Chapter 11: The Proposal (Play by Anton Chekhov). 10

Chapter 11: The Proposal (Play by Anton Chekhov).

Word Meanings 

• Proposal – an offer, here a marriage proposal

• Landowner – a person who owns land

• Quarrel – fight with words

• Inheritance – property or money received from family

• Meadow – grassy land

• Hypochondriac – a person who worries too much about health

• Excitable – gets angry or emotional easily

• Argumentative – likes to argue a lot

• Impetuous – acting quickly without thinking

• Stammering – speaking with pauses or repeating sounds

• Meddle – to interfere in someone’s matter

• Awkward – uncomfortable, strange

• Exhausted – very tired

• Wrangle – noisy quarrel

• Insult – disrespectful or rude remark

• Fidget – to move restlessly, nervously

 NCERT Question–Answers

Thinking about the Play

Q1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says, “and I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”?
At first, Chubukov suspects Lomov has come to borrow money. Later, when he learns Lomov wants to propose to his daughter, he pretends love and affection. His words are not sincere but spoken for self-interest.

Q2. Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat ...” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Yes, Natalya does want to marry Lomov, though she quarrels with him. When she learns Lomov came with a marriage proposal, she demands her father bring him back. Her excitement and insistence show she actually wanted the proposal.

Q3. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations they make. (ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character.
(i) They call each other: “pettifogger,” “grabber,” “hypocrite,” “old rat,” “intriguer,” “lovesick cat,” “double-faced.”
(ii) Adjectives:

• Lomov – nervous, quarrelsome, weak-hearted, foolish, hypochondriac.

• Natalya – stubborn, argumentative, emotional, proud, traditional.

• Chubukov – selfish, greedy, hot-tempered, cunning, humorous.

Q4. (i) What do you learn about the characters of Lomov and Natalya from their quarrels? (ii) What do you learn about Chubukov from the way he reacts to their quarrels?
(i) Lomov is nervous, insecure, but quick to argue. Natalya is strong-minded, stubborn, and equally argumentative.
(ii) Chubukov is greedy and hot-tempered. He supports his daughter blindly, insults Lomov, but changes quickly when he hears of the marriage proposal.

Q5. Bring out the irony in the play. (Remember: irony is when someone says something but means another, or when things happen contrary to our expectations.)
The irony is that Lomov comes to propose marriage but ends up quarreling about land and dogs. Natalya accepts him only after heated arguments. Even during engagement, they quarrel again. The marriage starts with fights, not love.

Q6. What makes this play a farce? (Think: of exaggerated situations, quarrels, and characters.)
The play is a farce because of silly quarrels, exaggerated emotions, and comic situations. Instead of love talks, the characters argue about land and dogs. Their anger, shouting, and sudden change of moods create humor and laughter.

Q.1. Describe, in brief, the character of Natalya as sketched in the chapter “The Proposal.”
Ans. Natalya Stepanovna is a 25-year-old daughter of Chubukov. She is a hardworking and well-educated girl who manages the household very well. However, she is also short-tempered, quarrelsome, and stubborn. She easily gets into arguments over small matters like land and dogs. When she learns that Lomov came to propose to her, she becomes very emotional and desperate. Her character shows that she is both practical and childish at the same time.

Q.2. Why does the proposal remaain unmade during Lomov’s first visit?
Ans. The proposal remains unmade during Lomov’s first visit because he and Natalya start arguing about the ownership of Oxen Meadows before he can even express his real purpose. The quarrel becomes so heated that Lomov leaves the house angrily without proposing.

Q.3. Justify the title “The Proposal.”
Ans. The title “The Proposal” is appropriate because the whole story is about Ivan Lomov’s attempt to propose to Natalya. Although unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings delay it, the proposal finally gets accepted in the end. Thus, the marriage proposal becomes the main focus and central theme of the play.

Q.4. How does Lomov speak warmly of Chubukov’s family in the beginning? Why does he change his stand?
Ans. At first, Lomov praises Chubukov’s family as kind, friendly, and good neighbours. He also speaks highly of Natalya and her qualities. But when the argument over Oxen Meadows and the dogs begins, he becomes angry and starts insulting them. Due to his short-tempered nature, he quickly shifts from praise to accusations.

Q.5. Describe the character sketch of Lomov in the play “The Proposal.”
Ans. Ivan Lomov is a rich landowner in his mid-thirties. He suffers from nervousness and health problems, so he behaves anxiously and dramatically. He wants to marry Natalya not for love, but because she is a good housekeeper and it is a practical decision. He is very quarrelsome and easily loses his temper over silly issues. Despite his weaknesses, he is determined to get married, which shows his practicality.