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The Cherry Orchard is a play by Anton Chekhov, first performed in 1904
. It tells the story of an aristocratic Russian family who are forced to sell their estate, including its famous cherry orchard, to pay off their debts. The play is a tragicomedy that explores themes of social change and generational conflict. It is often interpreted as a commentary on the decline of the Russian aristocracy and the rise of the middle class. The Cherry Orchard is considered a classic of modern drama. It has been adapted for film and television numerous times.Read the full free text, the full play summary, an in-depth character analysis of Lyuba Ranevsky, and explanations of important quotes from The Cherry Orchard.