Overview

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.

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools