The Bear By Anton Chekhov Summary

The Bear By Anton Chekhov Summary:

The Bear is a comedy play. It has 2 main characters: Popova and Smirnov. Popova is a young woman whose husband is dead; however she continues to be mourning at his death. She doesn't leave the house and meet anyone and she is sporting a black dress to prove that she loves her husband even after seven years of his death. Although he was so unkind and disloyal to her yet she is and will be faithful him for ever. Her servant, Luka, is pacifying and telling her that she is young and may forget her dead husband now. He says there are several smart individuals around and she ought to get married again, however, she is so connected to her husband’s reminiscences that she doesn't agree with him.

The Bear by Anton Chekhov Summary:

A young man, named Smirnov, comes to Popova to induce his debt back that Popova’s husband had borrowed from him because he used to purchase oats for his horse, Toby. He tells Luka that he desires to see Popova however she refuses to see him. He pushes his way in and sits in the drawing room. Luka goes to inform Popova that the devil has come in forcibly.  Popova sees Smirnov and tells him that she is in a state of mind that she cannot concentrate to cash matters. She also says that he can get his money once her steward comes back from town; however, Smirnov says that he needs the money now because he has to pay the interest and if he does not do that the creditors will take his estate and give him a tough time. At this Popova says that since she does not have cash at the moment, she cannot pay.

Smirnov becomes angry because he has been calling on his debtors; however none of them has paid him and here he is met by Popova in a very state of mind. Smirnov becomes angry at this. Smirnov's attitude becomes rude and he says, “You cannot win my heart with your dimpled cheeks and weeds.I even have refused twelve ladies and 9 have refused me. I even have fought duels thrice on account of ladies.” He calls all girls insincere, selfish, faithless, and trivial to the marrow of their backbone. Popova additionally calls him a bear 3 times. This leads both of them to a fight, which can decide whether only men want pay for their insults or girls should also pay, as they need liberation. Luka becomes afraid and goes to call gardener and other servants to prevent these individuals from fighting. Popova brings pistols; however she doesn't know how to fire. Smirnov teaches her. The process of asking for debt and Popova’s fashionable attitude makes him fall in love with her. He madly loves her like a student. Popova also begins to love him. Instead of fighting, they're drawn close to one another.  When Luka, returns with gardener and different servants, he finds each of them in happy union and Popova says, “Tell them in the stables that toby isn't to possess any oats at all today.”

The Bear by Anton Chekhov is Farce?

The Bear is a farce. The boisterous conditions create it an entire farce. It's an on the spot criticism on hypocrisy of the individuals of Russian society that how their states of mind change and how they behave differently from their actual nature.