The Cherry Orchard: Analysis of Setting
"The Cherry Orchard," a play by Anton Chekhov, intricately explores the setting of Madame Ranevsky's estate, which is emblematic of the broader social and economic changes occurring in early 20th-century Russia. The estate consists of a large house where significant events unfold across three acts, beginning in a former nursery that serves as a gathering space. The second act transitions to a nearby field, showcasing the interplay between nature and the estate. The opulence of the drawing room is revealed in the third act, juxtaposing the grandeur of the past with the impending loss faced by the family. The cherry orchard itself stands as a poignant symbol of both beauty and decay, visible in its vibrant spring bloom in the first act and later in its autumnal desolation in the final act. The setting reflects the inescapable realities of Madame Ranevsky's life, influenced by her financial irresponsibility and connections to Paris, while also framing the characters’ relationships with the changing landscape of their world. This layered setting invites reflections on themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time, resonating with audiences through its rich visual and emotional tapestry.
The Cherry Orchard: Analysis of Setting
First published: 1904 as Vishnyovy sad (English translation, 1908)
First produced: 1904
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Impressionistic realism
Time of work: Early twentieth century
Places Discussed
Ranevsky estate
Ranevsky estate. Madame Ranevsky’s estate is located somewhere in the provinces of central Russia. Three acts of the play take place in her large house. Act 1 is set in what was once the nursery, a large, high-ceilinged room which has become an informal meeting place. The second act is set in a field not far from the house, near an old chapel. The third act reveals the true opulence of the house: Its drawing room with a chandelier is in the foreground, and dancing couples can be seen in the ballroom through arches at the rear. Act 4 returns to the nursery, now stripped of its decorations and ready to be vacated by Madame Ranevsky and her family. Madame Ranevsky’s world is doomed by economic and social forces usually identified with offstage places. A station is nearby, from which characters go to Russian cities like Kharkov and Moscow. Madame Ranevsky’s problems are made acute by her irresponsibilities with both men and money, both of which are associated with Paris.
Cherry orchard
Cherry orchard. The most important part of the setting of three of these acts is the visible symbol of the fragile and doomed beauty of Madame Ranevsky’s world, the cherry orchard itself. It is revealed in all its blooming spring beauty through the large, tall windows in act 1. In the next act, it is visible at the edge of the field. It can be seen again in the desolation of act 4, denuded now of its blossoms because it is October.
Bibliography
Barricelli, Jean Pierre, ed. Chekhov’s Great Plays: A Critical Anthology. New York: New York University Press, 1981. Seventeen essays that cover Chekhov’s dramatic art and the individual plays. The essays on The Cherry Orchard include the editor’s “Counterpoint of the Snapping String: Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard” and Francis Fergusson’s “The Cherry Orchard: A Theater-Poem of the Suffering of Change.”
Magarshak, David. Chekhov the Dramatist. New York: Hill and Wang, 1960. A thorough discussion of such topics as plays of direct action, transitions, and plays of indirect action, using Chekhov’s development as a dramatist as the context.
Peace, Richard. Chekhov: A Study of the Four Major Plays. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1983. A solid study of Uncle Vanya (1897), Three Sisters (1901), The Seagull (1896), and The Cherry Orchard. Excellent for basic information and knowledge about the plays.
Pitcher, Harvey. The Chekhov Plays: A New Interpretation. New York: Harper & Row, 1973. Offers bold new interpretations and nonstandard views, which make this study a valuable contribution to the understanding of Chekhov’s plays. The chapter on The Cherry Orchard is particularly illuminating.
Valency, Maurice. The Breaking String: The Plays of Anton Chekhov. London, England: Oxford University Press, 1966. One of the best treatments of Chekhov’s plays. Valency analyzes Chekhov’s approach to theater, and individually discusses all the plays, including The Cherry Orchard.