Mrs. PopovIn the drama The Brute, Anton Checkov displays how men feel that women treat men, and in the same respect how women feel that men treat women. The portrayal of characters in this drama is somewhat humorous because regardless of the outward expression of the main characters, love is in the air and the expectations of men and women concerning each other are forced aside in the end. To begin, Smirnov enters the play as being someone with complete disrespect for anyone of the opposite sex. He has absolutely no shame in speaking vulgar words such as “idiot” and “damn” or saying inappropriate phrases like “God damn it to hell” in front of a woman; Mrs. Popov in particular. Smirnov acts as if he is desensitized to love, compassion, emotion, and tenderness. It is obvious that Smirnov’s actions are merely an “act” and not his true nature because even from the point of introduction to Mrs. Popov, Smirnov cannot help but make hidden compliments about her “schoolgirl dimples,” or speak of “how charmante [she] look[s] in mourning” even through his supposed rage.The part in which Checkov expresses how men feel that women treat them comes to play after Mrs. Popov lectures Smirnov about his mannerisms. Smirnov absolutely cannot contain himself and comes back with an extensive remark. He says:"I’ve fought three duels on [women’s] account...I’ve played the fool in my time...burning eyes, dark eyelashes, ripe, red lips, dimpled cheeks, heaving bosoms, soft whisperings, the moon above, the lake below...I don’t give a rap for that sort of nonsense anymore... women, young or old are false, petty, vain, cruel, malicious, unreasonable...for a man, love is suffering, love is sacrifice..."These statements give a viewer or reader a significant show of emotion from Smirnov. The fact that he speaks of “burning eyes” and “heav...
