The Brute by Anton Chekhov - Book Report/Review Example

The story is based on a very light and normal theme of changing relationships. It shows the thin line between love and hatred and resentment and obsession. The author has also explained the changes in human behavior when one is confronted with the either emotional or financial crisis. However, the play does not have a very solid and real theme and is more of an entertaining and amusing account that concludes into a happy ending. In the course of play, the two main characters are seen to have to make very tall and aggressive claims in the beginning but later on their arguments calm down and are replaced by tenderness and love. Mrs. Popov is shown as an introvert whereas Smirnov is described as an extrovert who comes to balance each other's characteristics in the end.

In the opening scene of the play, she is described as a typecast widow of 19th century repeating her promise and words to remain loyal to her husband and never to marry or love anyone else. She is sitting in a chair facing her husband's photograph saying, There enters Smirnov, who is a vigorous, aggressive, angry and outspoken or rather, rude person. Like the lady, Smirnov has also pledged sometimes back to keep away from women. Due to certain incidents in the past, he is highly repelled by women and has very vulgar views about females.

This hatred of Gregory Smirnov towards women is also an outcome of his depression caused by the ongoing financial strains and crisis. In the play, he talks of the money as a matter of life and death. Here, the writer wants to show the effects of such circumstances in changing or influencing the human psyche. Driven by his strange psyche, he becomes highly sarcastic towards the lady's portrayal of mourning her deceased husband. He vulgarly challenges the validity of her devotion and fidelity. Strangely enough, the highly introvert lady is also seen to have come out of her shyness and turns really aggressive.

Both start fiery arguments and criticize each other. This behavior of the characters leads to a conclusion that both are hiding their actual feelings and trying to be deceptive and dishonest to themselves as well as to the others around. However, they soon explode and come out of their illusions and accept the truth. The truth off course makes both of them be freed from what they had previously pledged. Smirnov is also seen to have used some psycho techniques to get Mrs. Popov out of her covering.

He pushes her so much that she reaches a stage of being 'brute' and challenges him to fight a duel. This change in her behavior alters Smirnov's attitude and thinking towards women. He comes out of his own opinion and views after seeing the new face of the woman. The scene alters entirely and the characters somehow swap their roles. Mrs. Popov becomes a furious and brutish personality and challenges Smirnov's sentiments. All of sudden he falls in love with her and instead of money and duel, he proposes her for marriage.