The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov is a play based around the late 1800's about freedom and change both historical and personal .
The events in the play happen because of the values that Lubov deems important. She likes remembering how things used to be and to holds onto the part of her past when everything was wonderful. Living in her past is her escapism from the pain in her present she refuses to accept change and therefore has no freedom as she is trapped in her old life.This is the whole reason why she refuses to sell the cherry orchard, the sentimental value of the orchard is too strong as she has some of her most happiest childhood memories there and reminds her of a better time of her life. Anya sats to Varya
“She had already sold her villa at Mentone, she had nothing left…And Mamma wouldn’t understand! When we had dinner...she always ordered the most expensive dishes, and tipped the waiters a whole ruble'
It seems easier for Lubov to keep living like everything is the same as this keeps up the illusion that nothing has changed. That is why she orders food and tips waiters like she usually does even though she does not have any money to spare.
Firs grows up on The estate as a servant and even though the serfs are freed (historical event) he continues to serve the family. He does this because he is afraid of change and this also contributes to the major value in his life, order. He can not live without someone to serve.
Firs: Yes! Me go to bed, and who’s to hand things round? Who’s to see to things? I’m the only one in the whole house.
He is committed to a life of serving and that he, in fact, defines his existence based on this sense of order and prides himself on not changing after the emancipation of the surfs.
Lopakhin’s sole value is money. He is very ambitious as he grew up the son of a peasant and this aspired him to be more than that. His value of money goes beyond just wanting to be wealthy he is embarrassed of his past. He did not want to live and serve on other people’s land like his father resulting in the urge to become something better becoming his weakness. He is so consumed with the conquest of his past that he ignores the person that he admits he loves and breaks theirs and their mothers heart by buying the estate, something that his father was never able to do, and he brags and makes sure everyone knows it.
“I bought the estate where my father and grandfather were slaves, where they weren’t even allowed to enter the kitchen.”
Although unable to change his prioritisation of money Lopakhin is the only one who has the courage to overcome his past and the ambition to conquer his future. Being able to move on in the face of tragedy and change.