How does Anton Chekov use symbolism to comment on political and social changes in feudal Russia in “The Cherry Orchard”?

How does Anton Chekov use symbolism to comment on political and social changes in feudal Russia in “The Cherry Orchard”?

In Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, a unconventional but beautiful family heirloom is used as the focal point of the Ranevsky family crisis, bringing into focus everything from the changing political systems in late-19th-century Russia to the fall of the serf-feudal social structure to the family’s own emotional turmoil. The sale of the Ranevsky’s cherry orchard seems at first a very personal tragedy for the family and represents the loss of their memories and proud past, yet Chekhov is able to magnify this calamity and make it applicable to all of Russia; it is his method of foreshadowing. The loss of this prized symbol of the Ranevsky’s represents the loss of Russia imperial age as whole and its progression into the Bolshevik era, despite Chekhov never being alive to witness it. Ultimately however, Chekhov remains ambivalent about this change, and not only utilises the cherry orchard to illustrate this but a variety of contrasting characters that symbolise the old and new Russia.

The cherry orchard is used to symbolise the past or the passing of time; more precisely the orchard could be a vivid illustration of the oppressive past. Chekhov’s play almost mimics the various changes that were happening in Russia at the time as the orchard further illustrates the inability of the aristocratic class to maintain their stature and power. The argument between Mme. Ranevsky and Lopakhin is especially indicative of this rift between the classes – Ranevsky being the classic aristocrat and Lopakhin ascending from poverty and serfdom.

“Mme Ranevsky: Cut it down? How... Forgive me, you appear not to understand... If ther...

... middle of paper ...

...r to work on it, several wealthy families fell into financial hardships, “the cherry” orchard in the play is representative of this reality.

Symbolically speaking the serf is now buying out the Noble man and woman. This act of the former serf buying out the orchard from the noble family (Renevsky family) is the symbol, the connection between the orchard; which is a representation of the noble status, and the purchaser who is Lopakin; an individual who has a serf background depicts the change of Russian society and its ideals. This is the ultimate change that Chekhov fits in the play, the purchase of the land by Lopakhin to appease the demons of his serf ancestry is the ultimate indication of political and social change; the Ranevskys have been thrown out of their home, and the rising middle classes seems no more compassionate or liberal than the nobles before them.