A brief summary of the comedy of Anton Chekhov “The Cherry Orchard”

Main characters:
Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna, landowner.
Anya, her daughter, is 17 years old.
Varya, her adopted daughter, 24 years old.
Gayev Leonid Andreevich, brother Ranevskaya.
Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, merchant.
Trofimov Pyotr Sergeevich, the student.
Simeonov-Pischik Boris Nikolaevich, the landowner.
Charlotte Ivanovna, governess.
Epihodov Semen Panteleevich, clerk.
Dunyasha, the maid.
Firs, lackey, the old man is 87 years old.
Yasha, a young lackey.
Passer-by.
Head of station.
Postal official.
Guests, servants.

First action

The Ranevskaya estate, cherry blossoms. A room that is still called a nursery. Enter Dunyasha and Lopakhin. They say that the train arrived late. Lopakhin came earlier to meet Ranevskaya with the family at the station, but began to read the book and fell asleep. Lopakhin thinks about what Lyubov Andreyevna became after she spent

five years abroad. Lopakhin remembers how she consoled him when his father gave him a fist in the nose. Yepikhodov’s clerk enters the creaking boots, drops his bouquet, raises it, orders Dunyasha to put it in the dining room. He talks about the climate, about boots, about the fact that something unpleasant happens to him every day, but he does not get upset. Lopakhin shakes him off, Yepikhodov stumbles into a chair, drops it and leaves. Dunyasha tells Lopakhin that Yepihodov made her an offer, talks about him as a quiet man, but sometimes talking about something incomprehensible, loving her madly, pleasing her. Dunyasha says that everyone calls Epikhodov “twenty-two misfortunes”.

Two crews approach the house. Out of them come Firs in an old livery, met Ranevskaya, Lyubov Andreyevna herself, Anya, Charlotte Ivanovna with a dog, Varya, Gayev, Simeonov-Pishchik. Lopakhin and Dunyasha meet the guests. Anya suggests going through the nursery, and everyone goes there. Ranevskaya joyfully says with tears that she feels here like a little girl. Ranevskaya overwhelmed emotions. She looks at Varya and says

that she has not changed at all, and she recognized Dunyasha. Gayev is indignant at the delay of the train, and Charlotte is surprised that her dog eats nuts. All except Ani and Dunyasha, leave the room. Dunyasha informs Ana about the proposal of Yepikhodov and about the fact that Trofimov came and lives in the bathhouse, as he is afraid to interfere. Anya is pleased with the arrival of Trofimov. Varya enters the room and asks her to give her mother coffee. Dunyasha goes off to carry out assignments, and the remaining Varya and Anya discuss the road to the house and are glad that they have finally arrived. Anya says that my mother sold everything, but this money and her money was enough only for the road. But the mother and Charlotte do not understand this and live beyond their means. A mother’s lackey – Yasha – also requires a lot. Anya is wondering if interest is paid for the estate, which Varya responds negatively and reports that in August the estate will be sold. Anya asks Vary whether Lopakhin made her an offer, but she shakes her head. Wishing to change the subject, Varya notices the new brooch Ani. whether interest is paid for the estate, to which Varya responds negatively and reports that in August the estate will be sold. Anya asks Vary whether Lopakhin made her an offer, but she shakes her head. Wishing to change the subject, Varya notices the new brooch Ani. whether interest is paid for the estate, to which Varya responds negatively and reports that in August the estate will be sold. Anya asks Vary whether Lopakhin made her an offer, but she shakes her head. Wishing to change the subject, Varya notices the new brooch Ani.

Dunyasha enters with the coffee pot. Girls, not noticing her, continue the conversation. At this time, Yasha appears with a rug and a travel bag in her hands. He at first does not recognize Dunyasha, and then calls her a cucumber and suddenly embraces. She drops and breaks the saucer. Anya believes that we must warn my mother about Peti’s arrival, but Varya thinks that it’s better not to wake him up. Sisters are afraid that the mother will be upset by the presence of Petit, since he was the teacher of her drowned son Grisha. Grisha died six years ago a month after his father, his mother did not recover after that. Firs enters and goes to pour coffee, he is glad that he waited for the lady’s arrival. Anna Andreevna, Gayv, Lopakhin and Pischik come in, talking about billiards. Anya goes to bed, mother kisses her hands, says she is glad to come home. Ranevskaya then laughs, then cries, thanks Firs, who does not hear her, understanding everything in her own way. Lopakhin and Pischik make compliments to the landlord, Lopakhin says that she loves her as her own. The brother tells Ranevskaya that without her, the nurse died. She replies that she wrote about it. Lopakhin said that the garden is sold at auction, but there is a way out, he offers to split the garden into plots and give it to the dacha for rent. Just need to cut down the old garden and demolish the house. Gaev regards this as nonsense, Ranevskaya says that their garden is the best that exists in the entire province. Lopakhin says that it’s good that it’s big, but nobody buys a cherry. Firs says that earlier the garden brought income, and now there is no demand for cherries. Lopakhin said that in the village there were summer residents, which in the course of time will be more, and if they are engaged in farming, the cherry garden will become luxurious. that without her, the nurse died. She replies that she wrote about it. Lopakhin said that the garden is sold at auction, but there is a way out, he offers to split the garden into plots and give it to the dacha for rent. Just need to cut down the old garden and demolish the house. Gaev regards this as nonsense, Ranevskaya says that their garden is the best that exists in the entire province. Lopakhin says that it’s good that it’s big, but nobody buys a cherry. Firs says that earlier the garden brought income, and now there is no demand for cherries. Lopakhin said that in the village there were summer residents, which in the course of time will be more, and if they are engaged in farming, the cherry garden will become luxurious. that without her, the nurse died. She replies that she wrote about it. Lopakhin said that the garden is sold at auction, but there is a way out, he offers to split the garden into plots and give it to the dacha for rent. Just need to cut down the old garden and demolish the house. Gaev regards this as nonsense, Ranevskaya says that their garden is the best that exists in the entire province. Lopakhin says that it’s good that it’s big, but nobody buys a cherry. Firs says that earlier the garden brought income, and now there is no demand for cherries. Lopakhin said that in the village there were summer residents, which in the course of time will be more, and if they are engaged in farming, the cherry garden will become luxurious. Just need to cut down the old garden and demolish the house. Gaev regards this as nonsense, Ranevskaya says that their garden is the best that exists in the entire province. Lopakhin says that it’s good that it’s big, but nobody buys a cherry. Firs says that earlier the garden brought income, and now there is no demand for cherries. Lopakhin said that in the village there were summer residents, which in the course of time will be more, and if they are engaged in farming, the cherry garden will become luxurious. Just need to cut down the old garden and demolish the house. Gaev regards this as nonsense, Ranevskaya says that their garden is the best that exists in the entire province. Lopakhin says that it’s good that it’s big, but nobody buys a cherry. Firs says that earlier the garden brought income, and now there is no demand for cherries. Lopakhin said that in the village there were summer residents, which in the course of time will be more, and if they are engaged in farming, the cherry garden will become luxurious.

Varya brings two telegrams from Paris. But Ranevskaya does not want to return to the past and tears them up without reading it. Lopakhin says goodbye, says that if they change the decision about the garden, then he will get fifty thousand loans. Gaev calls him a boor, then asks for forgiveness, calling him the suitor Vary. Varya asks not to say too much. Ranevskaya says she will be happy with this son-in-law. Pistchik before leaving asks for two hundred and forty rubles on loan, pay interest on the mortgage. He is told that there is nothing. The driver laughs and hopes that he will suddenly be lucky. Everyone goes to sleep, they look at the garden. The garden for Ranevskaya is the personification of her childhood. Trofimov enters in a worn student uniform, reminds Ranevskaya that he is a former teacher of Grisha. Ranevskaya sends everyone to sleep, Pischik asks everything from her money, she asks Gayev to give. Gaev says, that my sister has not yet weaned money. Varya believes that mothers give free will – everything will be given away. A mother came to Yasha, but he does not want to go out to her.

Gaev sees only three ways out: to give Anya for a rich man, to get an inheritance from someone or to try his luck at the aunt’s countess, who does not like them. Varya relies on God. In the doorway Anna is shown, she can not sleep. Gaev says about the matter: it will be possible to arrange a loan for bills to pay interest to the bank. On Tuesday he promises to talk about this, Ranevskaya will talk with Lopakhin, and Anya will go to her grandmother in Yaroslavl; acting on three sides, will not be allowed before the auction. Firs enters, sends everyone to sleep, everyone diverge.

Second action

An evening, a field, an abandoned chapel, you can see the road to the Gaeva Manor, the cherry orchard. Charlotte, Yasha and Dunyasha are sitting on the bench, Yepihodov plays the guitar. Charlotte says she does not know how old she is, she does not have a real passport, who her parents were – she does not know, she does not have anyone. Epihodov calls the guitar a mandolin, Dunyasha corrects him, but he says that for a lover crazy and a guitar is a mandolin. Yasha smokes a cigar, talking about how happy it is to be abroad. Epihodov says that he is a developed person, but he can not understand what direction to choose – live or shoot himself. He carries a revolver with him. Charlotte leaves, grumbling that you can not talk to these wise men. Epihodov believes that fate does not spare him. Then he asks for a couple of words Dunyasha. She sends him for the Talmochka. Yasha says that Yepihodov is a stupid person. Dunyasha is afraid, that Epihodov would shoot himself. Yasha flirts with Dunya. Dunyasha, meanwhile, tells of herself: she has been a gentleman since childhood, hands are white, delicate, afraid of everything, and if Yasha deceives her, it is not known what will happen to her nerves. Dunya says she passionately fell in love with Yasha – he’s educated. Yasha yawns. Dunyasha hugs him. Yasha tells her to go another path, so no one would think that they had a date. Dunyasha, when she leaves, says that her head hurts from a cigar. Yasha stays by the chapel. that they had a date. Dunyasha, when she leaves, says that her head hurts from a cigar. Yasha stays by the chapel. that they had a date. Dunyasha, when she leaves, says that her head hurts from a cigar. Yasha stays by the chapel.

Love Andreevna, Gay and Lopakhin come. Lopakhin is waiting for a decision: do they agree to give land to the dacha. Gaev talks about the convenience of railways. Ranevskaya does not like the smell of a cigar. Lopakhin insists on answering. Ranevskaya looks in her wallet and says how little money is left. Varya is trying to save, but she herself spends money somehow meaningless. Lopakhin reports that the rich man Deriganov is going to buy the estate. Gaev reports that the Yaroslavl aunt has promised to send money, but when and how much is unknown. Lopakhin wondered if she would send one hundred-two hundred thousand, but Ranevskaya replied that she was ten-fifteen, and thank you for that. Lopakhin is surprised at their lightheadedness, strangeness, as if they do not understand that the estate is for sale. Ranevskaya asks to teach what to do. Lopakhin replies that he teaches them every day. Ranevskaya says, that cottages and gardeners – it’s vulgar, my brother agrees with her. Lopakhin says that they tortured him, calling Gayv a woman, he wants to leave. Ranevskaya stops him. She has a feeling that the house is about to collapse over them – they have sinned so much. Lubov Andreevna recalls that she always licked money like a madman, married a man who did some debts and drank, and she fell in love with another, and at this time Grisha died. She took it as a punishment for her sins, and went abroad, her lover went after her, they bought a dacha near Methon, and he got sick there, exhausted her with his illness in three years. Then the dacha was sold for debts, she went to Paris. The lover robbed her, abandoned him, and met with another. that the house was about to collapse over them, they sinned so much. Lubov Andreevna recalls that she always licked money like a madman, married a man who did some debts and drank, and she fell in love with another, and at this time Grisha died. She took it as a punishment for her sins, and went abroad, her lover went after her, they bought a dacha near Methon, and he got sick there, exhausted her with his illness in three years. Then the dacha was sold for debts, she went to Paris. The lover robbed her, abandoned him, and met with another. that the house was about to collapse over them, they sinned so much. Lubov Andreevna recalls that she always licked money like a madman, married a man who did some debts and drank, and she fell in love with another, and at this time Grisha died. She took it as a punishment for sin, and went abroad, went to her lover, they bought a cottage near Meto and he’s sick, tormented her with his disease for three years. Then the dacha was sold for debts, she went to Paris. The lover robbed her, abandoned him, and met with another. and he got sick there, tortured her with his illness in three years. Then the dacha was sold for debts, she went to Paris. The lover robbed her, abandoned him, and met with another. and he got sick there, tortured her with his illness in three years. Then the dacha was sold for debts, she went to Paris. The lover robbed her, abandoned him, and met with another.

Ranevskaya wanted to poison herself, she did not succeed, she was suddenly drawn to Russia. He takes a telegram from his lover from his pocket: he asks for forgiveness, begs to return. She tears the telegram, then immediately dreams of calling him to her, setting up an evening. Lopakhin says that he watched the play yesterday. Ranevskaya says that they would not play, but look at themselves how they live gray and talk a lot unnecessary. LOPAKHIN says that their lives are stupid, his father was an idiot, man, and it is the same fool and an idiot, nothing is trained. Ranevskaya says that it’s time for him to marry, and better on Varya, she is simple and loves him. Lopakhin does not mind. Gaev says that he is offered a place in the bank for six thousand a year. Ranevskaya says: “Where are you, sit still…”

Firs brings Gayev a coat. Gaev says that he needs to go to the city tomorrow, promised to introduce one general who can give a bill. Lopakhin doubts that something will work out for him. Ranevskaya says that her brother is delirious – there are no generals. Enter Trofimov, Varya and Anya. Ranevskaya hugs her daughters. Lopakhin is making fun of the eternal student Trofimov. Peter gets angry. Lopakhin asks Trofimov, what is his opinion of him? Peter replies that Lopakhin is soon becoming a millionaire, and how a carnivorous beast is needed in metabolism, so Lopakhin is needed. Everyone laughs. Varya asks Peter to tell about the planets. Ranevskaya protests, offering to continue yesterday’s conversation about the proud man. Trofimov believes that we must stop admiring ourselves and only work. Mankind is moving forward, it is necessary to help those who seek the truth, and not to conduct good conversations among the filth of vulgarity, the Asiatic. Lopakhin says that we just need to start doing something to understand how little around honest, decent people. Gaev pathetically recites the speech about the wondrous and destructive nature. Varya and the rest ask him to stop. Everyone is silent, suddenly the sad sound of a bursting string is heard. Ranevskaya asks what is it? The rest assume that this could be. Firs remembers that before the misfortune – the will – was the same. There is a slightly drunk passer-by, asking how to get to the station. He asks Vary for money. She is frightened. Ranevskaya, not finding a silver coin, gives gold. Varya is indignant. Varya and the rest ask him to stop. Everyone is silent, suddenly the sad sound of a bursting string is heard. Ranevskaya asks what is it? The rest assume that this could be. Firs remembers that before the misfortune – the will – was the same. There is a slightly drunk passer-by, asking how to get to the station. He asks Vary for money. She is frightened. Ranevskaya, not finding a silver coin, gives gold. Varya is indignant. Varya and the rest ask him to stop. Everyone is silent, suddenly the sad sound of a bursting string is heard. Ranevskaya asks what is it? The rest assume that this could be. Firs remembers that before the misfortune – the will – was the same. There is a slightly drunk passer-by, asking how to get to the station. He asks Vary for money. She is frightened. Ranevskaya, not finding a silver coin, gives gold. Varya is indignant.

Lubov Andreevna tells Vary that they married her. Varya through tears says that this is not joking. Lopakhin says: “Ohmelia, go to the monastery, remember me in your prayers.” Everyone leaves, except Ani and Trofimov. Anya rejoices that they were left alone. Petya talks about love and says that she and Anya are higher than her, and they must bypass that petty and ghostly thing that prevents them from being free and happy. Anya asks why she does not like cherry orchards the way she used to. Petya answers that all her ancestors owned serfs and this has transformed all those who lived before and who live now. So they do not notice that they live in the house at the expense of those people who are not allowed further than the front, He says that none of them have a definite relation to the past. They only philosophize and complain of longing, but in order to live in the present, one must atone for past suffering. Anya says, that the house is no longer theirs and she will leave it. Trofimov calls Anya to be free, Anya is delighted with his words. Vary’s voice is heard, she calls Anya. Anya leads Petya to the river.

Third action

House Ranevskaya. A Jewish orchestra is playing. In the hall they dance. Pisch leaves Pischik and Charlotte, Trofimov and Lyubov Andreevna, Anya with a postal official and Varya with the station’s chief. Varya dances, wiping her tears. Pischik talks with Trofimov about health, nobility and poverty of a kind that happens, as his father joked, from that

The horse that Caligula planted in the Senate. Trofimov teases Varia with Madame Lopakhina, and she is a shabby master. Varya thinks about what to pay musicians? Trofimov tells Pischik that if he was spending such energy as searching for money to pay interest, for something else, he could turn the ground. Pischik complains that he is in such a situation, though he does make fakes: the day after tomorrow he will pay three hundred and ten rubles, but there are only one hundred and thirty rubles. The room includes Lyubov Andreevna and Charlotte Ivanovna. Ranevskaya waits for Gayev, but Trofimov says that, apparently, the auctions did not take place. Ranevskaya believes that they started this whole ball inappropriately. Charlotte begins to show tricks.

Ranevskaya reports that today her fate is being decided – her grandmother sent fifteen thousand, and this will not even be enough to pay interest. Trofimov and Varya are teasing each other again. Ranevskaya says that we must give Varya for Lopakhin. Varya says that he expects a proposal from him, but he does not do it, he is silent or jokes. And she no longer knows what to do, she says she would leave everything and go to the monastery. After these words, Varya leaves. Ranevskaya asks Peter not to tease Varya. Trofimov replied that Varya had been following all summer, as though they had not started a romance with Anya, and they had not even thought of love, since it was higher than her. Ranevskaya worries that there is no Gaeva. She is concerned about the fate of the estate. Trofimov believes that he has been long overdone and that he must face the truth. Ranevskaya does not know where the truth is. Without a garden, she does not understand her life, asks her to regret it. Petya sympathizes with Lyubov Andreyevna with all her heart. Ranevskaya says she would gladly give Anya for it, but first you must finish the courses, and Peter does nothing. Trofimov takes a telegram and gives it to Ranevskaya. She reads it and says that a telegram from Paris is from a lover who is sick again and asks to come. She loves him and very much regrets. Trofimov recalls that this same lover robbed Lyubov Andreyevna before the thread and calls him a scoundrel. Ranevskaya is angry. She believes that in his years you need to understand those who love and love yourself. She calls him a funny crank and freak. He says that he is not above love, but simply a nerd, and in his years not to have a mistress… Trofimov throws that everything is over between them and goes away. Ranevskaya yells after him that she was joking. Petya accidentally falls down the stairs. Varya and Anya, laughing, talk about this Ranevskaya. The sounds of a waltz come from the front. Everyone is dancing. Ranevskaya asks for forgiveness from Petit and invites him to dance.

Firs and Yasha enter, they look at the dancers. Firs remembers that before they danced barons and admirals, and now the station’s chief. He complains that he has weakened, to which Yasha claims that Firs is bored with him and wants to die him more quickly. Firs calls Yasha a slut. Ania enters the living room and informs us that there was a man in the kitchen who said that the cherry orchard was sold, and to whom it was not known. Ranevskaya wants to know who he sold to, but Yasha replies that the man has long gone. Dunyasha tells Firs that the post official called it a flower. Yasha yawns and leaves. Epihodov enters. He complains to Dunyasha that she does not want to see him and reminds her of the condition given to her. But Dunya does not want to listen to him. Varya comes out of the hall and drives Epikhodova. He does not want to leave and he longs to argue, but then surrenders and leaves, saying that he will complain about her. Then Varya grabs a stick and swings. At this time Lopakhin enters, and Varya, taking him for Epikhodov, accidentally beats him with a stick. Realizing the mistake, Varya apologizes. Ranevskaya enters. Lopakhin reports that Gaev came with him. Ranevskaya excitedly interested in trading. Gaev enters, wiping away his tears and, without answering his sister, goes to his room. Lopakhin says that the cherry orchard is sold and bought it. Ranevskaya is depressed. Varya takes the keys from the belt, throws them on the floor and leaves. Lopakhin talks about the trades, about what he gave over the debt of ninety thousand and the estate is left for him. He laughs, emphasizing that he is the owner of the estate, where his father and grandfather were slaves. Raises the keys. He orders musicians to play and invites everyone to watch how they cut down all the trees and set up their summer cottages. Ranevskaya cries bitterly. Lopakhin reproaches her, that they did not listen to him in time. The driver takes him away. Lopakhin screams that a new owner of the garden is coming, ready to pay for everything.

In the hall to the crying Lubov Andreevna are Anya and Trofimov. Anya says that let there be no garden, but the whole life is ahead. Calms the mother that they will plant a new garden.

The fourth action

Empty rooms. Furniture is stacked in one corner. Lopakhin waits for everyone to leave. Say goodbye to the former masters came men. Enter Ranevskaya and Gayev. Gaev scolds her sister – she gave her purse to the peasants. Ranevskaya is justified that she could not do otherwise. Both are leaving. Lopakhin offers to part with a drink, but Ranevskaya and Gayev do not respond. Lopakhin also does not want one to drink and offers to drink at least Yasha. Yasha, enjoying the departure, drinks.

Lopakhin recalls that in twenty minutes to go to the station. Trofimov is looking for galoshes. From the proposed Lopakhin booze refuses. Lopakhin plays a trick on a poor student, which Trofimov gives him advice not to wave his arms, explains that building dachas and hoping that dacha owners will be separate masters is also to wave their hands. Lopakhin offers him money for the journey, but Trofimov refuses – he received a transfer. Varya finds his galoshes. Lopakhin insists that Trofimov take money, but Petya says that money means nothing to him, but he aspires to a higher power. He says that he will come and show the way to others. You can hear how trees are chopping away in the distance.

Anja enters and asks on behalf of her mother not to cut down the garden until they leave. Lopakhin promises. Anya reports that Firsa was taken to the hospital. Dunyasha cries and rushes to the neck of Yasha, but he drinks champagne and dreams of Paris. Enter Ranevskaya, Gaev, Anya and Charlotte. Ranevskaya says goodbye to the house. Anya talks about a new life, hopes to pass the exam in the gymnasium, work and help her mother. Gayv rejoices that he is now a financier in the bank. Ranevskaya is going to go to Paris and live there on the money sent by her grandmother, which will be enough for a while. Charlotte asks Lopakhin to find her place. Lopakhin agrees.

Out of breath, Pischik enters. Gaev, believing that he came for money, leaves. But Pischik brought debt to Lopakhin – four hundred rubles, and also returns to Ranevskaya four hundred rudders, promising the rest later. He explains this by the fact that the British found white clay in his land and he gave them this plot for twenty-four years. Ranevskaya remarks that here she has two griefs: Firs and Varya. Lopakhin proposes to make an offer to Varya. Varya comes in, but Lopakhin’s name is and he leaves, so without saying anything. Varya is crying. It’s time to go. Ranevskaya examines the bare walls and ceilings with tender love.

Everyone leaves. Anya says goodbye to her house and her former life. Trofimov, on the contrary, welcomes the new. Ranevskaya and Gayev, left alone, rush to each other’s neck and quietly weep. They are in despair. Ranevskaya says goodbye to the garden, the personification of youth, life and happiness. She looks out of the window for the last time, remembers the late mother, who loved to walk around this room. All the doors are locked, the crews leave. In silence, the ax chattered. Firs enters sick. He sees that everyone has left, worries about being forgotten, lying down. He argues that life passed and no strength left. He lies motionless. The sound of a bursting string is heard, dying, sad. Far away in the garden an ax is tapping on the tree.