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Chekhov, Anton P. The Bear Medium Literature Genre Play Keywords Disability, Grief, Humor and Illness/Disability, Loneliness, Love, Mourning, Ordinary Life, Society, Women's Health Summary Popova is still in deep mourning seven months after her husband's death. She stays alone at her country house, refusing to go out or to see anybody. Suddenly, Smirnov arrives and rudely insists on seeing her. Popova's late husband owed him 1200 roubles and he demands the debt be paid at …

…pages.) Commentary This is one of Chekhov's very short plays, an unquestionable comedy, as opposed to the author's full length dramas which he considered comedies, but which are certainly of a more serious ilk. The Bear condenses so much of human nature into this short, comical, bizarre, and ultimately triumphant act. Chekhov demonstrates how close (at times) is the relationship between anger and passion, and how strange and wonderful is the human condition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**