An Analysis of Feminism in Anton Chekov's The Bear

Feliex Lee
[email protected]
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Methodist Indonesia

Abstract:
Anton Chekov’s The Bear is famous for the conflict between a male character, Smirnov and
a female character, Popov. Readers can see that Popov is treated rudely by Smirnov. The
writer aims to analyze Smirnov’s negative attitude toward Popov by using feminism
criticism theory. The data is collected with qualitative method. The analysis shows that
Smirnov intimidates Popov verbally with a lot of rude remarks about women. He accuses
women of being lazy, deceitful, and unfaithful.
Keywords: feminism criticism, women, Smirnov, Popov

1. INTRODUCTION
In a paper titled “Popova and Smirnov’s Sudden Change of Hearts as Seen in
Anton Chekov’s The Bear”, the authors analyze the Id, the ego, and super ego with
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis [ CITATION Ren18 \l 1033 ] . The main conflict of this
play is between a man named Smirnov and Mrs. Popova. He undermines women by
calling them insincere, selfish, and faithles. Popova also calls him a bear three times.
This leads both of them to a fight and nobody wants to give in [ CITATION Nae10 \l
1033 ].
In this paper, the writer wants to discuss the play by using different literary
theory namely feminist theory. Feminist literary criticism is one of the most famous
approaches used in literary study [ CITATION Muh19 \l 1033 ] . The Western civilization
is mostly controlled by men in all aspects thus women look weak because they lack
of power to fight against men’s domination. In the theory of feminism in literature,
gender equality becomes the main discussion. Readers and experts criticize literary
works about how unfair women are treated [ CITATION MHA93 \l 1033 ]. Therefore in
this paper, the writer aims to reveal the bad attitude of male character named
Smirnov toward Mrs. Popov with feminist perspective.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Feminism Literary Criticism
Feminism commonly deals with some issues namely:
1. Women become victims of patriarchal oppression
2. Due to their inferiority, women tend to be objectified and marginalized
3. Anglo-European civilization is highly influenced by patriarchal ideology.
4. Culture perspective on gender (masculine or feminine).
5. Feminist theory and literary criticism aim to promote women’s equality
6. The issues of gender play a role in human’s experience and production, including
literary works [ CITATION Tys06 \l 1033 ].

Feminism is an ideology and a movement of female freedom to have an equal

position with male by opposing patriarchal doctrine. It highly influences many fields
such as culture, politics, economy, education, etc. Feminism finally becomes a part of
literary theories with various forms and literary criticisms and is called as feminism
literary criticism [ CITATION Sus16 \l 1033 ].
Feminist literary criticism deals with the way woman is presented in
literature. It is categorized into two kinds: first, female is portrayed in literature by
male writers from their own viewpoint and second, female is presented in the
writings of female writers from their point of view. The first kind is known as
Phallocentrism and the second one is known as Gynocriticism [ CITATION Mal14 \l
1033 ].

2.2. Short Biography of Anton Chekov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1904) is a major Russian playwright and
master of the modern short story. Chekhov tends to use simple plots in his plays and
short stories. He mostly focuses on trivialities of life and portrays the life of Russian
society in his era. Thus, he is well-known as a remarkable Russian realist in the 19 th
century. [ CITATION Bri19 \l 1033 ].

2.3. The Bear

At the beginning, the scene takes place in Elena Ivanovna Popova’s house.
She mourns over her late husband by looking at his photograph. Luka, her servant,
keeps soothing and encouraging her to move on but to no avail. Popova has isolated
herself in her house since her husband’s death. She does so for the sake of true love
and faithfulness.
A man named Gregorii Stepanovich Smirnov enters the scene but his
presence is rejected by mournful Popova. Smirnov insists that he come for claiming
some amount of money owed by her late husband. In fact, Popova has no such
amount of money which Smirnov wants. However, he does not buy any Popova’s
excuses and snarls at her harshly.
Smirnov is firm that he will not leave unless she gives the money. The play
reaches its climax when Smirnov starts showing her sexism by describing a lot of
negativities of women. Due to his behavior, Popova calls him as a bear. She is
deeply offended by his harsh and baseless remarks then demands for equality.
Smirnov challenges Popova to fight like a man and she accepts it.
Witnessing her bravery makes him fall in love with her. Smirnov’s temper
starts cooling down as he confesses how deeply in love he is to her. Finally, they kiss
passionately [ CITATION eno19 \l 1033 ].

3. METHODOLOGY
 Because the data is collected in the form of sentences, the method applied is
qualitative [ CITATION Kab16 \l 1033 ]. First, the writer read Anton
Chekov’s The Bear retrieved from https://americanliterature.com. Secondly, the
writer printed in the form of hard copy and highlighted some sentences to be
analyzed.

4. DATA ANALYSIS

Data Analysis
SMIRNOV. I didn't come to your steward, but to you! Smirnov does not
What the devil, excuse my saying so, have I to do with respect a woman at all
your steward! by shouting at Popova.

POPOVA. Excuse me, sir, I am not accustomed to listen

to such expressions or to such a tone of voice. I want to
hear no more. [Makes a rapid exit.]

SMIRNOV. , . . .What a way to reason! A man is in Smirnov insists that a

desperate need of his money, and she won't pay it woman think logically
because, you see, she is not disposed to attend to money like a man does.
matters!... That's real silly feminine logic. That's why I
never did like, and don't like now, to have to talk to
women.
POPOVA. [Her eyes downcast] Sir, in my solitude I Smirnov does not care
have grown unaccustomed to the masculine voice, and I how Popova has
can't stand shouting. I must ask you not to disturb my endured her sufferings
peace. of losing her husband.
SMIRNOV. Pay me the money, and I'll go. He just keeps on
POPOVA. I told you perfectly plainly; I haven't any snarling at her and
money to spare; wait until the day after to-morrow. forces her to pay though
SMIRNOV. And I told you perfectly plainly I don't want she has not got any
the money the day after to-morrow, but to-day. If you enough money.
don't pay me to-day, I'll have to hang myself to-morrow.
POPOVA. But what can I do if I haven't got the money?
You're so strange!
SMIRNOV. Then you won't pay me now? Eh?
POPOVA. I can't.
SMIRNOV. In that case I stay here and shall wait until I
get it. [Sits down] You're going to pay me the day after
to-morrow? Very well! I'll stay here until the day after to-
morrow. I'll sit here all the time.... [Jumps up] I ask you:
Have I got to pay the interest to-morrow, or haven't I? Or
do you think I'm doing this for a joke?
POPOVA. Please don't shout! This isn't a stable!
SMIRNOV. , . . There was a time when I played the Because of his
 fool, scented myself, used honeyed words, wore traumatic experience
jewellery, made beautiful bows. I used to love, to suffer, with women, he
to sigh at the moon, to get sour, to thaw, to freeze.... I despises all women and
used to love passionately, madly, every blessed way, firmly blurts out every
devil take me; I used to chatter like a magpie about negative words that he
emancipation, and wasted half my wealth on tender knows. He accuses
feelings, but now—you must excuse me! You won't get women of being lazy
round me like that now! I've had enough! Black eyes, while men suffer and
passionate eyes, ruby lips, dimpled cheeks, the moon, sacrifice to earn money.
whispers, timid breathing—I wouldn't give a brass Furthermore, he says
farthing for the lot, madam! Present company always that none of women is
excepted, all women, great or little, are insincere, sincere, faithful, and
crooked, backbiters, envious, liars to the marrow of their constant. Instead, all
bones, vain, trivial, merciless, unreasonable, and, as far women are deceitful.
as this is concerned [taps his forehead] excuse my
outspokenness, a sparrow can give ten points to any
philosopher in petticoats you like to name! , . . .While a
man is suffering and making sacrifices all her love
expresses itself in her playing about with her scarf, and
trying to hook him more firmly by the nose. You have the
misfortune to be a woman, you know from yourself what
is the nature of woman. Tell me truthfully, have you ever
seen a woman who was sincere, faithful, and constant?
You haven't! Only freaks and old women
SMIRNOV. [Laughs contemptuously] Weeds!... I don't Smirnov has no
understand what you take me for. As if I don't know why sympathy to mourning
you wear that black outfit and bury yourself between Popov. He even
four walls! Well, well! It’s no secret, so romantic! When exclaims that she is
some fool of a poet passes by this country house, he’ll playing a drama to
look up at your window and think "Here lives the deceive him.
mysterious Tamara who, for the love of her husband,
buried herself between four walls." We know these
tricks!
SMIRNOV. It's about time we got rid of the prejudice Smirnov has gone mad
that only men need pay for their insults. Devil take it, if by challenging a
you want equality of rights you can have it. We're going woman to fight to get
to fight it out! gender equality.
SMIRNOV. I'll bring her down like a chicken! I'm not a Smirnov really shows
little boy or a sentimental puppy; I don't care if she is no mercy on Popov.
delicate and fragile.

4. CONCLUSION
Smirnov is a man who totally opposes feminism. He shows no respect to
Popova who is still mourning for the death of her late husband. Smirnov keeps
shouting at her and forces her to pay her late husband’s debt although she has no
money. He then continues to be harsher by blurting out all negative words not only to
Popov, but to all women. He accuses them of being deceitful, lazy, and unfaithful.
Therefore, the writer hopes that men should respect and treat women
properly. Men should not generalize all women bad. With this paper, the writer also
tries to contribute to the study of feminist literature.

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