The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight
The Proposal Class 10 Extra Questions & Answers are available here. Class 10 English The Proposal extra questions and answers are prepared by our expert teachers. All these questions are divided into two or three sections. They are short type questions answers, long type question answers and extract based questions. Learning these questions will help you to score excellent marks in the board exams.
The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
1. Who is Lomov?
Answer: Lomov is a young landowner.
2. Why did Lomov come to Chubukov’s house?
Answer: Lomov came to Chubukov’s house with a marriage proposal for Natalya.
3. How old were Lomov and Natalya?
Answer: Lomov was thirty-five years old and Natalya was twenty-five years old.
4. Why is Lomov so eager to marry?
Answer: Lomov is so eager to many because he is already over thirty-five.
5. What disease does Lomov suffer from?
Answer: Lomov suffers from palpitations.
6. What does Lomov quarrel over with Natalya for the first time?
Answer: Lomov quarrels over ownership the right of Oxen Meadows.
7. What documents does Lomov offer to show Natalya?
Answer: He wants to show her the documents relating to the Oxen Meadows.
8. Who has been using Oxen Meadows?
Answer: Peasants have been using Oxen Meadows.
9. What do they quarrel over for the second time?
Answer: For the second time, they quarrel over the quality of their dogs.
10. Who was Guess?
Answer: Guess was Lomov’s pet dog.
11. Who appears to be dead to Chubukov?
Answer: To Chubukov, Lomov appears to be dead.
12. Did Lomov and Natalya get married ultimately?
Answer: Yes, they got married ultimately.
13. How does Natalya react when she learns that Lomov had come to propose to her?
Answer: She weeps and yells and asks her father to fetch his hack.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What do you think would have been Chubukov’s reaction on hearing the reason for which Lomov had come to his house?
Answer: When Chubukov came to know that the reason of Lomov’s coming to their house is to marry Natalya, he was overwhelmed with joy. He embraced and kissed Lomov and told him that he was hoping for it for a long time. He told Lomov that he had always loved him as if he were his own son.
2. What justification did Lomov give to Natalya and Chubukov to prove that he is the rightful owner of Meadows?
Answer: 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 open meadows.
3. Lomov was a quarrelsome person. Justify.
Answer: Lomov was a quarrelsome person. He came to Chubukov’s house to propose Natalya. But he started arguing about the meadows and insisted that those meadows belonged to him. Later he kept on proving that his dog Squeezer is better than ‘Guess’ – the dog of Chubukov’s. He did not care for his health or his proposal but kept on fighting for one or the other reason. It proves that he was a quarrelsome person.
4. There is a certain way in which the characters speak in the play “The Proposal”. What does it tell us about the Russian men?
Answer: As the story belongs to the Russian character. So through the dialogues of the characters, we come to know a lot about Russian man. According to the story the Russians are very particular about their dress and have particular dresses for special occasions. Secondly, they are hypocrites. They show off to be sweet but the very next moment, they started fighting. They pretend to be good neighbours but within their heart, they have so many grudges. They love to have dogs as pets and consider their pet better than the other one. All of them are stubborn, short-tempered, quarrelsome and rigid.
5. Describe, in brief, the character of Natalya as sketched in the chapter the proposal.
Answer: Natalya was 25 years old, daughter of Chubukov. She was a good housekeeper, not bad looking and well educated. She secretly loved Lomov. She was greedy and short-sighted. She was short-tempered as well.
6. Lomov went to Chubukov’s house and was seeking permission so that he could trouble him with a request. What is the trouble that he is talking about
Answer: Lomov went to Chubukov’s house to ask him to marry his daughter, Natalya. He asked Chubukov for Natalya’s hand. This is the trouble he was talking about.
7. Natalya was not Lomov’s real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two reasons for his decision.
Answer: Though Lomov was not in love with Natalya, he wanted to marry her because he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted a companion who could look after him.
8. Lomov calls himself a ‘land grabber’. Justify the statement in about 20-25 words.
Answer: Lomov and Natalya argue over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Natalya calls him a ‘land grabber’ as he claims his ownership over it. Lomov says that he is not a ‘land grabber’ as he has never done so and would never let anyone do so.
9. How and why did Lomov come to meet the Chubukov family?
Answer: Lomov came in a formal evening dress — wearing a jacket and white gloves. He had come to meet the Chubukov family to put his proposal for Natalya. He wanted to marry her.
10. How can you say that Natalya was not convinced that Oxen Meadows was owned by Lomov?
Answer: Natalya was not convinced as she said that they owned Oxen Meadows for nearly 300 years. It was surprising and ridiculous if someone else claimed it to be his own. Chubukov also joined the quarrel.
11. What did Natalya say about Guess?
Answer: Natalya said that Squeezer was superior to Guess —Lomov’s dog. Lomov said that his dog Guess was better than Squeezer. Natalya believed that Guess had become old and ought to be shot. She also claimed that Squeezer was a hundred times better than a Guess.
12. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for?
Or
Why was Stephan Chubukov not happy to welcome Lomov in his house
Answer: Lomov arrives in a formal evening dress. On seeing him, Chubukov thinks that he has come to borrow money. He decides not to lend it to him but talks to him quite politely.
13. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from?
Answer: Lomov is 35 years old. It is high time that he should settle for a quiet and regular life. He is suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. In need of a companion who may look after him, he wants to get married.
14. What request did Lomov make to Chubukov?
Answer: Lomov went to Chubukov in a formal dress in order to propose marriage to his daughter, Natalya. Hesitatingly he told Chubukov that he needed his help and had come to trouble him with a request. He told him that he wanted to marry Natalya.
15. 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 on how to make a marriage proposal. He talks in a roundabout manner. He makes mention of his meadows which touch their birchwoods. At this, a quarrel ensues between them over the ownership rights the meadows.
16. What kind of a man is Lomov?
Answer: Lomov is a man of thirty-five years old. He is really a very funny and comical character. He comes to make a proposal to Natalya. But he is so nervous and excitable that he continues quarrelling with the girl over trifles, and fails to make the proposal. He has no confidence and no self-control. He suffers from fits of epilepsy.
17. Who is the heroine of the play?
Answer: Natalya is the heroine of the play The Proposal’. She is twenty-five years old. She is still unmarried. It causes great worry to her father. Natalya wishes that somebody should love her and proposes to her. Her father calls her ‘a love-sick cat’.
18. Why does the proposal remain unmade during Lomov’s first visit?
Answer: The proposal remains unmade during Lomov’s fast visit because Lomov is very nervous and excitable. He beat about the bush. When Natalya comes Lomov begins to quarrel with her about a piece of land. He gets very excited and leaves the room, cursing and threatening the old man and his daughter, Natalya. He forgets all about the proposal.
19. Why is Natalya is so anxious to marry Lomov?
Answer: Natalya is an ugly, middle-aged woman. She knows that only a fool like Lomov can marry her. So, the moment she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose for her hand, she cries and shouts and forces her father to bring Lomov back.
20. How does Chubukov join the quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Answer: Chubukov comes in and finds Natalya and Lomov quarrelling. When he finds that they are `luanvIling 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 ancestors.
21. 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 sq 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.
22. What is Chubukov guess about the purpose of Lomov’s visit?
Answer: Lomov 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. Chubukov thinks that perhaps he has come to ask for a loan. He makes up his mind not to help him in any way.
23. 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.
24. Why was Lomov brought hack by Chubukov?
Answer: Chubukov wondered how Lomov dared to make a proposal of marriage. Natalya was startled to hear it. She forced her father to bring Lomov back. Chubukov rushed out most unwillingly to request Lomov to come back. Lomov agreed to come back.
25. How does Lomov behave when he is excited?
Answer: When Lomov is excited his heart starts palpitating. His right eyebrow starts twitching. His foot goes to sleep. In the play, he becomes so excited that he falls unconscious.
26. How does Natalya lay claim to a piece of land called the ‘Oxen Meadows’?
Answer: Natalya says that the land belonged to her family for the last three hundred years. Now suddenly Lomov lays his claim to that land. She says that the land is not worth much in terms of money. But as a principle, she won’t let Lomov claim it.
27. 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 daughters, Natalya and considers her a suitable match for her.
28. 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 he has come with a marriage proposal, he is overjoyed and excited.
29. Why is Chubukov surprised at Lomov’s wearing of a formal dress when he conies to meet him?
Answer: Ivan Lomov is well dressed. He comes to visit Chubukov. Chubukov notices his dress. He is surprised to see Lomov wearing a dress-jacket and white gloves. He is in a formal evening dress. It appears as if he were paying a New Year’s Eve visit. Only later on, Chubukov comes to know that Lomov has come in that formal dress only with a proposal for marriage.
30. How does Chubukov react when he comes to know that Lomov has come with a proposal of marrying his daughter Natalya?
Answer: Soon the misunderstanding is cleared. Chubukov comes to know that Lomov has not come to borrow money instead he has come with a proposal of marrying his daughter Natalya. He is extremely happy to hear it. This is exactly what he wants. He embraces and kisses Lomov. He calls him “darling” and “angel”. He tells Lomov that he has been hoping it for a long time. He is ready to bless them.
31. 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 is an ideal life-partner for him.
32. 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 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.
33. Describe Oxen Meadows. How were they a bone of contention between Lornov’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 ownership over the Meadows. Lomov says that Oxen Meadows was given to Chubukov’s peasants for free use. They were to make bricks for the Lomovs. The Chubokovs contest this claim of Lomov.
34. 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 belongs to them.
35. Why does Natalya think that Lomov’s behaviour is strange and he is simply joking and making fun of her?
Answer: Natalya thinks that Lomov’s behaviour is quite strange. He is only joking and making fun of her. She claims that they have Oxen Meadows for nearly 300 years. She is suddenly told that it is not theirs. It is strange that Lomov is making a present of the Meadows to them which are not owned by him. It is unlike a good neighbour and a friend.
36. 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 land grabbers behave in this fashion.
37. 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 tries to bring him back. She threatens to die if Lomov is not brought back.
38. Besides Oxen Meadows what is the other important cause of quarrel between Lomov and Natalya?
Answer: Natalya and Lomov have already quarrelled over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Now crops up a fresh cause of their quarrel. It is over their dogs, Squeezer and Guess. Natalya thinks that their Squeezer is a thoroughbred animal. He is far better than his dog Guess. Natalya calls Guess an old and a worthless dog. The quarrel continues even after they are married.
39. Describe the physical condition and health of Lomov.
Answer: Lomov is thirty-five years old. He doesn’t enjoy good health. He is 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.
40. 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.
41. How does Chubukov react when Lomov comes to senses?
Answer: Lomov’s unconsciousness unnerves both Chubukov and his daughter Natalya. He is thought to be dead. Chubukov thinks that a golden opportunity has been lost.
He thinks of shooting himself or cutting his throat. When Lomov comes to senses Chubukov doesn’t lose the opportunity, He cries, “Hurry up and get married!” He at once blesses both of them.
42. Give in brief the character-sketch of Lomov.
Answer: Lomov is a middle-aged man of thirty-five. He suffers from palpitations, cramps and numbness 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.
43. 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.
44. What opinion do you form of Natalya after reading the play, ‘The Proposal’?
Answer: Natalya is a woman of twenty-five years. Lomov considers her a good housekeeper and not bad looking. She likes to get married with Lomov. However, she indulges in unnecessary quarrels over Oxen Meadows and dogs. She even insults Lomov with harsh words. However, good sense prevails upon her and she doesn’t lose the opportunity of marrying Lomov.
45. 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 Type Questions
1. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first between them.
Answer: Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and 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 and his oxen meadows touched her birch woods. Natalya told Lomov that Lomov tried meadows belonged to her but Lomov claimed that m the oxen meadows are his. 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.
2. The proposal was forgotten amidst argumentation. Which right approach should have been followed by both parties?
Answer: 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 truffles. 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.
3. “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 belong 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.
4. Why does Lomov think of marrying he should settle into a quiet and regular Natalya Stepanovna
Answer: Lomov was 35 years old. It was high time that life IV moreover, he was suffering d In order to put his proposal to Natalya, due to a weak heart and sleeplessness. He wanted company and file one to look after him, so he wanted to get married he visited Chubukov. However, Lomov was not in love with Natalya. Besides his ill health, he understood quite well that she was an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, and well-educated. Thus, he thought of marrying her because of all these practical reasons.
5. Write a brief character sketch of Lomov.
Answer: 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 without proposing. Thus we can find that Loom’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.
6. Describe how Chubukov got Natalya married with Lomov.
Answer: Chubukov was thinking that Lomov had come to borrow money from him but when he told him that he had come to propose to his daughter he was overjoyed and even shed a tear. He kissed and embraced Lomov. He told Lomov that he was hoping it for a long time. He also told Lomov that he loved him as his own son.
In fact, Chubukov, secretly wished Lomov to marry his dither as he knew that Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer and his only daughter could lead a comfortable life with him. No wonder, he was overjoyed to know that Lomov was there to propose to his daughter.
7. 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 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.
8. Give a brief character sketch of Natalya.
Answer: 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 secretly loved Lomov. 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.
9. Bring out the humorous element in the one-act play ‘The Proposal’.
Answer: The one-act play ‘The Proposal’ is full of the humorous element. The characters in the play behave ridiculously. Lomov comes to propose to Natalya. But he cannot talk in a straightforward manner. He beat about the bush. He starts quarrelling with her over a piece of land. When he comes back, he quarrels about the superiority of his dog. Chubukov is also a humorous character. He knows that Lomov has come to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Even when he quarrels with him. We laugh at the words used by them and their behaviour. The sudden marriage of Lomov and Natalya creates laughter. Chubukov puts his daughter’s hand in Lomov’s in a foolish manner. Lomov is a comic character. His complaints about his poor health provoke laughter. Thus the play gives us a lot of laughter.
10. Draw a brief character-sketch of Natalya.
Answer: Natalya is the heroine of the play ‘The Proposal’. She is twenty-five years old. She is still unmarried. It causes great worry to her father. Natalya wishes that somebody should love her and proposes to her. Her father calls her ‘a love-sick cat.’
She is very quarrelsome. She quarrels with others over trifles. Lomov comes to propose to her, but she starts quarrelling with him over the ownership of a piece of land. Lomov leaves her house in a fit of anger. When she comes to know that he had come to propose to her, she starts weeping. She asks her father to bring him back. When Lomov comes back, she tries to please him. But after some time, she starts quarrelling with him on the question of dogs. Lomov faints and she again begins to wail lest she should lose the opportunity for marriage. After some time, Lomov regains consciousness. Her father does not want to lose this opportunity. He at once puts Natalya’s hand in the hands of Lomov. He announces that they are engaged with each other. Natalya. become very happy. But she again starts quarrelling with him. Thus Natalya is an interesting character.
11. 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.
12. Give a short character sketch of Lomov.
Answer: Lomov is the hero of the One Act Play ‘The Proposal’. He is a land-owner. He is a funny character He is a young man of thirty-five years. He becomes nervous very soon. He loses his temper whenever he is upset. He looks very funny when he complains about his ill-health. He is short-tempered. He quarrels with Natalya over the ownership of a piece of land. He also quarrels with her over the superiority of his dog. He loses temper and starts abusing Chubukov. He loses control over himself and faints in a fit of anger. Lomov is a funny and foolish character. We laugh at his dress, manners and behaviour. Lomov is a bachelor even at the age of thirty-five. He wants to marry Natalya not out of love but because he is already a grown-up man. He has no sense of beauty. He wants to marry Natalya only because she is a good house-keeper.
13. What is the theme of the play ‘The Proposal’?
Answer: The One Act play ‘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. The play also brings to light the social life of the landowners of the 19th century. 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.
14. 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.
15. Describe how does Natalya react before and after knowing the real purpose of Lomov’s visit. Does she act sensibly in this regard?
Answer: 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 excited and 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.
16. Give a brief pen-portrait highlighting his strength and weakness of his character. 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 wrack. He enjoys 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 when 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 for many Natalya is practical and genuine.
17. In spite of being a good housekeeper educated and not bad looking, Natalya is quarrelsome, vain and highly impulsive. Justify your answer in 120 words.
Answer: Natalya is the daughter of a rich Russian landlord Chubukov. She is twenty-five years old. She knows that she must marry and not lose a suitable match for her. She doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to many of her neighbour and landlord Lomov. Natalya is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad looking. Even Lomov acknowledges her skills and suitability as his life-partner. He himself comes to her house with a proposal of marriage.
In spite of having many good qualities which helps her to be an ideal wife, Natalya has certain weaknesses in her character. She is quarrelsome like her father. She doesn’t seem to be practical and prudent. She is ‘a love-sick cat’. She is dying too many Lomov. However, she forgets the main issue but indulges in unnecessary quarrels over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. She irritates Lomov by proving the superiority of her dog Squeezer over his dog Guess. However, she grabs the opportunity in the end. As directed by Chubukov, she embraces, blesses and gets married to Lomov at once. But old habits die hard. She starts her married life with a fresh quarrel.
18. Chubukov has all the attributes of a quarrelsome rich Russian landlord. Instead of solving the problems, he only adds fuel to 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.
19. Justify the title of the lesson, ‘The Proposal’.
Answer: 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 around 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 Chbukov blessing the newly married couple.
20. 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 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.
21. Doesn’t it look ridiculous and childish to see mature persons like Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov quarrelling over their dogs, Squeezer and Guess? Give the reasons answer.
Answer: Natalya and Lomov are mature persons who can be childish and ridiculous on occasions. They easily forget the main issue—the proposal of marriage. No doubt, Natalya is a love-sick cat and is dying to marry Lomov. Even Lomov considers Natalya a good housekeeper. Such a good looking and educated woman can be an ideal wife for him.
But both of them fail to come to the main issue. After the dispute over the ownership of Oxen Meadows is resolved, they pick up a fresh quarrel over their dogs. Their behaviour is childish and unwanted considering their mature age. Their dogs Squeezer and Guess become the symbols of their vanity and false pride. Natalya calls her Squeezer a thoroughbred animal of a noble breed. Chubukov jumps into the quarrel. He calls Squeezer the best dog in the district. He calls Lomov’s dog Guess old and short in the muzzle. It is free for all. Abuses and insults are exchanged. Lomov calls Chubukov an “intriguer”, “old rat” and “Jesuit”. Chubukov calls Lomov “Boy! Pup!” and “milksop! Fool!”. The quarrel ends only when Lomov lies down unconscious in an armchair.
22. 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 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 Guesses again.
Extract Based Questions
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1: It’s 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.
a. Who is saying, “I’m trembling all over as if I had got an examination before me”?
b. What is the great thing that the speaker is talking about?
c. What state of Lomov’s mind does the passage reflect?
d. Why did Lomov not want to wait for real love?
Answer:
a. Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov is saying this line.
b. The speaker is talking about real love and marriage.
c. His mind reflects that this way he would never get married because it is difficult to get an ideal or real love.
d. Lomov did not want to wait for real love because he was anxious to get married.
Question 2: He is old, but I wouldn’t take five Squeezers for him. Why, how can you? Guess is a dog; as for Squeezer, well, it’s too funny to argue. Anybody you like has a dog as good as Squeezer you may find them under every bush almost. Twenty-five roubles would be a handsome price to pay for him.
a. Who does ‘he’ refer to?
b. Whom does Squeezer belong to?
c. Who is the speaker of these lines?
d. What would be a handsome price to pay for Squeezer?
Answer:
a. He refers to ‘Guess’, the dog.
b. Squeezer belongs to Chubukov.
c. Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
d. The handsome price to pay for Squeezer would be twenty-five roubles.
Question 3: She’s willing and all that. I give you my blessing and so on. Only leave me in peace!
a. To whom is the speaker giving his blessing?
b. Why is he giving his blessing?
c. Who is giving his blessing?
d. What is she willing for?
Answer:
a. The speaker is giving his blessing to Lomov and Natalya.
b. He is giving his blessings because both are willing to marry each other and Chubukov agrees to it.
c. Chubukov is giving his blessing.
d. She is willing for her marriage with Lomov.
Question 4: 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’s not at all neighbourly! In my opinion, it’s even impudent, if you want to know.
a. What did the speaker do last year?
b. What happened after that?
c. How did Natalya try to prove that they were at least good neighbours?
d. Why Chubukov had to delay their threshing till November?
Answer:
a. Last year, the speaker lent their threshing-machine.
b. After that, they had to put off their own threshing till November.
c. They lent their threshing-machine to Lomov the previous year that delayed their own threshing till November.
d. This was because they had lent it to Lomov, their neighbour.
Question 5: No, you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. 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.
a. Who is making fun of whom?
b. For how long did they have the land?
c. Who is the speaker of these lines?
d. What has been unfair with the speaker?
Answer:
a. Lomov is making fun of Natalya.
b. They had the land for nearly three hundred years.
c. Natalya is the speaker of these lines.
d. The land that the speaker has had for nearly 300 years have been told that it isn’t theirs.
Question 6: Then you make out that I’m a landgrabber? 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!
a. Who is ‘madam’ in the above lines?
b. In which situation does Lomov call himself a ‘landgrabber’?
c. What had happened to the speaker?
d. What will he not allow?
Answer: a. Natalya is the ‘madam’ in the above lines.
b. Natalya accuses Lomov of grabbing Oxen Meadows. So Lomov says that he is not a landgrabber.
c. The speaker got infuriated with Natalya for having called him a landgrabber.
d. He will not allow anybody to accuse him of having grabbed anyone’s land.
Question 7: Oxen meadows, its true, was once the subject of dispute, but now everybody knows that they are mine. There’s nothing to argue about. You see my aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to the peasants of your father’s grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her.
a. Who is the speaker of these lines?
b. Who is he speaking to?
c. What was the ‘subject of dispute’?
d. What did the peasants do for them?
Answer:
a. Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
b. He is speaking to Natalya.
c. The ownership of Oxen Meadows was the subject of dispute.
d. The peasants worked for forty years for them, making bricks.
Question 8: 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’s not at all neighbourly. In my opinion, it is even impudent if you want to know.
a. Who is speaking to whom?
b. How had she helped her neighbour?
c. What did the speaker do last year?
d. What happened after that?
Answer:
a. Natalya is speaking to Lomov.
b. She had helped her neighbour by lending the threshing-machine.
c. She lent her threshing-machine to her neighbour, Lomov.
d. They had to put off their own threshing till November.
Question 9: Well, there! It’s you, and papa said, “Go, there’s a merchant come for his goods.”
a. Who is the speaker of the above lines?
b. Why does the speaker’s father mention the vision as ‘a merchant come for his goods’?
c. Whom is the speaker talking to?
d. What did Natalya’s father say to her?
Answer:
a. Natalya is the speaker of the above lines.
b. Lomov had come to marry Natalya. Chubukov considered ‘Lomov’ as ‘Merchant’ and ‘Natalya’ as ‘his goods’.
c. The speaker is talking to Lomov.
d. Natalya’s father said that there was a merchant for his goods.
Question 10: You see my aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity, to the peasants of your father’s grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her.
a. Who is the speaker of these lines?
b. What type of relationship has been described in these lines?
c. Who is the speaker speaking to?
d. What did the peasants do?
Answer:
a. Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
b. They had a cordial relationship as they were neighbours.
c. The speaker is speaking to Natalya.
d. The peasants made bricks for the grandmother of Lomov’s aunt.
Self- Assessment Test
Short Answer Questions
1. Why was Stephen Chubukov not happy to welcome Lomov in his house?
2. What request did Lomov make to Chubukov?
3. Why is Lomov anxious to marry Natalya?
4. What was Lomov’s opinion about Squeezer?
5. Justify the title of the play, ‘The Proposal’.
Long Answer Questions
1. How does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does he react when he tells him the real purpose of his visit?
2. Give a character sketch of Stephan Stepanovitch Chubukov.
3. Describe the controversy between Lomov and Natalya about the Oxen Meadows and their dogs.