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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Trofimov do after storming out in Act III?

2. What can Varya not live without?

3. Which character implies the precursor to socialist thought in Russia?

4. Which character represents the dissolving upper class of turn-of-century Russia?

5. Which character represents the rising middle class of turn-of-century Russia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event is taking place in the beginning of Act III? What purpose does this event serve to the story?

2. Trofimov is a character who speaks about philosophical ideals throughout the play. What are the concepts and ideals that he speaks about?

3. Explain the argument between Lyubov and Trofimov in Act III.

4. Describe the setting of Act II. What characters are in the opening of the scene, and what are they doing?

5. Who is the Countess? How does she play into the plot? Where does she live?

6. Who is involved in a "love triangle" in the play? How?

7. Does Firs have loyalty to the family? How do we know?

8. What is the emotional state of Lyubov at the beginning of Act III? Why?

9. What does Lopakhin suggest that Lyubov and Gaev do with the estate in Act II? What is their reaction?

10. What are Lyubov's "sins," referred to by her in Act II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the characters of Dunyasha and Lyubov. What similarities do they share? What differences? What are the main actions, objectives, and obstacles of these characters in the overall narrative?

Essay Topic 2

The Cherry Orchard is set in Russia just after the turn of the twentieth century and explores the theme of social upheaval. How does Chekhov's play represent the changing social climate in Russia? What characters in particular reinforce this theme? How does the playwright use symbolism, imagery, and setting to reflect this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the settings in The Cherry Orchard. What does the setting of each act represent within the play? Why are there setting changes? What themes are revealed through the surroundings in the play?

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