Free «Journal on The Cherry Orchard» Essay Sample

The Cherry Orchard is the last play written by Anton Chekhov. From the author’s point of view, it is known to be a comedy, but nowadays, an abundance of critics considers it to be a tragedy. I agree with the thesis that the play has more peculiarities of a tragedy rather than the ones of a comedy.

One of the most climacteric scenes in a play is the one directed in the final act of the play; it is a farewell of the main characters Madame Liubov Andreievna Ranevskaia, Leonid Andreievich Gaiev and Varia; this scene proves the fact that the play has the features of a tragedy. The characters understand that they leave their house and the cherry orchard, and they will never see it in the form it is now. This house and the orchard near it are a symbol of their family. They cannot help keeping in mind their recollections, which trace back to their life in the house and their childhood, in particularly. Madame Liubov Andreievna Ranevskaia admits that when she had no debts and she had an opportunity to live in this house and admire their cherry orchard, which was considered to be one of the best gardens in the country, she did not notify the significance of them, but now she notices even the slightest details of the walls of the house. She is more than excited with her household; it is proved by the fact that she asks the new owner of it, Ermolai Alexeievich Lopakhin, not to devastate the cherry trees as long as she does not leave the house.

The behavior of the characters is one more proof of The Cherry Orchard is a tragedy. In spite of the happiness of Ania and Peter Trofimov, Madame Liubov Andreievna Ranevskaia cries. Although she risks being late for her train, she does not wantto leave the house as long as possible. Even five minutes are of great importance for her as if these moments can make her happier.

In conclusion, the scene of the characters farewell, the most important event in their life, gives a play a tragic climax. It makes the audience feel the tragedy in every word or motion of the characters; these issues are foremost for putting an emphasis on the tragedy as the cherry orchard is not just trees - it is a history and a symbol of happiness of the whole family, whereas the deforestation of it means its decay.