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The Proposal

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20 views2 pages

The Proposal

Uploaded by

jotsnasonkusale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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THE PROPOSAL

By: Anton Chekov

Main Characters

 Natalya- Talkative, Argumentative


 Chubukov- Helpful, Concerned, Hypocrite
 Lomov- Quarrelsome, Childish

Theme

 Tendency of wealthy families to seek matrimonial ties. The real


purpose is to increase their estates and landed properties.
 A satire making fun of money driven type of marriages.
 Marriage for economic security.

Value

 Neighbours must have a cordial relationship.


 Arguments and disputes seldom solve a problem.

Title

The title of the play ‘The Proposal’ is very apt because the whole story
revolves around Ivan Lomov’s marriage proposal to Chubukov’s daughter
Natalya. Right from the beginning to the end of the play, the story revolves
round a marriage proposal.

Thinking About the Play


(Page 157)

Q.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.
Ans. At first Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as
he was in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he
had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had
decided to not give any money to Lomov. It was only when Lomov asked for
his daughter’s hand in marriage that his attitude changed and he rushed out
to call his daughter, Natalya.

Q.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.
Ans. Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she
gets to know that Lomov came to propose to her. She starts weeping and
asks her father to bring Lomov at once.

Q.3. 1. Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use
to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each
other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but
earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, double faced
intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent
housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”)
2. Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to
describe each character in the play.
3. Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?
Ans. The words and expressions that have been used to describe each other
by various characters of the play are
Chubukov: intriguer, grabber, old rat
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, a villain, scare crow, stuffed
sausage, etc.

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