The bear & something to talk about play

ONE-ACT PLAYS
THE BEAR
Anton Chekhov
Question# 1
Discuss the title of the play?
Anton Chekhov is the most eminent Russian playwright who is universally regarded as the
greatest Russian storyteller and dramatist of modern times.
“The Bear” is one of his highly cherished comic works. This one–act play is written with the
purpose of exposing the hypocrisy, pretension, falsity and artificiality of the feudal class of his country.
It is light heartedly presented to set focus on a deep social trend. The title is ironic. The heroine of the
play rebukes the hero and calls him, “a coarse bear, a bourbon! a monster. But at the end she accepts his
love and is driven into his arms forgetting all her claims of love for her late husband and her proposed
dislike for SMIRNOV… the bear. Bear is thought to be a greedy, impertinent and totally uncontrollable
animal. So the bear may symbolically point towards the hero of the play. SMIRNOV is ill mannered and
violent but at the same time he is a very passionate man. He is haughty and boorish. His attitude with
POPOVA is very harsh and impolite that reveals his bear like nature. So the title is meant to represent
Mr. SMIRNOV and his true nature.
Question# 2
What is Luka telling POPOVA?
POPOVA is a young lady whose husband has died seven months ago. She is in mourning and is wearing
black dress. She has shunned every relation with the outside world and is confined to the four-walled
grave of her room. She has a servant named Luka. Luka is very sincere to his mistress and has deep
concern for her welfare.
As the play starts in POPOVA’s drawing room, Luka is trying to convince his mistress to abandon her
prolonged mourning and come out of her cocoon of so-called grief. He tries to make her realize that she
is wasting her life in a futile way. He rightly says that one cannot die with the dead. People come and go
but life goes on. He tells her that she was still young and beautiful and could easily settle down in her
life by marrying a young officer. She should take interest in life and its pleasures. She should go out and
see other people. These words of Luka produce a very irritating effect on her and she asks him not to
talk to her in that way because she can never think of leaving her husband’s memory and that she would
remain true even to his grave. All these claims of POPOVA prove flimsy and they collapse as soon as
the very first man knocks at the door of her heart
Question# 3
Why did SMIRNOV come to POPOVA’s house?
POPOVA was a young lady whose husband had died seven months ago. Her husband had been in the
farm business and used to buy oats from a man called SMIRNOV. There was some of his money still
unpaid so he came to get that money back. He was in a desperate need of money because he had to pay
the installments on his mortgaged land. He visited all his creditors but could not get anything. Then he
travelled seventy miles from his home to Nicolai Mihailovotch’s village. There he was confronted with

Nicola’s widow, POPOVA, who did not want to pay him anything. Thus ensued an exchange of bitter
and cynical remarks that concluded at the decision of marrying each other.
Question# 4
What did POPOVA think of her late husband?
POPOVA was married to Nicolai Mihailovitch, who died seven months ago. She remained in mourning
for a long time and had shut herself in the four walls of her own room. She broke every relation with the
outside world. While talking to her servant, Luka, she revealed her views about her late husband. She
said that he was a faithless and treacherous husband who had love affairs with many other ladies. After
his death she discovered a whole drawer full of love letters. She said that he betrayed her, made fun of
her feelings and made love to other woman. He spoiled her money, youth and life. She had very adverse
feelings about him. She was in mourning only to show that unlike him, she was a faithful wife who was
loyal to her husband even after his death. She wanted to show it to her late husband as well as to the
world that she was an emotional and loving wife.
But the reality contradicted all her claims of loyalty and show that how petty and artificial she was.
She had hypocritically simulated an outward show of love and loyalty when at heart she had some other
motives. SMIRNOV rightly mocked at her by saying that her mourning was just a false show and that
she wanted to present herself as a mysterious and romantic “Tamara” before the world.
Question# 5
What were SMIRNOV’s views about ladies?
SMIRNOV is a retired army officer and a respectable landowner of a nearby village. He comes to
POPOVA’s house to get his money back that he has lent to her late husband.
In the course of their discussion, they start arguing about the character of ladies and men.
POPOVA holds the view that all the men are scoundrels and they exploit ladies for their own purposes.
She cites the instance of her own late husband who has been cruel and disloyal. In response, SMIRNOV
badly ridicules ladies and their ways. He says that ladies are false and artificial… they hook a man by
nose to fulfill their vested interests. He tells that he himself has a great experience with ladies and knows
their true nature. The ladies only make an outward show of their affection and never love anyone truly.
Ladies easily shift their affection from one person to another. He further says that ladies behave like
crocodiles and they shed tears to attract and trap a man. They can love a lap dog but not a man. They are
soft from outside but from inside they are very cunning, wicked and cruel. He even goes further and
criticizes POPOVA herself and makes fun of her mourning dress and her make up. He also laughs at her
for being locked up in her home. All these remarks show that he has very negative views about ladies.
Question# 6
What is the end of the play?
This play presents a blend of contradictory situations. Although it begins with a sad note
but its middle and specially its end is very sudden and surprising. POPOVA is shown in deep mourning
at the start and she recalls her husband with inconsistent emotions. SMIRNOV comes to her home to get
his money back. He needs money to pay the interest on his mortgaged land otherwise that may be
confiscated but POPOVA cannot do so as her steward isn’t in the town and she herself has no spare
cash. Here starts a fierce verbal war…they criticize each other. They both abuse each other in a harsh
way. SMIRNOV makes fun of POPOVA and the ladies in general while POPOVA condemns men. He
feels like breaking her head and she calls him very offensive names. They decide even to shoot each

other. But… without any forewarning, SMIRNOV falls in love. He expresses his love in his natural
insolent style and proposes her. On the other side POPOVA is in a conflict…she doesn’t want to lose
SMIRNOV but at the same time she doesn’t want to shun her ostentatious image of a faithful widow.
She oscillates between “yes” and “no” asking him to go at once and then shouting, “Where are you
going”. Finally she turns away from her pretension and is driven into his arms. Quite unexpectedly they
accept each other as life partners.
Question#7
This play is a criticism on the hypocritical attitude of upper class. Discuss
Chekhov often uses the drama to reveal the variety of attitudes in the society, his main
concern being the hypocrisy of feudal class and the pragmatism of newly emerging economic sector.
This play revolves around two characters that accidentally come face to face. Both belong to the
landed gentry of Russia…both are single. SMIRNOV is shown without a wife while POPOVA’s
husband has died seven months back. They go through a disagreement on matter of the payment of some
money. During their negotiations, they reveal their true personalities before the reader or audience. The
heroine of the play is an affected lady who tries to give an artificial show of modesty and innocence. She
vehemently asserts her loyalty with her late husband but in the same breath she unlocks a profound bulk
of complaints against him. She cries and faints in an artificial way. She is all in all a hypocrite because
she exploits her husband’s death as an occasion to affirm herself as mysterious goddesses of devotion
and fidelity.
She treats her guest very rudely and starts a proper brawl with him…. calls him names and is
ready even to shoot him. She pretends to dislike him but at heart she cherishes tender feelings for him.
Her attitude is full of contradictions…she says “yes” and “no” at the same moment. She represents the
ladies of upper class who have dual personalities and hide their true self in the curtain of false show of
humility and devotion. Their true motive is ease and material comfort but apparently they take many
sham stances.
SMIRNOV is an inconsistent person who too, like POPOVA, wavers badly in his manners. He is
agitated and disappointed. He needs money but he at once forgets all about it and falls in love. A little
earlier he has given very adverse remarks about love and behavior of ladies but he takes no time in
practically refuting all that he has said earlier. He is rude in handling a lady…loses temper and
childishly challenges her to fight a dual with pistols. Then quite unexpectedly he goes on his knees
offering his hand to the lady he was about to shoot moments ago.
All these factors point towards the superficial life style of upper class where it is very hard to
differentiate between real and false. People are heartless and pragmatic; they even capitalize the
circumstance caused by some loved-one’s death.
Question# 8
Draw the character sketches of:
a) SMIRNOV
b) POPOVA

SMIRNOV
Grigory Stepanovitch SMIRNOV is a vibrant and striking comic figure. His character has been
delineated in a realistic but compassionate way.
He is a Russian landowner who has previously been a lieutenant of artillery. He is not physically
described but his actions and manners show him to be an energetic fellow. He is violent and
hyperactive… breaks too many of POPOVA’s chairs. He is rude, ill-mannered and can’t control his
temper. In spite of his apparent hard surface he proves to be a very passionate man at the end.
He is in dire need of money because he has to pay the interest on his mortgaged land. If he fails to pay
the money he may lose his land. He goes to all the people who are in his debt but none of them pays
anything to him rather they take him non seriously. So he can’t be called a successful businessman. He
rebukes all his debtors in an agitated way. Even he behaves with POPOVA in a very impolite manner
and makes fun of her mourning. He goes too far in his demand of money and uses even abusive words
and threatening manners. But at the end forgets all about money and interest.
He keeps very bad opinion about women and thinks them to be false and trivial. He says that a
lady doesn’t know what the love and sufferings are; they only enjoy the impatience of their lovers and
try to hook them hard by nose. They only make outward show of love by crying and fainting while men
give all the sacrifices in love. He takes his indictment further and says that women can easily shift their
affection from one lover to another but they can truly love their lapdogs only. He ridicules them by
calling them “softer sex” in a sarcastic way. He even makes POPOVA a prey of his criticism and
exclaims in a stinging way, “you may have buried yourself alive, but you haven’t forgotten to powder
your face!” This is a very serious denunciation of women folk.
He has a vast experience of love; three times he has fought duals on account of ladies. He has
refused twelve women, and nine have refused him. He tells POPOVA that there has been a time when he
used to love and suffer like a young boy; he has spent his emotions and money on such things. Now he
claims to have left all these things and has taken a vow not to love a lady any more… but he can’t stand
by his guarantee and falls in love with POPOVA. He is trapped in the snare of her dazzling looks and
her courageous dynamic attitude. He expresses his love in an unusually rude way but is accepted by his
counterpart who too possesses an equally pulsating personality.
Thus it will not be an exaggeration to say that SMIRNOV’s character cannot be easily
erased from the memory of the reader or audience.
POPOVA
POPOVA is a pleasantly conceived, multi-dimensional character. She is young and very beautiful, “with
roses in her cheeks”. She is very careful about her looks and doesn’t forget to apply cosmetics even in
her mourning.
Her husband has died seven months ago and she has vowed not to go out and see other
people in her extended mourning. She has shut herself in the four walls of her room. She pretends to be
much moved at her husband’s death but infect it is not more than eyewash. She is hypocrite in her
attitude. She never enjoyed good relations with her husband who used to betray her. He had love-
relations with other ladies and made fun of her feelings. He used to leave her alone for weeks and
wasted her money on other ladies… but she wants to show his soul that she is not like him. She tries to
prove herself as a faithful wife. She unrealistically longs to bury herself alive but the very first person,
she meets, shatters her so-called idealism and she readily agrees to marry a well to do land lord.

Her servant Luka tries to make her realize the reality that she may lose her chances in life by
such an unrealistic attitude of cutting herself off from everyone else. He says that her good looks will be
finished in some years and then she will have to live a miserably lonesome life. She reacts strongly and
is not ready to listen anything against her mourning but soon she forgets all of this and decides to marry
again. She is not a good housekeeper as none of her servants except Luka is available to her. All have
gone out without her knowledge.
She is a very rude and ill-mannered lady. She treats her late husband’s friend very roughly who is
under her roof as a guest. She bluntly tells SMIRNOV that she can’t pay him money unless her steward
is back. She doesn’t try to understand his problem and goes on blowing the trumpet of her critical “state
of mind” due to mourning. She doesn’t hesitate to start verbal row with a stranger and talks to him in an
angry manner. She uses very rough language and calls him, “bear, bear! Bear”. She criticizes all men
and specially her late husband. She takes SMIRNOV’s insult of ladies very seriously and retorts with
spirit. She is a courageous lady and couldn’t be subdued by SMIRNOV’s aggressive manners. She is
willing to fight with him and brings her husband’s pistols though she has never held a pistol in her hand
before.
She is in conflict when SMIRNOV proposes her; she doesn’t want to let him go but can’t immediately
decide to stop him. She moves back and forth in her desire to be loved and her ambition to be called a
faithful widow. At last she discreetly decides in favor of SMIRNOV and is ready to get married again.
On the whole she is an enjoyable figure who never fails to amuse the reader though she has some
negative aspects too. Her beauty and vigour make her a treat for the reader and audience.
The Bear by Anton Chekhov
Summary
The play “The Bear” is a farce. It is full of many absurd situations and remarks. There are three main
characters in the play and they all make us laugh with their absurd behavior and comments.
POPOVA is a widow. Her husband died seven months ago, but she is still in mourning. Her servant,
Luka advises her to give up her mourning. He advises her to see her neighbors, but she says that she will
keep on mourning until her death.
In the meanwhile, SMIRNOV comes to take 1200 roubles from POPOVA. Her husband used to buy oat
from him. POPOVA tells him that her steward is out and she will pay him the day after tomorrow.
However, SMIRNOV insists on taking the money that day. He behaves rudely. He even makes fun of
POPOVA’s mourning and her state of mind. POPOVA also becomes rude. They speak against each
other’s sex and use insulting words. SMIRNOV thinks that he has been insulted. He challenges
POPOVA to fight a duel.
POPOVA accepts the challenge and brings her husband’s revolver. However, she does not know how to
fire. She asks SMIRNOV to teach her how to fire. The situation changes and SMIRNOV is impressed
by her boldness and beauty. He says that he does not want to fight the duel. He expresses his love for
her. He offers her his hand.
First, she insists on fighting, but then asks him to go. She changes her decision repeatedly and then
decides to marry him. When Luka returns with other servants to beat SMIRNOV, he is surprised to see
them touching each other.

Q1. Describe the reasons behind the marriage of POPOVA and SMIRNOV.
Both Popov and SMIRNOV had their own reasons of marriage. We shall discuss
them one by one.
POPOVA had been mourning the death of her husband for the last seven months. She had been leading
a lonely and sad life since then. Seven months was a long period. Now time had conquered her grief.
Inwardly, she wanted some change in her life. She did not want to continue this mourning any more.
Besides, it is human psychology that man gets sick and tired of doing the same thing for a long period.
The second reason may be the advice of her servant Luka. He shocked her by making her understand
that in ten years’ time, she would not be beautiful anymore and no man would look at her. It was
shocking for POPOVA.
The third reason was that POPOVA had a very romantic nature. Her mourning the death of her husband
for seven months shows this. However, when SMIRNOV assured her of his love, she was greatly
moved. It was very romantic that a man was on his knees, was offering her his hand, and was speaking
very romantic dialogues. SMIRNOV said, “…I’m on my knees like a fool, offering you my hand…” It
was all according to her romantic nature. She could not resist it and accepted the proposal.
SMIRNOV decided to marry POPOVA because he fell in love with her. He was greatly impressed by
her beauty and boldness. He said, “But what a woman!” and, “That’s the sort I can understand!” He
further says, “I’ve never in my life seen one like her!” He also says, “I love you as I’ve never loved
before!”
Therefore, these were the reasons behind the marriage of POPOVA and SMIRNOV. (289)
Q2. What was the main issue or conflict between SMIRNOV and POPOVA?
When we go through the play “The Bear”, we find that at first, the main conflict between them was
money, but later this conflict changed into another conflict – insult.
POPOVA’s late husband was to pay some money to SMIRNOV. He used to buy oats for his horses.
However, before paying the money he died. Seven months had passed. Now SMIRNOV and come to
POPOVA to take his money. Unfortunately, POPOVA’s steward was not present. Therefore, she was
unable to pay his money that day. She plainly told SMIRNOV about this situation. She promised that
she would pay his money the day after tomorrow. However, SMIRNOV insisted on taking the money on
that day. SMIRNOV talked to her rudely and in an uncivilized manner. He made fun of her mourning.
POPOVA also made fun of him. She even abuses him and calls him a bear. She said, “You’re a boor! A
coarse bear! A bourbon! A monster!”
SMIRNOV thought that POPOVA had insulted him. On the other hand, POPOVA thought that
SMIRNOV did not know how to behave before women. She wanted to kill him for that. This was the
second main conflict between them. This conflict between them grew serious and they decided to fight a
duel. POPOVA brought her late husband’s revolver.
Therefore, we can say that at first the main conflict between them was money. However, later this
conflict changed into another conflict – insult. Both of them thought that they had been insulted.
Luckily, these conflicts did not bring any serious consequences. (254)

Q3. The play “The Bear” is a farce (ridiculous situation). Discuss.
Describe the comic elements of the play “The Bear”.
When we go through the play “The Bear”, we find that it is a farce. A farce is full of many absurd
situations and remarks. These situations and remarks make the readers laugh. There are three main
characters in the play and they all make us laugh with their absurd comments. There are also many
absurd situations. When the play starts, we see that Luka is advising POPOVA to leave her mourning
and go out to see her neighbours. However, his way of advising her is very absurd. He gives the
examples of cats, midges, and spiders. We simply laugh at these examples. POPOVA looks at the
photograph of her husband and calls him a ‘bad child’. The word ‘bad child’ makes us laugh.
When POPOVA refuses to give SMIRNOV the money, he says, “I have not the pleasure of being either
your husband or your finance, so please don’t make scenes.” These remarks are very funny and absurd
and we laugh at them. When POPOVA accepts the challenge of duel from SMIRNOV, he says that he
will bring her down like a chicken. The word ‘chicken’ is very funny.
We find the most comic and absurd situation in the play when POPOVA brings her husband’s revolvers
and asks SMIRNOV to teach her how to fire. This is very absurd that she asks her enemy to teach her
how to fire. It is also very absurd that SMIRNOV starts teaching her. What a funny and absurd situation
it is! He not only teaches her how to fire, but he also tells her the prices of different revolvers. Another
situation is very funny when POPOVA changes her mind repeatedly. At one time, she asks him to leave
and at another asks him to stay.
From the above discussion, we can conclude that it is a farce and there are many comic and absurd
elements in the play. The writer has created comedy through funny comments and absurd situations.
(327)
Q4. Discuss the title of the play “The Bear”.
The title of the play “The Bear” is quite justified. This title suggests the attitude of SMIRNOV who is
just like a bear. In everyday language, we call ‘bear’ to a person who is rude, bad mannered and bad
tempered.
When we go through the play, we find that SMIRNOV is bad-tempered and rude. On his first
appearance in the play, he calls Luka, the servant of POPOVA, fool and ass. POPOVA tells him that her
steward is not present and so she cannot pay the money that day but SMIRNOV does not listen to her.
When POPOVA tells him that she is in a state of mind, SMIRNOV makes fun of her state of mind. He
even makes fun of her mourning. He makes fun of her wearing lipstick and powdering her face.
Then he talks against women. POPOVA is right when she says that he does not know how to behave
before women. When Luka asks him to leave, he gets angry and threatens him. He says, “Shut up! Who
are you talking to? I’ll chop you into pieces!” these words spoken by SMIRNOV clearly show how bad-
tempered he is.
He is so rude that he challenges POPOVA to fight a duel. Now it is very rude to challenge a woman to
fight a duel. He is ready to kill her and says, “I’ll bring her down like a chicken! I’m not a little boy or a
sentimental puppy; I don’t care about this “softer sex.”
Therefore, from the above discussion we can conclude that the title of the play is quite justified. It
suggests the attitude of SMIRNOV who is just like a bear in his attitude. (280)
Q5. Justify the end of the play “The Bear”.

No doubt, the end of the play “The Bear” is very sudden and unexpected. We see that both SMIRNOV
and POPOVA have revolvers in their hands. They are going to fight a duel and to kill each other but
suddenly they decide to marry. This is unexpected. However, when we go through the play, we find that
this sudden and unexpected end has many reasons. We shall discuss them one by one.
The reason of POPOVA’s change of mind was that POPOVA had been mourning the death of her
husband for the last seven months. She had been leading a lonely and sad life since then. Seven months
was a long period. Now time had conquered her grief. Inwardly, she wanted some change in her life. She
did not want to continue this mourning any more. Besides, it is human psychology that man gets sick
and tired of doing the same thing for a long time.
The second reason may be the advice of Luka, her servant. He shocked her by telling her that in ten
year’s time, she would not be beautiful anymore and no man would look at her. It was shocking for
POPOVA. The third reason was that POPOVA had a very romantic nature. When SMIRNOV assured
her of his love, she was greatly moved. It was all according to her romantic nature.
SMIRNOV decide to marry POPOVA because he fell in love with her. He was greatly impressed by her
beauty. When POPOVA accepted his challenge of fighting a duel, he was greatly impressed by her
boldness too. So, he changed his mind and decided to marry her.
The most important point in that it is a comedy and the end of a comedy cannot be serious. Its end must
be funny and pleasant.
Therefore, we can conclude that although the end of the play is sudden and unexpected, yet it is quite
justified. (318)
Q6. Both SMIRNOV and POPOVA have the same qualities of character. Discuss.
Both POPOVA and SMIRNOV are the chips off the same block. Discuss.
It is quite right to say that both SMIRNOV and POPOVA have the same qualities of character.
When we go through the play “The Bear” carefully, we find that both are rude, romantic, quarrelsome
and hot-tempered. Both swear not to marry all their lives, but they change their decision.
When the play starts, we see that SMIRNOV comes right in without getting any permission. He calls
Luka fool and ass. Later, he makes fun of POPOVA’s mourning and her state of mind. He speaks
against women and uses insulting words. It is also very rude to challenge a woman to fight a duel. He
threatens that he will chop Luka into pieces. He is romantic by nature. He falls in love with POPOVA.
He tells POPOVA that he had fought duels three times because of women. He changes his decision and
decides to marry POPOVA.
POPOVA is also just like SMIRNOV. She is rude too. She abuses SMIRNOV. She talks against men.
When SMIRNOV challenges her to fight a duel, she at once accepts the challenge. She goes and brings
revolvers. SMIRNOV wants to avoid the duel, but she insists on fighting it. This shows how
quarrelsome and hot-tempered she is.
She is romantic by nature. She mourns the death of her husband for seven months. She talks to his
photograph and promises to continue mourning until her death. This is romantic but she also changes her
decision of mourning until her death and decides to marry SMIRNOV.
Therefore, we can conclude that both SMIRNOV and POPOVA are the chips off the same block and
they have the same qualities of character. (272)

Something To Talk About
Eden Phillpotts
Question# 1
Discuss the title of the play?
This play is basically a clever piece of writing that displays modern mentality. It
represents the modern attitude towards different events. The pace of modern life has increased
tremendously and nothing seems novel today. The blessed faculty to “wonder” has been snatched away
from the modern man. He has become reckless and bold.
A well-bred family has been shown in this one-act play that deals with the unexpected situation
in an unexpected manner. They claim to be the dullest family of the county. Nothing ever happens to
them, they never have accidents or any other event that can be reported to a newspaper. Their family
motto is “nec elata, nec dejecta” which means neither happy nor dejected. In this situation when a
famous burglar comes to their home they call it, “manna in the wilderness”. The head of the family
Lord Redchester exclaims that at last it is something that they can talk about. So the title shows the
importance of something new in life that one can talk to other people about. It also indicates towards the
modern life that lacks adventure and novelty
Question# 2
How do they behave with the Wolf?
It is three o’ clock at Christmas morning when the most famous burglar of England
enters into the Tudor Manor Redchester. He is dressed in black and is fully equipped for his difficult
task of burglary. He is fumbling at the safe when Guy Sydney enters…. He has come to have some soda
water but is confronted with a crook who asks him to put his hands up. He is not at all ruffled or
confused to see the Wolf there. He behaves in a proper manner and asks him to trust him and let him put
his hands down. He offers him a drink and shows great surprise and a sense of being honoured by Wolf
because of his expedition into their home. He repeatedly assures him of the straightforward and trust-
worthy conduct of the Sydney family. When the Wolf starts his work, he asks him to let his sister come
who is much interested in the Wolf and his exploits. Lettice is a nice looking girl and her manners and
attitude too set the Wolf on ease. She shows great interest in him and his tools of burglary. Then there
comes their butler, Preston who is however not able to act in accordance with the attitude of rest of the
Sydney family. Lord Redchester, Lady Redchester and Bishop all come one by one and express their
pleasure and surprise at the Wolf’s presence in their home. They cunningly win the trust of the burglar
and later they manage to turn the table through the positive impression that they have cast on him.
Some critics have considered the attitude of the Sydney family as incredible. But they only
represent the working of nice breeding that enables them to behave in an ideal manner. They treat the
burglar without tremors and flaws. They do not lose their balance thus controlling not only the situation
but also the burglar himself.

Question# 3
How do they turn the table?
The Wolf tries hard to enter into the family safe of Redchester family but can’t do so
because the safe is made of a new metal and is crook-proof. The Wolf is disappointed but to his surprise,
Lord Redchester tells him the password and he gets the safe open in a second. The safe contains Lord
Redchester’s Christmas gifts that he has bought for his family. They are very expensive and the Wolf is
very happy to see them.
The Sydney family has treated Wolf in a decent manner and they have carefully managed
to make him believe in any word spoken by any one of them. They have assured him that they are a very
simple family whose strongest suit is the rectitude. They successfully manage the propaganda and get
their desired results. When the Wolf is ready to depart with their valuable gifts, Bishop indirectly talks
to him and says that if he takes their presents, he will regret because in this way he may lose a far
superior advantage. This arouses the Wolf’s curiosity and he gets interested. Guy and Bishop cunningly
portray Lord Wallaby’s wealth. They exploit the Wolf’s greedy nature and tell him about the expensive
things present in Lord Wallaby’s home. They tell him the way to enter in that home easily. Thus they
make him accept all that they say. The Wolf naively believes in them and decides to give their presents
back to them. Thus they turn the table by wisely proceeding step by step. Their repeated assurance of
their honourable character befools the Wolf and he is dodged successfully.
Question# 4
Why does Bishop want him to turn a new leaf from that day?
Charles is Lord Redchester’s brother and is the bishop of the Redchester Cathedral. He is a
clever man and can handle people easily. At the end of the play when the Wolf relents the Christmas
presents of Sydney family and is ready to rob the Wallaby’s. At this point Bishop says that the Wolf
should turn a new leaf from that night. This is a very crucial remark because the Sydney family has
successfully saved itself from a burglar and the burglar is planning to invade some other home the next
night. In this way they have provided him a chance to reconsider his trade of robbing others. They want
to give him time. It may be possible that they report about all of this to police and the police may arrest
him. When a simple family has befooled the Wolf, he has opened the door of his destruction. The Wolf
has been considered as the greatest burglar of England and all the police in England is after him… but
he has been dodged by a common family. Thus he has proved himself vulnerable and this may prove to
be his last adventure. So the reader can expect a new leaf to be turned over in his life at that night.
Question# 5
This play shows the mental state of modern people. Illustrate.
The Sydneys are a well-bred modern family who behave in an appropriate way when
confronted with an unexpected situation. They don’t get confused and hold the situation in their own
hands. They try to feel the pleasure in a dramatic situation. They are not worried at the Wolf’s presence
in their home rather they are jubilated to have something to talk about. Like anyone else they too don’t
want to be dispossessed of their valuable gifts but they act in a sensibly different manner.
Thus they represent the mental state and attitude of the modern people who are badly bored
because of their monotonous everyday life. They want to have a break from the tedious routine of life
and want to revel in any adventure. They want something different and dramatic. This play of course is
an exaggeration but it indicates towards a growing trend of modern life. The stale day-to-day routine has

made their senses numb and some break from it is always welcome. So the family in the story presents
the modern bent of mind as well as the modern rational attitude in any unforeseen situation.
Question# 6
Draw the character sketches of
1-Wolf, 2-Guy
WOLF
Wolf is a dangerous burglar who comes to rob the Sydney family. He is the most famous
burglar of England and all the police of England are after him. He has been carrying on this trade for a
long time that’s why he is quite well known. Often the newspapers report about him and tell some
mysterious stories about his conduct and behavior especially with ladies.
He behaves in a rude manner with the Sydney family and repeats, “I’ll plug you” again and
again. He is violent and often uses bad language to others. He doesn’t believe any one and holds his
revolver in his hands all the time. He is very confident about his skills and proudly declares that no safe
in the world can beat him. He uses modern technology for his purpose.
He suspects the Sydneys and is not easily ready to believe in them. He presents himself as a
pitiless and cunning fellow but in fact he is a dupe and greedy man. He suspects them in little matters
like he asks if Lord Redchester’s tobacco is doped. Then he asks Guy not to make a strong drink for him
but when it comes to the serious business, they easily take him in.
He seems to be an educated man because he quotes some classical sayings. Lettice calls
him, “a lost sheep in wolf’s clothing”; he retorts immediately, “Wolves do change their hair, but not
their hearts”. When Lady Redchester mentions about the criminal classes he says, “There ain’t no
criminal classes, any more than virtuous classes. The rogues and the rulers may both come from the
gutter, or the Palace. A man can be in the House of Commons today and the House of Detention to-
morrow, can’t he?”
He is attracted to beauty like any other man and welcomes Lettice. He praises Lord
Redchester’s gifts open heartedly. He claims to make a clean sweep and behaves rudely in order to get
the jewels back from ladies. He gives many sarcastic remarks; when Bishop asks who he is…. He says,
“I am a piano tuner”. Again when Bishop asks him to join the ranks of the honorable, virtuous and
trustworthy…. He retorts, “Do you want me to abandon my craft and start keeping rabbits”?
He professes to be a cunning man but proves to be a fool. He is greedy and leaves the booty in
hand in anticipation of an imagined treasure. He himself said, “ One in hand is better than two in bush”
but later forgets it and goes for “two in bush” leaving the “one in hand”. The Sydney family befools him
and makes him leave their treasure.
On the whole this is a superb presentation of a modern crook. He is unusual and dramatic and
cannot be easily forgotten.
GUY SYDNEY
Guy Sydney is a young boy who comes across Wolf in his study room. At the Christmas
morning he comes to have a drink, when he sees the Wolf. He controls himself fully and doesn’t show
any alarm or confusion. He behaves nicely with Wolf and asks him to be polite. He reiterates his
family’s strong points forcefully. He tells him that his family is the most straightforward and trust

worthy family of the county. It is he who sets the attitude of the whole family. His friendly manners
make Wolf think that he is among friends.
He calls his family members one by one and perhaps he prepares them for the situation. He is
intelligent and self-assured. He is active and controls the situation fully. He again and again gives him
drink and takes interest in his tools. He shows himself as caring and asks many questions about Wolf’s
life.
At the end he assists uncle Bishop in turning the table. He eagerly gives him the whole map of
Wallaby’s home. He tells him about the riches present in Wallaby’s drawing room and dining room. He
makes a whole list of expensive things present there and even lets him know the location of these things.
He paints such a picture before Wolf that he is completely be fooled. He leaves their gifts and is ready to
intrude into Wallaby’s home.
Thus Guy Sydney can be called the main instrument of Wolf’s destruction. He artfully plans
the strategy from very first moment and leads it to his desired objective.
Something to Talk About by Eden Phillpotts
Summary
The play “Something to Talk About” conveys the idea that very rich people become sick of their
monotonous lives. So just for a change, they welcome everything, even burglary. Secondly, we also see
that it is very difficult to bear the loss of things, it does not matter how rich a person is. To save his
things he ready to harm others.
At three on Christmas morning the Wolf, a burglar, comes to Sydneys’ residence to steal Christmas
presents. Lord Redchester is the head of the family. Lady Redchester is his wife Guy and Lettice are his
children. Bishop is his brother.
The Wolf is trying to open the safe when Guy comes in. Wolf levels his revolver at him, buy Guy wins
his confidence with his clever talk. He takes his permission to bring Lettice there. He tells him that
Lettice wants to watch him at work.
Preston, the butler, comes there. The Wolf ties him. Guy promises that the butler will not do anything
wrong and unties him. Soon all the members of the family come to room one by one. The Wolf tries his
best to open the safe but fails.
Lord Redchester tells him the password “Sophy” and he opens the safe in no time. He brings out all the
presents one by one. Everybody tries his gifts. The Wolf takes back the presents and decides to go, but
Bishop tries to exploit his religious feelings.
Then he tempts him to leave their presents and take more costly things of their neighbor. They promise
to help him in stealing. Buy describes the location. The Wolf agrees and gives back their presents and
leaves. Everybody shakes hands with him.
Q1. What is the theme of the play “Something to Talk About”?
The theme of the play “Something to Talk About” is the attitude of very rich people. The theme is that
very rich people become so tired of their monotonous lives that just for a change or some excitement
they enjoy even a burglary. The title of the play also suggests that. We also see that it is very difficult to
bear the loss of things. It does not matter how rich a person is. To save his things he is ready to harm
others.

The Sydney family lives outside a Cathedral town. This family’s nest-door neighbor lives at a distance
of three miles. This shows how isolated life this family is leading. They are living away from common
people. They have nothing different or new to do. That is why, when the ‘Wolf’ comes to steal their
Christmas presents they welcome him warmly. They treat him just like a guest of honour. Guy says to
the Wolf, “You are manna in the wilderness – you are indeed.” This means that they are considering the
burglar a blessing from God.
We see that Sydneys are very rich but in spite of being so much rich, they cannot bear the loss of their
things. They are ready to harm others. On one occasion, Lettice requests the ‘Wolf’ to let her keep the
tiara and take her Uncle Charles’ crosier. Therefore, just to save her tiara she tries to harm her uncle.
When the Sydneys see that the ‘Wolf’ is going to take the Christmas presents after all, they ask their
neighbour’s costly tings instead. Therefore, they try to harm their neighbor. This is also the theme of the
play. (276)
Q2. Bring about the humour in the play “Something to Talk About”.
“Something to Talk About” is a light comedy. Discuss.
The play “Something to Talk About” is a perfect example of a light comedy. The writer has created
humour through very comic comments by the characters and through some very comic situations.
Although there is a revolver and a constant threat to life by the burglar, yet the situation remains light
and does not become serious anytime.
When Guy asks the Wolf if he is a burglar, he gives a humorous answer. He says, “What d’you think I
was. A piano-tuner?” It is also very funny to call a burglar ‘manna in the wilderness’. The Wolf tells
Guy about the treatment of American law with criminals with such a funny way that we cannot help
laughing. He says, “It’s worthwhile in the States. When they catch you, if you’re bad enough, you go to
Sing Sing, and they give you flower gardens and Bridge parties….” When Lord Redchester finds Wolf
in his house, he says, “Who the deuce is?” When we read the words ‘deuce’ and ‘imposter’, we laugh
heartily.
The play is full of many funny situations too. We see a funny situation when Guy introduces his sister,
Lettice, to the Wolf as though he were a guest of honour. It is very funny when Lettice praises Wolf’s
tools and he explains them to her. We find another situation when they sing just to encourage the
burglar. After that, we find a funny situation when Wolf leaves and everybody shakes hands with him
and expresses god wishes.
Therefore, the play “Something to Talk About” is a light comedy and it is full of comic comments and
situations. (268)
Q3. Discuss the elements of irony in the play “Something to Talk About”.
The play “Something to Talk About” is full of elements of irony.
Firstly, we find irony when Wolf tells Guy how American law courts treat criminals. He says, “It’s
worthwhile in the States. When they catch you, if you’re bad enough, you go to Sing, Sing and they give
you flower gardens and Bridge parties…” Apparently, Wolf is appreciating American law courts, but
inwards he is making fun of their lenient treatment towards criminals.
Secondly, we find irony when Guy tells Wolf, “We’re the most trustworthy family in England.” But
later in the play we find that they ask Wolf to leave their presents and take their neighbour’s costly
things.

Thirdly, at the start of the play, Wolf tells Guy, “The safe isn’t built to beat me.” However, later we see
that fails to force open the safe. Fourthly, we find irony in the attitude of Bishop. He advises Wolf to
leave worldly wealth and join the ranks of the trustworthy, honourable, and virtuous, but he himself is
not ready to leave his gold crosier. To save his gold crosier, he not only tries to exploit Wolf’s religious
feelings, but also puts temptation in his way.
Lastly, irony is found in the attitude of the Sydnys. Outwardly, they appreciate Wolf but inwardly they
consider him an ‘enemy of society’. They want to get rid of him to save their Christmas presents. (230)
Q4. Discuss the elements of satire in the play.
Firstly, satire is on rich people who lead a monotonous life and do nothing. They have no sense of
morality and are ready to do anything to save their things.
Secondly, satire is on religious people who have become so worldly. They cannot bear the loss of
worldly things and are ready even to tempt others and exploit their religious feelings. They preach one
thing and practice another. When Wolf says that he does not like clergy, Lady Redchester says, “More
does he – finds them most difficult and lawless.” She further says, “He never criticizes anybody; and
never does anything; but just sits on the fence and prays for everybody.”
Thirdly, the satire is on English made things that are inferior. Lord Redchester tells Wolf, “We stick to
home-made things as a rule, though they are so inferior.” Fourthly, satire is on English roads. Guy says,
“Rather bad roads in England, I’m afraid.” At this Wolf says, “You’re right. Worst roads in England.”
Therefore, the play is full of satire. (170)
Q5. The Sydneys’ greatest desire is to have some novelty in their monotonous lives.
Discuss.
No doubt, the play “Something to Talk About” is a clever and pleasant representation of the
temperament of modern English people, who might well find nocturnal alarm a matter of objective
entertainment. They are so much desirous of some novelty and change in their lives that burglary is not a
serious matter. The burglar with a revolver does not frighten them; rather he is “manna in the
wilderness”. They enjoy his presence in their home.
They are so much fond of entertainmet that everyone wants to join in. One by one all the members of the
family come there. No one appears to be afraid or alarmed. To them the burglar is some sort of actor
who is going to give some astounding performance.
Lettice wants her mother to join in. She says to Lord R, “Do you thing I might wake mama? She’ll never
forgive us if she misses this. You know how she is always yearning for something to happen. It will be
cruel, papa, to enjoy Wolf without her.” The words spoken by Lettice tell us about the temperament of a
modern English people, who might well find nocturnal alarm a matter of objective entertainment.
They arrange chairs in a semi-circle. They thank the burglar on coming to their home for stealing. Lady
Redchester says, “The terror of England! And under our roof! How nice of him! How do you do?”
Therefore, they receive the burglar rather warmly. They treat him just like a guest of honour.
Therefore, from the above discussion, we can conclude that the play “Something to Talk About” is a
clever and pleasant representation of the temperament of modern English people. (278)

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