The Cherry Orchard

Act II opens in a field in front of the cherry orchard, where Charlotta, Yasha, Dunyasha, and Epikhodov are having a picnic. Charlotta is snacking on a cucumber as she talks about her life. She tells the others that a German woman took her in after her parents died; she says she doesn’t know her own age or anything about her family. She muses that she has no one to talk to.

Meanwhile, Epikhodov plays the guitar, trying to get Dunyasha’s attention. However, she talks with Yasha, asking him about his experiences living abroad. Epikhodov boasts about how educated he is and produces a revolver, saying he is never sure “whether to live or to shoot [him]self” (33). At the sight of the gun, Charlotta decides to leave the group and walks away, telling Epikhodov he is “very clever” and “very terrible” (33).

Epikhodov argues that fate has been “pitiless” with him and tells Dunyasha that he would like to speak to her alone. She agrees, but she first sends him on an errand to bring her cloak. With Epikhodov gone, Dunyasha confesses that she is in love with Yasha but worries that he will “deceive” her.