English-10 Jayshree Periwal High School Handout (2023-24)

The Proposal Anton Chekov

Thinking about the play, Pg. 157
1. 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”? Find
reasons for your answer from the play. (Knowledge)
Ans. At first, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money.
He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was
like his own son. If he truly meant what he had said, then he would not have thought of
not giving him money. He said so only because Lomov had come with the proposal to
marry his daughter.
2. 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. (Knowledge/Analysis)
Ans. Chubukov thought that Lomov was a good marriage prospect for his daughter. He had
been waiting for this proposal. When Lomov expressed his doubt regarding Natalya’s
consent to the proposal, Chubukov immediately told him that she was in love with him.
However, this was not true. Natalya did not seem to be in love with Lomov at any point in
the play. It seemed like she was more attached to her land, meadows and dogs than to
Lomov. In fact, the way they kept getting into arguments about trivial matters suggests
that neither.
EXTRA QUESTIONS
1. What justification did Lomov give to Natalya and Chubukov to prove that he is the
rightful owner of Meadows?
Ans. Lomov told Natalya and Chubukov that his aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for the
temporary and free use of Chubukov’s grandfather’s peasants. So, he is the rightful
owner of the oxen meadows.
2. Natalya was not Lomov’s real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two reasons
for his decision. (C.W.)
Ans. Though Lomov was not in love with Natalya. But still he wanted to marry her because she
was an excellent house ……. not bad looking and all-educated. He was suffering at a
critise age. From palpitations and sleep-sickness and a companion who could look after
him.
3. What did Natalya say about Guess?
Ans. Natalya said that Squeezer was superior to Guess —Lomov’s dog. Lomov said that his
dog Squeezer was ………... Natalya believed that Guess had become old and ought to be
shot. She also claimed that Squeezer was a hundred times better than Guess on points.
LONG QUESTION ANSWER (To be dictated)
1. Write a brief character sketch of Lomov. (Knowledge / Understanding)
Ans. Lomov is a 35 years old man who is of marriageable age. He suffers from a weak heart and
sleeplessness. So, he is desperate to settle down in life and lead a quiet and regular life.
Despite his ailments, Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer. This makes Chubukov
secretly wish him to marry his daughter Natalya. As for Lomov, he did not love her,
though he was desperate to have a life partner and wishes marry Natalya. Lomov was
however hesitant to ask for her hand from Chubukov. That made him beat around the
 bush, argues with Natalya and leaves without proposing. Thus, we can find that Loom’s
condition overpowers the other traits he has. 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.
2. Describe the incidents of humour in the play, ‘The Proposal’? (Understanding)
Ans. ‘The Proposal’ is certainly a humorous play. The very entry of Lomov in a formal dress
and the way Chubukov greets him as ‘darling’, ‘my treasure’ or ‘my beauty’ makes one
laugh. Marriage proposal is 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 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 creates 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.
3. Give a brief character sketch of Natalya. (Knowledge / Understanding)
Ans. Natalya was 25 years old and the daughter of Chubukov. She was a good housekeeper,
not bad to look at and educated; that was why Lomov wanted to marry her. She could be a
good wife to him.
She became hysterical when she came to know that Lomov had come to propose to her.
She asked her father to call him back. To please Lomov she asked him to forgive her and
agreed to his ownership of the Oxen Meadows. 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 even
after getting ready to marry him.
4. What is the theme of the play ‘The Proposal’? (Knowledge)
Ans. The one Act play is a ………………………………………………………………‘The Proposal’
throws light on the lifestyle of the landlords of Russia in the 19th century. The farm
labourers worked on their farms. So these landlords led a life of ease and comfort. In fact,
they led an idle life. They were full of vanity and pride. They quarrelled over petty
things. In the play, we see that Lomov and Natalya have a dispute over a piece of land.
They quarrel again over the qualities of their dogs. Chubukov, Natalya’s father, instead
of pacifying them, joins them. He and Lomov abuse each other. All of them behave in a
very funny way. An unmarried grown-up daughter was considered a great burden by the
parents. Chubukov curses himself for being the father of Natalya. An aged bachelor was
also looked down upon in society. This theme has been presented nicely through the
characters of Lomov and Natalya.
Thinking about Language, Pg. 157
1. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of inaugural ceremony?
Ans. Nelson Mandela remembered the history – the birth of Apartheid, its effect on his people
and the long fight for freedom. He remembered the freedom fighters who suffered and
sacrificed for the freedom. He also remembered what freedom meant to him at different
stages of life and his hunger for freedom.