Why 'The Bear' is a Farce Play?

 The Bear: An Analysis of Its Farcical Elements

A farce is a literary genre and comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and thus improbable. In this article, we will discuss The bear play as a farce. 

The Bear is a farce that aims at providing excessive fun and loud laughter. Its remarkable features are distortion and exaggeration. If a common kind of comic play presents a humorous picture of human life and nature. 

In ‘the bear’ there are two characters ‘Smirnov’ and ‘Popov’. They make us laugh with their extraordinary thinking and foolish behavior. Smirnov’s way of talking, his skill in mimicry, and his use of pointed remarks, all excite laughter. Everything he says and does is highly enjoyable. 

He comes to get back his debt. Popov is not in a position to pay him the money at once. His remarks in the play are sharp and pointed. He accuses Popova of being a hypocrite. He says; “you have buried your husband, but you have not forgotten to powder your face.” (Chekhov, 1888)

The Bear, as a farce comedy, creates loud laughter in the audience due to the irregular behavior of the characters in the play.

After that Smirnov starts teasing her. This whole conversation shows comic effects for the audience. Smirnov also gives a contradictory statement and exaggerates the situation by his dialogues with Popova. “In my time I have seen more women than you have seen sparrows! Three times I’ve fought duels on account of women and I have refused twelve women and nine have refused me.” (Chekhov, 1888)

Smirnov keeps on insulting her because needs money and Popova is not agreed to pay him money. Popova did not bear the insulting words and replied to Smirnov in this way: “I don’t want to talk to impudent scoundrels” (Chekhov, 1888).  This whole scene creates laughter for the audience.

Luka was looking at the situation and said to Smirnov that he should go away because the situation was getting dangerous but Smirnov jumps up and replied to Luka “shut up!  Who are you talking to? I’ll chop into pieces!” (Chekhov, 1888).  This also creates laughter and comic effect for the audience. After that Popova comes out of the room and said that I will pay your money by tomorrow but Smirnov said I want it today because I need money. After that, the situation becomes funny when they challenge each other to fight but Popova does not know how to shot a pistol she said to Smirnov disgusting words you’re a boor! A coarse Bear! A Bourbon! A monster! (Chekhov, 1888)

Now, the situation becomes more ridiculous when Smirnov thinks that he has trapped by Popova like a mousetrap. Here, he wants to save his life and he said “Smirnov: God, what a woman! I have never in my life seen one like her. I’m lost! Done for! Fallen into a mousetrap like a mouse” (Chekhov, 1888). This situation also creates comic effect and laughter for the audience.

In the end, Smirnov realized that he could not beat her because according to him she is a real woman like a rocket and fire gunpowder. Smirnov: she is a woman! A real woman! Not a sour-faced jellybag, but fire gunpowder, a rocket! In the end, they touch each other and reveals their love for each other and the curtains down.

The bear is a farcical play because the dialogues, behavior, and internal thoughts of the main characters create loud laughter, exaggeration, and comic effect. So, the play fulfills all the necessary characteristics of a farce play.