Act I
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PROLOGUE
Madame Ravensky went to Paris with her daughter, Anya in order to get rid of her sorrow from losing her husband and son both of them died six years ago. And the family has financial problem now, they may have to sell their cherry orchard in order to pay the debt.
A, In the nursey, Lopahin and Dunyasha are waiting for Ranevsky to come back from the station. But the train was delayed.
B. After few hours, Ranevsky, Anya and Charlotts finally came home. Everybody was so excited about their coming home. And Anya started to talk about what happend in Paris to her sister, Varya.
C. Anya told Varya that mamma was still in a low spirits, because she sold her villa and there's nothing left! That means, they are broke. What they have now are the arrears on the mortgage. So the two girls are already conscious that cherry orchard will be sold sooner or later.
D. After Anya went to bed , Lopahin started to talk about the business of cherry orchard with Ranevsky and Gaen. Lopahin had the idea to let the cherry orchard on less for summary villas in order to pay the debt. But the cherry orchard must be cut down.
E. Ravensky and Gaev didn't accept this proposal and started to digreaa from this topic. Though Lophahin still tried to persuade Ravensky to let it on lease, she still had no interests to sell her cherry orchard. Since there's not conclusion about the orchard, Lopahin left and had her to think of it seriously.
F. Gaev doesn't want the cherry orchard to be sold, too. Therefore he had an idea to ask help from their rich aunt. Since it's not a good suggestion, Anya and Varya still felt better! All of the family want to keep the cherry orchard.
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1. nosegay (p.1338) n. A small bunch of sweet smelling flowers.
2. kvass n. A type of weak beer made in Russia.
3. propitious adj. Giving or indicating a good chance of success <~for something>; favorable.
4. befall v. Used only in the 3rd person, happen to.
5. adjoining v. Be next or nearest to and joined with something.
6. parasol n. A light umbrella used to give shade from the sun.
7. wearily adv. (p.1339) Weary adj. 1. Very tired, esp. as a result of effort or endurance; exhausted. 2. Causing tiredness or boredom. 3. Showing tiredness.
8. staggering adj. something that is staggering is very surprising; astonishing; shocking.
9. arrears (p.1340) n. Money that is owned and should have been paid earlier.
10. mortgage n. Agreement in which money is lent buy a building society, bank, etc for buying a house or other property, the property being the security.
11. brooch n. An ornament with a hinged pin and clasp, worn on women's clothes.
12. mincingly adv. Mince v. Walk or speak in an affected manner, trying to appear delicate or refined.
13. vexation (p.1341) n. 1. In the state of being worried or worried. 2. Something causing annoyance or worry.
14. shudder v. To shiver violently with cold, fear, etc; tremble, shaking.
15. billiards n. A game for two people played with cues and three balls on an oblong cloth-covered table.
16. patchouli n. 1. A fragrant plant grown in the Far East. 2. Perfume made from this plant.
17. knave (p. 1342) n. Dishonest man; man without honor
18. auction (p.1343) n. A method of selling things in which each item is sold to the person who offers the most money for it.
19. verandah n. (veranda) It means porch.
20. indignant (p.1344) adj. Angry and scornful, esp. at injustice or because of undeserved blame.
21. glutton n. 1. A person who eats too much. 2. A person always ready for more of something difficult or unpleasant.
22. extenuate (p.1347) v. Make wrongdoing less serious by providing an excuse.
23. I.O.U n. Abbreviation of I owe you. A signed paper acknowledging that one owes the sum of money stated.
24. conviction n. 1. If someone has conviction, they have been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. 2. A strong believe or opinion. 3. Great confidence in your beliefs or opinions.
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The kin relationship Gaev & Lyubov(brother & sister)
Lyubov & Anya(mother & daughter)
Lyubov & Varya(mother & adopted daughter)
Lyubov & Grisha(mother & son)
Lyubov & her old aunt( the countess)
The up coming marriage relationship
Dunyasha (the maid) & Epihodov (the clerk)
Varya & Lopahin (the merchant)
The business relationship Lyubov & Lopahin
Lyubov & Phishtchik (the landowner)
The master- servant relationship
Lyubov & Dunyasha Lyubov & Firs (an old valet)
Lyubov & Yasha (a young valet)
The teacher- student relationship
Charlotta (the governess) & Anya
Petya Trofimov (the tutor)& Grisha
The landowner-Pishtchik to Lyubov is like a burden.
The relationship between mother and daughter is close. The daughters are aware of the financial problem they have; as a result, they worry about their mother and try to console her.
The relationship between brother and sister is rather close, too. Though they will have arguments over trifle, by and large they seem to know each other well, and they will help each other when one is in need.
The merchant-Lopahin is not welcome by Lyubov and Gaev, for he tries to persuade them to sell the orchard. The relationship is not only involved in business but also marriage of Varya and Lopahin. It's quite ironic for the situation. Like one is going to marry her daughter to a man, who is a threat to your family.
The servants are loyal to their masters. Especially the old valet Firs. He is like an old father who takes care of everything in the house and he even forces Gaev to go to bed. Gaev listens to him just like a little boy who is being asked to go to sleep. Varya, Anya, and Dunyasha are more like sisters rather than the master and servant relationship. Dunyasha watches them grow up and knows them well, like a big sister always being around.
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(External Links) Chekhov, 19th century Russian dramatist and short story writer, Introduction to Literature (Spring, 2000)