CBSE Class 10 English The Proposal Worksheet

The Proposal

INTRODUCTION
Anton Chekov (1860-1904) was a famous writer. He is chiefly known for his short stories. This story ‘The Proposal’ is a romantic story of a neighbour named Ivan Lomov. He is a landowner and often gets money from Chuhukov’s another landowner. Chubukov has a daughter named Natalya. Lomov comes to Chubukov with a marriage proposal for his daughter Natalya.

GIST
`The Proposal’ is a one-act play. Actually, it is a farce written by Anton Chekhov in 1888-89. The play is about the tendency of wealthy families to seek matrimonial ties. The real purpose is to increase their estates and landed properties. Ivan Lomov was a wealthy neighbour of another wealthy farmer Stepan Chubukov. Lomov comes to seek the hand of Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya.
Tomov, Chubukov and Natalya’-all three are quarrelsome people. They quarrel over petty or small issues. Each one of them has a claim over a particular piece of land. They also quarrel over their
dogs. Amidst this quarrelling, they completely forget the real issue — the marriage proposal. But good sense prevails in the end. Economic good sense ensures that the proposal is made. Chubukov doesn’t want to miss the opportunity. He puts his daughter’s hand into Lomov’s hands. He doesn’t waste any time and blesses them. However, old habits die hard. The newly married couple starts their married life with a fresh quarrel.

DETAILED SUMMARY
When the play begins we see that Lomov comes to meet Chubukov at his house. Chubukov who is a farmer welcomes Lomov. He asks him why he is wearing formal clothes and whether he is going to attend a function. Lomov replies that he is not going anywhere; he has come only to meet him. Lomov appears excited and perturbed. He calms himself down and begins to tell him the purpose of his visit. He tells him that he came to him many times in the past also for his help but he did not help him. Before telling the purpose of his visit. Lomov is excited once again. Chubukov thinks that perhaps he has come to ask for a loan. He makes up his mind not to help him in any way.

Lomov once again begins to tell Chubukov about the purpose of his visit. But he once again becomes excited. He talks about himself in exaggerated terms. Chubukov asks him not to beat about the hush and to talk about his purpose of coming. Lomov gathers courage and tells him that he has come to ask for his daughter Natalya’s hand in marriage. On hearing this Chubukov becomes very happy, he goes in to call Natalya. But before this Lomov asks him whether Natalya would give her permission for this. Chubukov replies that she will readily accept a match like him.

Lomov is left alone in the room. His body is trembling with excitement. He thinks about his present life. He wants to settle the question of his marriage at once. He thinks that now he should not delay. He thinks about Natalya. She is a skilled house-keeper. She is educated and is not bad to look at. At this age, he should not expect a better girl than her. Now he is thirty-five years old. Now he should lead a regulated life. He is suffering from serious diseases like palpitation, excitement and insomnia. Because of these reasons, he should marry.

Just then Natalya comes in. Her father has not told her that Lomov has come to meet her. He only told her that a customer had come. Even then she welcomes Lomov. Before Lomov can speak, she starts speaking-When she mentions his beautiful dress, he is again excited. Before he can talk about his marriage to her, he starts trembling. Natalya encourages him and he recovers. He says that he will tell her everything in brief. Even then he cannot talk in a straight-forward manner. He beats about the bush. He tells her that for the Iasi many decades their families have had good relations. Their estates are also adjoining. His Oxen Warbles touch their birchwoods. Natalya protests against this. She says that the Oxen Meadows belong to her. They lay their claims to it. They start quarrelling about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. They shout loudly at each other. They do not calm down in any way. Chubukov comes in and finds them both quarrelling. He is greatly surprised. But when he finds that they are quarrelling about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. He also becomes angry. Instead of calming them down, he also starts quarrelling. He claims to be the owner of the Meadows. He insults not only Lomov but also his family members. Lomov becomes more excited. He uses insulting words for Chubukov, Natalya and their family members. Lomov’s palpitation increases and he becomes very perturbed. He goes out of the room. Chubukov says how the foolish Lomov dared to bring a proposal for Natalya’s marriage. When Natalya hears this, she is deeply shocked. She is almost unconscious. She starts weeping and asks her father to bring tomor back. Chubukov feels sad. He says that it is the biggest misfortune to be the father of a girl. He goes out to call Lomov.

Lomov again enters the room. Natalya thinks that she will not annoy him this time. She tries to please him. She says that the Meadows belong to him. She tries to change the topic so that he could propose to her. But he is still not all right. He is feeling disturbed. He does not come to the point. Lomov starts praising the qualities of his dog Guess, which he has purchased for 125 roubles. But Natalya says that her dog Squeezer which she purchased for 85 roubles is much better than Lomov’s dog Guess. Both of them praise the qualities of their dogs. Now they start quarrelling on this topic. They again start shouting at each other. In the meantime, Chubukov comes. Instead of putting an end to their quarrel, he also starts quarrelling. In this dispute. Lomov’s condition deteriorates and he falls on the chair, unconscious. Both the father and the daughter think that he has died. Natalya starts lamenting that her chance of getting married has gone.

After sometime. Lomov comes to his senses. Chubukov tells Lomov that Natalya is willing for marriage. So he should marry her. Natalya expresses her willingness. Chubukov does not want to lose even a moment and joins their hands. He asks them to kiss each other. But soon, they start quarrelling again. They start debating the qualities of their respective dogs. Chubukov tries to calm them down. With this, the play comes to an end.

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

1. And it’s impossible for me not to marry. In the first place I am 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 ……

Question. Who is the Speaker ?
(i) Stephan
(ii) Lomov
(iii) their neighbour
(iv) Natalya
Answer.(ii) Lomov

Question. There was a trembling in his ____________ and a twitch in his right eyebrow.
(i) feet
(ii) lips
(iii) hands
(iv) body
Answer.(ii) lips

Question. Which is the age of Lomov now ?
(i) thirty
(ii) thirty five
(iii) forty
(iv) twenty five
Answer.(ii) thirty five

Question. Find a word from the passage that means the same as ‘sad’.
(i) critical
(ii) excitable
(iii) awfully
(iv) upset
Answer.(iv) upset

2. But, please, Stephen Stopanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man. My aunt’s grandmother gave the meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that ..................... .

Question. The meadows were given by my aunt’s grandmother for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s_______.
(i) labourers
(ii) peasants
(iii) servants(iv) drivers
Answer.(ii) peasants

Question. Find out the antonym of ‘permanent’ from the passage.
(i) reasonable
(ii) meadows
(iii) accustomed
(iv) temporary
Answer.(iv) temporary

Question. For how many years had peasants used the land ?
(i) forty
(ii) thirty
(iii) fifty
(iv) twenty
Answer.(i) forty

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

3. I can make you a present of them myself, because they are mine! Your behaviour, Ivan Vassilevitch, is strange, to say the least ! Up to this we have always thought of you as a good neighbour, a friend; last year we lent you our threshing machine, although on that account we had to put off our own threshing till November, but you behave to us as if we were gypsies. Giving me my own land, indeed! No, really, that is not at all neighbourly; in my opinion, it is even impudent, if you want to know.

Question. Natalya had helped Ivan in lending her :
(i) sewing machine
(ii) threshing machine
(iii) cutting machine
(iv) processing machine
Answer.(ii) threshing machine

Question. Which word in the passage mean the same as ‘not normal’ ?
(i) threshing
(ii) account
(iii) strange
(iv) gypsies
Answer. (iii) strange

Question. Who is the speaker of these lines ?
(i) Ivan
(ii) Stephan
(iii) their neighbour
(iv) Natalya
Answer. (iv) Natalya

Question. What is the reason of dispute between two ?
(i) Bullock meadow
(ii) Oxen meadow
(iii) Cow meadow
(iv) Sheep meadow
Answer.(ii) Oxen meadow 

4. What more do I want ? But I am getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Drinks) And it is impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I am 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 am excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling and there is a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. 

Question. From which ailment was Lomov suffering ?
(i) blood pressure
(ii) diabetes
(iii) palpitation
(iv) thyroid
Answer.(iii) palpitation

Question. Whom is Lomov speaking to ?
(i) Natalya
(ii) Stephan
(iii) other person
(iv) himself
Answer. (iv) himself

Question. Which age is critical age according to Lomov ?
(i) thirty five
(ii) twenty five
(iii) forty five
(iv) forty
Answer.(i) thirty five

Question. Find the noun form of word ‘excite’ from the passage.
(i) excitedly
(ii) excitement
(iii) excitable
(iv) exciting
Answer.(ii) excitement

5. What a surprise ! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. 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. She couldn’t believe her own ___________ .
(i) eyes
(ii) brain
(iii) ears
(iv) mind
Answer.(iii) ears

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘astonishment’ ?
(i) dessiatins
(ii) unfairness
(iii) surprise
(iv) roubles
Answer.(iii) surprise

Question. Who is the speaker of these lines ?
(i) Stephan
(ii) Natalya
(iii) Ivan
(iv) The old lady
Answer.(ii) Natalya

Question. What is that which Natalya can’t tolerate ?
(i) unfairness
(ii) lie
(iii) rudeness
(iv) gossip
Answer.(i) unfairness

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines.

(I) CHUBUKOV: (Interrupting) My dear fellow… I’m so glad, and so no…Yes, indeed, and all that sort of thing. [Embraces and kisses Lomov] I’ve been hoping for it for a long time. It’s been my continual desire.

Question. What makes Chubukov so happy?
Answer. Chubukov, being the father of a grown up daughter, is always worried about her marriage. When Lomov tells him that he has come to him with a proposal of marriage for Natalya, he feels extremely happy.

Question. What had been the ‘continual desire’ of Chubukov?
i. to see his daughter, Natalya, married to Lomov.
ii. to buy Oxen Meadows
iii. buy a farm house in the village
iv. to wear an overcoat like Lomov
Answer. A

Question. What has Chubukov been hoping for a long time?
Answer. Chubukov claims that he has been hoping for a long time that Lomov would come and propose to his daughter Natalya.

Question. Why does Chubukov kiss and embrace Lomov?
i. because Lomov had returned from foreign
ii. to express his feeling of gratitude for Lomov
iii. because Lomov was looking smart
iv. Lomov had sung his favourite song
Answer. B

Question. What is the meaning of the word ‘continual’?
i. happening continuously
ii. happening again and again
iii. Occasional
v. Everyday
Answer. B

(II) Dear one, why yell like that? You won’t prove anything just by yelling. I don’t want anything of yours, and don’t intend to give up what I have. Why should I? And you know, my beloved, that if you propose to go on arguing about it, I’d much sooner give up the Meadows to the peasants than you. There!

Question. Who is the speaker of these lines?
i. Lomov
ii. Natalya
iii. Sqeezer
iv. Chubukov
Answer. D

Question. What does the speaker not intend to do?
i. does not intend to take what belongs to others
ii. does not intend to give what belong to others
iii. does not intend to borrow anything from others
iv. does not intend to insult others
Answer. A

Question. What is the speaker’s warning to the listener?
Answer. Chubukov warns Lomov that if the latter goes on arguing about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows, he would give them away to the peasants instead of giving them to him.

Question. What does the speech reveal about the character of the speaker?
Answer. The speech reveals that Chubukov, though excitable, is firm in his ideas. He knows how to protect his right. Hence, he is not ready to relent when there is a dispute about the ownership of Oxen Meadows. 

Question. The meaning of the word ‘peasants’ means:
i. goldsmiths
ii. confectioners
iii. Choppers
iv. farmers
Answer. D

(III) Don’t excite yourself, my precious one. Allow me. Your Guess certainly has his good points. He’s purebred, firm on his feet, has well-spring ribs, and all that. But, my dear man, if you want to know the truth, that dog has two defects;…

Question. Who is speaking to whom?
i. Natalya to Lomov
ii. Lomov to Chubukov
iii.Chubukov to Lomov
iv. Natalya to Chubukov
Answer. C

Question. What or who is the speaker talking about?
i. about the shortcomings of Natalya
ii. about the shortcomings of Lomov’s dog
iii. about the shortcomings of Natalya’s dog
iv. about the quality of Lomov’s dog
Answer. B

Question. Why does the speaker ask the listener not to excite himself?
Answer. Chubukov advises his guest Lomov not to get excited because it is just a trifle that is being discussed. Moreover, he suggests that Lomov’s claim about his dog is baseless, hence it is not worth getting worked up about it.

Question.Why does the speaker address the listener as ‘my precious one’?
Answer. Knowing fully well that the gentleman had come to propose to his daughter, Chubukov doesn’t want to annoy him. Hence, to diffuse the situation, he addresses him lovingly and calls him, ‘my precious one.’

Question. Which two defects in the dog ‘Guess’ does the speaker talk about?
i. he is short in height
ii. he is old in age and his muzzle is short.
iii. he is young in age and his muzzle is too long
iv. he is a good runner
Answer. B

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Its cold… I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I’ll never get married.

Question. Why did Loom not want to wait for real love?
Answer.This was because he was anxious to get married.

Question. What is the great thing that the speaker is talking about?
Answer.The speaker is talking about real love and marriage.

Question. Who is saying, “I’m trembling all over as if I had got an examination before me”?
So that she would be loved for what she is and not for the colour of her hair.
Answer. Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov.

Question. What state of Loom’s mind does the passage reflect?
Answer.His mind reflects that way he would never get married because it is difficult to get an idea or real love.

2. “Then you make out that I’m a land grabber? Madam, never in my life have I grabbed anybody else’s land and I shan’t allow anybody to accuse me of having done so. Oxen Meadows are mine!”

Question. In which situation does Lomov call himself a ‘land grabber’?
Answer.Natalya accuses Lomovof grabbing Oxen Meadows. So, Lomov says that he is not a land grabber.

Question. Who is ‘Madam’ in the above lines?
Answer.Natalya

Question. What will he not allow the other?
Answer.He will not allow anybody to accuse him of having grabbed anyone’s land.

Question.What had happened to the speaker?
Answer.The speaker got infuriated with Natalya for having called him a land grabber.

3. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. 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?
Answer.They worth perhaps 300 roubles.

Question. Who speaks the above lines and to whom?
Answer.Lomov speaks these lines to Natalya.

Question. What is difficult for the speaker to believe?
Answer.That the Meadows don’t belong to the speaker.

Question. Who is the speaker of these lines?
Answer.Natalya Stepanovna
 

Character Sketch

Natalya:
Natalya is talkative and short-tempered. She is very much concerned about her family’s honour and land. She is argumentative also. She argues with Lomov about the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the superiority of her dog Squeezer. She is very keen to get married.

Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov:
Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov is a landowner. He has a helping nature towards Lomov. He loves his daughter and plays the role of a good father. He is in search of a good match for his daughter. He is a good selector of words. He calls Lomov my angel, treasure, etc. This shows his cunningness. When Chubukov finds Lomov fighting with Natalya, he immediately changes and starts to support his daughter. He uses many ill words for Lomov and tells him to leave his house.

Multiple Choice Questions 

Question. What request did Chubukov think Lomov would make?
(a) ask for her daughter’s hand in marriage
(b) borrow money
(c) borrow land
(d) all of the above
Answer. B

Question. Who does Chubukov call a ‘‘lovesick cat’’?
(a) Lomov
(b) himself
(c) his maid
(d) Natalya
Answer. D

Question. Where do Lomov and Natalya get on the wrong foot?
(a) While talking about the weather
(b) While talking about their land
(c) While talking about their family relations
(d) While the proposal
Answer. B

Question. What is Lomov’s side of justification about the land?
(a) their land extended till Burnt Marsh
(b) his grandmother always talked about it
(c) his grandmother gave it to her great grandfather’s peasants
(d) both 1 and 2
Answer. C

Question. What did Chubukov had to say about the land?
(a) they were his
(b) They were Lomov’s
(c) they were still disputed
(d) they belong to none of them
Answer. A

Short Answer Questions : 

Question. Why is Lomov anxious to marry Natalya?
Answer. Lomov wants to settle the question of his marriage at once. He thinks that now he should not delay. He thinks about Natalya. She is a skilled house-keeper. She is educated and is not bad to look at. At this age, he should not expect a better girl than her. He is suffering from some serious diseases.Because of these reasons. He is anxious to marry Natalya.

Question. How does Lomov speak warmly of Chubukov’s family in the beginning? Why does he change his stand?
Answer. In the beginning, Lomov speaks quite warmly about Chubukov’s family. He reminds Natalya that he knows the Chubukovs since his childhood. His aunt and uncle to had great respect for her family. Both the families have been most friendly and close neighbours. Lomov changes his opinion about the Chubukovs when he picks up a quarrel with Natalya and Chubukov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.

Question. Describe Lomov’s first meeting with Natalya.
Answer. Lomov goes to his neighbour Chubukov’s house to ask for the hand of his daughter Natalya. He is in a fix how to make the marriage proposal. He talks in a roundabout manner. He makes a mention of his meadows which touch their birchwoods. At this, a quarrel ensues between them over the ownership rights the meadows.

Question. Justify the title of the play. ‘The Proposal’ Or What is the theme or the message of ‘The Proposal’?
Answer. Anton Chekov has aptly titled the play, ‘The Proposal’. The title justifies the main theme—the marriage of Natalya and Lomov. No doubt, both Lomov and Natalya want to be life partners. However,unnecessary quarrels over Oxen Meadows and their dogs Squeezer and Guess temporarily spoil their game. The message is very clear. The main issue must not be clouded and lost sight of by indulging in unnecessary and avoidable quarrels.
 

Question. Why do you think. Natalya Stepanovna asked her father to call Lomov back when she heard that he had come with a proposal?
Answer. 'Mien Natalya heard that Lomov had come to their house to propose her for marriage, she asked her father to call him back because Natalya was too desperate to get married. She was Tovesick cat' and wanted; someone to propose to her.
 

Question. Provide a brief insight into what Lomov and Natalya's married Life might Look like.
Answer. Lomov and Natalya's married life would be filled with Loads of disagreements and arguments. They would spend their Lives in proving their own family's superiority over the other person's.
 

Question. How is the quarrel over Oxen meadows settled at last?
Answer. When Natalya realises that Lomov has come to propose to her, she agrees that the Oxen
Meadows are indeed Lomov's property and that is how the Oxen Meadow's matter is settled.
 

Question. How does Lomov come to Chudakov's house? For what does he come? Haw is he received?
Answer. Lomov comes to Chubukov s house in a formal dress with gloves on. He comes to propose to Chubukov's daughter Natalya for marriage.
He is received courteously and respectfully by Chubukov.
 

Question. Why did Lomov want to get married to Natalya?
Answer. Lomov was a thirty-five-year old unmarried man. He wasn't getting a perfect match for himsetf. But Looking at his advancing age and ailments, he decided to compromise and proposing to Natalya Lomov also thought Natalya to be fairly good-looking, well - educated and a good housekeeper.
 

Question. Why does Chubukov go and call Lomov back?
Answer. Natalya quarrels with Lomov and throws him out of the house. But when she learns that he has come to propose to her, she sends her father to call him bock
 

Question. Chubukov and NataLya chased Lomov away from their house by arguing with him. But when Natalya eame to know about the reason behind Lomov's coming, she asked her father to bring him back. Imagine yourself as the playwright of the play and write an imaginary conversation between Natalya and her father if Lomov wouldn't have returned back with the proposal
Answer. NataLya: (angrily) Papa! Why haven’t you told me that he has come with a proposal of marriage for me? O God! I missed the opportunity to get married to a rich gentleman because of you. Chubukov: Natalya! Don't forget that it wos you who had chased him away by your silly arguments over "Oxen Meadows'.
Natalya: No way! It was you papa. You hurled abuses at him and his family. Why would he marry a daughter of a quarrelsome man?
Chubukov: Shut up! Everybody knows that you are a quarrelsome lady. How many times have
I told you to control your anger and behave nicely with people? You missed a chance to get married yet again.
Natalya: Alas! I missed such a wonderful proposal papa.
 

Question. Chubukov says of Natalya: — as if she won't consent! She's in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat™ Would you agree? And reasons for your answer.
Answer. No, I wouldn't agree that Natalya was in Love.
The way she quarrels with Lomov and even kicks him out of the house suggests that what her father says to Lomov is not true.

Question. How did Chubukov react when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage?
Answer. Chubukov was extremely happy to hear it. It was exactly what he wanted. He embraced and kissed Lomov. He called him ‘darling’ and ‘angel’. He told Lomov that he had been hoping it for a long time.

Question. Describe Oxen Meadows. How were they a bone of contention between Lomov’s and Natalya’s family?
Answer. Lomov and his rich landlord Chubukov are neighbours. A piece of land known as Oxen Meadows becomes a bone of contention between the two families. Both of them claim their ownerships over the Meadows. Lomov says that Oxen Meadows were given to Chubukov’s peasants for free use. They were to make bricks for the Lomovs. The Chubokovs contest this claim of Lomov.

Question. Why does Lomov say that Chubukov is not a good neighbour but a land-grabber?
Answer. Lomov has his reasons to think that Chubukov is not a good neighbour but a land-grabber. His aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for ‘temporary’ and free use of Chubukov’s grandfather’s peasants. He doesn’t intend to give up his claim over the Meadows. Good neighbours don’t behave like that. Only landgrabbers behave in this fashion.

Question. Describe the physical condition and health of Lomov.
Answer. Lomov is thirty-five years old. He doesn’t enjoy a good health. He gets easily excited. He suffers from palpitations. His feet are benumbed. He can’t express himself like a calm and composed man. He can’t bear too much tension and excitement. He throws himself down in an armchair and becomes unconscious soon. Only when water is sprinkled over his face, he comes to senses.

Question. Give in brief the character-sketch of Lomov.
Answer. Lomov is a middle-aged man of thirty-five. He suffers from palpitations, cramps and benumbness of limbs. He is nervous and can’t speak and act like a calm and composed man. He comes to Natalya’s house with a proposal of marriage but soon forgets the real purpose of his visit. He picks up unnecessary quarrels over Oxen Meadows and on their respective dogs.

Short Answer Type Questions-II 

Question. Who are Lomov and Chubukov and how are they related to each other?
Answer. Lomov and Chubukov are landlords. They are neighbours too. According to Lomov, he has been coming to Chubukov for help. Chubukov has helped him even earlier. There seems to be a dispute over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Each one claims that the land belongs to him. Lomov is interested in marrying Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya and considers her a suitable match for her.

Question. Why does Lomov come to Chubukov? How does Chubukov react to his visit?
Answer. Lomov, a landlord, pays a visit to Chubukov. The purpose of his visit is quite clear. He has come with a proposal of marriage. He is interested in marrying Natalya, who he considers a good housekeeper and not bad looking. Chubukov misunderstands the purpose of Lomov’s visit. He thinks that he has come to borrow money from him. However, when he comes to know that Lomov has come with a marriage proposal, he is overjoyed and excited.

Question. Why does Lomov think that he should not be alone but marry a suitable woman like Natalya?
Answer. Lomov is a middle-aged man of thirty-five years. He thinks that it is a critical age. He should now think of leading a peaceful and regular married life. Natalya, the daughter of a rich landlord and neighbour Chubukov, can be a suitable life-partner for him. Lomov thinks that Natalya is an excellent housekeeper. Moreover, she is educated and not bad-looking. All these qualities qualify Natalya as an ideal life-partner for him.

Question. Why do both the families of Lomovs and Chubukovs claim the ownership of Oxen Meadows?
Answer. Oxen Meadows become a bone of contention between the two families. Lomov thinks that Oxen Meadows that touch the birch forest of Chubukov, belong to him. His aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather. In return, they were to make bricks for them. Natalya opposes it by saying that their land extends to Burnt Marsh. It means that Oxen Meadows belong to them.

Question. How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov has come to make a marriage proposal to her?
Answer. Chubukov and Natalya indulge in all sorts of abuses and insults for Lomov. However, Chubukov discloses the real purpose of Lomov’s visit. She comes to know that Lomov has come there with a proposal of marrying her. She grows hysterical. She blames her father for not telling it before. She cries to bring him back. She threatens to die if Lomov is not brought back.

Question. What happens when Lomov is thought to be almost dead?
Answer. Lomov has come with a proposal of marrying Natalya. When he falls down unconscious in an armchair, both Natalya and Chubukov are unnerved and worried. She starts crying thinking him dead. Chubukov calls for a doctor. He threatens to shoot himself or cut his throat. When Lomov comes to senses, Chubukov grabs the opportunity and blesses them for a happy married life.

Question. What opinion of Chubukov do you form after reading ‘The Proposal’?
Answer. Chubukov is a rich landlord and a neighbour of Lomov. He is short-tempered and rash in behaviour.He wants Lomov to be married to Natalya. But he forgets the main issue and joins the quarrels between Lomov and Natalya. He adds only fuel to the fire. He can be abusive and insulting. However, he grabs the opportunity and blesses Natalya and Lomov in the end.

Question. Justify the title of the play, ‘The Proposal’.
Or
What is the theme or the message of ‘The Proposal’?
Answer. Anton Chekov has aptly titled the play, ‘The Proposal’. The title justifies the main theme – the marriage of Natalya and Lomov. No doubt, both Lomov and Natalya want to be life partners.However, unnecessary quarrels over Oxen Meadows and their dogs Squeezer and Guess temporarily spoil their game. The message is very clear. The main issue must not be clouded and lost sight of by indulging in unnecessary and avoidable quarrels.

Long Answer Questions : 

Question. Describe the incidents of humour in the play, ‘The Proposal’?
Answer. ‘The Proposal’ is certainly a humorous play. The very entry of Lomov in a formal I dress and the way Chubukov greets calling him ‘darling’, ‘my treasure’ or ‘my beauty’ make one laugh. 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 makes the play humorous. 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 and the wailing of father and daughter when they think Lomov is dead create immense humour. Finally, the way Natalya puts her hand in Loom’s under continuous arguments indicating acceptance of the proposal is really humorous. Thus we see that the whole play is replete with humour, making it a humorous play.

Question.”The way Chubukov, Natalya and Lomov fought over petty issues is against the behaviour and mannerisms of good neighbours.” Comment. What would you have done to resolve the issue? (If you were in the place of Chubukov)
Answer. Lomov and Chubukovs were neighbours. Lomov came to Chubukovs to propose Natalya. But instead of proposing they started fighting over petty issues like oxen meadows and quality of dogs.
This is not the quality of good neighbours. Neighbours should live like friends. There should be a positive relationship between the two neighbours.
There should be understanding and patience among neighbours. The fight between Looms and Chubukovs could have been avoided if handled carefully. The issue of meadows could be resolved calmly and quietly by a good conversation. There must have been some documents showing the ownership of the meadows or both the parties could be convinced by making them understand that if they got married, the meadows will belongs to both of them.

Similarly, the issues of dog could be solved instead of counting the negative points of each other’s dogs. They can discuss the positive features of the dogs. Thus the issues could be resolved.

Question. Chubukov has all the attributes of a quarrelsome rich Russian landlord. Instead of solving the problems, he only adds fuel into the fire in their quarrel over Oxen Meadows and the dogs. Justify the statement.
Answer. Chubukov represents a typical rich landlord of 19th century Russia. He seems to be fairly rich and resourceful. Even his neighbour Lornov acknowledges the frequent help rendered to him by Chubukov. He lands his threshing machine to Lomov. On account of this help, he has to put off their own threshing till November. Chubukov is quite practical. He knows that Lomov can be a good match for his daughter Natalya. So, he at once gives his assent to Lomov’s proposal of marrying her. Actually, he has been waiting for such a proposal for a long time. Chubukov is a landlord and can’t resist his hunger for land. He opposes the claim of Lomov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. He even threatens to send his mowers out to the Meadows.
Chubukov can be quite quarrelsome, abusing and insulting. He always sides with his daughter. He picks up a quarrel on Oxen Meadows. He calls Lomov “a land grabber” and “villain”. He abuses his grandfather of being a “drunkard” and his father a ‘gambler’. He jumps into the quarrel and adds only fuel to the fire. However, Chubukov is a great opportunity. He grabs the opportunity the moment Lomov comes into the senses. He makes Natalya kiss and embrace Lomov and gets them married.

Question. How and why does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does Chubukov react to his visit?
Answer. Lomov is a Russian landlord of thirty-five years old. He is a neighbour of another rich landlord Chubukov. He is at a critical age when he thinks he should get married. He wants to lead a peaceful and regular married life. He sees in Chubukov’s daughter Natalya an ideal life-companion. He thinks she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad-looking. He comes to Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marriage. Naturally, he is formally dressed in a fashionable jacket and white gloves. In the beginning, Chubukov seems to be rather cold to his visit. He thinks that Lomov has come to borrow money from him. However, his indifference soon changes into warm enthusiasm. Lomov tells him the real purpose of his visit. Chubukov is extremely happy to hear it. He tells Lomov that he has been thinking for a long time for this marriage. He calls Lomov a good neighbour and an ‘angel’. He is ready to give his consent to their marriage.

Question. Give a brief pen-portrait highlighting Lomov’s strength and weakness. Why can’t he express himself like a calm and composed man?
Answer. Lomov is a Russian landlord of thirty-five years. He is a neighbour of another rich landlord Chubukov. Lomov is highly impulsive, irritating and quarrelsome. Physically, he is a wreck. He enjoys a very poor health. He suffers from palpitations, hyper-tensions and heart problems. He is easily excited and irritated. Lomov realises that he has reached an age where he needs a peaceful and regular life. In Chubukov’s daughter Natalya, he sees an ideal life-partner. She is a good house-keeper, educated, and not bad-looking. So, he visits Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marriage. Lomov is confused. He can’t talk like a calm and composed man. He forgets the main issue and the purpose of his visit. He indulges in unnecessary details and quarrels, over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. He does not know how to solve and deal with controversies. He picks up a new quarrel over the dogs. He unsuccessfully tries to prove that his dog, Guess is far superior to Natalya’s dog, Squeezer.
Lomov appears in a formal dress. He seems to be fashionable, well-dressed and presentable. He is a gentleman and acknowledges the help received from his neighbour, Chubukov. He is self-respecting and is ready to give Oxen Meadows to Natalya as a present. Last but not least, his desire to marry Natalya is practical and genuine.

Question. Chubukov has all the attributes of a quarrelsome rich Russian landlord. Instead of solving the problems, he only adds fuel into the fire in their quarrel over Oxen Meadows and the dogs. Justify the statement.
Answer. Chubukov represents a typical rich landlord of 19th century Russia. He seems to be fairly rich and resourceful. Even his neighbour Lomov acknowledges the frequent help rendered to him by Chubukov. He lends his threshing machine to Lomov. On account of this help, he has to put off their own threshing till November. Chubukov is quite practical. He knows that Lomov can be a good match for his daughter Natalya. So, he at once gives his assent to Lomov’s proposal of marrying her. Actually, he has been waiting for such a proposal for a long time. Chubukov is a landlord and can’t resist his hunger for land. He opposes the claim of Lomov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. He even threatens to send his mowers out to the Meadows.
Chubukov can be quite quarrelsome, abusing and insulting. He always sides with his daughter. He picks up a quarrel on Oxen Meadows. He calls Lomov “a landgrabber” and “villain”. He abuses his grandfather of being a “drunkard” and his father a ‘gambler’. He jumps into the quarrel and adds only fuel to the fire. However, Chubukov see a great opportunity. He grabs the opportunity the moment Lomov comes into senses. He makes Natalya kiss and embrace Lomov and gets them married.

Question. What are the main points of controversy over the ownership of Oxen Meadows between
Chubukov and Lomov? How and why does Natalya jump into the quarrel?
Answer. The ownership of Oxen Meadows is claimed by both the families, the Lomovs and the Chubukovs. It becomes a bone of contention between them. Lomov claims that his Oxen Meadows touch the birdwoods of Chubukov. Natalya contests the claim. She claims that they belong to them. Lomov explains that his aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of the Chubukovs. In return, they were to make bricks for the Lomovs. Natalya claims that their land expands to Burnt Marsh. Hence, Oxen Meadows belong to them. They have had the land for 300 years. Lomov is ready to present the necessary documents to prove his ownership over the Meadows. Natalya threatens to send her mowers to the Meadows. Chubukov comes in and jumps into the quarrel. He sides with his daughter. Lomov threatens to go to the court. There is a free exchange of abuses and insults. Chubukov calls Lomov’s grandfather a drunkard. Lomov calls Chubukov’s mother hump-backed. Natalya calls Chubukov’s mother hump-backed. Natalya calls Lomov dishonest, rascal and mean. Chubukov calls Lomov a villain and a scarecrow. The dispute ends when Natalya comes to know about the marriage proposal. She surrenders her claim and accepts that the Meadows belong to Lomov.

Question. How do Natalya and Chubukov react when Lomov falls down in an armchair and considered to be dead? How does Chubukov manage to get Natalya married with Lomov?
Answer. Anton Chekov’s play ‘The Proposal’ presents a farcical situation when Lomov falls down unconscious in an armchair. Before that there has been a free for all. Insults and abuses were freely hurled. The dispute over Oxen Meadows was settled but the quarrel over the dogs took an unpleasant turn.
Lomov is called “Boy! Pup!”, “Milksop” and “Fool”. He can’t bear the heat and excitement and falls down unconscious. He is thought to be almost dead.
Both Natalya and Chubukov feel that things are going out of their hands. They feel helpless.Chubukov feels like shooting himself or cutting his own throat. Natalya is dying for marriage.
The moment Lomov comes to senses, everyone feels relieved. Chubukov can’t afford to miss the opportunity. He tells Natalya to “hurry up and get married!” She too acts at once. She embraces and kisses Lomov and gives her willing to marry him. Only one thing is left for Chubukov. He blesses the newly married couple and opens a bottle of champagne.
They say old habits die hard. The new couple starts their married life with a fresh quarrel. It is over their dogs Squeezer and Guess again.