The Cherry Orchard - Anton Chekhov: people's behavior change

Résumé du document

Never has there been a subject that has aroused as much discussion as people's behavior change. "The Cherry Orchard" is a comedy written in 1904 by the Russian Anton Chekhov. The plot is focused around Madame Lyubov Ranevsky, a Russian woman, her family and their estate. The main theme of this story is the change and through four acts Chekhov mainly describes the ability of protagonists to modify their behaviors and their involvements to save or not their property.
This paper will explain first of all Lopahin and Gayev's roles and status within this play. Before turning to Gayev's change, this essay will deeply focus on Lopahin transition between the beginning and the end of this story.

Extraits

[...] Indeed, through the act four, Chekhov shows Gayev's change. He is now very optimistic and adjusted to this new situation. He is no more sentimental and tries to persuade Lyubov that the future will be better due to the sale of the Orchard because her debts are disappeared and she goes back with her love to Paris. His state of mind is completely different than at the beginning of the play because “everything is alright” (1134). He is now ready to take a new departure and has found a job in a bank. [...]

[...] Due to all these changes, Chekov puts in place drama. Indeed, he creates a situation of tension through characters and captures readers' attention. Hence, even though Lopakhin has realized his dream to forget his oppressive memories, the reader does not fell happy for him because he hurts Lyubov. Moreover, he has bought the house but he is not here. III. Gayev's changes during the story This essay will now argue about Gayev's changes during the story. When the reader meets him for the first time in the act one, he is only perceived as Madame Ranevsky's brother. [...]

[...] This essay has dealt with two main protagonists of this story and has underlined the fact that people's environment can influence them. Through them, Chekhov illustrates society's evolution. People's lives are most of the time rhythmed by changes from unexpected events or others' reactions. The author makes people understand that some people can be changed not only by gain but also by loss. Works Cited: Chekhov, Anton. “The Cherry Orchard”. 1903-04. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Shorter ninth edition. Print. [...]

[...] This evolution occurs due to his businessman state of mind. Indeed, he is almost obsessed about the sale of this orchard. It does not remind him good memories and contrary to Lyubov who is very nostalgic about the past, he wants forget his memories related to this estate and hopes find liberation through this sale. Yasah qualifies this country of “uncivilized” and explains that “people have no morals” (1128). This is partially confirmed by the fact that after some hesitation Lopakhin announces that he has buy the cherry orchard and explains his plan about its future. [...]

[...] Lopahin's transition between the beginning and the end of this story This part of the essay will demonstrate the ability of Lopahin, one of the main protagonist, to change his state of mind and his position concerning Madam Ranevsky's orchard. At the beginning of the play, the reader can understand that is an important character because he is the first to speak. Once family's reunions finished, he clearly announces that “time flies” (1107). Through this sentence, Chekhov prepares the reader to see things change with time. He does not lose time and informs Lyubov and Gayev that the “cherry orchard is to be sold to pay [their] debts” (1108). [...]