While reading The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, I have noticed that Varya seems to be more of a mother figure towards Anya, than Lyubov Andreyevna. Especially in Act I, when they return home after five years. Varya says to Anya, “Thank God, you've come! You're home again. [Caressing her.] My little darling has come back! My pretty one is here!” (Chekhov 320). Varya treats Anya as if Anya is her daughter. However, Lyubov does not show the same type of affection towards Anya, as Varya does.
In the character listing, it says that Varya is Lyubov's adopted daughter. The relationship between Varya and Anya, seems to be more than step-sisters. Varya tells Anya, “... If we could marry you to a rich man I'd be at peace” (Chekhov 321). Varya seems to care more for Anya's future, before she can care for her future. Lyubov does not care about how Anya is, and who she will marry. Varya seems to be the perfect mother figure for Anya, than Lyubov.
Why does Lyubov not care as much for Anya, as Varya? Is it because of her past relationships that is mentioned in Act III?
Why does Varya care so much for Anya? Is it because she is the perfect daughter figure that she wants?
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ReplyDeleteCarolyn, you bring up an interesting point. I also noticed the mother-daughter relationship between Varya and Anya. However, I do not believe Varya cares for Anya because “she is the perfect daughter figure that she wants.” I believe Varya’s mother role is due to Lyubov’s absence. As the oldest sister, Varya has taken up her mother’s responsibilities for the family. In act I, we learn that Varya managed the estate while Lyubov was in Paris. Therefore, other responsibilities as the matriarch of the family include caring for Anya.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I agree that “Lyubov does not care about how Anya is.” Lyubov’s daughters seem to care more about their mother, than Lyubov cares for them. After the cherry orchard is sold in act III, Anya comforts her mourning mother. She cares for Lyubov. As an emotionally unstable parent, Lyubov needs her daughters’ care and comfort.
However, Lyubov does not return parental care. If Lyubov cared for Varya and Anya, than she would not have went to Paris. Varya and Anya needed a mother after the loss of their father and brother. Instead, there was a new matriarch of the family: Varya.
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ReplyDeleteCarolyn and Deanna, I agree with you both on how Varya takes more of a motherly role in Anya's life than Lyubov. Because Lyubov does not return her affection and attention to her daughters, I also believe that is a reason why Varya takes on a motherly figure. Anya needs someone in her life to guide her and to shape her into a fine young woman. Since Lyubov is not around to fulfill that role in Anya's life, I feel that Varya replaces her to mold Anya into a proper lady. Maybe Varya feels that she must take on that responsibility because she did not have a motherly figure in her life? Because Varya is adopted and the fact that Lyubov is absent in both Varya and Anya's life, I have a feeling that Varya acts like a mother because she did not have a motherly figure. I believe that Varya does not want Anya to go through the same situation.
ReplyDeleteAs Act III mentions Lyubov's past relationships, I do not believe that Lyubov's problems give her a reason to neglect her daughters. I believe that Lyubov has always been an irresponsible mother. In Act I, we find out that Lyubov's son drowned in a river. Although we do not know the reason why he drowned, the fact that the boy drowned might show us something? His death might show that Lyubov is not a good parent. Why else would Varya take on the motherly figure? Seems to me that Lyubov does not have good parenting skills because her son drowned and she neglects her living daughters.
I think that Lyubov is selfish because she seems to only think about herself. In Act III, Lyubov knows that she has been robbed and heartbroken over this one man, yet she still wants to return back to him. Why? Because she is lonely? Because she wants that romantic type of affection? I think that is selfish because she wants the romantic kind of affection when she already is loved by her daughters. Lyubov may think she is not loved when in reality, she is. Lyubov is already loved - by her daughters. Lyubov does not have a reason to feel any loneliness. The fact that Lyubov wants go to Paris for the fool instead of taking part in her daughters' life is a ridiculous thought to consider, in my opinion.