Reality, Illusion And Foolish Pride

Reality, Illusion and Foolish Pride

In the plays The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, A Doll's

House by Henrik Ibsen, and Galileo by Bertolt Brecht, the

protagonists' mental beliefs combine reality and illusion that both

shape the plot of each respective story. The ability of the

characters to reject or accept an illusion, along with the foolish

pride that motivated their decision, leads to their personal downfall.

In The Cherry Orchard, by Anton Chekhov, Gayev and Miss

Ranevsky, along with the majority of their family, refuse to believe

that their estate is close to bankruptcy. Instead of accepting the

reality of their problem, they continue to live their lives under the

illusion that they are doing well financially. The family continues

with its frivolous ways until there is no money left (the final night

they have in the house before it is auctioned, they throw an

extravagant party, laughing in the face of impending financial ruin)

Even when Lopakhin attempts to rescue the family with ideas that could

lead to some of the estate being retained, they dismiss his ideas

under the illusion that the situation is not so desperate that they

need to compromise any of their dignity.

Lopakhin: As you know, your cherry orchardŒs being sold to pay your

debts. The auction is on the twenty second of August. But there¹s no

need to worry, my dear. You can sleep soundly. There¹s a way out.

Here¹s my plan. Listen car...

Reality, Illusion And Foolish Pride

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