A.P. CHEKHOV’S THE CHERRY ORCHARD AND GARDENS OF THE RUSSIAN SOUTH AT THE END OF THE 19TH - BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

Abstract

Starting with the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century Russian literature (L.N. Tolstoy, V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko, A.P. Chekhov, I.A. Bunin, I.S. Shmelev) discussed the theme of barbaric destruction of trees, removal of age-old restrictions for cutting down gardens and fruit trees. Very often the damage done to trees was connected with social cataclysms such as War in the Caucasus, Revolution and Civil War.

A.P. Chekhov loved trees and the way his characters treat trees is an eloquent characteristics in A.P.Chekhov’s plays. While doctor Mikhail Astrov in Uncle Vanya grows forests, Natasha from The Three Sisters looks forward to chopping down the maple tree and the alley of fir trees. The last remark of The Cherry Orchard “there is only the thud of an ax on a tree” serves as prologue to an imaginary Act V which is the subsequent history of Russia. In A.P. Chekhov’s play the cut down cherry trees symbolized a dramatic change of social and cultural paradigm. For new rulers of Russia immediate pragmatic benefit, as was the case with Lopakhin’s plan in the famous play, continues to seduce and prevail in human thinking and decision-making. Thus beautiful vineyards of Tsymla, considered to be a miracle, were destroyed without any possibility of restoration. Kuban was turned into an experimental field for growth of rice and cotton, causing air and water pollution, skyrocketing death rate among the people living in the area. Apocalyptic associations arise showing that human beings today do not cope with their universal mission to protect and cultivate Garden of Eden created for Mankind.

Key words: A.P. Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard, cherry orchards as a cultural realia of the Russian South, a garden, a fruit tree.