These two short 'jests' are part of a portfolio of Chekhov's short comedies, that came to be known as 'the vaudevilles'.  In 'The Bear' and 'The Proposal', he adopts a somewhat satirical approach to tell us the tales of two families, both at different life stages. 

​Throughout his literary career, Chekhov drew on his experiences of living and working in tsarist Russia of the late 19th/early 20th century.  Having trained as a doctor, his medical work (which he continued to do alongside writing) brought him into contact with all sections of Russian society, and he frequently adapted situations he had witnessed and people he had met to add depth and realism - as well as comedy - to his pieces.  

​In 'The Bear' we meet a widow who is adjusting as best she can to life without her husband and in 'The Proposal' a gentleman is plucking up courage to find himself a wife.