Introduction
The Cherry Orchard is a play of political change that communist Russia observed in its 1917s. The play basically highlights the social and political rise of the working class as well as the decline of the aristocratic or feudal class. While also shedding a light to the reaction of the higher class on change. They were uncertain about the change which was knocking at their doorsteps. Let's begin dissecting The Cherry Orchard as a Political Play from the division of classes at the time of the Communist Revolution.
Division in the Class
In Russia, the class division continued to create a divided atmosphere for the privileged and unprivileged people. The division existed between the aristocratic class and the serfs. Before the Communist Revolution, the aristocratic class enjoyed luxury, power and a great deal of privileges, not to mention a gigantic patch of lands. But all such privileges were made possible through the hard work of serfs yet they were not allowed to enter into the kitchens of their masters. Lopakhin gives an account of the condition of the serfs,
I’ve bought the estate where my grandfather and my father were slaves, where they weren’t even allowed into the kitchen.
It is also notable that the feudal aristocratic class did nothing to justify their luxurious life. However, the backbone behind their luxury depended on their serfs. It created a host of problems for them when the season of change came in.
The Rise of Working Class
The Cherry Orchard realistically portrays the social change taking place in both the class. However, after serfs were awarded with their respective rights. Thus, the possibility to elevate their social status became possible. They were allowed to run their own business as well as to purchase estates. Such development of progress for the common working class is shown through the character of Lopakhin. As he himself asserted, he was the grandson of the "slaves" who worked day and night in the fields of their master. However, upon being awarded with the rights, Lopakhin is not only able to develop his own business, but also able to surpass the aristocratic class by claiming their own Cherry Orchard into his possession.
The cherry orchard is mine now, mine! [Roars with laughter] My God, my God, the cherry orchard’s mine!
Reaction by the Aristocrats
The play also highlights the reaction of the Feudal class over the downgrade to their social status. It is obvious that they are not happy with the change. When serfdom is abandoned, they have nothing special to do except to move into another country. For instance, Lyubov and her family shift in Paris, France. She lavishly bestows her wealth on a disloyal "lover" of hers. Resultantly, she and her family is unable to meet their expenses. She and her family are rather unfit for the job because they spent their life doing nothing. Therefore, the only option left for their financial stability is to utilize their Cherry Orchard. Lopakhin, being a practical person, gives a piece of practical advice to build cottages and lease them. The advice is rejected because the aristocratic class is still obsessed with their past of possessions (and this is the core reaction of the aristocratic class on the change). The auctioning of Cherry Orchard deprives the aristocrats of their 'valuable' assets. But the reaction of the young aristocrats is optimistic as Anya resolutes,
We’ll plant a new garden, finer than this.
Conclusion
Thus, The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov realistically conveys the political and social outburst of the Communist change that made the serfs the active contributors for their society.
