The Proposal Questions and Answers

 

Q.1 What for does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does he go and behave ? How is he received by Chubukov? How does Chubukov react?[The Proposal Questions and Answers] [1+2+1+2=6]

Ans Lomov goes to the house of Chubukov to propose to Natalya, his daughter.
He is in his evening dress with his white gloves on. He is very polite in his behaviour. He is too polite to express his desire directly.

Chubukov receives him apparently warmly. He shows his extreme love and joy at his coming to his house. He calls him ‘my angel’, ‘my treasure’, ‘my precious’. Ofcourse Chubukov initially thinks that Lomov has come for borrowing money and resolves to give him nothing. Chubukov wants to know his intention of his visiting him. When Lomov says that he has come to ask for Natalya’s hand, Chubukov is extremely pleased. He embraces him and kisses him. [117 words /

Q.2 How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come ? How is he received by Chubukov? [1+2+3=6]

Ans Lomov is a neighbour of Chubukov. One evening he comes to the house of Chubukov, in an evening dress with gloves on.

 Lomov is thirty-five years old. He has already attained the age of marriage. He was in love with Natalya, the daughter of Chubukov. So he has come to propose to his daughter Natalya Stepanovna.
Chubukov first suspects that Lomov has come there with an intention to borrow some money from him. He is surprised to see him in a formal dress. But when he comes to know his intention to propose, he becomes very glad. He then receives Lomov with all words of love and regard as like, ‘my angel’, ‘my dear fellow!’, ‘my treasure.’ 

03. How does Chubukov react when Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter? [6]

Ans Chubukov was a dutiful father. He had been anxious about the marriage of his daughter Natalya. The appearance of Lomov in a formal evening dress made Chubukov surprised. First, he thought that Lomov had come to him to borrow some money as before. But when Chubukov came to learn that Lomov had come to him with an intention to ask for Natalya’s hand, he was really very glad. He instantly embraced Lomov and kissed him. He called for God’s blessing for Natalya, his daughter and Lomov, his would be son-in-law. He then went out to call for his daughter, Natalya. [100 words ]

Q.4 How does Lomov behave when he is excited? How does Lomov behave when Natalya comes and asks him the cause of his sudden arrival? [3+3=6]

Ans Lomov desires to lead a quiet and regular life. But sometimes circumstances make him excited. When he becomes excited his heart-beat increases. His lips tremble. There is a twitch in his right eyebrow. The worst thing is the way he sleeps. When he goes to sleep, something pulls in his left side. It comes to his shoulder and head. He jumps like a lunatic.
Being called for by her father, Natalya appears before Lomov who is in a formal evening dress. She also wants to know the intention of his arrival. Then Lomov respectfully says that he shall be brief. Lomov fails to disclose his real intention. He says that the Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always been the most friendly and affectionate. His land is adjacent to theirs. His Oxen Meadows touch Natalya’s Birchwoods. (135 words ]

Q5 “You say, “my Oxen Meadows…….” But are they yours?”-Who says this and when? How does the person spoken to prove that the Oxen Meadows are his? What does the speaker say to prove that the Oxen Meadows are theirs? [2+2+2=6]

 Lomov has come to ask for Natalya’s hand. Chubukov sends Natalya, his daughter, who comes in. She wants to know the cause of Lomov’s arrival. But he does not dare to disclose his intention. He speaks of the closeness of two families and adds that his Oxen Meadows are adjacent to Natalya’s birchwoods. On hearing this, Natalya says this in a challenging tone.

Lomov says that Oxen Meadows are his. To prove this he says that his aunt’s grandmother gave those Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather. It was in return for their making bricks for them.
Natalya cannot accept Lomov’s arguments. She says that Oxen Meadows have been theirs for long. They have the land for nearly three hundred years. They are worth perhaps 300 roubles. But she won’t stand to unfairness. Oxen Meadows are theirs. [138 words]

6 .Describe the arguments between Lomov and Natalya and Chubukov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. [6]

 

Ans Lomov has come to Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalya. But he is very nervous to propose it. So instead of proposing he starts talking this way or that. He says that his Oxen Meadows touch Natalya’s birchwoods. This leads to the argument between the two. Natalya says that Oxen Meadows are theirs. Lomov claims that Oxen Meadows are his now. His aunt’s grandmother gave their free use to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather. The peasants used them freely for forty years. But they regarded treating them as their own. Natalya objects to it. She replies that they have had them for nearly three hundred years, though they are worth 300 roubles. Both stick to their arguments, Chubukov also supports his daughter’s claim. [123

Q. 7 What is the point of dispute between Lomov and Natalya when they meet the first time? How does Lomov prove the point? What does Natalya say to prove that Oxen Meadows are theirs? [2+2+2=6]

Ans Chubukov is happy to know that Lomov has come
to ask for Natalya’s hand. He calls for Natalya, his daughter. She comes in. She wants to know the cause of Lomov’s arrival. The latter does not dare to disclose his intention. He then says that his Oxen Meadows are adjacent to Natalya’s birchwoods. Hearing this, Natalya protests in a challenging tone.
Lomov says that Oxen Meadows are his. To prove this he says that his aunt’s grandmother gave those Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather. It was in return for their making bricks for them.

• Natalya cannot agree with Lomov’s arguments. She says that Oxen Meadows have been theirs for long. They have the land for nearly three hundred years. These Meadows are not worth to her. They are worth perhaps 300 roubles. But she won’t stand to unfairness. Oxen Meadows are theirs. [144 words ]

Q.8 Decribe the verbal fight that started between Lomov and Natalya after the ownership of Oxen Meadows. [6]

Ans Lomovinsists that Oxen Meadows are his. He can show documents in respect of the ownership of the Oxen Meadows to Natalya. The latter argues that the Meadows are theirs. He insists that the Meadows are his. Natalya says that these are theirs. At this point Chubukov enters. He accuses Lomov of misbehaving with him who is twice his age. Lomov calls Chubukov a grabber. Chubukov calls him ‘pettifogger’. In fact, they start to accuse and abuse one another.

Q.9 How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting? How does Chubukovassert that the Oxen Meadows are theirs? [4+2=6]

Ans Lomov claims the Oxen Meadows to be his. He puts arguments in support of his claim. But Natalya does not agree with the point that the Oxen Meadows are not theirs, but rather they belong to Lomov. She says that up to that she thought Lomov a good neighbour. They lent him their threshing machine the last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November. She wants to know how Lomov is giving her their own land. In this way Natalya excites Lomov to the point of verbal fighting. Chubukov comes and says that he does not want anything to give up what is his. He
of Lomov’s. But he refuses claims that everybody knows that the Meadows are theirs. (121 words ]

Q.10 “You won’t prove anything just by yelling”Who said this and to whom? What did the person spoken to try to prove? How did Lomov react when Chubukov said that he was not used to misbehaviour by a young man like Lomov? [2+2+2=6]

Ans Chubukuv, father of Natalya Stepanovna, said this. He said this to Lomov when he tried to prove that he was the owner of the Oxen Meadows,
There was an Oxen Meadow adjacent to the birchwood that belonged to Natalya. Lomov claimed that the Oxen Meadows were his. In support of his claim he said that his aunt’s grandmother had given the meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather on condition that they would make bricks for her.
In course of debating over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows, Chubukov blamed Lomov’s behaviour as rude. He was not used to misbehaviour by youngmen like Lomov. Lomov reacted saying that Chubukov should not claim to be the owner of the Oxen Meadows that belonged to him. Then he wants to be talked to calmly and politely. He got excited and said that Chubukov was not a good neighbour but a ‘grabber’. [150 words ]

10 11 (a) How does Lomov react when Chubukov says that he is not used to misbehaviour by youngmen like Lomov? (b) How comically do Lomov and Chubukov fight verbally at this point ? (c) What do Chubukov and Natalya call Lomov to be immediately before and after he (Lomov) goes out after the hot verbal argument? [2+2+2 = 6]
Ans (a) In course of debating over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows, Chubukov thinks Lomov’s behaviour to be rude. He then says that he is not used to misbehaviour by youngmen like Lomov. Lomov reacts saying that Chubukov should not claim to be the owner of the Oxen Meadows that belongs to him. Then he wants to talk calmly
and politely. He then says that Chubukov is not a good neighbour but a ‘grabber’.

(b) Lomov’s remarks start the verbal fight between the two. Chubukov calls Lomov ‘pettifogger’. Lomov calls that they have been tried for embezzlement. Chubukov says that they are lunatics and his grandfather was a drunkard. His younger aunt ran away with an architect. Lomov calls Chubukov’s mother ‘hump-backed.

(c) Chubukov calls Lomov ‘the stuffed sausage’. Healso calls him ‘the wizen-faced frump’, ‘rascal’, ‘villain’, ‘scarecrow’. Natalyacalls him ‘monster’. Chubukov is not silent. He calls him ‘blind hen’, ‘turnip-ghost’. In this way Chubukov and Natalya begin to throw ill words to Lomov before and after he goes out from Chubukov’s house. [170 words ]
Why does Natalya ask her father Chubukov to fetch Lomov in at once when they have fought verbally? How does she accuse her father? Q.12
[3+3=6]

Ans The real intention of Lomov’s arrival to the house of Chubukov is to propose to Natalya for marriage. But he is unable to express his intention directly. So he hesitates and moves this way and that way. He awaits an opportunity for disclosing his intention. At last he expresses his intention to marry Natalya to Chubukov.
Chubukov calls for Natalya. She comes. But there is a heated quarrel between Natalya and Lomov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows before any marriage
proposal. Finally, Lomov is bodily removed by Chubukov and his daughter.

• After Lomov has left their house Natalya comes to know the matter. She wants to marry Lomov. So she at once changes and asks her father to fetch Lomov in at once. She also accuses her father for driving Lomov out. (133 words /

10.13 (a) How does the verbal fight between Lomov and Natalya start when he is brought in again? (b) How does Natalya prove that her dog Squeezer is better than Lomov’s dog Guess ? (c) How does Lomov contradict Natalya’s saying that their dog Squeezer is better than his? [2+2+2=6]

Ans (a) Natalya tries to be quiet and courteous (ভদ্র), when Lomov is brought back in by her father. She asks when Lomov is starting shooting again. Lomov says that his dog Guess has gone lame. He is a first-rate dog. This makes Natalya claim that their dog Squeezer is better than Guess. But Lomov does not agree with her. A verbal fight between them starts on again on this issue.

(b) Natalya asserts that their dog Squeezer is a thorough bred animal. This has a good breeding. There is no pedigree of Lomov’s dog Guess. Moreover Guess is very old. She also dismisses Guess as a worn-out cab-horse.

(c) Natalya claims that their Squeezer is better than Lomov’s Guess. He does not agree and gets excited. Lomov claims that on the Marusinsky hunt Guess ran neck-to-neck with the Count’s dog. But Squeezer was very much left behind.
Secondly, the dogs ran after a fox. But Squeezer went after (156 words) a sheep.

Q.14 Describe how Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov insist that their dogs are better.
Ans When Lomov returns to Natalya, who has pressed her father to bring him back, she offers her excuses for her conduct to him and refers to his scheme of hunting. Here, again, Natalya and Lomov are involved in a verbal quarrel over the superiority of their respective dogs, Guess and Squeezer. Natalya claims that their dog Squeezer is much more valuable and has a good pedigree. Lomov disputes her claim and calls his dog, Guess, the best. Chubukov even points out that Guess is old, while Lomov claims that in hunting, his dog is much better than theirs. (98 words ]

Q.15 Describe the verbal fight between Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov over their respective dogs.
s Lomov says that his dog Guess is better than Natalya’s Squeezer. He says that on the Marusinsky hunt, his Guess ran neck-to-neck with the Count’s dog. But Squeezer was left behind. Lomov says that the dogs ran after a fox. But Squeezer went after a sheep. Lomov finds that his heart is aching and his feet has gone to sleep. At this Natalya asks what kind of a hunter he is. He ought to catch black beetles in the kitchen. Lomov asks what kind of ‘hunter Chubukov is. He calls him an intriguer’. This starts their verbal fight. Chubukov calls him a ‘pup’, Lomov calls him an ‘old rat’. They abuse and accuse each other meanly. Only the original proposal remains undone. (122 words ]
Q16 “You’re not a hunter at all anyway!”-Who said this and to whom? When did the speaker say this? What did Natalya and her father Chubukov ask Lomov to do then?[2+2+2=6]
ns Chubukov, the father of Natalya said this. He said this to Lomov.
Lomov was brought back at Natalya’s pressure as she also had wished to marry him. But they fell into another verbal fight in the matter of the superiority of their dogs. Lomov claimed his dog to be better than Natalya’s. When their verbal fight reached the climax, Chubukov appeared before them and remarked this as he did not go on hunting rather he went only to argue with people and interfere with their dogs.
In this context Natalya said that Lomov should go and lie on the kitchen oven. He should catch black beetles and not go after foxes. Chubukov also said that Lomov ought to sit at home with his palpitations. He said that Lomov was not at all a hunter. (133 words /

Q.17 (a) How do Lomov and Chubukov fight after talking about dogs etc? (b) How does Chubukov behave when Lomov goes ‘unconscious’ at this point? (c) What does Chubukov suggest Lomov to do when he ‘revives’ and sees ‘stars…….mist’ etc?
=6]
[2+2+2
Ans (a) While arguing about dogs, Chubukov says that Lomov should sit at home with his heart-beats. He is not at all a hunter. Lomov replies that he goes hunting to intrigue only. This starts their verbal fight once again. Lomov calls him an ‘intriguer’. Chubukov calls him a ‘pup’. Lomov calls him ‘old rat’. Chubukov cannot resist himself from throwing ill words to Lomov. He calls Lomov ‘fool’. (b) Lomov begins to palpitate and becomes unconscious. Chubukov offers water to him, but he can not drink. Chubukov says that he is dead. He starts lamenting, condemning himself.
(c) Lomov, however, revives and begins to see things. Chubukov suggests Lomov to hurry up and get married. He asks him to do so as Natalya is willing. He gives them his blessings. He wants that they should only allow him to live in peace. [139 words]

Q.18 “The proposal’ is a great farcical comedy and full of great humour.”-Explain the statement. [6]

Ans ‘The Proposal’ is really a great farcical comedy. It is full of fun and humour. This is caused by the foolish behaviour of Lomov, Natalya and her father Chubukov. Lomov comes to Natalya’s house to propose. He talks of the Oxen Meadows. Lomov says that these are his. But Natalya claims those meadows to be theirs. The argument is highly comical. They start accusing each other. Lomov says, Chubukov’s mother was ‘humpbacked’. Chubukov says Lomov’s father was a gambler. His younger aunt ran away with an architect. They call each other ‘intriguer’, ‘pup’, ‘old rat’ etc. These are highly humorous. When Chubukov asks Lomov to kiss, Lomov asks ‘kiss whom’. This is nothing but low humour. Though the play starts with verbal fights, it ends with the union between Lomov and Natalya. So it is appropriate to say that ‘The Proposal’ is a grand farcical comedy and full of great humour. [150 words]

Q. 19 Do you think that what Lomov and Natalya do, is commonly done by people in every country? [6]

Ans In this play by Chekhov, the lovers Lomov and proposed is
Natalya quarrel even before their marriage placed. This is, not what people commonly do. On the other hand, people are found behave very cordially before marriage. They start quarrelling after they are married. However, Chekhov is very right that the couples often fight on matters which are quite unimportant. They quarrel over trifling matters. When Lomov and Natalya were to be married, it was of no consequence to whom the Oxen Meadows belonged or whose dog was better. Yet they fought verbally endlessly on such petty subjects. This is not [104 words ] the reality of life.

Q.20 How is ‘The Proposal’ an entertaining farce? How far is the title ‘The Proposal’ appropriate? [3+3=6] [‘The Proposal’
Ans The once – act-play ‘The Proposal’ is an entertaining (আনন্দদায়ক) farce. It is because of the subject matter, the characters and their behaviour. Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov fight over triffling matters. All these create a laughter. Their verbal fights over Oxen Meadows and dogs are really full of laughter. The play ends with the fulfillment of the desire of Lomov with which he has come to the house of Chubukov.
The title ‘The Proposal’ is very appropriate if we consider the subject matter of the one-act play. Lomov goes to Natalya’s house to propose to marry her. He does not propose at once. It is only in when he proposes to
Natalya. Natalya also wants this. The play is all about this and it is a great comedy. Herein lies the aptness of the title. 1128 words /

Q.21 The marriage in this play is being made possible by the efforts of Chubukov. Why does he do so? [6]

Ans Chubukov is the father of a grown up girl who is eager to get married somehow. Chubukov also seems willing to give her away in marriage. So it is natural that Chubukov felicitate their marriage. As a sensible father, he wants a suitable and affluent (বিত্তশালী) match for his daughter.
The Lomovs and the Chubukovs are neighbours. Lomov, though wealthy is sick of body. But Natalya is 25 years old and yet unmarried. Lomov decides to make his proposal and seek Natalya’s hand in marriage. Three quarrelsome people meet. So they quarrel over petty matter. In the midst of quarrelling, Chubukov declares that they are married. He is concerned with the marriage the quarrel may continue. [116 words /
Q 22 Discuss the reasons why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters.
Ans In the one-act play, The Proposal by Anton Chekhov, the marriage proposal is equally important to the three characters of the play-Lomov, Chubukov and Natalya-for various reasons. First, Chubukov, being an old father of an aged daughter wants to get his daughter Natalya married with a wealthy person. His neighbour Lomov is considered to be the best option for him. Secondly, Lomov, being a mid thirty person, desperately looks for a caring wife for himself and his vast property. He thinks Natalya, most suitable for the propose. Thirdly, Natalya sufficiently, aged, is looking for a groom well-to-do as well as a lovable. She is also desperate to get herself married. (112 words ]

Q.23 Describe the character of Lomov.
[6]
Ans In the one-act play, ‘The Proposal’ Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov has been presented as a youngman of thirty-five. He has inherited a vast property. Reaching the critical age, he wants to marry Natalya, his neighbour Chubukov’s daughter. He thinks that Natalya may be his best match as she is a very caring, well educated, good looking woman. To him, wealth and taking care of his property is the essential criteria for a bride for him. To Lomov, marriage is a business deal. Lomov is feeble and nervous in nature and is unable to speak out his desire to marry Natalya. It is Chubukov who ultimately directs him to kiss and marry his daughter. (112 words /
Q 24 Is Chubukov a sensible father? How do you know? [1+5=6] Or, Describe the character of Chubukov as a sensible father? [XII ’16]
Ans Yes, there is no doubt that Chubukov is a sensible father of a marriageable daughter.
• It is learnt from the play ‘The Proposal’ that Natalya Stepanovna is a twenty-five years old girl. She is a beautiful, well educated housekeeper. She has to be get married in no time. But the groom is to be a wealthy person, so that the prestige of the Chubukov’s family is kept up in the eye of the society. So Chubukov is earnestly looking for a wealthy groom for his unmarried daughter. When Lomov comes to his house with a proposal to marry his daughter, Chubukov finds him to be the best match for his daughter. After many a turmoil, the marriage finally materialises at the earnest initive of Chubukov who gets relief from his utmost duty to get his daughter married. [136 words ]
Q.25 Sketch the character of Natalya.
’17 ]
Ans In the play ‘The Proposal’ Natalya Stepanovna is a twenty-five years old girl. She is the daughter of
Chubukov Stepanovitch. Natalya lives with her father who is a wealthy man. Natalya looks after the property of her father. When Lomov first comes to Chubukov’s house, she welcomes him and starts talking about the weather and agriculture. It seems that she is a good homemaker and well behaved. But when the issue of the possession of land or dog comes, she appears assertive and argumentative enough. According to Chubukov, she is a love sick cat She eagerly intends to marry Lomov when she hears from her father that Lomov had come with a proposal to marry her. She is delighted when Lomov gets up from an (130word:) unconscious situation and kisses her.
Q.26
Why does Lomov think Natalya will make an acceptable wife? Explain your answer. [2+4=6] Or, Why does Lomov decide to marry? Why does he choose Natalya? [2+4=6]
Ans Lomovis a neighbour of Chubukov. The Lomov’s family and the Chubukov’s family have long been well acquainted. They have a good relationship as Lomov borrowed the threshing machine from Natalya. He knows that Natalya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking and well-educated. She takes a good care of Chubukov’s property. Attaining the age of thirty-five Lomov realises that he should marry immediately a wife who will not only look after his health but also take care of his wealth and property. Moreover, Chubukov is a wealthy person and after him, Natalya will be the sole owner of his property. So, Lomov considers her to be an acceptable wife to him. [1ll words)
Q.27
How does Chekhov alternate the actual proposal and the quarrel? Explain your answer. [6]
Or, From meadows to the family and then to the dogs describe how the talk about the marriage proposal is repeatedly delayed?
In the play ‘The Proposal’, it is shown that Lomov comes to the house of Chubukov with a proposal to ask the hand of his daughter Natalya in marriage. When Natalya comes Lomov fumbles and fails to disclose the real intention of his coming there. On the othet hand he engages to ponder over other issues. Deviating from the actual proposal, Lomov and Natalya engage themselves in hot discussions over property issues. Lomov is ultimately driven out of the house. After his departure, Chubukov discloses the proposal to Lomov. Natalya is desperate to marry Lomov. She then insists her father on bringing Lomov back. When Lomov comes back, Natalya tries to come back to the actual issue. But she again falls into a hot altercation with Lomov with a trifling issue of the possession of a better dog. At last, Chubukov interferes. He takes the initiative to tie the knot of marriage and becomes successful. [153 words]
Q.28 Make a brief sketch of social life as you have seen in the play. [6]
Ans In the one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Anton Chekhov gives a vivid description about the socioeconomic conditions of Russia in the nineteenth century. In this play Lomov, Chubukov and Natalya represent the upper class land owning society of Russia. That society used to consider property and wealth as the essential criteria for a marriage. Little importance to feelings, emotion and love was paid. Presenting the example of Lomov and Chubukov family, Chekhov shows how that land owning class used to enjoy their life by possessing wealth and hunting. They took pride in talking about their forefather’s property, possession and hunting dogs. They were sober and gentle, but they did not hesitate to abuse one another on any disputed argument over the issues of
property and even dogs. [123 words ]
Q.29 What is the focus in the play? Is it character ? Is it action? Is it the unpredictability of the people? Explain your answer. [1+1+1+3=6]

Ans In the play ‘The Proposal’ the plot has been amusingly and vividly sketched by the playwright.
He has successfully brought the ups and downs of the incidents and the characters have played their roles accordingly. It is the unpredictability of the human characters with the changing scenario that has been depicted in the play. Lomov comes to the house of Chubukov with an intention to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage. The simple marriage proposal can be materialised at once as Lomov is considered to be the best groom to Natalya. But things go differently as both Lomov and Natalya engage themselves in hot arguments on the triffling issues of land and dogs. After a many topsy-turvy incident, Chubukov interferes and sets aside all unpredictability. He finally makes the marriage proposal materialised. [127 words ]
Q.30 Do you find the play funny? Support your answer with illustrations from the text.
[1+5=6]

Ans Yes, the play ‘The Proposal’ is a funny one.

• Here Lomov, a man of thirty-five, is very much eager to marry Natalya as he thinks that he is ill and should not delay his own marriage. Moreover, Natalya will be able to take care of his property. After the exit of Lomov from Natalya’s house, Chubukov is lamenting by saying that he should shoot himself or be hanged. After re-arrival of Lomov, Natalya is initially behaving like ‘a love-sick cat’. But they again fall in arguing over a petty matter. At the end when Lomov gets back his senses and fumbles again, whom to marry, Chubukov puts Lomov’s hand into Natalya’s and orders to kiss her. Different funny incidents make the play a funny farce. (123 words ]

What aspects of the human condition and [6] society does the play make fun of? [The upper middle class courtship-marriage and romance-desperation for marriagethe countless arguments over silly issuesover nervous character worrying about their health.]
Q.31
Ans Both the Lomov family and the Chubukov belong to the upper middle class society. Both the families have some compulsions to keep up their social status. On the issues of ‘the ownership of the Oxen Meadows’ and ‘the hunting dog’ Lomov and Natalya are engaged into hot debates and it seems apparently that they will not maintain any relation in future. In course of the debate Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov do not hesitate to throw ill words to one another. The situation becomes too much bitter. But on the compulsion of marriage Lomov and Natalya unite, forgetting their earlier confrontations. Thus it appears that enmity and friendship depend on the situation. It is the compulsion of the society that unites both families in the tie of marriage. [127 words]

Q.32 What is Anton Chekhov trying to say about the manner in which neighbours interact/ behave? Support your answer with evidence from the play? [6]

Ans In his play ‘The Proposal’, Chekhov draws a clear picture of the nineteenth century Russia and the relationship of two neighbours belonging to the upper middle class. People who belonged to the same class of the society used to help each other at the time of need. Chubukov family and Lomov family lived as good neighbour for years together. They helped each other for generations. But on the matter of the possession of a property nobody was ready to compromise. Lomov and Natalya quarrelled a lot over two petty issues though they loved each other. But at the end, the two neighbours, Lomov and Natalya married each other and good neighbours were tied in the relationship of a happy couple. [121 words ]

Q33 How would you best describe the personalities of each of the characters in the play? [6]
Ans In the play ‘The Proposal’, there are three characters. They are Lomov, Chubukov and Natalya. They possess different personalities.

Lomov sa nervous, timid character who, attaining the age of thirty-five, realises that he should marry Natalya for the sake of himself and his property.

Chubukov, the neighbour of Lomov, is of a stout and stubborn character. In the disputed issues of land and hunting dog, he is firm in his decision. When Lomov fails to place the marriage proposal to Natalya, he himself proceeds and puts the hands of Lomov and Natalya together.
Natalya, on the other hand, is agrumentative. She is also love-sicking. She fights for her rights, but gives in at last on the question of marriage. [120 words ]

Q.34 What is ironic about Natalaya’s request to bring Lomov back? [6]

Or, “Bring him back! Bring him here! Quick, quick! I’m ill I Fetch him! I’m dying! Fetch him.”-Who says this and to whom? When is it said? Why is the speaker so excited ?
[1+2+3=6]
Or, What is ironic about Natalya’s request to bring Lomov back?

Ans Natalya Stepanovna is the unmarried daughter of Chubukov. She is twenty-five years old. She is proud of the family property and she does not like anyone claiming that property as his own. So she engages herself in hot arguments with Lomov over the ownership of the ‘Oxen Meadows’ and the ‘possession of the hunting dog’ issues. But she desperately looks for a groom who will be wealthy and up to her status in the society. Thus Lomov becomes the best option for her. After the departure of
Lomov from their house she comes to know from her father that he has come to propose to her. She realises that she should immediately accept the proposal. So forgetting their earlier bitter arguments, she forces her father to bring Lomov back. Her change of decision is somewhat ironic, (138 words ] but necessary.
Q.35
In his play The Proposal, Chekhov presents an entertaining one-act play, but strikes some sarcastic slings (বিদ্রূপমূলক খোঁচা) — Discuss. Or, Chekhov’s The Proposal is both amusing and thought-provoking-Discuss. [6]
[The Proposal
Ans Chekhov’s The Proposal is definitely a delightful play. It offers fun and farce around a marriage proposal.
The hesitant, nervous proposer fails to speak of his love and proposal. The maid concerned unknowingly engages herself into an unwelcomed confrontation with him on petty issues like the ownership of a parcel of land and the possession of a better dog. Of course, the marriage finalized ultimately after much abusive words are hurled and nervous cries and fainting sighs are heard.
The whole situation in the play and behavioural attitude (ব্যবহারগত দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি) of the characters are, indeed, interesting and amusing. But the dramatist objective is serious and instructive (শিক্ষামূলক). He exposes here what is hollow and silly in the society presented in the play. Love has here no place by the side of selfish possessiveness ( and narrow egoism ( (133 words ]

Q 36 Give the synopsis of the play ‘The Proposal’. [6]

Ans Lomov wants to marry Chubukov’s daughter Natalya. So he comes to the house of Chubukov with a
proposal to marry his daughter. Chubukov accepts his proposal. He sends for Natalya to settle the matter. Natalya involves herself in a long and sharp debate with Lomov over the ownership of a plot of land-Oxen Meadows. Lomov becomes angry and goes out. When Natalya comes to know about the marriage proposal she instantly demands her father to bring back Lomov. Lomov rejoins. Natalya again becomes entangled in a furious argument over their hunting dogs, Guess and Squeezer. Out of excitement Lomov suddenly becomes unconscious, when he gets back to consciousness Chubukov asks him to kiss Natalya and get married. Lomov follows the instruction and Chekhov’s play ‘The Proposal’ comes to a happy end. [131 words]
0.37 Comment on the aptness of the title ‘The Proposal’. [‘The Proposal’
Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, all the characters are someway or the other influenced by the marriage proposal. Lomov is desirous of having a wife. Natalya has not found her man to marry. Chubukov is worried about his daughter. He wanted to get relief by getting his daughter’s married. Lomov’s intention makes Chubukov jubilant. However before expressing his proposal to Natalya Lomov becomes entangled in two long arguments with her. So Natalya does not get any proposal from Lomov. However, the proposal is successfully complemented by the marriage at the end because of Chubukov’s presence of mind. For this the title The Proposal’ is quite apt and justified. [110 words ]

Ans In Anton

0 38 Estimate the play ‘The Proposal’ as a one-act play. [‘The Proposal’

ins An one-act play is a short dramatic work containing only one-act. There is only a single episode or situation in it. Characters are limited in such a play. An one-act play may be considered as the dramatic equivalent of a short story. “The Proposal’ is a successful one-act play as it consists of a single issue of the marriage proposal of Lomov. He wants to marry Natalya, the beautiful daughter of Chubukov. In terms of characters there are only three characters-Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov in the play. The play advances rapidly and ends abruptly. The way Chubukov alternates the marriage proposal and the debates it becomes entertaining for the audience. Chekhov had been able to write an interesting one-act play though he was not happy himself with his creation. (130 words ]

Q.39 Describe the character of Chubukov.
[6]
ns In Anton Chekhov’s play, ‘The Proposal’, Chubukov is a landowner with feudal mentality. He looks at marriage as an economic settlement rather than a personal desire. To Chubukov, his daughter was a liability and he wants her to get married soon. Though he does not welcome Lomov from the core of his heart, his address is full of affectionate words. He is satisfied with Lomov’s proposal to marry his beautiful daughter as it will give him a permanent relief. This attitude can be found in almost every patriarchal family in our time too. Chubukov cannot sacrifice his feudal attitude and gets entangled twice in furious arguments with Lomov. However, his encouragement helps Lomov and Natalya to get married despite their unpreparedness. He plays the role of a firm connector between two unstable characters. [133 words ]
Q.40 Describe Chubukov’s plight as the father of a grown-up daughter. [6]
Ans In the play ‘The Proposal’, Chubukov has been represented as the father of a grown-up daughter. Natalya. He is worried about her marriage. He wants her to get married at an earliest convenience. Naturally he is excited and jubilant over Lomov’s proposal to marry Natalya. Natalya, however, makes the situation difficult for him as she entangles herself in a furious debate over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. As a result Lomov leaves Chubukov’s house. Again when Natalya hears the news of the proposal she gets frantic to get Lomov back. Chubukov is bewildered. When Lomov returns Chubukov faces another embarrassing situation as Lomov becomes temporarily unconscious for him. Fearing Lomov and Natalya will get into an argument before long, Chubukov asks them get married. (122 words ]
When does Natalya learn about the proposal? How does she react to this? Why does she react in this way? [2+2+2=6]
Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play “The Proposal’, Lomov leaves the house of Chubukov in rage. However, Chubukov and Natalya go on throwing ill words on Lomov in his absence. In the course of this malicious criticism Chubukov attacks Lomov for proposing for this daughter. It was when Natalya learns about the marriage proposal. On hearing about this marriage proposal, Natalya starts wailing to bring Lomov back. She utters “I’m dying! Fetch him!” and accuses “What have they done to me!”
Natalya, the love-sick cat, is desperate to find her man inspite of all the contradiction. She has already reached an age of twenty-five and has still not been able to find her man. Such a lonely maiden cannot afford to miss the opportunity for getting a husband. (127 words ]

Q.42 “My dear fellow, why are you so formal in your get up?”-Who puts this question and to whom? What is said about his get up? Why was the person spoken to dressed in that way? [2+2+2 =6]
Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Chubukov puts this question. He puts this question to Lomov who has come to him.
Lomov comes to the house of Chubukov putting on formal dress-a dress-jacket and white gloves. This formal dress is generally worn as an evening dress for ball or such other occassions. Chubukov wants to know from Lomov why he is in his evening dress as it seems to him that Lomov has come for a New Year’s Eve visit.
Lomov has worn such dress for a special purpose which was quite unknown to Chubukov. He has come to Chubukov to ask the hand of his beautiful daughters, Natalya, in marriage. [112 words]

Q43 “I’ve come to ask the hand of your daughter…. in marriage.”Who says this and to whom? What was the immediate reaction of the person spoken to? [2+4=6]
Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Lomov says this. He says this to Chubukov, the father of Natalya.
It appears to be a sweet news to Chubukov who was much worried for her grown-up daughter. At first he cannot believe that he has got such a good news. When Lomov asks for his daughter in marriage, Chubukov expresses his gladness by embracing and kissing Lomov. He says that he has hoping for it for a long time. He sheds a tear in joy and blesses Lomov. This shows how relieved he feels now. Chubukov cannot resist himself. He cannot find why he is behaving in such an idiotic way. [110 words ]

Q.44 “……do you think I may count on her consent?”-Who says and to whom? Why is the speaker so doubtful? How does the speaker ultimately get the consent ? [1+2+3=6]

Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Lomov says this to Chubukov, the father of Natalya. The speaker, Lomov has come with an intention to get married to Chubukov’s daughter Natalya. When he
his desire to Chubukov, he becomes extremely glad and proposes to go and call Natalya. But Lomov is not confident enough. So he asks if she will consent to his proposal.
Chubukov assures him and sends for Natalya. They get themselves entangled in a debate over the ownership of a plot of land and next time over their hunting dogs. When Lomov becomes temporarily unconscious Natalya shows serious concern for him. When Lomov gets back his sense, Chubukov ask him to hurry up and get married. At that very moment Natalya express her consent, “Yes, yes, I’m willing.” [132 words /

Q.45 “She’s in love, egad, she’s like a love-sick cat.”-Who says this and to whom? Who is referred to here as ‘she’? Why does the speaker say so? Is the speaker right in remarking so? [(1+1)+2+2=6]
Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Chubukov says this. He says this to Lomov who has come with a proposal to marry Natalya, the beautiful daughter of Chubukov.
• Here ‘she’ refers to Natalya, the beautiful and grown-up daughter of Chubukov.
Chubukov rightly judges his daughter Natalya. On hearing the proposal Natalya shows her extreme emotion. This supports Chubukov’s statement. Natalya wants to bring back Lomov even after such a furious quarrel. The extreme desire for a husband proves how love-sick Natalya is in her lonely life. [87 words]

Q.46 “I’m trembling all over just as if I’d got an examination before me.”-Who is the speaker? State the mental state of the speaker as expressed in this statement. [1+5 =6]

Ans In Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘The Proposal’, Lomov is the speaker here.
Lomov had entered the house of Chubukov with a proposal to marry Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya. After going round and round Lomov desperately expresses his heart’s desire to Chubukov. Chubukov gladly accepts his proposal and goes to call Natalya, his daughter. Lomov is not sure that he will succeed. When Chubukov goes to call Natalya, Lomov feels extremely tensed. He feels a shievering effect in his body as if he is going to sit for an examination. The waiting period in love or marriage after the proposal is always an experience of uncertain emotional disbalance. It is more prominent for a man who suffers from palpitations. [117 words ]

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