“The Bear” / “The Boor”

By Anton Chekov

Analysis by Emilia Plasek

 Part 1: Script Analysis

1. Consider the significance of the title and discuss why it is important to understanding the play
and theme, especially for contemporary audiences.

The title of “The Bear/ The Boor” is symbolic for the character of Smirnov – who’s a big and
burly “bear” of a man. He’s large and aggressive, like that of a bear (or a boor.) The action of the
play happens because Smirnov arrives at Popov’s estate.

2. Is this a comedy or tragedy? Is there any other way to interpret it?

This is a comedy – it can also be interrupted as a melodrama, a work that is more of a mixture of
a comedy and drama. A melodrama is a work that is so over-the-top it’s comedic, like an old-
timey soap opera.

3. What is the basic story? Summarize the action of the play in 3 sentences or less (summaries
longer than three sentences will receive a five-point deduction from the final grade)

The story starts with Popov still in mourning over her late husband – she says they are both dead.
Smirnov, a man who her husband owed money, shows up asking for the money that Popov’s
husband owes him, but she doesn’t have it. Smirnov then grows angry with Popov, and she
returns the emotion. In a turn of events, the story ends with Smirnov and Popov sharing a
romantic moment together.

1
4. What is the mood of the play? Does the mood change? Where is the turning point?

At the beginning of the play, the mood is sad and melancholy, as Popov is in mourning over her
husband. There are several turning points within the plot that change the emotions felt by the
characters, the first being when Smirnov arrives. Once Smirnov arrives, the entire feeling of the
play becomes lighter and more comedic. Smirnov and Popov’s interactions with the servant Luka,
and more notably, the back-and-forth banter between themselves brings a more comedic and
energetic mood to the play.

5. What colors and textures are suggested by the mood and style of this play?

The time period, historical setting, and location all contribute to the overall mood of the play; as
well as the dialogue itself. I feel that the color scheme that fits the mood and overall feeling of
this show is warm colors, specifically browns and oranges. I think the textures that would best be
suited would be more luxurious fabrics and textures for Popov, and rougher, more rugged looking
textures in the costumes for Smirnov.

6. What images are evoked throughout the play?

Smirnov as the bear, Popov’s house as her “tomb” and Popov’s husband represented as the oats

1. Do they reoccur? Yes

2. To whom are these images related? Smironv, Popov, and Popov’s husband (though not a
real character)

3. Which images are central to or represent the soul or spirit of the play? Smirnov’s symbol
of being “the bear” is central to the play’s story – the action of the play revolves around
his arrival, and his “bear-like” nature is a source of conflict between him and Popov.

4. List words that evoke visual images.

Popov – grave, tomb, gray, revolver, estate

Smirnov – barrel, brandy, money, debt

2
 5. Do images change from scene to scene? The images remain fairly consistent from scene
to scene, but in certain seasons specific images are more noticeable – Popov’s “tomb” at
the beginning of the play, and Smirnov as “the bear” in his first appearance.

6. Can the images in the play be visualized? Yes

7. Do they related to certain characters specifically? Yes

7. What comic devices does the playwright use? (Derision, physical deformity, Incongruity,
automatism)

Derision – The entirety of Popov and Smirnov’s relationship is them making fun of each other/
back-and-forth banter – this is most of the comedy in the show.

Physical Deformity – Luka has a limp/ physical deformity – can be played up when Popov makes
him go back and forth to fetch things for her.

Incongruity – Smirnov doesn’t “fit it” with Popov and her estate – he is from a lower social class,
and sticks out for being large and “not proper” in Popov’s home.

 Part 2: Historical/ Bibliographic Information

1. When was the play written?

1888

2. Why did the author write this play?

Wanted to write a (most of his works are dramatic) – wrote for an actor friend, who Smirnov is
very loosely based off of.

3. If the play is based upon a historical event, give a brief account of the event.

No

4. What aspects of the cultural context and current events at the time of the play’s writing explain
the text?

3
 Russia is run by a monarchy, strict Russian orthodox religion – very strict on who talks to who,
who can do what etc.

5. Do other works by the author illuminate his/her attitude and position in the play? (Hint: look
up The Proposal)

The Proposal also includes characters in over-the-top, funny and wacky situations, comedy style
very similar – characters arguing, weird circumstances etc.

 Part 3: Given Circumstances and Character Relationships

1. Where does the action of the play take place?

1. Location

Popov’s estate

2. Season

Fall?

3. Year (hint: if it isn’t indicated, use the year the play was written OR pick your own. If
you pick your own time period, you must use evidence from the text to support your
choice) around 1888 (stated to be “set in the present”)

4. Time of day

Afternoon/ Evening

5. What are the economic, social, political, moral, religious environments at this time?

Russia is following strict Russian Orthodox religion – very controlling over status

Popov

6. What kind of character is this? (Major, minor, stock, abstract, allegorical)

Main character, stock character – sad widow
7. What are the character’s physical characteristics?

4
 “Young and pretty”
8. Age
Don’t know specific age, but Luka says she is young
9. Physical Appearance
She is said to be pretty, most likely well-kept and dressed because of her social status
10. Carriage and bearing? Vitality? More muted/ less noticeable vitality than Smirnov
11. Ethnic background
Russian, unknown other background
12. Mannerisms or affectations
Has the tendency to feel sorry for herself/ negative outlook
13. Speech patterns or dialect?
Very proper and to the point
14. Education/IQ
Most likely highly educated because of her social status
15. Artistic accomplishments or tendencies
Not applicable
16. Ability to relate to reality
Tendency to overdramatizes/ feel sorry for herself

 What personality traits does this character exhibit?

1. What is the character’s emotional state?

She is very depressed and in mourning at the beginning of the play, later on she starts to
open herself more

2. Does it change as the play progresses?

Yes, after Smirnov arrives her attitude becomes upbeat

3. Are they an introvert or extrovert?

Introvert

7. What is the character’s social status or rank?

1. Economic status

5
 Very well off

2. Profession

Estate owner

3. Moral viewpoint and/or Religion

Bit of a pessimist

4. Political Viewpoint

Unknown

5. Social standing with peers

She knows she is “higher” than both Luka and Smirnov, she expects things to go her way
because that’s what she’s used to

6. What is each character’s Objective or main goal?

Her main objective at the beginning of the play is to remain in her house in mourning
7. Do they reach that goal during the play?
She doesn’t
8. Does the character’s objective change during the course of the action?
When Smirnov arrives her goal switches to making him leave her alone
9. What events in the character’s life have had lasting effects on his or her character?
The death of her husband
10. What is their relationship with the other characters? Does the relationship change?
Luka – He is Popov’s servant, she has a close, almost friendship with him, he feels
comfortable telling her that she needs to go out and live her life
Smirnov – They have an immediate disliking of each other but it grows into romantic
passion
11. What elements of this analysis should be present in the character’s costume? Do they
dress in agreement with your analysis, or are they disguised in some way?
Popov’s costume should reflect her social status, and most likely be black because she is
still in mourning at the beginning of the play

6
Smirnov

1. What kind of character is this? (Major, minor, stock, abstract, allegorical)

Major, stock character – big, gruff man
2. What are the character’s physical characteristics?
Large, rough, aggressive, tough
3. Age
Not specified, I imagine he’s slightly older than Popov
4. Physical Appearance
Large, aggressive and gruff looking man
5. Carriage and bearing? Vitality?
Very eager and to the point
6. Ethnic background
Russian, unknown other background
7. Mannerisms or affectations
Aggressive
8. Speech patterns or dialect?
None
9. Education/IQ
Lower than Popov
10. Artistic accomplishments or tendencies
Not applicable
11. Ability to relate to reality
More so than Popov

 What personality traits does this character exhibit?

1. What is the character’s emotional state?

On edge, upset because he needs the money Popov’s husband owes him
2. Does it change as the play progresses?
Gets less aggressive
3. Are they an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert

 What is the character’s social status or rank?

12. Economic status

7
 Lower than Popov, probably middle class

13. Profession

It’s mentioned he sold Popov’s husband oats

14. Moral viewpoint and/or Religion

Unknown

15. Political Viewpoint

Unknown

16. Social standing with peers

He is of a lower class than Popov and higher than Luka

17. What is each character’s Objective or main goal?

His main goal and objective is to retrieve the money from Popov
18. Do they reach that goal during the play?
He doesn’t
19. Does the character’s objective change during the course of the action?
After their relationship develops more, he cares less about the money
20. What events in the character’s life have had lasting effects on his or her character?
Unknown
21. What is their relationship with the other characters? Does the relationship change?
Luka – Though he is Popov’s servant, Smirnov still orders him around and acts like he
works for him, because he is of a higher status
Popov – They have a disliking of each other over differing views/opinions, eventually
turns romantic
22. What elements of this analysis should be present in the character’s costume? Do they
dress in agreement with your analysis, or are they disguised in some way?
Smirnov’s costume should reflect that he is of a lower status than Popov, and that he is a
working man

12. What elements of this analysis should be present in the scenic and lighting elements?

Popov’s house should clearly represent her social status and wealth – makes Smirnov’s contrast
to her and her estate even greater and more noticeable

8
Part Four: Technical Elements

1. Line-by-line: Go through the script looking specifically for technical elements (costume,
scenic, props, lighting). Fill out the table below.

Page Area  Line

MRS. POPOV is discovered in deep mourning, sitting upon

1 Scenic/ Props
a sofa, gazing steadfastly at a photograph

2 Sound A bell rings loudly

4  Props {LUKA} Hands him water

{SMIRNOV} He calls out and the window and Leaves

4  Scenic
window

SMIRNOV: … Dust, dirty boots, unwashed, uncombed,

 4  Costume
straw on my vest…

 6  Scenic/ Props  He seizes the armchair and breaks it in two

 7  Sound/Props  {POPOV} She rings the bell…

  7 Scenic He drops into a chair

9 Props SMIRNOV: (Looking at the pistols) You see, there different kinds

There are special dueling pistols, with cap and ball. But these are
revolvers, Smith & Wesson, with ejectors; fine pistols!

9 Scenic She points to the door.

9 Props/ {SMIRNOV} Laying the revolver silently on the table, he takes

Scenic/ his hat and starts.

10 Props She angrily tears her handkerchief.

10 Props Enter LUKA with an axe, the gardener with a rake, the

9
 Coachman with a pitchfork, and workmen with poles

2. Costume Plot: based on your analysis, make BASIC decisions on each character’s
costume. If a character changes costume, indicate when the change happens.

Character Scene/Page Costume Piece

Popov All Dress - Black

    Necklace

    Earrings

Dark shoes

    Earrings

Shirt

Pants

Smirnov  All Vest

Shoes

Straw Hat

   
Luka All Shirt

Pants

3. Scenic elements: what pieces of scenery, furniture, or large props must be present? Create
a list.

Scene Item Description/Notes

1 Sofa Old and worn

10
  1  Armchairs  Two must be breakable, at least one not

     

     

     

     

     
 

4. Properties: what small props and hand props are needed? Use your line-by-line to create a
list.

Scene Item Description/Notes

2 Revolvers
3 Pistols

     

     

     

     
 

5. Light cues: make BASIC decisions about changes in lighting. Look for places in the
script when the MOOD changes—these might be places you want the light to shift!

Cue # Page # Line Notes

1 1 Pre-show Candle glow on table, light through window

2 1 Hello… All lights up

3 1 Jim’s entrance Light on door only

11