Protagonist
Madame Lyobov Ranevsky, the protagonist of The Cherry Orchard, has been having an affair with a man in Paris. When the play begins, she has just returned from Paris to Russia after an absence of five years. Out of money, she has come home to face the fact that she must probably sell the cherry orchard, to which she is much attached. She is grieved that the orchard is to be sold at auction.

Antagonist
Madame Ranevsky's antagonist is selling the cherry orchard. Although she would love to retain the orchard, which was her childhood home, she is deeply in debt and can no longer afford to maintain it. Both she and her brother try to raise money from a variety of sources, but they fail miserably. In the end, the orchard is auctioned and bought by Lopahin; with no place to live in Russia, Lyobov returns to Paris to take care of her lover, who is very ill.

Climax
Throughout the first two acts, the audience is made to wonder if the Cherry Orchard will be sold, and if so, to whom. The climax of the play occurs when it is announced that Lopahin, a former slave, has purchased the orchard.

Outcome
The play is a tragedy, for Lyobov loses her beloved childhood home, the cherry orchard. She weeps when she learns it has been sold and weeps when she must finally leave.

MOOD
The main mood of the play is largely melancholic as Lyobov struggles unsuccessfully to save the cherry orchard. When she winds up losing her childhood home to a former slave at the orchard, she has a great sense of loss. There are, however, moments of happiness in the play, especially when Lyobov rejoices to be home and throws a grand party.