Giraud 1 Reality, Illusion and Foolish Pride In the play "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov set in Mrs. Ranevsky's estate and " A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen set in Helmers' flat the protagonists shape the story. In both plays the protagonists' mental beliefs combine reality and illusions that 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 …showed first 75 words of 1128 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1128 total…the end Helmer downfall socially and emotionally became apparent. Throughout each of these plays, the main characters faced a reality that they cease to accept, and instead live in an illusion. The refusal to accept a reality or illusion led to the characters' fall in status and/or emotional well being. Works Cited Chekhov, Anton. Five Plays " The Cherry Orchard". New York: 1980. 249-250. Ibsen, Henrik. Four Major Plays "A Doll's House". Oxford, New York: 1981.83-85.