Final answer:
Trofimov brings back bad memories for Mrs. Ranevsky as he reminds her of her deceased son for whom he was a tutor and represents societal changes that challenge her nostalgia for the past.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks why Trofimov would bring back bad memories for Mrs. Ranevsky. To understand the context, Trofimov is a character in Anton Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard, often representing the youth's idealism and the inexorable change happening in Russia at the time. Mrs. Ranevsky, on the other hand, is the play's protagonist, a Russian landowner who has lived in Paris and returns to her ancestral estate facing financial ruin.
Memory and the past are significant themes in the play, and Trofimov's presence evokes the painful recollection of Mrs. Ranevsky's son's death, who drowned on the estate when he was young. Trofimov was the boy's tutor and is a reminder of this tragic event.
Furthermore, as a student and an idealist, Trofimov is also a symbol of the societal changes occurring in Russia. His opinions and visions for the future are at odds with Mrs. Ranevsky's nostalgic clinging to the past, amplifying her distress and the sense of loss.
Thus, interacting with Trofimov is a source of anguish for Mrs. Ranevsky as he not only brings forth personal grief but also challenges her inability to adapt to Russia's shifting landscape.
His presence forces her to confront her past and the impending loss of her cherry orchard, which is much more than just an orchard to her—it represents her family history and her youth, all of which are slipping away.