The Boor by Anton Chekhov | Summary

Summary

The boor is a one act play written by a Russian playwrite and the master of a modern short story Anton Chekhov. This play is a farce comedy which showcases human psychology and the attraction between two opposite sex.

The play opens up with Mrs Popov who is morning her husband's death. Luka (Popov's servant) is trying to consolidate her and persuade her not to be so much sad and enjoy the rest of the life forgetting the past. But Popov doesn't agree to him saying that even though her husband didn't love her, he cheated on her, he had an extra marital affair, she loves him so much even after his death and that she will live her life in the same way.

At the mean time a person called Smirnov inters to the house asking to meet Mrs Popov. At first, Mrs Popov wasn't willing to meet that person as she was not in the right mood to talk to anyone. But because Smirnov insisted so much to meet her, she allowed to let him in.

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Smirnov reveals to Popov that her husband had bought oats from him and 1200 roubles was still remaining to pay. He further says that he needs the money right now as he has to pay the interest of the loan taken from the bank. Mrs. Popov assures him that he will get his money tomorrow because she doesn't have such amount of money right now and her manager will return from the city by tomorrow only.

Smirnov doesn't agree to her and keeps on insisting that he needs the money right now because if the interest is not paid by tomorrow his land would be seized.

The argument soon turned out to quarrel and they both begin to say bad things to each other. Popov started blaming him and all men saying all men are same. Smirnov also said so many bad things about her and other women.

Popov then askes Luka to get Smirnov out but Luka was frightened by Smirnov.  Luka also couldn't do anything to calm them down .

Finally they decide to fight a  dual. Popov goes in and brings the pistols.  But Popov askes Smirnov to  teach her how to use it.  Smirnov teaches her how to use the pistols .

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Seeing such a courageous, talkative and bold women Smirnov slowly begin to like her. He was attracted by her courage to speak, her spirit with motivation and determination.

Finally he proposes her to marry him. Initially she refuses him but in her inner heart she also begins to like him.

The play ends when Smirnov kisses Mrs Popov and the arrival of Luka and others.