At the end of the play, Mrs. Popov and Smirnov appear to be in love. Considering what has happened in the play, why is this ridiculous?
What play?
To understand why Mrs. Popov and Smirnov appearing to be in love at the end of the play is considered ridiculous, we need to analyze the events leading up to this conclusion.
First, let's identify the play we are referring to. If you don't specify, I'll assume we are discussing Anton Chekhov's "The Bear."
In "The Bear," Mrs. Popov is a mourning widow who has locked herself away for seven months after the death of her husband. Smirnov, a male character, is a loud, brash creditor who confronts Mrs. Popov demanding repayment of a debt owed by her late husband.
Throughout the play, Mrs. Popov and Smirnov engage in heated arguments, filled with insults and threats. Their interactions are characterized by anger, frustration, and an absence of romantic or loving behavior. These arguments escalate to a point where it seems unlikely that Mrs. Popov and Smirnov could develop any kind of affectionate relationship.
Considering these factors, it becomes clear that their sudden shift to appearing in love at the end of the play is ridiculous. The change in their relationship is abrupt and seemingly unrealistic, given the contentious dynamic they exhibited throughout the rest of the story.
To further support this analysis, we can examine the dialogue, stage directions, and actions in the play to understand the intentions of the playwright. Chekhov likely constructed their final interaction to be intentionally ironic or satirical, highlighting the absurdity and unpredictability of human emotions and relationships.
In conclusion, the apparent love between Mrs. Popov and Smirnov at the end of the play is considered ridiculous because it contradicts the established character dynamics and interactions that occurred earlier in the story.