Lopakhin: The Businessman With Bad Handwriting

Throughout Act II of The Cherry Orchard, Chekhov characterizes Lopakhin as an individual who’s whole life is dedicated to business. As a close family friend, his opinion affects the decisions made by Yasha and her family. Early into the act, Lopakhin states that he has “never seen such frivolous, such queer, unbusinesslike people as you, my friends. You are told in plain language that your estate is to be sold, and it’s though you don’t understand it” (Chekhov, 341). Generally speaking, someone who handles business isn’t found insulting the proprietors’ skill in terms of their possessions. I would find Lopakhin’s commentary offensive and would probably dismiss him. In turn, Lyubov Andreyevna responds by asking: "But what are we to do? Tell us what to do” (Chekhov, 341). Maybe its part of Chekhov’s satire, showing that the somewhat wealthy can be truly naïve individuals.

As Lopakhin continues showing how the cherry orchard must be converted into summer cottages, we find that Lyubov is conscientious about the workers’ situation: “Cottages, summer people – forgive me, but it’s so vulgar” (Chekhov, 341). The possibility that some of the characters’ interests respond to different necessities and social classes is evident. Lopakhin, being bread in a humble family shows disgust toward his ancestors as he remembers how his father “was a peasant, an idiot; he understood nothing, taught me nothing; all he did was beat me when he was drunk, and always with a stick” (Chekhov, 343). The casualty with which Lopakhin mentions his childhood, mirrors the casualty with which day to day conversations occur. Lopakhin may have felt he was out of line in previous commentaries and needed to show himself as a humble individual through some allusion to his past.

Lopakhin continues this allusion to his childhood by saying: “I never learned anything, my handwriting’s disgusting, I write like a pig – I’m ashamed to have people see it” (Chekhov, 343). Lopakhin certainly shows to be a complex character who needs assurance of his skill and distancing from his past. As I searched for a good piece of Bill Gates’ handwriting I found the picture above, taken from a note to Ric Weiland, cofounder of Microsoft, in this article. Maybe it is a businessman’s trait to have bad handwriting. I sure hope so!