The proposal
Before You Read
1. What kind of “proposal” is the play about?
Answer: The play is about a marriage proposal.
Lomov visits Chubukov’s house to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage.
2. Do Indian and Russian weddings have any customs in common?
Answer: Yes, Indian and Russian weddings may share some general features such as family involvement, celebration, guests, formal ceremonies and a reception.
However, the exact customs, rituals, clothing and traditions differ from one culture to another.
Thinking About the Play
3. What does Chubukov initially suspect Lomov has come for?
Answer: Chubukov initially thinks that Lomov has come to borrow money.
He becomes cautious because he assumes that Lomov wants financial help.
4. Is Chubukov sincere when he says that he has always loved Lomov like his own son?
Answer: No, Chubukov is not completely sincere.
At first, he suspects Lomov of coming to borrow money and is not very welcoming. But as soon as Lomov reveals that he wants to marry Natalya, Chubukov becomes affectionate and calls him “my angel” and “my precious”.
Later, he also quarrels with Lomov and insults him. This sudden change in behaviour shows that his affectionate words are exaggerated and not entirely genuine.
5. Why does Chubukov call Natalya “a lovesick cat”? Do you agree with him?
Answer: Yes, Natalya’s behaviour shows that she is eager to marry Lomov.
At first, she quarrels with him because she does not know why he has come. When she learns that he had actually come to propose marriage, she becomes extremely upset that he has left and immediately asks her father to bring him back.
Her reaction shows that Chubukov’s description of her as a “lovesick cat” is humorous but appropriate.
6. What kind of person is Lomov?
Answer: Lomov is a wealthy, nervous, practical and argumentative landowner of about thirty-five.
He wants to marry because he believes he has reached the right age and needs a settled life. Although he intends to propose peacefully, he becomes involved in unnecessary arguments over property and dogs.
He is also anxious about his health and repeatedly talks about his physical discomfort.
7. Why does Lomov want to marry Natalya?
Answer: Lomov thinks Natalya would make a suitable wife.
He considers her a good housekeeper, reasonably attractive and well-educated. He also feels that, at thirty-five, he should settle down and get married.
8. Why does Lomov visit Chubukov?
Answer: Lomov visits Chubukov to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage.
9. What does Lomov think about Natalya before proposing to her?
Answer: Lomov thinks that Natalya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking and well-educated.
He believes she would be a suitable wife for him.
10. What is Natalya’s reaction when she learns that Lomov had come to propose?
Answer: Natalya becomes extremely upset.
She regrets quarrelling with Lomov and insists that her father bring him back immediately. Her strong reaction shows how eager she is for the proposal.
11. What do Lomov and Natalya quarrel about first?
Answer: Their first quarrel is about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows.
Both claim that the land belongs to their respective families.
12. What do Lomov and Natalya quarrel about later?
Answer: Their second major quarrel is about their dogs.
Lomov claims that his dog Guess is better, while Natalya argues that her dog Squeezer is superior.
13. Why is the play humorous?
Answer: The play is humorous because the marriage proposal is repeatedly interrupted by foolish arguments.
Instead of calmly discussing marriage, Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov insult one another over small matters such as land and dogs.
Their exaggerated anger, dramatic reactions and sudden change from quarrelling to marriage create comedy.
14. What does the play suggest about marriage?
Answer: The play humorously presents marriage as a practical social arrangement rather than a purely romantic one.
Lomov chooses Natalya because he considers her suitable, while Natalya is eager to marry him despite constantly quarrelling with him.
Their relationship shows that compatibility, pride, property and social expectations can all become mixed together.
Words and Expressions Used for the Characters
15. What words and expressions do the characters use to describe one another?
Answer:
Lomov about Natalya
- excellent housekeeper
- not bad-looking
- well-educated
Chubukov about Natalya
- lovesick cat
Chubukov about Lomov
- my angel
- my precious
- villain
- scarecrow
- blind hen
- turnip ghost
- malicious
- double-faced intriguer
Lomov about Chubukov
- grabber
- intriguer
- old rat
Natalya about Lomov
- rascal
- monster
These expressions show how quickly the characters shift between affection and abuse.
16. Give five suitable adjectives for each main character.
Answer:
Lomov
- nervous
- argumentative
- practical
- anxious
- stubborn
Natalya
- strong-willed
- argumentative
- emotional
- practical
- determined
Chubukov
- dramatic
- short-tempered
- opportunistic
- affectionate at times
- quarrelsome
17. What might the characters quarrel about after marriage?
Answer: Since Lomov and Natalya argue over very small matters even before marriage, they may continue to quarrel about household matters, money, property, animals or other everyday issues.
Their argumentative nature suggests that such quarrels will continue.
Additional Questions and Answers
18. How does Lomov behave when he becomes excited?
Answer: When Lomov becomes excited, he experiences several physical symptoms.
His heart beats rapidly, his lips tremble and he feels nervous. He also complains about weakness and other discomforts.
His exaggerated concern about his health adds humour to the play.
19. Why does Lomov think thirty-five is a critical age?
Answer: Lomov believes he has reached an age when he should stop delaying marriage and settle down.
He wants a regular and peaceful life and sees marriage as an important part of that plan.
20. How does Natalya behave towards Lomov?
Answer: Natalya’s behaviour is contradictory.
She quarrels fiercely with Lomov over the Oxen Meadows and their dogs, yet she becomes desperate when she learns that he came to propose marriage.
This contrast makes her character humorous.
21. How does Chubukov behave during Lomov’s proposal?
Answer: Chubukov first suspects Lomov of wanting money.
When he learns about the marriage proposal, he becomes delighted and affectionate. Later, however, he joins the quarrels and insults Lomov.
Finally, he becomes eager to complete the marriage proposal as quickly as possible.
22. Why is “The Proposal” called a one-act play?
Answer: It is called a one-act play because the entire action takes place within a single act and focuses on one main situation—the attempted marriage proposal between Lomov and Natalya.
23. What is the central idea of “The Proposal”?
Answer: The central idea is the comic contrast between marriage and conflict.
The play shows how people can become obsessed with pride, property and trivial matters even while making important life decisions.
24. What message does the play convey?
Answer: The play humorously shows that unnecessary pride and argument can make simple situations complicated.
It also suggests that people should control their temper and avoid turning small disagreements into serious conflicts.
Thinking About Language
I. Expressions with a Russian flavour
25. Name some expressions in the play that sound old-fashioned or strongly Russian in English.
Answer: Some examples are:
- Honoured Stepan Stepanovitch
- my angel
- my precious
- I implore you
- lovesick cat
- five dessiatins
- three hundred roubles
- turnip ghost
- malicious, double-faced intriguer
Such expressions reflect the translated Russian setting and do not sound typical in modern everyday English.
Vocabulary and Pronunciation
26. Important words from the play
Palpitations – rapid or irregular heartbeat
Interfere – become involved in something unnecessarily
Implore – beg earnestly
Thoroughbred – of pure breed
Pedigree – recorded ancestry of an animal
Principle – a basic rule or belief
Evidence – proof
Misfortune – bad luck
Malicious – intending to cause harm
Embezzlement – stealing money entrusted to someone
Architect – a person who designs buildings
Neighbours – people living nearby
Accustomed – familiar with something
Temporary – lasting for a short time
Behaviour – the way someone acts
Documents – official written records
Phrase Meanings
27. What does “You may take it that” mean?
Answer: It means you may assume or understand that something is true.
Sentence: You may take it that the work will be completed today.
28. What does “coming round” mean?
Answer: It means recovering or becoming conscious again.
Sentence: After a few minutes, the patient began coming round.
29. What does “My foot’s gone to sleep” mean?
Answer: It means the foot has temporarily become numb or tingling because of pressure on the nerves.
Sentence: I sat in one position for too long, and my foot went to sleep.
Reported Speech
30. Fill in the rules for changing direct speech into reported speech.
Answer:
- To report a question, we commonly use asked.
- To report a statement, we may use said or declared.
- Here usually changes to there.
- A present tense verb often changes to the past tense.
- Present continuous often changes to past continuous.
- Words showing respect may be expressed with an adverb such as respectfully.
- Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener, for example he, she, him, her, his, their.
31. Change the following into reported speech.
(i) Lomov: “Do you think I may count on her consent?”
Answer: Lomov respectfully asked Stepan Stepanovitch whether he thought he might count on her consent.
(ii) Lomov: “I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement.”
Answer: Lomov said that he was getting a noise in his ears from excitement.
(iii) Natalya: “Why haven’t you been here for such a long time?”
Answer: Natalya asked Lomov why he had not been there for such a long time.
(iv) Chubukov: “What’s the matter?”
Answer: Chubukov asked what the matter was.
(v) Natalya: “My mowers will be there this very day!”
Answer: Natalya declared that her mowers would be there that very day.
Reported Speech Passage
32. Rewrite the A. K. Hangal passage in reported speech.
Answer: A. K. Hangal laughed and asked why people wanted to know his age. He added that if people knew how old he was, he might not get work.
When asked about the secret of his energy, he replied that he ate everything in small quantities and walked a lot.
He said that he had joined the film industry at an age when many people retired. He added that he did not regret not being called a star because he was still respected and continued to receive work.
He also admitted that he had always been underpaid. Later, he said that although he was content, money was important and that he had been foolish not to understand its value earlier.
Speaking and Writing
33. What are some harmful effects of anger? How can anger be controlled?
Answer: Anger can lead to poor decisions, damaged relationships and unnecessary conflict.
A person may say or do things in anger that he or she later regrets.
To control anger, one can:
- pause before reacting,
- stay silent for a short time,
- leave the situation temporarily,
- think calmly,
- listen to the other person,
- and avoid insulting language.
Anger can sometimes alert us that something is wrong, but it should be expressed in a controlled and constructive manner.
34. Write a short script based on a disagreement.
Answer:
Person A: Why did you make this decision without asking anyone?
Person B: I thought it would solve the problem quickly.
Person A: But everyone is affected by it.
Person B: I understand. Let us discuss it calmly.
Person A: That would be better. We should decide together.
35. What qualities should a person look for in a marriage partner?
Answer: Important qualities may include:
- mutual respect,
- honesty,
- kindness,
- patience,
- good communication,
- emotional maturity,
- similar values,
- responsibility,
- and the ability to solve disagreements calmly.
Appearance or wealth alone cannot guarantee a healthy relationship.
Long Answer Questions
36. Give a character sketch of Lomov.
Answer: Lomov is a wealthy landowner of about thirty-five who wants to marry and settle down.
He is practical and considers Natalya a suitable wife because she is educated, capable and a good housekeeper.
However, he is also nervous, stubborn and highly argumentative. Instead of completing his proposal peacefully, he becomes involved in disputes over the Oxen Meadows and dogs.
He frequently complains about his health and becomes physically agitated during arguments.
Lomov’s combination of seriousness, nervousness and foolish quarrelling makes him a comic character.
37. Give a character sketch of Natalya.
Answer: Natalya is Chubukov’s daughter and is eager to marry.
She is confident, strong-willed and argumentative. She firmly defends her family’s claim over the Oxen Meadows and insists that Squeezer is a better dog than Guess.
At the same time, when she discovers that Lomov had come to propose, she becomes emotional and desperately wants him brought back.
Her mixture of practicality, pride, temper and eagerness for marriage creates much of the humour in the play.
38. Give a character sketch of Chubukov.
Answer: Chubukov is Natalya’s father.
He is dramatic, emotional and quick-tempered. At first, he suspects that Lomov has come to ask for money, but he becomes delighted when he learns about the proposal.
Although he wants the marriage to take place, he repeatedly joins the quarrels and insults Lomov.
His behaviour changes quickly between affection and anger, which adds to the comic atmosphere of the play.
39. How does the play show that small disagreements can become serious quarrels?
Answer: The play shows this through the arguments over the Oxen Meadows and the dogs Guess and Squeezer.
These issues are minor compared with the main purpose of Lomov’s visit, which is marriage. Yet the characters allow pride and stubbornness to take control.
Their tempers rise until they begin insulting one another and almost forget the proposal completely.
The play therefore humorously warns against making trivial disagreements more important than they really are.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who wrote “The Proposal”?
(a) Anton Chekhov
(b) Walt Whitman
(c) Robert Frost
(d) Ogden Nash
Answer: (a) Anton Chekhov
2. “The Proposal” is a—
(a) novel
(b) one-act play
(c) poem
(d) short story
Answer: (b) One-act play
3. How old is Lomov?
(a) 30
(b) 35
(c) 40
(d) 45
Answer: (b) 35
4. Why does Lomov visit Chubukov?
(a) To borrow money
(b) To buy land
(c) To propose marriage to Natalya
(d) To sell his dog
Answer: (c) To propose marriage to Natalya
5. At first, Chubukov thinks Lomov has come to—
(a) ask for money
(b) buy a dog
(c) invite him to dinner
(d) settle a dispute
Answer: (a) Ask for money
6. Who does Chubukov call a “lovesick cat”?
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Himself
(d) His wife
Answer: (b) Natalya
7. What does Natalya offer Lomov?
(a) Coffee
(b) Tea
(c) Juice
(d) Milk
Answer: (b) Tea
8. What is the subject of Lomov and Natalya’s first quarrel?
(a) Marriage
(b) Money
(c) Oxen Meadows
(d) Clothes
Answer: (c) Oxen Meadows
9. What is the name of Lomov’s dog?
(a) Squeezer
(b) Guess
(c) Tommy
(d) Rover
Answer: (b) Guess
10. What is the name of Natalya’s dog?
(a) Guess
(b) Squeezer
(c) Toto
(d) Spot
Answer: (b) Squeezer
11. According to Lomov, what defect does Squeezer have?
(a) He is blind
(b) He is overshot
(c) He is lame
(d) He is deaf
Answer: (b) He is overshot
12. How much was paid for Squeezer according to the supplied material?
(a) 40 roubles
(b) 55 roubles
(c) 85 roubles
(d) 125 roubles
Answer: (c) 85 roubles
13. Who threatens to take the land dispute to court?
(a) Chubukov
(b) Natalya
(c) Lomov
(d) A neighbour
Answer: (c) Lomov
14. What does “palpitations” mean?
(a) Sleepiness
(b) A rapid or irregular heartbeat
(c) Headache
(d) Weak eyesight
Answer: (b) A rapid or irregular heartbeat
15. What does Lomov consider Natalya to be?
(a) A poor housekeeper
(b) An excellent housekeeper
(c) Uneducated
(d) Unfriendly
Answer: (b) An excellent housekeeper
16. What happens when Natalya learns why Lomov had come?
(a) She becomes angry
(b) She asks her father to call him back
(c) She leaves the house
(d) She refuses the proposal
Answer: (b) She asks her father to call him back
17. What is one major comic feature of the play?
(a) A ghost appears
(b) The proposal is interrupted by foolish quarrels
(c) Nobody speaks
(d) The characters sing
Answer: (b) The proposal is interrupted by foolish quarrels
18. Lomov and Natalya mainly quarrel because they are—
(a) calm and patient
(b) stubborn and argumentative
(c) shy and silent
(d) careless and lazy
Answer: (b) Stubborn and argumentative
19. What does Chubukov finally want Lomov and Natalya to do?
(a) Continue arguing
(b) Get married
(c) Sell their dogs
(d) Go to court
Answer: (b) Get married
20. What is the main tone of “The Proposal”?
(a) Tragic
(b) Comic
(c) Mysterious
(d) Serious
Answer: (b) Comic
Teacher Generate Question Answer
Chapter: 11
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”? Give reasons from the play.
Answer:
At first, Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money, as he notices him dressed formally in his evening clothes. When Chubukov later claims that he has always loved Lomov like his own son, he is not sincere. This is evident from his earlier unwillingness to lend money and his rude attitude toward Lomov. However, his behavior changes suddenly when Lomov reveals that he has come to propose marriage to his daughter, Natalya. At that point, Chubukov becomes eager and welcoming, showing that his earlier affection was not genuine but based on self-interest.
2. Chubukov says of Natalya: “…as if she won’t consent! She’s in love: egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Yes, Natalya is in love. Her behavior clearly shows her feelings for Lomov. When she learns that Lomov had come to propose to her, she becomes very emotional, starts weeping, and insists that her father bring him back immediately. This reaction indicates that she has strong feelings for Lomov and supports Chubukov’s statement that she is in love.
3. Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, including the accusations and insults they hurl at each other.
Answer:
(i) Words and expressions used by characters:
Chubukov: intriguer, grabber, old rat, Jesuit
Natalya: a lovesick cat, an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated
Lomov: a good neighbour, impudent, pettifogger, malicious, double-faced intriguer, rascal, blind hen, turnip ghost, villain, scarecrow, stuffed sausage, monster, fool, etc.
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