Cherry Orchard
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The Economy of Comedy
A Marxist Analysis of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard
By: Elizabeth A. Petow
Senior Honors Thesis University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences Department of German and Russian Advisor: Professor Kevin J. McKenna April 30, 2010
Acknowledgements
This honors thesis would not have been possible without the wisdom, advice, and “suggestions” of my thesis advisor, Professor Kevin McKenna. Throughout my college career and especially throughout the writing of this honors thesis, he has always been a source of encouragement and support for which I am truly grateful. I would also like to thank Professor R. Thomas Simone and Professor Kathleen Scollins for their time and work as part of my defense committee.
Petow-2
Table of Contents
Introduction …………….……….…….………………….……………………….…......4 Chapter 1: Marxist School of Criticism …...……….….…….……………….….…....11 Chapter 2: The Cherry Orchard as Comedy …….……..………….………...….…...16 Chapter 3: Estrangement in Literature ……….....……...……...…………………….26 Chapter 4: Textual Analysis ………………………….…………………...…………..33 Conclusion …..………..…………………...………..……………………………....…..60 References .…..………..…………………...………..……………………………....…..63
Petow-3
“Why do you say in your telegram that there are many weepy people in my play? Where are they?...There‟s no cemetery in the second act.” Anton Chekhov in a letter to Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko1
Introduction
In 1904, the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) witnessed the premier of Anton Chekhov‟s last production, The Cherry Orchard. Chekhov began writing what he himself called a comedy in 1903, although he had intended to write such a play since his last production, Three Sisters. Following the first performance of The Cherry Orchard in 1904, many stage companies and critics have misinterpreted this play, changing its content into a dramatic performance that Chekhov had never anticipated – a tragedy. This honors thesis focuses on a discussion of how...
A Marxist Analysis of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard
By: Elizabeth A. Petow
Senior Honors Thesis University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences Department of German and Russian Advisor: Professor Kevin J. McKenna April 30, 2010
Acknowledgements
This honors thesis would not have been possible without the wisdom, advice, and “suggestions” of my thesis advisor, Professor Kevin McKenna. Throughout my college career and especially throughout the writing of this honors thesis, he has always been a source of encouragement and support for which I am truly grateful. I would also like to thank Professor R. Thomas Simone and Professor Kathleen Scollins for their time and work as part of my defense committee.
Petow-2
Table of Contents
Introduction …………….……….…….………………….……………………….…......4 Chapter 1: Marxist School of Criticism …...……….….…….……………….….…....11 Chapter 2: The Cherry Orchard as Comedy …….……..………….………...….…...16 Chapter 3: Estrangement in Literature ……….....……...……...…………………….26 Chapter 4: Textual Analysis ………………………….…………………...…………..33 Conclusion …..………..…………………...………..……………………………....…..60 References .…..………..…………………...………..……………………………....…..63
Petow-3
“Why do you say in your telegram that there are many weepy people in my play? Where are they?...There‟s no cemetery in the second act.” Anton Chekhov in a letter to Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko1
Introduction
In 1904, the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) witnessed the premier of Anton Chekhov‟s last production, The Cherry Orchard. Chekhov began writing what he himself called a comedy in 1903, although he had intended to write such a play since his last production, Three Sisters. Following the first performance of The Cherry Orchard in 1904, many stage companies and critics have misinterpreted this play, changing its content into a dramatic performance that Chekhov had never anticipated – a tragedy. This honors thesis focuses on a discussion of how...