Two Works by Anton Chekhov
Essay Preview: Two Works by Anton Chekhov
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Anton Chekhov is the author of both The Cherry Orchard and “A Visit to Friends.” Both works have similar characteristics and are typical of Chekhovs writing style. Three of these characteristics are the setting of the story, family, and nature.
The settings of both “A Visit to Friends” and The Cherry Orchard are in rural areas of Russia. Specifically, the setting for “A Visit to Friends” is in the tiny village of Kuzminky. Tatyana and Varya do not want to leave, but Sergei Sergeyich does not mind. Similarly, in The Cherry Orchard everyone but Anya is happy to leave the rural estate. The characters, who are happy to leave, feel that way because they have a completely different life ahead of them. Another commonality is that the setting in both stories is constant. In The Cherry Orchard, the setting is always Madame Ranevskayas estate. Likewise, in “A Visit to Friends” the setting is always the Losev estate.
In both “A Visit to Friends” and The Cherry Orchard, the plot revolves around a single family. The relationships between all of the members of the families are very complex, especially in The Cherry Orchard. The conflict facing each family is the selling of their homes due to bankruptcy. In both stories they look to a rich friend to bail them out. Both families also want this friend to marry one of their members. In “A Visit to Friends” Podgorin is asked to marry Nadezhda and in The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin is asked to marry Varya. Chekhov is able to share his view on family life through both stories.
Chekhovs use of nature is evident in both “A Visit to Friends” and The Cherry Orchard. In The Cherry Orchard, the main focus of the play is the conflict over what to do with the orchard. On one hand there is Lopakhin who wants to change the orchard into a village of summer cottages. On the other hand is Lyubov Andreyevna who cannot bear to see the orchard cut down. Eventually, Lopakhin and his money win out over Andreyevna. In “A Visit to Friends,” Podgorin desires to be left alone, so he goes to the garden. Here, he feels peace and comfort. Chekhov shows the impact of nature and uses it to develop strong natural imagery.
In conclusion, Chekhovs interpretation of family and nature can be found in both “A Visit to Friends” and The Cherry