Extra Play Time! "The Boor" by Anton Chekhov

           

What is it?

           This play was originally written in Chekhov's native Russian, and therefore has a couple of different translations (also known as "The Bear" in English). To start, our two main characters are Mrs. Helena Popov and Grigori Smirnov. Initially, they have two very different objectives. Popov wants to mourn for the loss of her husband, who passed away about 7 months ago. She wants to waste away behind closed doors to show her endless devotion to her beloved. While Smirnov rudely interrupts her bereavement, bursting into her house, demanding that she pay him the money owed to him by her late husband. He has interest to pay and needs the money owed to him to-day. The point of attack occurs when Popov explains to Smirnov that she has no money until her manager returns in a week. Smirnov is frustrated because none of his debtors have paid him and says that he will not leave her house until he gets paid!

Why do we care?

            What becomes interesting about this play as you get into it, is that neither of these people are really after what they claim to be after. While Popov claims she is in a deep depression, as you read further you realize that she is only trying to prove to her lying, cheating husband that she is better than him, and she will forever be loyal. She says of her husband, "his departed soul may see how I love him...he was often unjust to me, cruel, and--he wasn't faithful, but I shall be faithful to the grave and prove to him how I can love."(Chekhov, p. 1) It's her way of sticking it to him the only way she knows how, even if it has to be post mortem. Meanwhile, Smirnov is not staying simply to collect the money, he is looking to make a point. Smirnov tries to play the womanizing playboy angle, and Popov appears unimpressed. He wants respect and is very annoyed that this woman will not kowtow to his wishes. She yells at him that he is , "a Boor, a Bear, a Monster!" They have both been burned by their past lovers and continue to argue, battle of the sexes style, both hoping to top the other one and in that way getting some closure to past loves.

How does it end?(caution **SPOILERS**)

             Slowly, Smirnov begins to weaken his stance as he experiences Popov's strength. This culminates in her challenging him to a duel, pistols and all! What's really funny about the whole thing is that she brings back the guns and asks, "Here are the pistols. But before we have our duel, please show me how to shoot. I have never had a pistol in my hand before!"(Chekhov, p. 9) It's the first time that she shows vulnerability toward him. Ultimately, Smirnov refuses to duel, having fallen in love. After much objection, Popov finally consents and the two embrace, having fallen truly, madly, deeply in love after only a couple of hours of knowing each other. Did I mention this was a farce?