Act I of The Cherry Orchard was slightly confusing at first. With all of the funny names, it was difficult to understand what was going on. Watching the film production while trying to follow along in the book definitely helped with understanding. The difference between the servants and the people who owned the house was extreme, at least in the way they carried themselves. "Mama" or Lyubov, although in debt and broke, acted as if she hadn't a care in the world. Anya, disgusted by her mother's actions, told Varya how her mother behaved: "she always ordered the most expensive things and gave the waiters a whole rouble." The essence and apearance idea came to mind with the way they carried themselves. When Yasha "embraces" Dunyasha, she screams, and he exits the room hastily. Yet when asked what is the matter, she simply says through her tears "I have broken a saucer." This gives us a realistic, and disturbing, idea of what goes on between servants and masters.
Another interesting piece of information we receive in Act I is the relationship between Anya and Trofimov. Anya expresses joy upon hearing his name, and Trofimov states "tenderly" that she is his "sunshine...[his] spring." Apparently, something is going on between them, or is about to start.
Chekhov has an amazing way of presenting information and introducing us to the story. Events are already occuring, and we know their situation. It is as if we were thrusted into the middle of the play - in a good way.
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