Once It Is Over

Anagnorisis: the moment when a character of the play realizes something.

“GAEV. (…) Before the orchard was sold, we were all worried and wretched, but afterwards, when once the question was settled conclusively, irrevocably, we all felt calm and even cheerful. I am a bank clerk now-I am a financier-cannon off the red.” (Chekhov 112)

Once Gaev says it, Chekhov points out how obvious this statement is. What’s funny is that throughout the whole play the characters fight the idea of selling their beloved orchard and try to avoid the possibility as a solution for their worrying economic situation, and they pity themselves for the terrible decision they have to make and when sold, Gaev recognizes their relieve and Lyubov agrees. It reminds me when I was little and I kicked and cried and screamed when I had to cut my hair and when it was over I walked out of the salon smiling at my new hair and my mom burst out laughing because of the exaggerated and unnecessary drama she had to put up to to cut my hair.

Gaev’s anagnorisis reveal their real situation and his own position as a “bank clerk” only, an employee and his conformism with it. So that’s it! They are not entirely happy, but they are not worried either, what next? The play ends with quiet the same emotion and tone as it began. A decision was made because it had to be made for the sake of everyone. I live a similar situation at my own real home, when my parents talk about business and selling property and they complain and then are relieved and then complain again. Chekhov revives a quotidian event and Gaev comprehends the simplicity of it after it’s over.