Fiddler on the Roof

At the start of Act 1, Scene 1, Tevye’s five daughters—Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze, and Bielke—are helping their mother, Golde, with chores to prepare for the Friday night Sabbath dinner. Golde catches Chava reading and takes the book, asking whether reading will be useful when she is trying to find a husband before returning it. Shprintze, the second-youngest daughter, announces that she sees Yente on the road, and Hodel suggests that the matchmaker may have found a man for Tzeitel, the oldest, to marry. Golde sends Shprintze and Bielke, the two youngest daughters, out to play, and shoos the rest out of the house. Tzeitel complains that Yente only brings her old, bald men, and Golde tells her daughter that “a poor girl without a dowry can’t be so particular” (6).

Tzeitel leaves and Yente enters, announcing that she has news. Yente chatters about marriage, and Motel the tailor enters, looking for Tzeitel. Golde tells Yente that Tzeitel and Motel are only friends and have been since childhood, but Yente warns: “From such children, come other children” (7). Yente starts to leave, but Golde reminds her that she had news. Yente tells Golde that Lazar Wolf, the town butcher, has expressed interest in marrying Tzeitel. Golde protests that Tevye wants Tzeitel to marry an educated man, but Yente points out that Lazar is rich and will win Tevye over, even though Tevye does not like Lazar. The three oldest girls reenter, and Golde does not tell Tzeitel what Yente said. Tzeitel tells Chava and Hodel that she is not excited for Yente to find her a match, and the girls tease her that she is only interested in Motel. They sing “Matchmaker” and at first describe the rich, handsome, educated men that they hope Yente will find for them before realizing that because they are poor, they will be lucky to be matched with men who aren’t elderly or abusive. Finally, they plead that the matchmaker should take her time.

Scene 2 begins outside of Tevye’s home as Tevye arrives from work. Tevye talks to God, lamenting that he has five daughters and no money. Golde comes out and Tevye informs her that his horse is at the blacksmith’s. Golde tells him that she has news and to hurry into the house before sundown. Tevye sings “If I Were a Rich Man” (13), dreaming of how his life might be different if he weren’t poor and how if he were rich, he would command respect and his wife and daughters would have better lives. Before he can go inside, several men—including Reb Mordcha, the innkeeper, Avram, the bookseller, and Mendel, the Rabbi’s son—show up, complaining that Tevye, a dairy farmer, did not deliver their orders. Tevye tells them that he had an issue with his horse. Avram tells the other men the news that Jews in the village of Rajanka had been kicked out of their homes. Avram speculates that there may have been a plague or the Tsar simply wanted their land. Avram wishes a plague on the Tsar and the others agree.

Perchik, a student from Kiev, criticizes the men for cursing the Tsar and never taking any action. The men become offended at Perchik for failing to respect his elders, but Tevye agrees. He hastily adds that they are all right, and most of the men leave as soon as Tevye fulfills their dairy orders. Alone with Mendel and Perchik, Tevye prompts him to introduce himself and offers him cheese when he catches him staring at it. Perchik tries to pay, but Tevye refuses, adding: “You know, it’s no crime to be poor” (18). Perchik replies, “In this world, it’s the rich who are the criminals. Someday their wealth will be ours” (18). Perchik tells Tevye and Mendel that “ordinary people” (18) will make this happen. Tevye asks Perchik how he will survive until then, and Perchik tells Tevye that he teaches children. Learning that Tevye has five daughters, Perchik offers to teach them, noting: “Girls should learn too. Girls are people” (18). Mendel calls him “a radical” (18). Tevye tells Perchik that he is poor too but offers food as payment for lessons and Perchik accepts. Tevye invites Perchik to share his family’s Sabbath dinner.

At the start of Scene 3, Tevye brings Perchik into the house and introduces him to his family. Tevye tells his daughters that Perchik is a teacher, and Perchik adds that he is “a very good teacher” (20). Hodel responds, “I heard once, the Rabbi who must praise himself has a congregation of one” (20), and Perchik is impressed with her wit. Golde instructs everyone to hurry and wash for dinner, noting that Motel is also eating with the family. Golde sends Tzeitel, Chava, and Motel to set the table. Tevye begins to pray and Golde interrupts, telling him that Lazar Wolf wishes to meet with him, although she claims that she has no idea why. Tevye resists, but Golde presses him. Tevye agrees to go and see Lazar Wolf after the Sabbath, although he is convinced that the butcher only wants to buy Tevye’s new cow, which Tevye is not interested in selling. He returns to his prayers.

Motel, Tzeitel, and Chava are carrying the dinner table inside, and Tzeitel tells Motel that Yente visited. Tzeitel worries that if Motel doesn’t ask Tevye for his permission to marry her soon, Yente will find a match and it will be too late. Motel is concerned that Tevye will say no since he is a poor tailor, but Tzeitel exclaims that she is only the daughter of a poor dairy farmer, insisting: “Motel, even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness” (23), convincing him to speak to Tevye. Tevye enters and calls them in to light the Sabbath candles. Motel starts to ask Tevye about Tzeitel but becomes intimidated and wishes Tevye a “Good Sabbath”(24) instead. The family and guests gather around the table and sing “Sabbath Prayer,” in which Tevye expresses his wish to his daughters that God will “send you husbands who will care for you” (24).

The next evening, Scene 4 opens in the town’s inn, where Lazar Wolf waits for Tevye to appear. At the surrounding tables, several familiar faces are present including Avram and Mendel. Lazar asks the Innkeeper for his best brandy, suggesting that they might be celebrating a wedding soon. Tevye enters, convinced that Lazar only wants to talk about buying his cow. Tevye immediately tells Lazar that there is no point to discussing the issue, and they banter back and forth—a disappointed Lazar believing that they are talking about Tzeitel and Tevye believing that they are talking about cattle.

Finally, Lazar realizes the mistake and tells Tevye that he wants to marry his daughter. Lazar insists that he would not require a dowry and insinuates that he might even give Tevye some money. Tevye becomes outraged at the suggestion that he would sell his daughter for money, and Lazar apologetically states, “We won’t talk about money,” adding, “I will be good to her, Tevye. I like her… What do you think?” (28). Tevye pauses the scene and addresses the audience, unsure of how to answer Lazar’s question. Tevye eventually realizes that although Lazar is no scholar and is much older than Tzeitel, he will provide for her. He agrees, and Tevye and Lazar celebrate, drinking and singing “L’Chaim,” a Hebrew toast that means “To Life” (29).

Outside the inn, Scene 5 takes place as Tevye and Lazar leave. Lazar tells Tevye that after the wedding, Tevye will be his papa. Tevye replies, “Your papa! I always wanted a son, but one a little younger than myself” (32). They meet a Russian Constable, who congratulates Tevye on his daughter’s impending marriage. The Constable tells Tevye that he has information that he has decided to share with him because “[Tevye] is a decent, honest person, even though [he] is a Jewish dog” (33). The Constable has learned that the Russians have ordered a “little unofficial demonstration” (33) in their village. Tevye worries that there will be a pogrom—an attack on the Jewish people in the area—but the Constable assures him that it will only be “some mischief, so that if an inspector comes through, he will see that we have done our duty” (33). The Constable suggests that Tevye spread the word among the Jewish people. Tevye thanks him, but speaks to God, asking: “Why did you have to send me news like that, today of all days? It’s true that we are the chosen people. But once in a while can’t you choose someone else?” (34).

In Scene 6, Perchik is teaching Shprintze and Bielke the story of Laban and Jacob, in which Jacob works for Laban for seven years in order to marry Laban’s daughter Rachel, but Laban tricks Jacob into marrying his other daughter, Leah. The moral of the story, according to Perchik, is that “you must never trust an employer” (34). Golde enters, exclaiming that since Tevye is still asleep after his night of drinking, the girls must do his chores. Hodel, who has been listening, comments, “I don’t know if the Rabbi would agree with your interpretation” (35). Perchik replies knowingly that perhaps the Rabbi’s son would not agree either. Toward Chava, who is churning butter, Hodel says pointedly, “My littles sisters have big tongues” (35). Perchik suggests that Hodel is only interested in Mendel because he is the Rabbi’s son. Perchik tells her that she is smart, but her brains will go to waste following traditions that require her to become a housewife. Perchik criticizes customs that limit affection between men and women. Perchik dances with her. Hodel, who has been confident and outspoken, becomes flustered.

Tevye appears, still hung over from celebrating, and tells Hodel to call for Tzeitel. Golde comes in, criticizing Tevye for drinking all night and asking what he and Lazar discussed. When Tzeitel enters, Tevye informs her that she is to marry the butcher. Tzeitel is confused and dismayed, but Golde is thrilled, stating that Tzeitel will have a much better life than Lazar’s first wife, Fruma-Sarah, who “was a bitter woman, may she rest in peace” (38). Hodel and Chava congratulate their sister dispiritedly, and Perchik sarcastically congratulates Tzeitel for landing a wealthy husband, as money “is no reason to marry. Money is the world’s curse” (38). Perchik leaves and Tzeitel begs her father not to force her to marry Lazar, crying: “I’ll be unhappy all of my days” (39). Surprised, Tevye agrees.

Motel enters and tells Tevye that he needs to speak to him. Tevye attempts to brush him off, but Motel insists. He asks Tevye for permission to marry Tzeitel, and Tevye criticizes him for breaking tradition. Motel tells Tevye that “times are changing” (41) and that he and Tzeitel had pledged to marry each other a year ago. To the audience, Tevye sings “Tevye’s Monologue,” wondering what is becoming of the traditions they live by and where that leaves him as the father. But Tevye is impressed with Motel’s words and finally gives his consent. Tzeitel and Motel are ecstatic. Then Tevye remembers that he will need to tell his wife and exits, asking heaven to help him. Alone, Tzeitel praises Motel for convincing Tevye, and Motel sings “Miracle of Miracles,” likening Tevye’s acquiescence to the miracles in the Torah.

At the beginning of Scene 7, Tevye tosses and turns in bed, screaming for help. Golde turns the lights on and asks why he is yelling. Tevye claims that he was visited by Lazar Wolf’s first wife, Fruma-Sarah. At Golde’s prompting, he narrates and reenacts his supposed dream. In his dream, Golde’s grandmother Tzeitel, who died 30 years ago, and the Rabbi congratulate Tevye on young Tzeitel’s engagement to Motel. Golde insists that Grandma Tzeitel must have been confused, which Tevye tells Grandma Tzeitel. Grandma Tzeitel insists that Tevye is the one who is mistaken and that Tzeitel must marry the tailor. Suddenly, the dream chorus becomes afraid, announcing the arrival of the furious Fruma-Sarah. Fruma-Sarah screeches at Tevye for allowing his daughter to marry her husband, swearing that if Tzeitel marries Lazar, Fruma-Sarah will kill her in her sleep. Frightened at Tevye’s fabricated dream, Golde agrees that Tzeitel must marry Motel the tailor.

Outside Motel’s tailor shop, Scene 8 shows townspeople gossiping about the news that Tzeitel is now marrying Motel rather than Lazar. Motel asks Yussel, the hat maker, for a wedding hat, and he asks Chava to watch his shop while he goes to be fitted. The townspeople offer Chava their congratulations for Tzeitel’s engagement. After they leave, a group of Russians mockingly congratulate Chava, standing in her way and refusing to allow her to pass and get to Motel’s shop. One Russian, Fyedka, breaks them up and orders the other Russians to leave Chava alone. After they leave, Fyedka apologizes, saying: “They mean no harm” (56). Chava asks, “Don’t they?” (56). Chava tries to walk away, but Fyedka wants to talk to her. He has noticed that she reads a lot and offers her a book. Chava turns him down, but Fyedka insists, promising to engage her in discussion about it when she finishes reading. Motel returns, asking Fyedka if he can help him. Fyedka starts to leave and Motel calls after him: “Oh, you forgot your book” (56). Chava interjects, “No, it’s mine” (56). Fyedka and Chava wish each other a good day.

Scene 9 is Tzeitel and Motel’s wedding. They mime the ceremony as Golde and Tevye sing “Sunrise, Sunset,” amazed that the two children have grown up and gotten married. Golde wonders: “What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way?” (58). Tevye responds, “Now they must learn from one another day by day” (58). The chorus joins in, singing about the passage of time. At the end of the song, Motel steps on the glass again signaling the end of the ceremony and eliciting cries of “Mazeltov!” (57) from the guests. The guests perform a traditional celebratory dance in which they balance wine bottles on their heads.

In Scene 10, the men and women sit in Tevye’s yard, separated by a partition. The Innkeeper congratulates the newlyweds. He welcomes the Rabbi, whose son Mendel helps him to his seat. The Innkeeper announces that Tevye and Golde have gifted them with a new bed, goosedown pillows, and candlesticks. Lazar Wolf stands and announces that he, in order to show that he bears the couple no ill will, is gifting them five chickens.

Tevye praises Lazar’s generosity, but Lazar becomes angry at Tevye, criticizing him for breaking their agreement. The guests intervene, begging Lazar not to start trouble at Tevye’s daughter’s wedding, and Mendel interjects, claiming that his father, the Rabbi, wants to speak. After a pause, the Rabbi states, “I say… I say… Let’s sit down” (61). The Innkeeper attempts to move the party along, but Tevye begins the argument again and the crowd joins in as they shout at each other. Golde insists that her grandmother appeared in a dream, and Yente retorts that her grandfather appeared in a dream and called Golde’s grandmother a liar. Perchik interrupts the shouting, stating that Motel and Tzeitel had chosen each other because they were in love. The guests are scandalized at the idea of a girl choosing her own husband.

The Innkeeper tries to bring back peace, encouraging the guests to dance. Finally, Perchik stands and asks one of the women to dance with him. Shocked, the guests appeal to the Rabbi, who admits that dancing with the opposite sex is “not exactly forbidden” (64). Hodel stands to dance with Perchik and Tevye joins in with Golde. The wedding guests dance, minus Lazar and Yente who leave in a huff. While the dancing reaches its peak, the Constable enters with a gang of Russians. He apologizes before they begin trashing the wedding. Perchik attempts to intervene, but another Russian hits him in the head with a club, knocking him to the ground. The Constable apologizes again, and the Russians leave. Golde tells her daughters to bring Perchik inside while Tevye tells everyone else to clean up the mess. One of Tzeitel and Motel’s new candlesticks has been broken. At the fence, Chava notices Fyedka watching them and goes back to cleaning.