How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Julius West's translation.
Quote #4
LOPAKHIN. Up to now in the villages there were only the gentry and the labourers, and now the people who live in villas have arrived. All towns now, even small ones, are surrounded by villas. And it's safe to say that in twenty years' time the villa resident will be all over the place. At present he sits on his balcony and drinks tea, but it may well come to pass that he'll begin to cultivate his patch of land, and then your cherry orchard will be happy, rich, splendid. (1.124)
Lopakhin just really doesn't know how to speak their language. Does he think that Lubov and Gaev will be enamored of the image of hundreds of burghers setting up house on their land?
Quote #5
VARYA. [To YASHA] Your mother's come from the village; she's been sitting in the servants' room since yesterday, and wants to see you. ...
YASHA. Bless the woman!
VARYA. Shameless man. (1.192-194)
Though he is a servant, Yasha wants to be a man of leisure. He won't acknowledge his mother, who reminds him of his peasant past.
Quote #6
GAEV. The peasants don't love me for nothing, I assure you. We've got to learn to know the peasants! (1.214)
Do the peasants really love Gaev? Does he have anything to do with them? The only interactions we see are the encounter with the vagrant – which Gaev handles with total distaste – and a farewell speech at the top of Act 4.