THE PROPOSAL

Q.1.Neighbor’s must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the
fight between them.

Ans. Neighbor’s must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Although he
had come there to propose Natalya, he started fighting with her over a small piece of land. This land
adjoined her land- his oxen meadows touched her birch woods. Natalya told Lomov that Lomov
tried to take the meadows belonged to her but Lomov claimed that the oxen meadows are his. He
tried to convince Natalya by telling her that his aunt's grandmother gave the meadows for the
temporary and free use to Chubukov's grandfather's peasants. They did not demand money for it for
a long time so the Chubukov's misunderstood that the meadows belonged to them. While
Chubukov's insisted that yelling could not prove anything because everyone knows that meadows
belong to Chubukov's since last three hundred years. Both threatened each other.

Q.2.The proposal was forgotten amidst argumentation. Which right approach should have been
followed by both parties?

Ans. Lomov came to Chubukovs to propose Natalya. Both are neighbours and at the right age to
marry. But instead of forwarding the proposal both of them started fighting over trifles. Firstly, they
fought over a small piece of land called oxen meadows both of them claimed that the land belonged
to them and not the other one. Somehow the argument came to an end and they started fighting
over dogs and claimed each of their dog better than the other ones. The proposal was forgotten
amidst all these arguments. The situation might be different if both the parties had followed the
right approach. Oxen meadows would belong to both of them if they got married. Similarly, dogs are
the very petty thing to argue about while marriage is going to take place. There should not be any
ego in between of them both. They should be polite and patient to each other. They should not be
rigid and stubborn. Their priority should be their marriage and not meadows or dogs. Only the
proposal could be carried on.

Q.3. 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. Lomov is 35 years old. He is suffering due to a weak heart, sleep-sickness and palpitations.
In need of a companion who may look after him, he wants to get married. 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.

Q.4. Write a brief character sketch of Lomov.

Ans. Lomov is a man who is of marriageable age. He also 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 so marry Natalya. Lomov was however hesitant to ask for her hand from Chubukov.
That made him beat around the bush, argue with Natalya and leave. Thus, we can find that Lomov's
conditions overpower 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.

Q.5. Describe the incidents of humour in the play, 'The Proposal'?

Ans. 'The Proposal' is certainly a humorous play. The very entry of Lomov in a formal dress and the
way Chubukov greets calling him 'darling', 'my treasure' or 'my beauty' makes one laugh. Marriage
proposal is supposed to be romantic but it 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,
making the play humorous. The critical terms that the characters use for each other like a scarecrow,
turnip ghost, blind hen, stuffed sausage, etc., forces 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 Lomov's, after
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.

Q.6. Justify the title of the lesson, 'The Proposal'.

Ans. Anton Chekov has aptly and logically titled his one-act-play 'The Proposal'. The title justifies the
theme and the subject of the play. The whole story revolves round Lomov's marriage proposal to
Chubukov's daughter Natalya. The play ends with Chubukov asking Natalya to hurry up and get
married immediately. Natalya seals the proposal by kissing and embracing Lomov. Chubukov
willingly and happily blesses the couple.

The play begins with the visit of Lomov to Chubukov's house. The moment Chubukov comes to know
that Lomov has come with a proposal of marriage, he becomes extremely happy. Lomov is genuinely
interested in marrying Natalya. He thinks that she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad
looking. He sees in Natalya an ideal wife who can help him in leading a peaceful and regular life.
Natalya herself being a love-sick cat sees in Lomov a suitable life- partner for her. The Moment she
comes to know that Lomov has come with a marriage proposal, she blames her father for not telling
it before. She threatens to die if Lomov is not brought back immediately No doubt, there are
quarrels and disputes over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and on the superiority of their dogs. I
Abuses and insults are freely traded. But this farce can't hide the real intention of the main
characters. The play ends with Natalya kissing and embracing Lomov and Chubukov blessing the
newly married couple.

Q 7. 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?

Ans. The ownership of Oxen Meadows is claimed by both the families, the Lomov and the
Chubukovs. It becomes a bone of contention between them. Lomov claims that his Oxen Meadows
touch the Birdwood 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 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.

Q.8.: The arguments over land and dogs show how much pride and ego can affect relationships.
Write a paragraph explaining why it’s important to put pride aside and focus on what truly
matters in a relationship. Chapter “The Proposal” (120 words)

OR

Question: How does pride affect relationships in “The Proposal”? Discuss the importance of
setting aside pride to maintain healthy relationships. (100-120 words)

Answer- In “The Proposal,” Lomov and Natalya let their pride and ego lead to arguments over small
things like land and dogs. They argue about the meadows and insisted that those meadows
belonged to them. Later they kept on proving that their dog was better- Squeezer or ‘Guess’ This
shows how pride can hurt relationships because it makes people focus on being right instead of
being happy. It’s important to set aside pride and remember what truly matters in a relationship—
love, understanding, and compromise.

When people put their ego aside, they can avoid unnecessary fights and build stronger, more caring
relationships. By focusing on what’s really important, like kindness and mutual respect, relationships
can grow and flourish.

Q9: How and why does Lomov go to Chubukov's house? How does Chubukov react to his visit?

Ans: 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.

Q10: Describe how does Natalya react before and after knowing the real purpose of Lomov's visit.
Does she act sensibly in this regard?

Ans: Natalya is a woman of twenty-five years. She is of marriageable age and wants to get married at
all cost. Chubukov calls her a love-sick cat. Lomov visits her house and has come with a proposal of
marriage. She doesn't know of it and comes to know of it only after Lomov goes out in disgust.
Before that Natalya and Lomov have a long quarrel over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Lomov
claims the owner and is ready to show the necessary documents to prove his claim. Natalya calls
Lomov a strange man who wants to grab their land. His act is unfriendly not like that of a good
neighbour. Lomov feels insulted and goes out in disgust. We find a different Natalya when she
comes to know the real purpose of Lomov's visit. She cries loudly to bring Lomov back. She threatens
to die if he is not brought back. Lomov returns. But old habits die hard. Both Lomov and Natalya
forget the real issue of their marriage. The quarrel over the Meadows is settled. Now they start
fighting over their dogs Squeezer and Guess. Natalya calls Lomov's dog Guess and old and good for
nothing. On the other hand, Lomov calls her dog Squeezer far inferior to his dog Guess. This quarrel
continues till Lomov becomes unconscious. In the end, Chubukov loses no opportunity and says "Be
quick and get married! Natalya embraces and blesses Lomov and they are blessed by Chubukov.
They start their married life by picking up a fresh quarrel over Squeezer and Guess.

Q.11. Think of 5 adjectives to describe each character in the play-

Lomov

1. Nervous - He often shows anxiety, especially when he talks about important matters.

2. Proud - Lomov is proud of his family and land.

3. Hypersensitive - He reacts very strongly to insults and accusations.

4. Insecure - He feels unsure about himself, especially in social situations.

5. Determined - Lomov is committed to making a marriage proposal despite the chaos.

Chubukov

1. Manipulative - He tries to control the situation to his advantage.

2. Greedy - Chubukov is focused on land and wealth.

3. Hot-tempered - He quickly becomes angry and shouts during arguments.

4. Cunning - Chubukov uses clever strategies to achieve his goals.

5. Self-serving - He often acts in his interest rather than considering others.

Natalya

1. Assertive - She speaks her mind and stands up for herself.

2. Jealous - Natalya shows jealousy towards Lomov and his intentions.

3. Emotional - She reacts strongly, especially when arguing.

4. Materialistic - Natalya is focused on the advantages of marrying a wealthy man.

5. Passionate - Her feelings about love and family are intense and genuine.

12. What is the cause of the second quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?

Answer: Lomov starts praising the qualities of the dog Guess. But Natalya says that her dog Squeeze
which she purchased for 85 roubles is much better than Lomov’s dog Guess. Natalya believed that
Guess had become old and ought to be shot. She thought Guess had two major defects, i.e., the dog
was old as well as short in the muzzle. Lomov was proud of his dogs pure breed, its well sprung ribs
and Lomov believed that Squeezer is overshot and an overshot always means that the dog is a bad
hunter. Both of them praise the qualities of their dogs. Now they start quarrelling on this topic. They
again start shouting at each other.Natalya and Lomov fought over the superiority of their dogs-
Squeezer and Guess. Lomov was pained to hear that despite many qualities, 13. Describe the first
meeting of Lomov and Natalya.

Answer: Lomov goes to his neighbour Chuhukov’s house to ask for the hand of his daughter Natalya.
When he talks to Natalya, he becomes nervous. He is in a fix on how to make a marriage proposal.
He talks in a round-about manner. He beat about the bush. He makes mention of his meadows
which touch their birchwoods. At this, a quarrel ensues between them over the ownership of the
meadows. Both of them claim the ownership and start rebuking each other. In the meantime,
Chubukov comes there. Instead of pacifying them, he also joins the quarrel. He abuses Lomov which
worsens the situation. Lomov is deeply upset. He leaves Chubukov’s house and forgets about the
marriage proposal.