Act 1, Prologue
• The main character, Tevye, addresses the audience while the fiddler hops around on the roof.
• Tevye speaks of the importance of tradition for the villagers, explaining that it maintains balance within the community.
• He doesn't know how these traditions began, but he follows them because they help everyone know what part to play in life.
• The villagers sing about the specific roles expected of the papas, mamas, sons, and daughters.
• The matchmaker talks about a perfect match between a young woman who doesn't see very well and a young man who isn't much to look at.
• A beggar complains when he gets only one coin since the previous week he had received two.
• The rabbi gives a humorous blessing for the Tsar, asking that God keep him away from their village.
• Both Jews and Russians live in the village and each side tries to not bother...
This section contains 2,694 words
(approx. 9 pages at 300 words per page)