At the end of the play, Mrs. Popov and Smirnov appear to be in love. Considering what has happened in the play,The Bear, why is this ridiculous?
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Judging from their actions and words, Mrs. Popov and Smirnov are characters of impetuous emotion. When, for example, Mrs. Popov's husband dies, she rashly decides to spend the rest of her life secluded in her home. In an equally rash move, Smirnov declares that if Mrs. Popov will not repay her husband's debt, he will kill himself by sticking his head in a gas oven. Since they are so quick to react...
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