Modernism In The Cherry Orchard

A recurrent theme throughout Russian literature of the nineteenth century is the conflict between the values of modernism and the values of old Russia. In 1861, Russia 's vast population of serfs were liberated for good, bringing a long-awaited social change. The nineteenth century introduced two main ideas to Russia which are displayed in the play, “The Cherry Orchard”. The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov focuses on the lives of a group of aristocratic Russians in the wake of the Liberation of the serfs. The play “The Cherry Orchard” describes a world in development. It illustrates the final stages in the ending of the old fashioned structure in the Russian society. The cherry orchard is something that is clarified by the different characters

“Look, Mother 's walking in the orchard. In a white dress”. (931) Her vision of her own mother walking through the cherry orchard reinforces the picture of a woman who can’t let go of the past. She cannot acknowledge that she has lost her money, her estate, indeed her way of life. She even gives her purse away to her departing peasants. She is adamant about returning to Paris to a ruthless lover sure to leave her penniless. Lopakhin regards the Liberation as an opportunity to create a better life. He takes action, working day and night to advance socially and economically. He succeeds by becoming the owner of the cherry orchard estate and seizing the power of the aristocrat Madame Ranevsky. Lopakhin says in elation, "if only my father and grandfather could rise from their graves and see the whole affair" (952). The elderly Firs fails to hear the call to action. He is always talking about how things were in the past on the estate, he frequently talks about how life was before the serfs were freed. He is the only surviving link to the estate 's glorious past, and he comes to symbolize that past. He pays no attention at all to the Liberation and chooses instead to live his life obedient as if freedom had never occurred. He drags around, waiting on people who generally take him for granted as they would a piece of the