The Cherry Orchard - Bernard Beckerman (essay date 1971)
Bernard Beckerman (essay date 1971)
[An American critic and educator specializing in the field of drama, Beckerman wrote Dynamics of Drama: Theory and Method of Analysis (1970) and served as the editor of the "Theater and Dramatic Studies" series published by UMI Research Press. In the following essay, he contrasts dramatic analysis and literary interpretations ofThe Cherry Orchard, maintaining that most critics fail to acknowledge the distinction.]
Peter Trofimov is a contradictory fellow. He attacks the depressing habits of Russian life and prophesies happiness to come. Articulate and idealistic, he expresses what lies beyond the felling of the cherry orchard. But he also takes a condescending tone towards others, quite convinced of his superiority. Priggish and insensitive, he exhibits a ludicrous obliviousness to primary human concerns. The Soviet critic, Vladimir Yermilov, considers him "good for nothing." Admittedly Peter has a...
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