Anton Pavlovich Chekhov.

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

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

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

Lopakhin reminds Ranevskaya that the estate should soon be sold at auction, the only way out is to divide the land into plots and rent them out to summer residents. Ranevskaya is surprised by Lopakhin’s proposal: how can her beloved wonderful cherry orchard be cut down!

Lopakhin wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya, whom he loves “more than his own,” but it’s time for him to leave. Gaev makes a welcoming speech to the hundred-year-old “respected” cabinet, but then, embarrassed, he again begins to meaninglessly utter his favorite billiard words.

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

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

Lopakhin never ceases to persuade Ranevskaya and Gaev to accept his plan. The three of them had breakfast in the city and, on their way back, stopped in a field near the chapel. Just now, here, on the same bench, Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha, but she had already preferred the young cynical lackey Yasha to him. Ranevskaya and Gaev don’t seem to hear Lopakhin and are talking about completely different things. Without convincing the “frivolous, unbusinesslike, strange” people of anything, Lopakhin wants to leave. Ranevskaya asks him to stay: “it’s still more fun” with him.

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

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

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

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

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

Anya consoles her crying mother: the garden 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, leave. Lopakhin is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov is returning to Moscow, to the university. Lopakhin and Petya exchange barbs. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a “beast of prey,” necessary “in the sense of metabolism,” he still loves his “tender, subtle soul.” Lopakhin offers Trofimov money for the trip. He refuses: no one should have power over the “free man”, “in the forefront of moving” to the “highest happiness”.

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

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

There must finally be an explanation between Varya and Lopakhin. Varya has been teased as “Madame Lopakhina” for a long time. Varya likes Ermolai Alekseevich, but she herself cannot propose. Lopakhin, who also speaks highly of Varya, agrees to “end this matter right away.” But when Ranevskaya arranges their meeting, Lopakhin, having never made up his mind, leaves Varya, taking advantage of the first pretext.

“It's time to go! On the road! - With these words they leave the house, locking all the doors. All that remains is old Firs, whom everyone seemed to care about, but whom they forgot to send to the hospital. Firs, sighing that Leonid Andreevich went in a coat and not a fur coat, lies down to rest and lies motionless. The same sound of a broken string is heard. “Silence falls, and you can only hear how far away in the garden an ax is knocking on a tree.”

Material provided by the internet portal briefly.ru, compiled by E. V. Novikova

A. P. Chekhov
The Cherry Orchard (in a summary of the actions)

Act one

The estate of the landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. Spring, the cherry orchard is blooming. But this wonderful garden will soon be forced to sell for debts. Five years before the events of the play “The Cherry Orchard,” Ranevskaya and her seventeen-year-old daughter Anya were abroad. The family estate was inhabited by Leonid Andreevich Gaev, Ranevskaya’s brother, and Ranevskaya’s adopted daughter, Varya, twenty-four years old. Things were going badly for Ranevskaya, and she was running out of money. Lyubov Andreevna always lived in grand style. About 6 years ago, her husband died from heavy drinking. Ranevskaya fell in love with another man, began to live with him, but soon disaster struck - her little son Grisha drowned in the river. Lyubov Andreevna, running away from the grief that befell her, went abroad. The new lover followed her. However, he soon fell ill, and Ranevskaya had to settle him at her dacha near Menton, where she looked after him for about three years. Over time, the dacha had to be sold for debts and moved to Paris. At that moment, the lover robbed and abandoned Lyubov Andreevna.

Gaev and Varvara meet Lyubov Andreevna and Anya, who have arrived from abroad, at the station. The maid Dunyasha and an old acquaintance, the merchant Ermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin, are waiting for them at the estate. Lopakhin's father came out of serfdom (from the Ranevskys), but miraculously became rich, although he never stopped saying about himself that he was always a “man a man.” Soon after his arrival, clerk Epikhodov appears, a man whom everyone calls “thirty-three misfortunes,” because he always finds himself in different situations.

Soon guests arrive at the house in carriages. They fill the house and feel pleasant excitement. Everyone talks about their own affairs. Lyubov Andreevna walks from room to room and joyfully recalls the past. The maid Dunyasha wants to tell the lady that Epikhodov proposed his hand and heart to her. Anya recommends Varya to marry Lopakhin, and Varya cherishes the dream of giving Anya to a wealthy man. Immediately, Charlotte Ivanovna, a very strange and eccentric governess, boasts of her unique dog, and the Ranevskys’ neighbor, the landowner Simeonov-Pishik, begs for a loan of money. Only the servant Firs doesn’t seem to hear any of this and mutters something under his breath.

Lopakhin hastens to remind Ranevskaya that the estate will be sold at auction if the land is not divided into separate plots and rented out to summer residents. Ranevskaya is discouraged by this proposal: how can she destroy her beloved wonderful cherry orchard! Lopakhin wants to stay longer with Ranevskaya, whom he loves, as he claims, “more than his own,” but it’s time for him to go. Gaev makes his famous speech to the century-old and, in his words, “respected” closet, but then becomes embarrassed and again takes up his favorite billiard words.

Ranevskaya at first does not recognize Petya Trofimov: he has changed a lot, he has turned ugly, the “dear student” has turned into a pitiful “eternal student.” Lyubov Andreevna remembers the drowned son Grisha, who was once taught by this same Trofimov.

Gaev, having retired with Varya, talks about business. There is a wealthy aunt in Yaroslavl, but she does not treat them very well, because Lyubov Andreevna did not marry a nobleman, and then allowed them to behave not “very virtuously.” Gaev loves his sister, but allows himself to call her “vicious.” Anya is unhappy with this. Gaev comes up with saving projects: borrow money from Lopakhin, send Anya to her aunt Yaroslavl - the estate needs to be saved and Gaev swears that he will save it. Soon Firs finally takes Gaev to bed. Anya rejoices: her uncle will arrange everything and save the estate.

Act two

The next day, Lopakhin again persuades Ranevskaya and Gaev to do his thing. They were at breakfast in the city and on the way back they stopped at the chapel. Not long before this, Epikhodov and Dunyasha were here. Epikhodov tried to explain himself to Dunyasha, but she had already made a choice in favor of the young lackey Yasha. Ranevskaya and Gaev pretend that they do not hear Lopakhin’s words and continue to talk about something completely different. Lopakhin, amazed by their frivolity, wants to leave. However, Ranevskaya insists that he stay: it’s “still more fun.”

This is a summary of Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" from the website

They are joined by Anya, Varya and the “eternal student” Trofimov. Ranevskaya begins a conversation about a “proud man.” Trofimov assures that pride is meaningless: a person needs to work, and not admire himself. Petya attacks the intelligentsia, which is not capable of work, but only philosophizes and treats men like wild animals. Lopakhin joins in: he “from morning to evening” deals with big money, but increasingly understands that there are few decent people in the world. Lopakhin is interrupted by Ranevskaya. It is clear that no one wants or knows how to hear the other. Silence reigns, and the distant sad whistle of a broken string can be heard in it.

Then everyone disperses. Anya and Trofimov are left alone and are happy to have the opportunity to talk, without Varya. Trofimov assures Anya that there must be “above love,” that freedom comes first: “all of Russia is our garden,” but in order to live in the present, it is first necessary to atone for the past through labor and suffering. After all, happiness is very close: and if not they, then others will definitely see it.

Act three

Finally August 22nd arrives, the day trading begins. It was in the evening of this day, quite inopportunely, that a ball was planned at the estate, and a Jewish orchestra was even invited. There was a time when barons and generals danced here at such balls, but now, as Firs notes, you can’t lure anyone. Charlotte Ivanovna entertains guests with her tricks. Ranevskaya awaits her brother's return with a feeling of anxiety. The Yaroslavl aunt had mercy and gave fifteen thousand, but this is not enough to buy back the estate with the cherry orchard.

Petya Trofimov is “trying to calm down” Ranevskaya: the orchard cannot be saved, it is already finished, but it is necessary to face the truth, to understand... Ranevskaya asks not to judge her, to have pity: for her there is no meaning in life without the cherry orchard. Every day, Ranevskaya receives telegrams from Paris. At first she tore them right away, then immediately as soon as she read them, and now she doesn’t tear them at all. The lover who robbed her, whom she still loves, begs her to come. Trofimov condemns Ranevskaya for her stupid love for such a “petty scoundrel and nonentity.” Touched to the quick, Ranevskaya, unable to restrain herself, attacks Trofimov, calling him names in every possible way: “You have to love yourself... you have to fall in love!” Trofimov wants to leave in horror, but remains, and even dances with Ranevskaya, who asks him for forgiveness.

Finally, Lopakhin and Gaev appear, who, without really saying anything, retires to his room. The cherry orchard was sold - Lopakhin bought it. Lopakhin is happy: he managed to outbid the rich man Deriganov, assigning as much as ninety thousand on top of the debt. Lopakhin easily picks up the keys, which proud Varya throws on the floor. It’s all over, and Ermolai Lopakhin, the son of the former serf Ranevsky, is about to “take an ax to the cherry orchard”!

you are reading a summary of Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard"

Anya tries to console her mother: the garden has been sold, but their whole life awaits them. There will be another garden, more luxurious and better than this one, “quiet, deep joy” awaits them ahead...

Act four

The house becomes empty. Its inhabitants are leaving in all directions. Lopakhin plans to spend the winter in Kharkov, Trofimov is going back to Moscow, to the university. At parting, Lopakhin and Petya exchange caustic “courtesy” remarks. And although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a “beast of prey,” necessary for the metabolism of nature, he loves his “tender, subtle soul.” Lopakhin, in turn, is confused about giving Trofimov money for the trip. But Trofimov refuses: his pride does not allow him.

A metamorphosis occurs with Ranevskaya and Gaev: they became happier after the cherry orchard was sold. The unrest and suffering are over. Ranevskaya plans to live in Paris with her aunt’s money. Anya is euphoric: here it is - a new life - she will graduate from high school, begin to read books, work, this will be a “new wonderful world.” Suddenly Simeonov-Pishchik appears, he is very out of breath. Now he does not ask for money, but, on the contrary, distributes debts. It turns out that the British found white clay on his land.

Now everything is different. Gaev calls himself a bank servant. Lopakhin promises to find a new place for Charlotte, Varvara goes to work as a housekeeper for the Ragulins, Epikhodov, whom Lopakhin hires, remains on the estate. Poor old Firs should be placed in a hospital. Gaev sadly says: “Everyone is abandoning us... we suddenly became unnecessary.”

An explanation between Varya and Lopakhin should finally happen. Varya is even teased with irony as “Madame Lopakhina.” Varya herself likes Lopakhin, but she is waiting for his actions. Lopakhin, in his words, agrees to “end this matter right away.” However, when Ranevskaya organizes a meeting for them, Lopakhin, hesitant, runs away, taking advantage of the first pretext. There is no explanation between them.

Finally I leave the estate, locking all the doors. Only old Firs remains, whom everyone forgot about and was never sent to the hospital. Firs lies down to rest and dies. The sound of a string breaking is heard again. And then the blows of axes.

We remind you that this is only a brief summary of the play by A.P. Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard". Many important quotes are missing here.

Comedy in four acts

Characters:

Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna is a landowner.

Anya is her daughter, 17 years old.

Varya is her adopted daughter, 24 years old.

Gaev Leonid Andreevich - brother of Ranevskaya. Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich - merchant. Trofimov Petr Sergeevich - student. Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich - landowner. Charlotte Ivanovna is a governess.

Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich - clerk

Dunyasha is a maid.

Firs is a footman, an old man of 87 years old.

Yasha is a young footman.

Act one

A room that is still called a nursery. Dawn, the sun will rise soon. It's May, the cherry trees are blooming, but it's cold in the garden. The windows in the room are closed.

Lopakhin and Dunyasha are waiting for Ranevskaya to arrive. Lopakhin talks about what an easy, simple person Lyubov Andreevna is. He remembers how she consoled him as a child when his drunken father hit him. My father was a simple man, but now Lopakhin wears a white vest and yellow shoes. “With a pig’s snout in a Kalash row... here’s a rich man, a lot of money, but if you think about it... he’s a man,” he says about himself. Lopakhin makes a remark to Dunyasha that she is too gentle for a servant: “This is impossible. We must remember ourselves."

Epikhodov enters and drops the bouquet. He complains about the cold outside and expresses dissatisfaction with the boots he bought, which squeak. Every day some kind of trouble happens to Epikhodov. As he leaves, he knocks over a chair. Dunyasha brings Lopakhin the kvass he asked for and says that Epikhodov proposed to her. This person attracts misfortune. That's what everyone calls him: twenty-two misfortunes. Lopakhin hears that carriages have arrived at the house. Dunyasha is ready to faint from excitement. Firs walks across the stage in an old livery, who went to meet Lyubov Andreevna.

Enter Lyubov Andreevna, Anya, Charlotte Ivanovna, Varya in a coat and scarf, Gaev, Simeonov-Pishchik. The servant brings things in. Lyubov Andreevna examines the former nursery with tears in her eyes. She recognizes and kisses Dunyasha. Gaev complains that the train was two hours late. Everyone leaves except Anya and Dunyasha. Dunyasha joyfully kisses Anya and tells her about Epikhodov’s matchmaking. Anya looks around tenderly, recognizes the room, the windows. She's glad to be home. Dunyasha says that Petya arrived three days ago. He lives in a bathhouse so as not to embarrass anyone. Varya enters and asks Dunyasha to serve coffee. Anya tells Varya about her trip to Paris. Her mother, who lived somewhere on the fifth floor, evoked pity in her. Lyubov Andreevna was forced to sell her dacha near Menton and was completely penniless. But on the road she still squandered money, not understanding her situation. Interest has not been paid, and the local estate will be sold in August.

Lopakhin looks into the room. Anya knows that he loves Varya and asks her if he has proposed to her. Varya believes that nothing will work out for them, despite the fact that everyone is talking about their wedding. She dreams of successfully marrying Anya off, and she herself wants to go to holy places. Yasha enters. He flirts with Dunyasha. Anya thought about it. She remembers how her father died six years ago, and a month later her brother drowned in the river. It is not surprising that my mother left here so recklessly. They are afraid that Petya's presence will be difficult for Lyubov Andreevna, because he was Grisha's teacher. Firs is busy near the coffee pot and remembers how the old master came from Paris on horseback. From joy that his lady has arrived, he cries.

Enter Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev, Simeonov-Pishchik. Gaev pretends to play billiards. He remembers that he and his sister slept in this room as children. Anya goes to bed. Gaev says that she is very similar to his sister in her youth. Varya reminds Lopakhin and Simeonov-Pishchik that it is already late and time to sleep. Lyubov Andreevna laughs and kisses Varya, saying that she is still the same. Taking coffee from Firs, she kisses him too. Ranevskaya is glad that she came home, that Firs is alive. Firs is completely deaf and answers her inappropriately.

Lopakhin must go to Kharkov at five o'clock, and he would so like to talk to Lyubov Andreevna, to look into her amazing, touching eyes. He says that he loves her like his own, it was she who did so much for him, the man’s son. Lyubov Andreevna cannot sit still. She talks to her favorite things: the closet, the table. Lopakhin has little time, so, despite his desire to say something cheerful, he begins to outline his plan to save the estate. He proposes to cut down the cherry orchard and distribute it to summer residents as plots. This would bring in at least twenty-five thousand in income a year. Gaev calls all this nonsense, and Lyubov Andreevna cannot agree with the cutting down of the garden, which was even included in the encyclopedia. Lopakhin reminds that if they don’t come up with anything before the twenty-second of August, then both the estate and the cherry orchard will be sold under the hammer.

Varya brings Lyubov Andreevna two telegrams. She replies that she is finished with Paris and breaks them up. Gaev and Pischik find out that the cabinet is already a hundred years old. Gaev makes a speech addressed to the closet, in which he glorifies its existence, aimed at the bright ideals of goodness and justice. Before leaving, Lopakhin once again reminds them of his plan and promises to borrow fifty thousand if they agree. When he leaves, Gaev calls him a boor, but immediately apologizes to Varya, since Lopakhin is her fiancé. “Don’t say too much, uncle,” Varya replies. Pishchik asks for a loan of two hundred and forty rubles. Lyubov Andreevna says that she has nothing. Pishchik reassures her that the money will be found. Suddenly they built a railroad on his land and paid for it. There, you see, Dashenka will win a lottery ticket.

Varya notices that Anya is sleeping. She quietly opens the window so she can better see the trees and breathe in fresh air and hear the starlings. Gaev admires the blooming garden. Lyubov Andreevna looks out the window and says: “Oh my childhood, my purity! I slept in this nursery, looked at the garden from here, happiness woke up with me every morning, and then he was exactly the same, nothing has changed. All, all white! O my garden! After

In the dark stormy autumn and cold winter, you are young again, full of happiness, the heavenly angels have not left you... If only I could take the heavy stone off my chest and shoulders, if only I could forget my past!” It seems to her that her deceased mother is walking through the garden. She laughs with joy. But there is no one, it’s just a leaning tree.

Petya Trofimov enters, unable to wait until morning. Having recognized him, Lyubov Andreevna cries, lamenting

about his son; She asks Petya why he has grown old and ugly. He replies that even in the carriage one woman called him a shabby gentleman. It looks like he will remain an eternal student. The pischik again begins to ask for a loan of money. Lyubov Andreevna asks her brother to lend him some money. Lyubov Andreevna, Trofimov, Pischik and Firs leave. Varya and Gaev notice that Lyubov Andreevna will not get out of the habit of wasting money. Varya reminds Yasha that his mother has been waiting in the personnel room since yesterday. He is not going to go to her.

Gaev is thinking about how to save the estate. When too many drugs are offered for a disease, it means that the disease is incurable. The same is the case with estates. He has a lot of plans, which means, in essence, none. You can successfully marry Anya, or you can try your luck with your aunt in Yaroslavl. He begins to talk about the unsuccessful marriage of Lyubov Andreevna, calling her vicious. Varya whispers that Anya is standing in the doorway, and Gaev pretends that something got into his eye. Anya enters the room. Gaev kisses her, calls her baby, angel. Anya advises him to remain silent more. Gaev agrees that his words were terrible and recalls his speech addressed to the closet. He calls it all stupid. Gaev promises to talk to the bank to arrange a loan against the bills. He plans to talk about it again on Tuesday. He offers Anya to go to her grandmother in Yaroslavl, and Lyubov Andreevna will talk to Lopakhin: “This is how we will act from three ends.” He swears to Anya and Varya that he will not allow the auction. His speech calmed Anya down; she was almost happy. Gaev talks about how well he knows men. Varya again advises him to keep quiet. Gaev leaves.

Varya tells Anya that the servants are spreading a rumor that she feeds them only peas to save money. During her story, Anya falls asleep. Varya takes Anya to bed. Trofimov, passing by, looks at them with emotion: “My sunshine! My spring!

Act two

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

Charlotte reveals that she doesn't have a real passport. As a child, her parents took her to fairs, where she did various tricks. When her parents died, a German lady took her in. Then she became a governess. She never found out who she was, where she was from, or how old she was. Epikhodov plays the guitar and sings. Charlotte doesn't like Epikhodov's singing. Dunyasha flirts with Yasha. Epikhodov considers himself a developed person. He reads different books, but cannot understand what he wants - to live or to shoot himself. He shows everyone the revolver he carries with him. Charlotte tells Epikhodov that he is a very smart man and very scary. Women should love him. She has no one to talk to. She is all alone and alone. Charlotte slowly leaves. Epikhodov says that fate treats him like a storm treats a small ship, without regret. For example, this morning he saw a huge spider on his chest, another time he takes a mug of kvass to drink, and there is a cockroach. He wants to talk privately with Dunyasha, whom he calls Avdotya Fedorovna. Dunyasha asks him to first bring her her talma, because it is very cold. Epikhodov reports that now he knows what to do with the revolver and leaves. Yasha, yawning, calls him stupid. Dunyasha flirtatiously says that she has been living with the gentlemen since childhood. That’s why she’s so delicate, noble, and afraid of everything. She doesn’t know what will happen to her nerves if Yasha deceives her. Yasha replies that he likes girls of good behavior. Hearing that the gentlemen are coming to them, he sends Dunyasha out so that they don’t think that he is on a date with her.

Dunyasha leaves, Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev and Lopakhin enter.

Lopakhin insists on resolving the issue of leasing the plots. Gaev remembers dinner in the city and laments that he did not immediately go to the house to play a game of billiards. Lyubov Andreevna is surprised how much money they spent in the city. She is ashamed that Varya saves on everything, and she wastes money. Lyubov Andreevna literally scatters gold coins, accidentally dropping her wallet. Yasha collects money. Ranevskaya blames her brother for drinking too much and talking to the sex about decadents. Gaev agrees that he is incorrigible. Yasha laughs and says that he cannot hear Gaev’s voices without laughing. Lopakhin asks Gaev and Ranevskaya to finally decide something. Gaev says that the Yaroslavl aunt promised to send money, but it is unknown when and how much. Lopakhin can no longer talk. He is ready to scream, or sob, or faint. He calls Gaev a woman. He answers inappropriately. Lopakhin is about to leave, but Ranevskaya asks him to stay. Gaev, thinking: “Doublet in the corner... Krause in the middle...”

Ranevskaya talks about her husband, who only knew how to drink and make debts. After the death of her husband, she got together with another man, and, as if in punishment for this, her son drowned. She closed her eyes and ran out of the house. The lover went after her. Abroad, her lover was ill for three years, she looked after him. When the dacha was sold for debts, he robbed it and abandoned it. She asks God not to punish her anymore. Ranevskaya pulls out a telegram from her pocket, in which her lover asks to forgive him and begs him to return, and tears it up. Lopakhin laughs, remembering the play he saw in the theater. Ranevskaya advises him to take a closer look at his own gray life. Lopakhin agrees that his life is stupid. Ranevskaya advises him to get married. She matches Varya to him. Lopakhin says that he is not averse to it, the girl is good. Gaev says that he is being offered a position at the bank. Ranevskaya: “Where are you! Sit now...” Firs brings Gaev’s coat. Ranevskaya notices that Firs has aged very much. He says that he has been living for a very long time, that when they were going to marry him, Ranevskaya was not yet in the world. Lopakhin believes that before it was good, at least they fought. Firs did not hear, confirms that there used to be order: men with the gentlemen, gentlemen with the peasants. Gaev is going to meet with the general the next day, who can give him a loan against a bill of exchange. Lopakhin believes that nothing will work out. Lyubov Andreevna throws out: “He’s delusional. There are no generals."

Enter Trofimov, Anya, Varya. Lopakhin chuckles at Trofimov: “He will soon be fifty years old, but he is still a student.” Trofimov compares the rich Lopakhin to a wolf who eats everything that gets in his way, and says that he is needed for proper metabolism. Everyone laughs. Ranevskaya suggests continuing yesterday’s conversation about a proud man. For Trofimov, there is something mystical in a proud man, as Ranevskaya understands him. He suggests that you stop admiring yourself and start working. Gaev: “You’ll die anyway.” Trofimov: “Perhaps a person has a hundred feelings and with death only five known to us perish, while the remaining ninety-five remain alive.” Ranevskaya admires Petya’s intelligence, and Lopakhin is ironic. Trofimov talks about the inaction of the intelligentsia, which only talks but does nothing. All this to take your eyes off the vulgar reality around you. He suggests stopping smart conversations. Lopakhin says that as soon as you start doing something, you immediately realize how few honest people there are. In such a rich country, people should truly be giants. Ranevskaya notes that giants are only good in fairy tales, but in reality they are scary. Epikhodov passes at the back of the stage. Gaev talks pompously about nature. Trofimov offers him: “Better than yellow in the middle” (a billiard phrase that Gaev often repeats).

Everyone sits thinking. Suddenly the distant, sad sound of a broken string is heard. No one can understand what this sound is. Ranevskaya shudders. For some reason this makes her uncomfortable. Firs says that this was also the case before the disaster. It turns out that he calls the will given to the peasants a misfortune. Ranevskaya offers to leave. Anya has tears in her eyes. A slightly drunk passer-by appears. He asks for directions to the station. Turning to Varya, he asks thirty kopecks for the hungry Russian. Varya jumps up in fear. Lopakhin is angry. Ranevskaya, dumbfounded, gives the gold. Varya reproaches her mother that people at home have nothing to eat, and she gives a gold piece to a passerby. Ranevskaya promises to give Varya money at home and asks for a loan from Lopakhin. She tells Varya that she was matched here. Varya asks not to joke about it. Lopakhin laughs it off.

Everyone except Anya and Trofimov leaves. Trofimov jokes that Varya is afraid of their love, not realizing that they are above it. Anya, under the influence of Trofimov, no longer loves the cherry orchard so tenderly. He considers all of Russia a garden. In his opinion, Anya’s soul could not help but be affected by the fact that their family had owned living souls for many generations. They seem to be accustomed to living on credit, at the expense of other people. To truly live, you must first atone for the past, put an end to it. This redemption is possible only through suffering, only through extraordinary, continuous labor. Despite the fact that fate has not spoiled him, Trofimov has a presentiment of happiness: “Here it is happiness, here it comes, coming closer and closer, I can already hear its steps. And if we don’t see him, don’t recognize him, then what’s the harm? Others will see him!” Varya calls Anya. Trofimov and Varya decide to go to the river. Varya’s voice is heard calling Anya.

Act three

Living room. A Jewish orchestra is playing in the hallway. Evening. They are dancing in the hall. Simeonov-Pishchik names the dance figures in French. The dancers come out into the living room: in the first couple, Pishchik and Charlotte Ivanovna, in the second, Trofimov and Lyubov Andreevna, in the third, Anya with a postal official, in the fourth, Varya with the station chief. Varya cries quietly, wiping away her tears. In the last pair is Dunyasha. Firs in a tailcoat brings seltzer water on a tray.

Pishchik says that he’s been hit twice already, it’s hard to dance, but, “...as they say, he’s in the flock, don’t bark, just wag your tail.” His health is that of a horse. My father said that their family descended from the horse that Caligula planted in the Senate. He sits down. His main problem is that he has no money. Pischik falls asleep and immediately wakes up. Just as a hungry dog ​​believes only in meat, so Pishchik talks only about money. Trofimov agrees that there is something equine in Pischik’s figure. The pischik replies that the horse is a good beast and can be sold. Varya enters, whom Trofimov calls Madame Lopakhina, to which she calls him a shabby gentleman. Varya is worried that she has nothing to pay the musicians. She leaves. Trofimov tells Pishchik that if he had directed the energy spent on searching for money to something else, he could have turned the earth upside down. Pischik says that Nietzsche wrote in his writings that it is possible to make fake pieces of paper. He himself

I haven't read Nietzsche. Dashenka told him this. The day after tomorrow he needs to pay three hundred and ten rubles, but he only has one hundred and thirty. He thinks he has lost money. Finding them behind the lining, he sighs with relief.

Lyubov Andreevna and Charlotte Ivanovna enter. Lyubov Andreevna is surprised that Gaev has been gone for so long. Trofimov assumes that the auction did not take place. Ranevskaya laments that the musicians came at the wrong time, the ball was held at the wrong time. Charlotte Ivanovna shows card tricks and ventriloquism techniques to Pishchik. He's delighted. Charlotte Ivanovna shows tricks with a blanket. Anya and Varya appear behind the blanket in turn. At the end, Charlotte Ivanovna throws a blanket on Pishchik and runs away. He runs after her.

Lyubov Andreevna says that the auction is already over. The property was either sold or the auction did not take place. Varya tries to console her, suggesting that the uncle has already bought the estate. The grandmother sent him a power of attorney so that he could buy the estate with the debt transferred to her name. She did this for Anya. Ranevskaya says that the Yaroslavl grandmother sent money to buy the estate in Anya’s name, because she no longer trusts them. Ranevskaya covers her face with her hands and says that today her fate is being decided.

Trofimov teases Varya, calling her Madame Lopakhina, she calls Trofimov an eternal student, reminding him that he has already been fired from the university twice. Lyubov Andreevna persuades Varya not to be angry with Trofimov. If she likes Lopakhin, then she can marry him, and if she doesn’t like it, then no one will force her. Varya is serious about Lopakhin. She likes him. But she cannot propose to him herself, and he laughs it off. Lopakhin is a very busy man, he has no time for Varya. She would have gone to a monastery if she had even a little money. On the other hand, she cannot do nothing. Yasha enters and laughingly announces that Epikhodov broke his cue. Varya is annoyed and wonders who gave him the cue. She leaves.

Ranevskaya asks Petya not to tease Varya. He thinks she is too zealous. She and Anya followed her all summer. I was afraid that they would have an affair, not realizing that they were above love. Ranevskaya says to herself that she must be beneath love. She is now only interested in one thing: whether the estate is sold or not. Lyubov Andreevna asks Petya to tell her at least something to save her - she is in such tension. Petya invites her to face the truth: the estate is long gone. Ranevskaya says that Petya talks so boldly about the estate because he is young. She asks him to understand that she was born and raised on this estate, her parents and grandfather lived here. If we are going to sell the cherry orchard, without which she cannot live, then she must be sold along with it. She's crying. Petya sympathizes with her. Ranevskaya takes a handkerchief out of her pocket, and a telegram falls to the floor. Today her soul is especially heavy, and she asks not to judge her. Ranevskaya is ready to give Anya for Petya. But he needs to somehow graduate from university and grow a beard. She is laughing. Trofimov replies that he does not want to be handsome. He picks up the telegram. Ranevskaya says that this man in Paris fell ill and needs her help. She needs to go see him there. She admits that she loves him, although he is a stone around her neck. Ranevskaya asks Petya not to think badly of her. Through tears, Trofimov reminds Ranevskaya that this man robbed her. Lyubov Andreevna doesn’t want to hear anything. Trofimov calls him a petty scoundrel, a nonentity. Ranevskaya is angry, but holds back. She calls on Trofimov to be a man, to love himself, and not to be above love. She calls him a funny eccentric, a neat guy. At his age, you should already have a mistress. Trofimov is horrified by Ranevskaya’s words. Saying that everything is over between them, he goes into the hallway. Ranevskaya asks him to stay, says that she was joking.

You can hear someone walking quickly up the stairs and falling down with a crash. There is laughter. Anya, laughing, says that Petya fell down the stairs. She runs away. Everyone is dancing. Trofimov, Anya, Varya and Lyubov Andreevna pass from the front hall. Watching the dancers, Firs remembers how generals, barons and admirals used to attend their balls, but now even the postal official and the station master are reluctant to come. Lyubov Andreevna dances with Petya. Anya excitedly reports that she heard gossip in the kitchen about the sale of the cherry orchard. Nobody knows who bought it. Lyubov Andreevna asks to go find out who the estate was sold to. She is assured that this man has already left. Yasha asks Lyubov Andreevna to take him with her to Paris if she goes there. Lyubov Andreevna dances with Pishchik, who again asks her for a loan. Dunyasha tells Firs that dancing makes her dizzy. She tells how a postal official called her a flower, and it made her dizzy. Epikhodov tells Dunyasha that she treats him like an insect. He reproaches her for giving him her word, but she herself does not want to know it. Dunyasha offers to talk about it later. Now she has no time, she dreams. Varya reproaches Epikhodov for behaving like a guest instead of taking care of business. They are arguing. Varya swings a stick at the departing Epikhodov and accidentally hits Lopakhin, who has entered. Varya apologizes. Lyubov Andreevna asks Lopakhin where Gaev is. Lopakhin replies that they arrived together and, afraid to discover their joy, reports that they missed the train and were therefore delayed.

Gaev comes in with some shopping, wiping away his tears with his left hand. Without answering questions about the estate, he says that he suffered a lot today. Together with Firs, he leaves to change clothes. Lopakhin tells everyone that he bought the cherry orchard. Pause. Lyubov Andreevna is depressed. Varya throws the keys on the floor. Lopakhin himself cannot believe that he, a semi-literate upstart, has become the owner of an estate that is the most beautiful in the world. He orders the musicians to play: “Come, everyone, to watch how Ermolai Lopakhin grabs the cherry orchard with an ax, how the trees fall to the ground! We will set up our dachas, and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will see a new life... Music, play!” Music is playing. Lyubov Andreevna is crying. Lopakhin reproachfully blames her for not listening to him. Pischik takes Lopakhin into the hall.

Lyubov Andreevna is crying alone in the living room. Anya and Trofimov arrive. Anya kneels in front of her mother. She tells her mother that, despite the fact that the cherry orchard has been sold, she has her whole life ahead of her: “We will plant a new orchard, more luxurious than this, you will see it, you will understand, and joy, quiet, deep joy will descend on your soul, like the sun in evening hour, and you will smile, mom! Let's go, honey! Let's go to!.."

Act four

“The scenery of the first act. There are no curtains on the windows, no paintings, there is only a little furniture left, which is folded in one corner, as if for sale. It feels empty. Suitcases, travel items, etc. are stacked near the exit door and at the back of the stage. To the left, the door is open, and the voices of Varya and Anya can be heard from there. Lopakhin stands, waits. Yasha holds a tray with glasses filled with champagne. In the hallway, Epikhodov is tying up a box. There's a rumble in the background behind the stage. The men came to say goodbye. Gaev’s voice: “Thank you, brothers, thank you”... The hum subsides.”

Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev enter. Ranevskaya is pale and cannot speak. Gaev reproaches his sister for giving away the wallet. Lyubov Andreevna replies that she could not do otherwise. Both leave. Lopakhin invites them to drink champagne. Hearing a refusal, he offers Yasha a drink. He drinks, says that the champagne is not real, and laughs. Lopakhin hurries things up because time is short.

Trofimov enters. He is also getting ready to leave and is looking for his galoshes. Lopakhin will go to Kharkov with everyone: “I kept hanging around with you, I was tired of doing nothing. I can’t live without work, I don’t know what to do with my hands; hanging out strangely, like strangers.” Trofimov, in parting, gives Lopakhin advice to wean himself from the habit of waving his hands: “And also to build dachas, to count on the fact that the summer residents will eventually emerge as separate owners, to count like this also means waving... After all, I still love you. You have... a subtle, gentle soul...” Lopakhin hugs him and offers him money for the journey. Petya refuses, saying what he received for the translation: “Give me at least two hundred thousand, I won’t take it. Im free person. And everything that you all value so highly and dearly, rich and poor, does not have the slightest power over me, just like fluff that floats through the air. I can do without you, I can pass by you, I am strong and proud. Humanity is moving towards the highest truth, towards the highest happiness that is possible on earth, and I am in the forefront!” Lopakhin ironically asks if he will get there. Petya is sure that he will get there.

You can hear an ax hitting wood. Anya conveys Ranevskaya’s request not to cut down the garden while they are here. Anya, Varya and Yasha are discussing whether Firs was taken to the hospital. Yasha refuses to go out to say goodbye to his mother. Everyone comes out except Yasha and Dunyasha. Dunyasha asks Yasha to write to her from Paris and, crying, throws herself on his neck. Yasha drinks champagne and advises Dunyasha to behave decently - then you won’t have to cry.

Enter Ranevskaya, Gaev, Anya and Charlotte Ivanovna. Gaev got a job in a bank. Lopakhin is sure that he will not last long there due to laziness. Lyubov Andreevna says goodbye to the old house and calls it grandfather. Anya is happy that a new life is beginning. Ranevskaya goes to Paris with the money from her Yaroslavl grandmother, which she sent to buy the estate. She knows that this money will not last long. Anya is sure that Lyubov Andreevna will return soon. By this time she is going to pass the exam at the gymnasium and get a job. Anya dreams of how she and her mother will read books together and a new world will open up before them. Lopakhin enters. Charlotte asks him to find her a place in the city. He promises. A breathless Pishchik enters. Gaev leaves, thinking that he came to ask for money. Pischik repays his debt to Lopakhin. He can't believe it. It turns out that the British found white clay on Pishchik’s land. He leased the land to them. Now Pischik visits all his friends and pays off debts. He returns the debt to Ranevskaya. Ranevskaya talks to Lopakhin about Varya. She believes that he should marry Vara. He doesn’t mind and offers to make an offer right now. Lyubov Andreevna calls Varya. Varya enters and anxiously examines things, looking for something. She says that she hired herself to run the house for the Ragulins. Lopakhin talks about his departure, about leaving Epikhodov in this house. Hearing his name called, he goes out. Varya is crying. Ranevskaya enters. Varya calms down and gets ready to leave. Gaev tries to make a speech, but Anya interrupts him, and he sadly says the usual: “A doublet of yellow in the middle...”

Trofimov and Lopakhin enter. Varya finds her umbrella and Petya’s galoshes. Everyone is ready to leave. Lopakhin locks the door to the house. Anya says goodbye to home, to her old life. Trofimov welcomes the new life. Everyone comes out except Ranevskaya and Gaev. Lyubov Andreevna says goodbye to the garden: “My life, my youth, my happiness, goodbye!” They go out. The stage is empty. You can hear the doors closing. The sad sound of an ax sounds. A sick Firs appears. He sees that everyone has left and they have forgotten about him. He is worried that Gaev probably didn’t put on his fur coat. He mutters something, says to himself: “Life has passed, as if he had never lived.” Firs lies down. “You don’t have any strength,” he says to himself, “there’s nothing left, nothing... Eh, you klutz!” Firs lies motionless. The sound of a broken string is heard, fading, sad. An ax is knocking in the garden.

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

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

The Cherry Orchard summary of actions

Brief summary of actions:

The first action of the play “The Cherry Orchard” takes place in the early May dawn in a room “which is still called the nursery.”

The second action 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 the argument arises that you can lose your head for the sake of love.

The fourth act of Chekhov's play takes place in an empty nursery, where luggage and other things stand in the corner awaiting removal. From the street you can hear the sounds of trees being cut down.

At the end of the play the house is closed. After which the footman 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 the sound of a string breaking and an ax hitting a tree. A curtain.

The Cherry Orchard - read a summary

Work by A.P. Chekhov - “The Cherry Orchard” begins with scenes of everyone waiting for the mistress of the estate. The owner is Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, a landowner. She went abroad five years ago, after the death of her husband and the tragic death of her beloved little son.

The lyrical play in four acts by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov describes the time of year as spring, the time when cherry trees bloom and delight the eyes of others with all their beauty. All the characters who are waiting at home for the mistress to arrive are very worried and worried, because very soon this beautiful garden must be sold to pay off all those debts that accumulated during the mistress’s absence and during the time that she lived in Paris and spent money on herself for the sake of it. In addition to her husband and son, Ranevskaya has a seventeen-year-old daughter, Anya, with whom the owner of the estate has lived abroad with her for the last five years. After Lyubov Andreevna’s departure, her relative Leonid Andreevich Gaev and her adopted daughter, a twenty-four-year-old girl, whom everyone simply called Varya, remained on the estate itself. Over the past five years, Ranevskaya has turned from a rich society lady into a poor woman with a bunch of debts behind her. 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 gets along with him. In addition to all the misfortunes that have already happened to Lyubov Andreevna, her little son Grisha tragically dies by drowning in the river. Ranevskaya simply cannot bear such terrible grief and sees no other way out but to quickly escape abroad. Her lover, unable to live without her, followed her. However, Lyubov Andreevna’s troubles do not end there. Soon her lover became very ill, and Ranevskaya simply had no choice but to settle him at her dacha near Menton and for three years almost never leave his bed 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 it, robbed it and abandoned Ranevskaya.

Leonid Andreevich Gaev and Ranevskaya's adopted daughter Varya meet Lyubov Andreevna and Anya at the station. The maid Dunyasha and a family acquaintance, merchant Ermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin, eagerly await the owner and her daughter at the estate. The father of this same Lopakhin was in previous years a serf of the Ranevskys. Ermolai Alekseevich himself became rich, but still believes that wealth did not in any way affect his character and life prerogatives. The merchant considers himself an ordinary, simple man with no special requirements. The clerk Epikhodov also comes to the landowner's estate on the occasion of the landlady's own arrival. The clerk is the same person to whom something constantly happens and who is jokingly, with a grain of truth, nicknamed “twenty-two misfortunes.”

The carriages are approaching the estate. The Ranevsky estate is filled with people who are all in pleasant excitement. Each of those in the house talks about his own things, while paying little attention to the problems and desires of those around him. Lyubov Andreevna walks throughout the estate, looks at all the rooms and, through tears of joy, remembers the past, about those very moments that gave her so much joy and warmth. The play also describes some love stories. For example, upon the arrival of the young lady, the maid Dunyasha simply cannot wait to tell her that Epikhodov himself proposed marriage 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 to borrow money from Ranevskaya. The very old and most faithful servant Firs can no longer hear anything, and all the time quietly mutters something under his breath.

The 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 as dividing the land into small plots, which can then be rented out to summer residents. This kind of proposal from Lopakhin greatly surprises Ranevskaya. She just can’t understand how it’s even possible to cut down her so 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 hundred-year-old “respected” cabinet, but then, embarrassed, he 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 had changed a lot, became less handsome, and became one of those people who study all their lives, but most often do not apply the acquired knowledge. The meeting with Petya awakens the landowner's 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 the important matters that have fallen on them lately. Gaev also recalls a very rich aunt living in Yaroslavl, who, however, does not love them. All her dislike is connected with the fact that Lyubov Andreevna did not marry a nobleman, and on top of everything else, she did not behave modestly in financial matters and in social life. Leonid Andreevich loves his sister very much, but still calls her a woman of easy virtue, which in turn causes Anya’s strong dissatisfaction. Gaev is making definite plans for the future life path of all his family members. He really wants his sister to ask Lopakhin for money so that Anya can go to Yaroslavl. Simply put, he wants to do everything possible to ensure that the estate is not sold. Gaev even swears by all this. The grumpy, but most devoted servant Firs finally takes his master, like a child, to his chambers and puts him to bed. Anya believes with all her heart 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 for further actions. Ranevskaya, Gaev and Lopakhin all had breakfast together in the city and on the way home 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 chosen a cynical and young lackey named Yasha over him. The owners of the estate, namely Ranevskaya and Gaev, in a conversation with Lopakhin, seem to not hear him at all and are talking about completely different things. All persuasion and begging lead to nothing; Lopakhin wants to leave, since there is no point in continuing this conversation with such unbusinesslike, strange and frivolous people. However, Lyubov Andreevna asks him to stay, because she really likes Lopakhin’s company.

Afterwards, Anya, Varya and Petya Trofimov come to Ranevskaya, Gaev and Lopakhin. Ranevskaya starts a conversation about such a human quality as pride, about the peculiarities of this quality and the types of people who have this quality of human character. 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 simply condemns the very intelligentsia who are completely incapable of work. He condemns those people who only know how to philosophize, while ordinary men are simply treated like animals. Lopakhin also participates in this conversation. Because of the uniqueness of his life, he is at work day and night. In his work he encounters a large number of people, but among this mass there are very few decent people. Regarding this topic, there are small disputes and some demagoguery between the participants in the conversation. Lopakhin doesn’t finish speaking, Ranevskaya interrupts him. We can conclude that most of the participants in the conversation do not want or do not know how to listen to each other. After all the arguments, there is a dull silence, in which the rather distant sad sound of a broken string can be 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 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, you must first, through suffering and labor, atone for everything bad that was done in the past. Happiness is already very close, and if they don’t see and experience it, then others will definitely see that same happiness and freedom.

The most important and responsible day is coming - trading day - 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 Firs notes, postal officials and station chiefs barely attend this event. Charlotte Ivanovna entertains everyone present at this event in every possible way with her tricks. The owner of the estate, Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, anxiously awaits the return of her brother. The Yaroslavl aunt, despite all her hatred of the landowner, still sent fifteen thousand. However, this amount was not enough to buy out the entire estate.

The former teacher of Ranevskaya’s deceased son, Petya Trofimov, tried his best to calm Ranevskaya down. He persuaded her not to think about the garden anymore, that it was finished long ago, she just needed to face the truth. Lyubov Andreevna found herself in a very difficult situation, both financial and emotional. The hostess asks not to judge her, but, on the contrary, to have pity. Without the cherry orchard, her life loses all meaning. All the time that Ranevskaya is on the estate, she receives telegrams from Paris day after day. At first she just tore them right away, but then she began to read the subsequent ones and then also tore them. The same runaway lover, whom she still loved to this day, begged her in each of her letters to come back to Paris. Although Petya does not want to cause Ranevskaya even more pain, he still condemns her for loving such a petty scoundrel, a nonentity. Insulted and very angry, Ranevskaya, with all her good manners, could not restrain herself and takes revenge on Trofimov. She calls him an eccentric, an ugly person and a pathetic neat guy. Ranevskaya focuses on the fact that people simply need to love and fall in love. Petya, hearing this addressed to him, wants to leave, but soon decides to stay and 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 home without saying anything. The Cherry Orchard turns out to be sold, and it was bought by the same Lopakhin. The new owner of the estate is very happy, because at the auction he managed to surpass the rich man Deriganov, giving ninety thousand on top of his debt. Lopakhin proudly picks up the keys that were thrown to the floor by the proud Varya. Now his main desire is for the music to continue playing and for everyone to see how Ermolai Lopakhin rejoices in the fact that he is now the owner of this entire beautiful cherry orchard.

After the news that the garden was sold, Anya had no choice but to console her crying mother. The daughter assured her mother that although the garden had been sold, life did not end there and they still had a whole life ahead of them. Anya was sure that in their life there would still be a new garden, more luxurious than the one that was sold, and that a calm, moderate life awaited them, in which there would be many more reasons for joy.

The house, which recently belonged to Ranevskaya, gradually became empty. All those who lived there, having said goodbye to each other, began to leave. Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich is going to Kharkov for the winter, Trofimov Petya returns again to Moscow, to his university and continues to live the life of a bosom student. Lopakhin and Petya exchange several barbs with each other when parting. Although Trofimov calls Lopakhin a predatory person, he still sees in him a person who is capable of tender feelings that can enter into the position of others and who subtly feels those around him. Lopakhin, out of the kindness of his soul, even offers Trofimov money for the trip. 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 a common person. Trofimov is simply confident that a person should always be free and independent of someone or something, no one and nothing should interfere with his path to achieving his life goals.

After the sale of the cherry orchard, Ranevskaya and Gaev even became happier; it was as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders, they stopped carrying this heavy burden. If before they were agitated and in constant suffering, now they have completely calmed down. Mrs. Ranevskaya’s future plans include living in Paris using the same money that was sent by her aunt. Ranevskaya's daughter Anya is inspired. She believes that right now she is beginning 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 up before her. Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik, on the contrary, instead of asking for money, on the contrary, gives away debts. It turned out that the British found white clay on his land.

All the heroes of the lyrical play settled down differently. Gaev has now become a bank employee. Lopakhin promises with all his might to find a new place for Charlotte. Varya got a job as a housekeeper for 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 reasons for this, that all people, one way or another, abandon us, we simply suddenly become unnecessary to each other.

The long-awaited explanation should finally happen between the lovers Varya and Lopakhin. For a long time, Varya has been teased by everyone around her and called Madame Lopakhina, while laughing at the fact that she still is not one. Varya, being 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 things to Varya. He spoke wonderfully about Varya and completely agreed to put an end to this matter once and for all. Ranevskaya, who was also aware of the current 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.

Play "The Cherry Orchard" ends on a sad note, when all the people who met on the estate leave it, while locking all the doors. It would seem that all the inhabitants of the estate cared and helped old Firs, but still he remains completely alone. No one even remembered that he needed treatment, peace and care. And even after this, old Firs remains a man and sincerely worries, because Leonid Andreevich went into such cold weather 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 is a deaf, utter silence, which is interrupted only by the faint sounds of an ax knocking on a tree somewhere in the distance, in the very center of the cherry orchard.

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

Speaking about the work of A.P. Chekhov, his short humorous stories, filled with deep meaning and often tragedy, immediately come to mind, and for theatergoers, he is, first of all, one of the most outstanding playwrights of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Chekhov's play “The Cherry Orchard” was the last in his work. Written in 1903, it was staged on the stage of his beloved Moscow Art Theater in 1904 and became the result of thoughts about the fate of Russia. For those who do not have time to read the entire play by A.P. Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" a brief summary of the actions will help you get acquainted with this work.

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

Main characters

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other characters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Action 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Act 2

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

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

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

Ranevskaya and Gaev are waiting for a money transfer from Aunt Countess, but the amount is not enough to pay off their debts, and renting out the land to summer residents is not acceptable for them, 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 landowners do not hear and do not understand what Lopakhin is trying to convey to them. Lyubov Andreevna reproaches the merchant for his lack of education and down-to-earth judgment. And then he tries to marry Varya to him. Gaev, as always at the wrong time, reports that he was offered a job at a bank, but his sister besieges him, saying that he has nothing to do there. Old Firs comes, remembers his youth and how good life was under serfdom, everything was clear and understandable: who is the master and who is the servant.

Then Varya, Anya and Petya join the walkers. And yesterday’s conversation continues about pride, about intellectuals who, despite their outward education, are essentially petty and uninteresting creatures. It becomes clear how different people have come together.

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

Act 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Act 4

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

Pischik runs in for a minute, to the surprise of everyone, he repays his 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 estate’s lands was like jumping off a roof for him, 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 never proposes, and Varya is very upset. The crews arrived and the loading of things began. Everyone comes out, only the brother and sister are left to say goodbye to the house in which they spent their childhood and youth, they sob, hugging each other, saying goodbye to the past, dreams and memories, to each other, realizing that their lives have changed irrevocably.

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

Conclusion

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

Test on the play “The Cherry Orchard”

After reading the summary, you can test your knowledge by taking this test.

Retelling rating

Average rating: 4.3. Total ratings received: 9059.