CBSE Class 10 English The Proposal Assignment

The Proposal

INTRODUCTION—
‘The Proposal’ (originally titled ‘A Marriage Proposal) is a one-act play, a farce by Anton Chekhov. The play highlights the tendency of wealthy families seeking ties with other wealthy families to increase their estates by encouraging marriages that make good economic sense.

SUMMARY—
This play is about how wealthy families seek to tie up with one another through marriages in order to increase their property and wealth. Lomov is a rich bachelor who wishes to marry Natalya, the daughter of Chubukov who himself is a rich man. The play deals with how all the three characters are very quarrelsome. They quarrel over trivial issues and call each other names. Lomov is not really in love with Natalya, but wants to marry her as he feels she is a good house-keeper, beautiful and well educated. He feels that it is the time he should settle down. Natalya, who doesn’t know he has come to propose to her, feels that he has come to claim oxen meadows as his own. This results in a quarrel with her father Chubukov joining in. After much mud-slinging, when Natalya comes to know that he has come to propose her, she becomes willing to marry him. The proposal is made and accepted, with the knowledge that quarrels will take place in life, and important things should not be side-lined because of this.

Extract Based Questions 

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

1. “Please don’t shout! You can shout yourself hoarse in your own house but here I must ask you to restrain yourself!” 

Question. What is the dispute over ?
(i) land
(ii) property
(iii) oxen meadows
(iv) wasteland
Answer.(iii) Oxen meadows

Question. Who is the speaker ?
(i) Natalya
(ii) Ivan
(iii) Stephan
(iv) Stranger
Answer.(i) Natalya

Question. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘under control’ ?
(i) hoarse
(ii) restrain
(iii) impudent
(iv) calmly
Answer.(ii) restrain

Question. Ivan Lomov has come for the ____________ proposal.
(i) marriage
(ii) business
(iii) partnership
(iv) None of them
Answer.(i) marriage

 

2. These meadows aren’t worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can’t stand unfairness. Say what you will, I can’t stand unfairness. 

Question. How much are the meadows worth approximately ?
(i) 500 roubles
(ii) 200 roubles
(iii) 300 roubles
(iv) 400 roubles
Answer.(iii) 300 roubles

Question. What was the measurement of the meadows ?
(i) 5 acres
(ii) 5 square metres
(iii) 5 square feet
(iv) 5 dessiatins
Answer.(iv) 5 dessiatins

Question. Find a word in the extract that means ‘not based on what is just or fair’.
(i) unfairness
(ii) faily
(iii) fairness
(iv) fairway
Answer.(i) unfairness

Question. Natalya’s family had the land for nearly ____________ years.
(i) two hundred
(ii) three hundred
(iii) four hundred
(iv) hundred
Answer.(ii) three hundred

 

3. I’m off my balance with joy, absolutely off my balance ! Oh, with all my soul..... I’ll go and call Natalya, and all that. 

Question. What is the name of Stephan’s daughter ?
(i) Natasha
(ii) Natalya
(iii) Jenny
(iv) Betty
Answer.(ii) Natalya

Question. Which word in the passage refers to ‘happiness’ ?
(i) excited
(ii) joy
(iii) restrain
(iv) glad
Answer. (ii) Joy

Question. Who has bought the proposal ?
(i) His neighbour
(ii) His friend
(iii) His business
(iv) His relative
Answer. (i) His neighbour

Question. Was Stephan happy to receive Lomov’s proposal of marrying his daughter Natalya ?
(i) No
(ii) little happy
(iii) Yes
(iv) Not at all
Answer.(iii) Yes

 

4. There’s nothing to argue about. You see my aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to the peasants of your father’s grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her.

Question. Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother gave her Meadows free in returns of __________ made by peasants.
(i) pots
(ii) furniture
(iii) bricks
(iv) utensils
Answer.(iii) bricks

Question. What was the name of the meadow in the chapter ?
(i) cow meadow
(ii) sheep meadow
(iii) goat meadow
(iv) oxen meadow
Answer.(iv) oxen meadow

Question. The meadows were given free by Lomov’s
(i) aunt’s grandfather
(ii) aunt’s grandmother
(iii) aunt’s daughter
(iv) aunt’s brother
Answer.(ii) aunt’s grandmother

Question. Find a word from the passage which means same as ‘the state of lasting for long period / forever’.
(i) perpetuity
(ii) persuasive
(iii) pervasive
(iv) pertain
Answer.(i) perpetuity

Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

1. I shall try to be brief. You must know, honoured Natalya Stepanovna, that I have long,since my childhood, in fact, had the privilege of knowing your family. My late aunt and
her husband, from whom, as you know, I inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly,and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. And, as you know, my land is a near neighbour of yours. You will remember that my Oxen Meadows touch your birchwoods.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. The speaker knows Natalya’s family:
(a) since his young days.
(b) since his childhood.
(c) since his school days.
(d) since his college days.
Answer. B

Question. The speaker claims that the Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always been:
(a) sworn enemies
(b) not on good terms
(c) not on speaking terms
(d) on friendly terms
Answer. A

Question. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) I think, Lomov unnecessarily recalls the good relations between both of their families from the beginning.
(2) Oh, No! He does it to prove now the land, Oxen Meadows belong to him.
(3) I think, Natalya falsely claims that Oxen Meadows belong to her family.
(4) Let's not forget that their lands are close to each other's which leads to this dispute.
(a) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 2
(c) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(d) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
Answer. D

Question. How is Natalya related to Chubukov?
(a) His daughter
(b) His servant
(c) His neighbour
(d) His friend
Answer. A

Question. The extract uses the phrase, ‘privilege of knowing’. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘privilege’?
                   (2) Advantage
                            ↑
(1) Please  ←   PRIVILEGE  →  (3) Entitlement
                            ↓
                  (4) Freedom
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. 

 

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. Why does the speaker visit the listener’s house?
Answer. The speaker visits the listener’s house to offer a proposal of marriage with Natalya Stepanovna.

Question. Who had always been friendly?
Answer. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs had always been friendly.

Question. What is ‘a near neighbour’ of the Lomovs?
Answer. Chubukov’s land is a near neighbour of Lomovs’ Oxen Meadows.

Question. How does the listener react to the speaker’s statement?
Answer. The listener gets angry to listen to the speaker’s statement.

Question. What intentions did the speaker try to express in conversation?
Answer. He tried to express that he belonged to an honourable family and was well aware of his neighbours.

 

2. And it’s impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I’m already 35—a critical age, so to speak.
In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I’m excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there’s a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. I no sooner get into bed and begin to go off, when suddenly something in my left side gives a pull, and I can feel it in my shoulder and head... I jump up like a lunatic, walk about a bit and die down again, but as soon as I begin to get off to sleep there’s another pull! And this may happen twenty times...

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. The speaker had reached the critical age of 35. So he did not give himself the option of:
(a) marrying.
(b) living an ordinary life.
(c) not marrying.
(d) quarrelling with others.
Answer. C

Question. Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. At this moment, Lomov is talking to Chubukov.
2. The speaker wants to marry the listener’s daughter.
3. The speaker is fit and healthy.
4. The speaker takes very sound sleep at night.
5. The speaker and the listener’s daughter had a heated argument over their dogs.
6. The listener does not like to talk with the speaker as she hates the speaker.
(a) 1, 3 and 5
(b) 2, 4 and 6
(c) 3, 4 and 6
(d) 1, 5 and 6
Answer. C

Question. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below:
(1) I think, Lomov should not have thought to get married as he was suffering from several incurable diseases.
(2) I feel after marriage, his all diseases would hav e been cured automatically.
(3) Let’ not forget that he suffered from palpitations which could not be cured itself.
(4) Apart from it,when he went to bed to sleep, he started jumping like a lunatic.
(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 3, 4 and O – 1, 2
(c) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(d) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
Answer. B

Question. Which word does ‘get off’ NOT correspond to?
(a) Nap
(b) Doze
(c) Asleep
(d) Run
Answer. D

Question. Why did Lomov want to marry Natalya?
(a) Because Natalya was average looking
(b) Because Natalya was a good housekeeper
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
Answer. C

 

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. What is impossible for the speaker?
Answer. It is impossible for the speaker not to marry.

Question. What kind of life does the speaker want to lead?
Answer. The speaker wants to lead a quiet and regular (married) life.

Question. Why is the speaker so much upset with his physical condition?
Answer. The speaker suffers from palpitations, hyper-tension and is awfully upset due to many ailments.

Question. What may happen twenty times again?
Answer. He may walk like a lunatic, jump up and lie down twenty times again.

Question. Why is marriage essential for the speaker?
Answer. The speaker is at the critical age of marriage. He is living alone and suffering from several health problems.

 

3. There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer. I don’t like people who don’t say what they mean, because you know perfectly well that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your silly Guess. Why do you want to say he isn’t?

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Lomov won’t prove anything:
(a) by quarrelling.
(b) by showing enmity.
(c) by showing arrogance.
(d) just by crying.
Answer. D

Question. The speaker doesn’t want to give up:
(a) what he doesn’t have.
(b) what he has.
(c) what he can’t have.
(d) what he will have.
Answer. B

Question. What opinion about animals is reflected in the above extract?
(a) People tamed animals.
(b) People did not like dogs.
(c) Some people tamed animals.
(d) Dogs were tamed by people.
Answer. D

Question. What did the pet dogs symbolise during the period?
(a) A good family
(b) Usual love for animals
(c) A high social status
(d) None of these
Answer. C

Question. Pick the option opposite in meaning to ‘contradiction’.
                         (1) Request
                                 ↑
(4) Opposition ←   CONTRADICTION →   (2) Helpful
                                 ↓
                        (3) Agreement
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. C
 

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. What does Natalya accuse Lomov of?
Answer. Natalya accuses Lomov of suffering from self-contradictions.

Question. What did Lomov pretend to be?
Answer. Lomov pretended that Oxen Meadows belonged to him.

Question. Who does Natalya think better than Guess?
Answer. Natalya thinks that her dog Squeezer is a hundred times better than Guess.

Question. Who does Natalya call silly?
Answer. Natalya calls Lomov’s dog Squeezer, a silly dog.

Question. What sort of character is the speaker?
Answer. The speaker is a person of low temperament. He also likes to exaggerate things.

 

Short Answer Type Questions  

Question. Who is Lomov and why does he visit Chubukov ? 
Answer. Lomov is a rich landowner. He is neighbour of chubukov. He is a thirty-five year old rich bachelor who wanted to marry Natalya (Chubukov’s daughter). So he came very well dressed in evening, dressed in a jacket and white gloves, to ask for Natalya’s hand.

Question. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from ? 
Answer. Lomov is hypochondriac and nervous. He thinks he is cold, he has a roaring in his ears, he complains of a weak heart, insomnia, strange aches and palpitation. He also suffers from numbness of limbs. He gets nervous very often. His heart collapses twice. He considers himself weak and helpless, needs sympathy.

Question. Why is Chubukov surprised at Lomov‘s wearing of a formal evening dress? Was he sarcastic or friendly to Lomov?
Answer. -there was no formal occasion known to him. His tone was sarcastic.

Question. What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of Lomov‘s visit?
Answer. - Chubukov – misunderstands that Lomov had come to borrow money
Lomov – had come with a request for help to propose Natalya

Question. What was Lomov‘s opinion about Squeezer?
Answer. It was not positive. He considered Squeezer a bad hunter.
-Lomov was sure that dog‘s lower jaw was shorter than the upper one.
-He thought it to be of inferior quality.

Question. How does Chubukov appreciate ‗Squeezer‘?
Answer. Chubukov appreciates Squeezer saying that he is pure-breed, firm on his feet and has well sprung ribs.

Question. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from?
Answer. weakness or depression 
-His limbs become numb, whenever he is excited, his heart starts palpitating.
-His foot often becomes numb and he is unable to bear the shock in life.

Question. Write a brief character sketch of Lomov.
Answer. -Man who is of marriageable age. - suffers from a weak heart and sleeplessness.
- he is desperate to settle down in life and lead a quiet and regular life.
-Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer.
-he was desperate to have a life partner, and so marry Natalya.
-hesitant and meek. to ask for her hand from Chubukov. That made him beat around the bush and argue.
-He is an eligible, assertive, rich, bachelor, who will be liked by any girl. However, we also know that he is nervous, lacks confidence and is prone to talk in a long-winded manner.

Question. Describe the incidents of humour in the play, ‗The Proposal‘?
Answer. -entry of Lomov in a formal I dress and the way Chubukov greets calling him ‘darling’, ‘my treasure’ or ‘my beauty’
-Marriage proposal, supposed to be romantic turns to be humorous as the way Natalya and
Lomov indulge in arguments over petty issues like ownership of Oxen Meadows and superiority of dogs
-the critical terms that the characters I use for each other like a scarecrow, turnip ghost, blind hen, stuffed sausage, etc., force one to laugh. The hysterical fit of Natalya when she comes to know about the proposal
-the wailing of father and daughter when they think Lomov is dead
- the way Natalya puts her hand in Loom’s under continuous arguments indicating acceptance of the proposal

Question. Give a brief character sketch of Natalya.
Answer. 
-25 years old and the daughter of Chubukov.
-She was a good housekeeper, not bad to look at and educated
-She was greedy and short-sighted. She got the whole field of hay cut. She was also very inquisitive and wanted to know why Lomov was dressed up formally. She was touchy and short-tempered and fell into contradiction and argument on two occasions—once over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the second time over the
superiority of her dog Squeezer.
She is as rigid as Lomov. She is not ready to give up argument even after getting ready to marry him.

Question. Why do you think, Lomov visits his neighbour wearing a formal evening dress?
Answer. While going on a mission of vital importance it is a usual custom, almost over all the world, to wear a formal dress. Lomov visits Chubukov with the purpose of proposing to his daughter, Natalya. So, he wears a formal evening dress.

Question. What does Chubukov suspect that Lomov has come for? What is his resolve?
Answer. On seeing Lomov in his house, Chubukov is suspicious about the visit. He guesses that Lomov has come with the intention of borrowing some money from him. He gives out his mind through ‘Aside’ that he is not going to accede to Lomov’s request and shall not give him any money.

Question. Why is Lomov so sesitant in disclosing the purpose of his visit? What light does this behavior throw on his personality?
Answer. Lomov is hesitant in disclosing the purpose of his visit to the Chubukovs because he lacks self-confidence and is a nervous wreck. He cannot muster up enough courage and put forth his mind in clear words. He keeps beating about the bush and goes round and round till Chubukov asks him to ‘Spit it out’. This shows that Lomov has low self-esteem and is not confident about his abilities.

Question. How does Chubukov react when he comes to know that Lomov has come to seek his daughter’s hand in marriage?
Answer. Chubukov feels extremely happy and tells Lomov that he has been hoping it for a long time. In fact, extreme joy thrown him a little off his balance and in his excitement he rushes in to send his daughter out to see Lomov.

Question. Is Chubukov sincere when he says, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son?
Answer. Chubukov is a hypocrite and doesn’t have any amiable feelings towards Lomov. In fact, he hates him and views him with suspicion. The extent of Chubukov’s hatred becomes clear later in the play when he joins his daughter in condemning and abusing Lomov and his family.

Question. Has Lomov come to propose to Natalya out of a feeling of love for her or are there some other reasons for it?
Or
Why did Lomov choose to marry Natalya?
Answer. Lomov thinks that Natalya is an excellent house keeper, is not bad-looking, and is well-educated. This shows that he does not love her. However, he is afraid that his advancing age and poor health might deprive him of marriage to anyone else, so he comes to propose to Natalya.

Question. Write a brief note on Lomov’s health.
Answer. Lomov is not a healthy man. He suffers from palpitations, is excitable and always gets awfully upset. His lips tremble and he has a twitch in his right eyebrow when he gets excited. He has a disturbed sleep and he always feels that his left side gives him a pull when he begins to go off in bed. He can feel it in his shoulder and head and he jumps up like a lunatic, walks about a bit and lies down again.

Question. What causes the first quarrel between Lomov and Natalya?
Or
What was ‘Oxen Meadows’? Why did Lomov and Natalya quarrel over it?
Answer. Lomov’s rigmaroling about his landownings and particularly his statement that his inherited piece of land ‘Oxen meadows’ touch Chubukovs’ ‘birchwoods’ is the cause of the first quarrel between Lomov and Natalya.

Question. What did Lomov tell the Chubukovs about the disputed land’s ownership?
Answer. Lomov argued that his aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of the Oxen Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather in return for which they were to make bricks for her. Natalya’s family had the free use of the Meadows for forty years, and had therefore got into the habit of regarding them as their own. He further offered to show Natalya the documents that proved his ownership.

Question. How does Natalya try to convince Lomov that ‘Oxen Meadows’ belong to them?
Answer. How does Natalya asserts that her ancestors used to claim that their land holding extended as far as the Burnt Marsh, which, according to her included the Oxen Meadows. So, she believes that there is nothing to argue about her claim.

Question. Why does Natalya tell Lomov that she will send her mowers to Oxen Meadows? How does Lomov threaten to treat them?
Answer. Natalya tells Lomov that she will send her mowers to Oxen Meadows to prove that the land belongs to her family. Lomov threatens that he would give it to the movers in the neck if they come to the Oxen Meadows.

Question. Who is a ‘pettyfogger’? Why does Chubukov call Lomov a ‘pettyfogger’?
Answer. A ‘pettyfogger’ is a person who uses underhand or disreputable methods to prove his point. Chubukov calls Lomov a ‘pettifogger’ because the latter threatens to take the matter of the ownership of Oxen Meadows to the court. Lomov claims that he has papers to prove that ownership in his favour, whereas Chubukov believes that there is no such document and Lomove is just on a look-out for a chance to go the court.

Question. What happens to Natalya when she hears from her father that Lomov had come to propose to her?
Answer. Natalya gets the shock of her life when she hears from her father that Lomov had come to propose to her. She falls into an easy-chair and wails urging her father to bring back Lomov. She pretends as if she would die and wails hysterically to get Lomov back immediately. She keeps on wailing and blames her father for cursing, abusing and driving Lomov out of their house.

Question. How does Lomov compare his ‘Guess’ with Chubukov’s ‘Squeezer’? What does Chubukov say in response?
Answer. Speaking in praise of his Guess, Lomov says that he is a very fast runner and on the Marusinsky hunt Guess ran neck-and-neck with Count’s dog, whereas Squeezer trailed far behind during the hunt. In response, Chubukov tells Lomov that Squeezer was hit by the Count’s whipper-in that led him to trail behind.

Question. If Lomov and Natalya really get married, what sort of a life do you expect them to be leading?
Answer. Lomov and Natalya are selfish, men, short-temperee, impatient, quarrelsome and rash. Such persons, when constrained to live together as husband and wife, will always be quarrelling and arguing over trifles. They are very likely not to lead a peaceful and cordial life.

 

Long Answer Type Questions  

Question. Among neighbours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues? 
Answer.  Lomov and Natalya were next-door neighbours. One day, Lomov came to Natalya to propose her. Natalya, who didn’t know that he had come to propose her, thought that he had come to claim Oxen Meadows as his own. When Chubukov, Natalya’s father, interfered with them and also pleaded that the Oxen Meadows were the properties of Chubukov, the fight aggravated. For a few moments, Lomov’s real purpose was overshadowed by that issue and he continued the bias that meadows belonged to his aunt’s grandmother who gave them to the peasants of Chubukov’s grandfather on the condition that they would prepare bricks for her. So how it would be considered as Natalya’s property.
Though both Lomov and Chubukov, Natalya’s father, were very rich landlords, they quarrelled over a tiny piece of land, called, ‘Oxen Meadows’. But that was not the end of quarrel. Natalya didn’t agree with Lomov’s explanation. Instead, she offered to make a present of it to Lomov who, in turn, rejected the suggestion. And the quarrel continued endlessly. Such first meeting of Lomov and Natalya had in itself seeds of things (quarrels over petty issues) to be expected in their married life.

Question. Justify the title ‘The Proposal’.
Answer.The title of the play ‘The Proposal’ is very appropriate. A young man, Lomov wants to propose Natalya for marriage. He goes to her house for the same. Being confused, he doesn’t propose at once. He beats about the bush. He speaks irrelevantly. As Natalya doesn’t know that he has come to propose her, she thinks that he has come to Claim Oxen meadows as his own, she starts quarrelling. This results in one after another quarrel. After her father Chubukov reconciles; Natalya comes to know that he has come to propose her. Then at once she forgets the issue of fighting. Then the proposal is made and accepted. Finally, they get engaged. The major theme that revolves is the cold approach of marriage in the nineteenth century in Russia which was very common. Also such an approach was common in wealthy families like Lomov and Natalya. They both are money driven and wanted to get married desperately for their economic security.

Question. Describe the arguments between Lomov and the Chubukovs over the ownership of ‘Oxen Meadows’?
Or
Explain the dispute over ‘Oxen Meadows’
Answer. Oxen Meadows was a piece of land that was claimed to be their family property both by Lomov and Natalya. This property touched the birchwoods that belonged to Chubukovs. It was wedged in between the birchwoods and the Burnt Marsh.
The dispute over the ownership begins when Lomov casually mentions that Oxen Meadows belong to him. A fiery Natalya objects to this claim and soon a heated argument follows. Lomov tells that he has documents to prove his ownership. He agrees that once the Meadows were a subject of dispute but now they are legally his property. He clarifies that his aunt’s grandmother had given the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather in return for which they were to make bricks for her. These peasants made free use of the Meadown for forty years and had got into the habit of regarding them as their own.
Natalya disagrees with this argument and asserts that both her grandfather and great grandfather reckoned that their land extended to Burnt Marsh, which meant that Oxen Meadows were theirs. She claims that they’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years and although they weren’t of much worth to her, she could not stand unfairness.
Both refuse to give up their respective claim over the meadows when Chubukov enters. He too claims that the ownership of the Oxen Meadows lay with their family. He tells Lomov not to yell at him in that ‘tone’. The argument heats up further and Lomov threatens to take the matter to court. This is followed by a series of abuses that Lomov and Chubukov hurl at each other. Natalya joins her father in fighting Lomov tooth and nail. Finally, and agitated Lomov leaves.

Question. Describe the verbal fight between Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov over their respective dogs.
Answer. Lomov had a dog named ‘Guess’ and Natalya’s dog was called ‘Squeezer’. The couple begin a normal conversation about their respective pets and end up arguing bitterly about their superiority over each other. Lomov tells Natalya that Guess has gone lame as his leg must have got twisted or bit by some other dog. He claims that his dog is the very best and expensive too as he had paid 125 roubles to mironov for him. Natalya says that the price is too much as her dog Squeezer cost 85 roubles and he is heaps better than Guess. She asserts that Squeezer is young and his pedigree is better than anything that even Volchanetsky has got.
Lomov cannot tolerate this praise and tells Natalya that Squeezer is overshot and an overshot dog means it is a bad hunter. Irritated Natalya says that she has heard her dog being called overshot for the first time. Lomov still insists that Squeezer’s lower jaw is shorter that the upper. Natalya loses her temper and tells Lomov that her dog is thoroughbred animal, the son of Harness and Chisels, while Guess does not have any pedigree at all. She calls Guess old and as ugly as a worn-out cab-horse. Angry Lomov then tells Natalya that he wouldn’t take five Squeezers for Guess and dogs like Squeezer could be found under every bush. He further ridicules the dog by saying that twenty-five roubles would be a hadsome price to pay for a dog like Squeezer. Natalya asserts that her Squeezer is a hundred times better than the silly Guess who is half-dead already.
Chubukov too joins the argument and recounts come fine qualities of Guess just to please Lomov. He calls it purebred, firm on his feet with well-sprung ribs, but also lists the dog’s defects. Chubukov says that Guess is old and he’s short in the muzzle. Lomov cannot take this insult and he begins recounting Squeezer’s follies when on the Maursinsky hunt Guess ran neck-and-neck with the Count’s dog, while Squeezer was left a whole verst behind. He also makes fun of Squeezer who had started worrying a sheep while other dogs were running after a fox.
This fight again heats up and leads to an attach of palpitations on Lomov amid personal accusations.

Question. What do you understand by a marriage of convenience? Would you consider Lomov and Natalya’s union to be a marriage of convenience? If so, why? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer. A marriage of convenience is the one when some specific purpose is planned to be gained through matrimonial alliance. It could be a financial or a political motive and such a marriage does not involve two loving partners. Even the merits and demerits of the bride and grooms are over looked in such a union.
Lomov and Natalya too are on the verge of getting into such a relationship. When Lomov realizes that at the age of thirty-five it was unlikely for him to get a bride of his choice, he decides to propose to Natalya. Natalya too, at the age of twenty-five, is very desperate to get married. Hence, she overlooks the fact that Lomov has a very frail health and she just wants this man to propose to propose her at any cost. Chubukov knows it very well that had Lomov been really interested in his daughter, he would had proposed to her years back. However, he too, wishing to get the weight of a grown-up daughter off his shoulder, is very keen to see this proposal materialize. Hence, this union is nothing but a marriage of convenience.