August.

Petya Trofimov still lives in the estate. This is a student, a former tutor of the late son of Ranevskaya, Grisha, who drowned at the age of seven in the river. Anya, having learned about the presence of Petya, is afraid that the sight of the latter will evoke bitter memories in her mother.

The old footman Firs appears, puts on white gloves and starts setting the table.

Enter Lyubov Andreyevna, her brother Leonid Andreevich Gayev, and Lopakhin. The merchant had to leave at five o'clock, but he so wanted to look at Lyubov Andreevna, to talk to her, she is still just as magnificent.

His father was her father's serf, but she once did so much for him that he forgot everything and loves her more than his own. Ranevskaya is happy to return home. Gaev, telling her the news, from time to time takes out a box of candies from his pocket, sucks. Lopakhin says that the estate is being sold for debts, and offers to break this land into summer cottages and rent them out.

Then they will have an annual income of twenty-five thousand. True, the old buildings will have to be demolished and the garden cut down. Lyubov Andreevna categorically objects: the garden is the most wonderful place throughout the province.

According to Lopakhin, they have no other choice, the only thing remarkable in the garden is that it is very large, and the cherry is born every two years, and no one buys that either. But Firs remembers that in the old days, dried cherries were taken in cartloads to Moscow and Kharkov, and they made a lot of money. Varya gives her mother two telegrams from Paris, but the past is over, and Lyubov Andreevna tears them up. Gaev, changing the subject,
turns to a closet that is a hundred years old, and begins to make a sentimental high-flown speech, bringing himself to tears. The sister sums it up. that he is still the same, Gaev is embarrassed. Lopakhin reminds them that if they think about dachas, he will lend money, and leaves. Lyubov Andreevna and Leonid Andreevich admire the garden, remember their childhood.

Enter Petya Trofimov in a shabby student uniform. Lyubov Andreevna hugs him, cries. and, peering, asks why he is so old and ugly, and yet he was once a nice student. Petya says that in the carriage one woman called him a shabby gentleman and, probably, he will be an eternal student.

Gaev and Varya remain in the room. Gaev notices that his sister has not lost the habit of wasting money. he has a lot of plans to improve things: it would be nice to get an inheritance, it would be nice to marry Anya to a very rich man, it would be nice to go to Yaroslavl and ask the aunt countess for money. The aunt is very rich, but does not like them: firstly, Ranevskaya married a sworn trustee, not a nobleman, and secondly, she did not behave very virtuously.

Lyubov Andreevna is kind, glorious, but she is vicious. Then they notice that Anya is standing in the doorway. The uncle kisses her, the girl reproaches him for the last words and asks him to be silent, then he himself will be calmer. He agrees and excitedly changes his plans to save the estate: it will be possible to arrange a loan against bills to pay interest to the bank, Anya's mother will talk to Lopakhin, he will not refuse her, and Anya will rest and go to her grandmother in Yaroslavl. This is how everything will work out. He swears that he will not allow the estate to be sold. Anya
reassured As and, happy, hugs her uncle. Firs appears, reproaches G Aeva, that he has not yet gone to bed, and everyone disperses.