constable informs Tevye that their district will face a "little unofficial demonstration" to impress an inspector who might visit. He tells Tevye as a courtesy, wanting to avoid any trouble between them.

Act I, Scene 6
Outside Tevye’s house, Perchik is teaching three of Tevye’s daughters. Golde calls the girls away to start Tevye’s work since he is still in bed. Before Hodel leaves, she and Perchik talk. Perchik compliments her intelligence and dances with her, defying local customs. Tevye enters, followed by his wife. When Tzeitel and her sisters come out, her parents inform her about the match with Lazar. While her parents, especially Golde, are pleased, Tzeitel is not. She confides in her father that she does not want to marry the butcher. Tevye assures her that he will not force her into the marriage.

Motel rushes in, out of breath. Tevye tries to dismiss him, but Motel insists on proposing himself as a suitor for Tzeitel. Tevye calls him crazy. Motel explains that he and Tzeitel promised to marry over a year ago. Though Tevye is hesitant to break tradition and the agreement with Lazar, he ultimately agrees that Motel should marry Tzeitel.

Act I, Scene 7
That night in Tevye and Golde’s bedroom, Tevye tells his wife about a terrible dream: Lazar Wolf’s first wife, Fruma-Sarah, appeared and insisted that Tzeitel should not marry Lazar. Later in the dream, Golde’s mother told Tevye that Tzeitel should marry Motel. Convinced, Golde agrees that Tzeitel should marry Motel.

Act I, scene 8
On a village street, people discuss that Tzeitel is marrying Motel instead of Lazar. Villagers visit Motel's shop to congratulate him. When Chava, one of Tzeitel's sisters, is left to mind the shop while Motel attends to his wedding hat, several Russians block her way. Another young Russian, Fyedka, insists they stop bothering her. The Russians step aside, allowing her to pass. Fyedka compliments her, mentioning he has seen her reading and admires her thirst for knowledge; he gifts Chava a book.

Act I, scenes 9-10
Motel and Tzeitel's wedding takes place in Tevye's yard.

Inside the house, the wedding reception unfolds. The couple is toasted, and gifts are presented. Lazar stands to offer congratulations, but when Tevye interrupts, Lazar becomes angry about their broken agreement. They argue until Perchik highlights that Tzeitel wanted to marry Motel. The radical idea that personal desires should outweigh tradition disturbs the guests, particularly Yente the matchmaker. Perchik further stirs the situation by asking Hodel to dance, which is unprecedented for a man to do at a wedding. Tevye then asks his wife to dance, and soon the entire crowd joins in, except for the bitter Yente and Lazar.

The celebration is abruptly halted by the Constable, who announces that Russian officials will demonstrate their power that evening. Perchik attempts to intervene but is struck down. After the destruction, the Constable apologizes, and he and his men move to the next house. The guests begin to clean up.

Act II, Prologue
Tevye speaks to the heavens. It is now two months later, and Motel and Tzeitel are happily married. However, Motel still lacks a sewing machine. Tevye prays to God, asking for a sewing machine for his new son-in-law.

Act II, Scene 1
Outside Tevye's house, Hodel and Perchik appear. Hodel is distressed because Perchik is leaving for Kiev to attempt to change the Russian policies that led to the raid during Tzeitel's wedding reception. Perchik proposes to Hodel, and she accepts. When Tevye arrives, Perchik informs him of their decision. Tevye initially refuses to give his permission. Hodel and Perchik clarify that they seek only his blessing, not his permission. Though upset, Tevye grants both his blessing and permission. He then informs Golde of his decision, which angers her as he did not consult her. They reconcile by the end of the scene, expressing their love through the song "Do You Love Me?”

Act II, Scene 2
In the village, Yente informs Tzeitel that she has seen Chava with Fyedka. She also hands Tzeitel a letter from Perchik to Hodel, revealing that Perchik has been arrested in Kiev. This news sparks a wave of gossip throughout the village. Yente attributes the chaos to men and women dancing together.

Act II, Scene 3
At the railroad station, Hodel and Tevye await a train. Hodel is leaving to join Perchik in Siberia, where they plan to marry. She aims to support him in his social activism. Although Tevye does not want her to go, he blesses her journey nonetheless.

Act II, Scenes 4-5
Several months later, the villagers discuss Tzeitel and Motel's new baby. In Motel's shop, a new sewing machine has arrived, and the rabbi blesses it. Fyedka enters, causing a silence among the villagers. After he leaves, Chava follows him, expressing her fear of revealing their relationship to her family. When Tevye comes by, he asks them to remain distant friends. Chava insists they wish to marry, which angers Tevye, who refuses.

Act II, Scene 6
Tevye is pushing his cart along the road because his horse is unwell. Golde finds him and tells him that Chava has left home with Fyedka, and the couple has married. Tevye declares that Chava is dead to them now. He maintains this stance even when Chava arrives, pleading for his acceptance.

Act II, Scene 7
Inside the barn, Yente approaches Golde, bringing two teenage boys as potential matches for the remaining daughters. Golde thinks they are too young to marry. Many villagers then enter the barn, followed by Tevye. Rumors circulate in the village. The Constable arrives and announces that everyone must sell their belongings and leave the village within three days. Tevye is furious but realizes the futility of resisting.

Act II, Scene 8
Outside Tevye’s house, everyone is busy packing. The youngest daughters are accompanying their parents to America, while Tzeitel, Motel, and their child will stay in Poland until they can save enough money to join them. Yente announces that she is heading to the Holy Land. Golde insists on cleaning the house before their departure. Chava arrives to say goodbye; she and Fyedka are moving to Cracow. Tevye gives Chava his blessing, healing the rift between them. The play concludes with the family leaving for their train.