The Cherry Orchard begins with a homecoming. The main character Lubov believes that, in returning home, she can restore her life to a state of innocence. Ever heard that saying, "You can never go home again?" Lubov learns the hard way. Home has become a bittersweet mixture of happy and sad memories, worry, and conflict. It's under siege by economic forces and social change. The Cherry Orchard begins with a homecoming, but ends – just six months later – with an eviction.
Questions About Home
- How does each character define home?
- What does Lubov come home looking for?
- What do you make of Charlotta's homelessness?
- Why is Varya left behind to look after the house?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Trofimov's home is in his head, and he invites Anya to live there.
Abandoned to the estate and, at the end of the play, a new family, Varya is just as orphaned as Charlotta.