Charlotte Ivanovna Character Analysis in The Cherry Orchard

Anya’s governess Charlotte is a quirky woman of few words. She carries a gun and performs parlor tricks such as card tricks, ventriloquism, and illusions; despite her ability to brighten a room, though, Charlotte harbors a great inner sadness. The orphaned daughter of circus performers, Charlotte is stateless, and doesn’t know where she was born or how old she really is. As a servant whose life is dedicated to the well-being of others, she has no one to talk to about her own problems and must instead focus on keeping everyone else around her happy and comfortable.

Charlotte Ivanovna Character Timeline in The Cherry Orchard

The timeline below shows where the character Charlotte Ivanovna appears in The Cherry Orchard. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Ranevsky, her daughters Anya and Barbara, and Anya’s governess Charlotte enter the room in a bustle. Gayef (Ranevsky’s brother), Lopakhin, Dunyasha, and a neighbor named... (full context)

...left for Paris last month, and has had to endure the company of the odd Charlotte, who kept trying to amuse her with card tricks, for weeks. Barbara apologizes for sticking... (full context)

Charlotte, Yasha, Dunyasha, and Ephikhodof are out in the open fields behind the house, at the... (full context)

Charlotte, having finished mending her own gun strap, slings her rifle over her shoulder and leaves,... (full context)

Ranevsky and Charlotte enter. Ranevsky asks where Gayef is—she wonders what could be taking so long. Trophimof suspects... (full context)

Ranevsky, Gayef, Anya, and Charlotte enter the room. It is nearly time for them to go to the station, and... (full context)

...is like a “fish out of water,” and is in a terrible depression. Anya and Charlotte leave the room. Ranevsky turns to Lopakhin and asks him why he won’t propose to... (full context)

...new work appointment on time. Ranevsky calls for Anya to get ready; Anya, Gayef, and Charlotte enter along with Ephikhodof, who starts taking the luggage out. (full context)