Fiddler On The Roof Notes

There are a lot of people working in a villiage. Now, there is a man standing on top of his roof playing the fiddle.
The oldest daughter (Tzeitel) doesn't want the match maker to decide who she marries. The girls are talking about how she must get matched in order for them to get matched later. Two girls are singing outside about the matchmaker. The other girls are trying to tell her that she won't get matched with a good guy. That since she comes from a poor family, she can't complain about who she gets matched with.
Tevye is in the barn with the horses. He starts talking to God about how he made many poor men. Then, he begins to sing about what life would be like if he was rich. He then goes into town. There are a group of men who run up to him with a newspaper. There is an add in the paper about people who were forced to leave their home. A young boy named Perchik. He has an education. The boy states that one day all of the rich people's money will become theirs. He said he will make a living by giving children lessons. He tells Tevye that he will teach his 5 daughters about the bible. Tevye introduces Perchik to his daughters.
Tzeitel pulls Motel aside and tells him to ask her father for her hand in marriage. At first, he backed out and Tzeitel was very upset. The family stands around the table and says a prayer before they eat.
Lazar Wolf and Tevye have a meeting. Lazar tells him that he really likes his daughter and that he wants to marry his daughter. Tevye is thinking to himself about all of the positive things about Lazar. After a while, he tells him that it is a match, and he can now be with his daughter. The men go to the bar and tell everyone there the good news. Everyone begins singing and dancing. They all get drunk.
Perchik goes down by the river and sees Hodel. He tells her that times have changed and begins dancing with her.
Tevye goes into the barn to see Tzeitel. He tells her that she will be marrying the butcher. She doesn't seem very excited about it. She finally tells her father that she doesn't want to marry the butcher. He gets very angry and begs him to not force her to marry him. Motel steps into their conversation and says that a year ago he and Tzeitel gave each other a pledge that they were going to get married. Suprisingly, Tevye accepts and says she can marry Motel instead of Lazar Wolf. The two children are so excited. They go running through the fields singing.