The Cherry Orchard
By Anton Chekhov
Departure from Serfdom
The Cherry Orchard was penned in the middle of one the greatest ages of social upheaval in the history of the world. Its author, Anton Chekhov, was born in Russia in 1860, the year before Alexander II, czar of Russia, abolished servitude. Chekhov's grandfather was a servant, but his father went beyond "serfdom," and became a grocer. Chekhov elevated himself to an even higher level by becoming a doctor, a landowner, and a respected author and playwright.
The human tragedies of the Lenin era become known through Chekhov's integration of himself and his ideals into The Cherry Orchard. The Social Democratic Labor Party in Russia was founded in 1898, and in 1903, Lenin was in power as the head of the Bolsheviks. The Cherry Orchard was written in 1904.
In his work, Chekhov places himself, vicariously, in the character of Lopahin.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. Oil on canvas. From the c...
Anton Chekhov's Birthhouse in Taganrog, Russia
English: Memorabilia related to Anton Chekhov's Th...Lopahin is one of the main characters in The Cherry Orchard. Lopahin is objectively seen as either antagonist or protagonist, dependent on the reader's point of view. He is, just as Chekhov, the descendant of serfs, but has risen above his ancestors' status to become a landowner. He achieves this end through peaceful means. Lopahin personifies the peaceful takeover of a monarchy by the once enslaved serfs.
The emotional aura, which permeates from beginning to end, is a vehicle for Chekhov to stress his lack of animosity of and his compassion for the old ruling class. In Act I, while attempting to be civil and to work within the system, Lopahin addresses Madamé Ranevskaya, a landowner. His comments concern her brother, Leonid Andreyevich, and are an attempt to expose the convictions of his heart. Lopahin expresses his lack of aggression toward his friend when he says, "Your...
Historically Accurate
I cannot say in relation to the book how this is portrayed, but from what I have learned (most recently in fact) of the era in Russia, your historical references seem correct. However, towards your essay, I think you tried to make a point of antagonist vs protagonist, but I don't think it was needed. I dont' know the assignment, but if you did not need to include it, you shouldn't have. If you did though, it would have been wise to mention it in your thesis. Instead, it came out of nowhere at the end of your 5th paragraph.
He is, however, telling a family to destroy the one thing they hold most dear in order to survive. Could this be antagonist or protagonist? Again, it is a measure of both.
-Again? You didn't mention it once to mention it again. The antagonist-protagonist idea, had it been left out, would have made this essay much smoother. Otherwise, good job, a very good reference to someone looking for information on this play.
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