Previous to the play even beginning, Chekhov foreshadows the events and tone of his piece by stating the title as, “The Bear, A Joke in One Act” (Chekhov, p.1571). The key word that Chekhov uses to inform the reader of the tone of his piece is “Joke.” The definition of a joke is, “something said or done to provoke laughter, especially a brief narrative with a humorous climax” (Merriam-Webster, p.403). Given the description of the title, the reader should already make the conjecture that this particular play’s purpose is solely

The entertaining characteristic about Smirnov is the lack of respect he shows by using vulgar language and being insulting towards Mrs. Popov and Luka. “I didn’t come to your steward, but to you! What the hell, if you’ll pardon the expression, would I do with your steward”, Smirnov states (p. 1573). He repeatedly refers to Luka as, “Hey you.” “What I need is a drink! Hey, You!” (p. 1574), “Hey, you, water!” (p. 1578). “Who are you talking to? Shut up!” as he yells at Luka again later in the story (p. 1574). “Shut up! Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ll make mince meat out of you!”, again yelling at Luka (p. 1576)

The dialogue of the play is so astonishing at times that it cannot be taken as anything other then entertainment. “This broad has put me in such a rage! All I have to do is see one of those spoiled bitches from a distance, and I get so angry it gives me a cramp in the leg. I just want to shout for help”, states Smirnov (p. 1573). “Only old and ugly ladies are faithful and constant! You’re more liable to meet a horned cat or a white woodcock than a faithful woman!”, Smirnov says to Mrs. Popov (p. 1575). “I challenge you! I’m not going to let anybody insult me, and I don’t care if you are a woman, a delicate creature!”, Smirnov states to Mrs. Popov, challenging her to a duel (p. 1577). Smirnov then states, “Devil take it, if women want to be equal, they should behave as equals! Let’s fight!” (p. 1577).

Aside from all the outrageous dialogue and actions of the char

Some topics in this essay:
Smirnov Popov, Act” Chekhov, Hey You”, I… I’m, Roberts Jacobs, Positively Positively”, Chekhov Smirnov, Anton Chekhov’s, Popov Luka, No We’ll, smirnov popov, pay can’t, can’t pay, roberts jacobs p1570, roberts jacobs, jacobs p1570, smirnov 1573, throughout story, tone piece, don’t talk, throughout play, can’t pay can’t,