No Comments

Word Meaning, Summary, Important Questions Of Chapter 11 The Proposal
| Class 10

Hindi Meaning Of Difficult Words | Chapter 11 The Proposal

1	Carafe	an open-topped glass flask used for serving wine or water in a restaurant	गिलास	flask, jug, pitcher
2	Egad	exclamation (expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation)	भगवान की कसम.	soberly, seriously, genuinely
3	Excruciating	intensely painful; sever; acute; extreme	उत्तेजित करना	agonizing, extreme, savage
4	Gypsies	a group of nomadic people who travel from one place to another	बंजारा	gitana, zingaro, Traveller
5	Hoarse	sounding rough and harsh	बेसुरा	unturned, disharmonious, inharmonious
6	Impudence	audacity	धृष्टता	insolence, effrontery, cockiness
7	Lame	unable to walk as the result of an injury affecting the leg	लंगड़ा	limping, halting, gammy
8	Pardon	forgive or excuse (a person, error or offence)	क्षमा करें	remission, clemency, indulgence
9	Perpetuity	the state or quality of lasting forever	सदा के लिए	constancy, continuance, continuity.
10	Spit it out	speak out	जो कूछ कहना चाहते हो कह दो	confess, disclose, explain.
11	Trembling	shaking or quivering, typically as a result of excitement, anxiety or frailty	सिहरन	shake, quiver, twitch
12	Affectionate	readily feeling or showing fondness or tenderness	स्नेह करने वाला	fond, amicable, friendly
13	Assistance	the action of helping someone	सहायता	aid, relief, patronage
14	Awfully	very; extremely	भयंकर रूप से	eerily, fearfully
15	Birchwoods	a wood of birch trees	बिर्चवुड्स	…................
16	Desire	a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen	इच्छा	wish, want, fancy
17	Drunkard	a person who is habitually drunk	शराबी	sop, boozer, drinker
18	Gambler	a person who gambles; speculator	जुआरी	backer, staker, speculator
19	Go round and round	not coming to the main point	गोल-गोल घूमो	…...............
20	Guzzling	greedy (here)	गूंजनेवाला	gulp, bolt, wolf
21	Hesitate	pause in indecision before saying or doing something	हिचकिचाना	feel shy, shrink
22	Housekeeper	a person who manages a household	घर का काम करनेवाला	caretaker, chambermaid, housemaid
23	Idiotic	very stupid, silly	मूर्खतापूर्ण	senseless, stupid, imbecile
24	Impudent	not showing due respect for another person	प्रभावशाली	impertinent, insolent, cheeky
25	Inherited	received as an heir at the death of the previous holder	वंशागत	assume, take over, come into
26	Lovesick	longing, yearning or desiring	प्यार करनेवाला	pining, frustrated, twitterpated
27	Lunatic	a person who is mentally ill (not in technical use)	पागल	crazed, rabid, dement
28	Neglige	form of nightgown	ढीला ढाला पहनावा	camisole, dishabille, nightdress.
29	Oxen meadows	a land full of grass for animals to graze in	बैलों का मेड़ा	grass, meadow, grazing
30	Palpitation	heartbeat	धड़कन	pulsation, throb, dither
31	Rascal	devil	बदमाश	cunning, rogue, shifty
32	Restrain	prevent from doing something; keep under control or within limits	नियंत्रित करना	contain, check, inhibit
33	Twitch	a sudden quick moment or feeling	झटका	jerk, spasm, convulse
34	A whole verst	much behind	एक पूरी क्रिया	entire, total
35	Accustomed	habitual	आदी	given, disposed, acquainted
36	Acknowledge	admit	स्वीकार करना	avouch, betake, comply
37	Agitating	becoming exciting	उत्तेजित करना	incite, rouse, stimulate
38	Apron	apron	एप्रन	…............
39	Backbiters	criticizing others behind their backs	पीछे पड़नेवाला	detractor, calumniator, malingerer
40	Bake	heat	सेंकना	foment, roast, parch
41	Ball	a kind of dance	सामाजिक नृत्यविशेष	bullet, caltrop, conglobation
42	Be damned	an abuse	भाड़ मे जाओ	infernal, hateful, loathsome.
43	Beetles	insects	झींगुर	grasshopper, cricket
44	Blind hen	an abuse	गाली	rebuke, invective, scold
45	Cab	carriage	टैक्सी	taxi, minicab, hackney cab
46	Calmly	peacefully	शांत हो जाओ	easily, serenely, smoothly.
47	Champagne	a kind of liquor	शैम्पेन	…...........
48	Clutches	holds	पकड़	catch, grip, clasp
49	Confounded	confused	भ्रांत	captious, Laputan
50	Consent	agreement	सहमति	assent, concurrence, accord
51	Contradiction	disagreement	विरोध	antithesis, Contention, contraposition
52	Deserve	able	योग्य होना	behove, be worth, merit
53	Dessiatins	a currency	मुद्रा	…..........
54	Dispute	quarrel	झगड़ा	fight, squabble, strife
55	Embezzlement	financial misappropriation	गबन	Defalcation, gaban, peculation
56	Embraces	hugs	गले लगाता है	caress, enfold, enclasp
57	Evidence	proof	साक्ष्य	testimony, showing
58	Excellent	very good	उत्कृष्ट	transcendent, sublime, best
59	Get-up	dress	वेष	guise, clothes
60	Give up	renounce	छोड़ना	leave, quit, discard
61	Gloves	gloves	दस्ताने	gauntlet
62	Hay	straw	सूखी घास	forage, pasturage, herbage
63	Heap better	much better	बेहतर है	a lot better, streets ahead, strongly preferable
64	Hearty	large-hearted	हार्दिक	warm, unpretentious, cordial
65	Heated	angry	गुस्सा	annoyed, disgruntled, indisposed
66	Hump-backed	with curved back	हंप-समर्थित	gibbous, bent
67	Hysterics	mad cries	हिस्टीरिक्स	wildness, irrationality, frenzy
68	Implore	request	प्रार्थना करना	beseech, request, supplicate
69	Interrupting	interfering	बाधा डालना	impede, hamper, balk
70	Intriguers	planner	साज़िश करनेवाला	conspirators, plotters, schemers.
71	Landgrabber	one who grabs other's land	जमीन हड़पने वाला	robber, booster, bunco artist
72	Lunacy	madness	पागलपन	insanity, psychosis, paranoia
73	Make head and tail	understand	समझना	recognize, realize, know
74	Malicious	full of ill will	दुर्भावनापूर्ण	spiteful, despiteful, diabolic
75	Meadows	grasslands	घास का मैदान	lea, mead, lawn
76	Milksop	an abuse	गाली	invective, scold, swearword
77	Mist	fog	धुंध	blight, hoar frost, tushaar
78	Monster	devil	राक्षस	demon, fiend, giant
79	Mowers	crop cutters	घास काटने की मशीन	biter, clipper, mower
80	Muzzle	nose and mouth of an animal	नाल-मुख	mouth, jaws, maw
81	My treasure	term of endearment	मेरा खजाना	valuables, wealth.
82	Numb	senseless	संवेदनहीन	insignificant, objectless, Abracadabra
83	Off my balance	excited	मेरे संतुलन से दूर	lopsided, unsteady.
84	Overshot	when the lower jaw is shoter than the upper	ओवरशोट	exceeded, outran, outreached
85	Partridge	a bird	तीतर	curlew, grouse, pheasant
86	Pause	stop	विराम	halt, discontinuation, period
87	Pedigree	race	वंश	ancestry, genealogy, family tree
88	Pettifogger	a clever person	पेटीफ़ोगर	cheater, chiseler, mouthpiece.
89	Privilege	special right	विशेषाधिकार	charter, perquisite, faculty
90	Pup	small dog	पिल्ला	canine, coxcomb, dandy.
91	Scarecrow	figure in the field to scare birds	बिजूका	bugaboo, bugbear, dread
92	Screams	cries	चिल्लाना	yell, shout, exclaim
93	Sheds	drops	गिरा देना	throw down, kick off, tear down
94	Shelling	removing shells	गोले हटाना	attack, pound, bomb
95	Sparks	tiny glowing hits of fire	स्पार्क्स	particle, iota, jot
96	Splendid	beautiful	शानदार	magnificent, spectacular, superb
97	Squeezes	wrings	निचोड़ता है	press, screw, crush
98	Stacked	stored	ढेर लगाना	pile, huddle, stack
99	Staggers	falls	डगमगाता है	stumble, wobble, weave
100	Stuffed sausage	an abuse	गाली	exploit, pervert, ill-treat
101	Suspicious	doubtful	संदिग्ध	suspected, dubious, implausible
102	Threshing	separating grain and chaff	पके दाने अलग किया जाता है	garnering, harvesting, separating
103	Throughbred	pure hied	शुद्धरक्त	pure, full-blooded
104	Tracking	following	नज़र रखना	pursue, shadow, stalk
105	Tried	sued	कोशिश की	attempt, endeavour, seek
106	Tumbler	glass	टम्बलर	goblet, wine glass, beaker
107	Turnip-ghost	an abuse	गाली	treat roughly, knock about, mishandle
108	Twisted	bent	मुड़ गया	perverted, warped, deviant
109	Unfairness	injustice	अन्याय	discrimination, favoritism, inequality.
110	Villian	scoundrel	खलनायक	punk, skunk, ruffian
111	Wails	weeps	विलाप	moan, lament, mourning
112	Wedged	lying in between	पहने हुए	cram, jam, crush
113	Whip	cane with a string	कोड़ा	lash, scourge, thong
114	Wizen-faced frump	an abuse	गाली	treat badly, ill-use, misuse

Download Free Pdf Here

About The Poet | Chapter 11 The Proposal

INTRODUCTION

The Proposal’ (originally titled ‘A Marriage Proposal’) was written in 1888-89. It is a one-act play, a farce, by the Russian short story writer and dramatist Anton Chekhov. The play is about the tendency of rich families to seek marriage ties with other wealthy families, to increase their estates by encouraging marriages as it made good economic sense. Ivan Lomov, a long time wealthy neighbor of Stepan Chubukov, also wealthy, comes to seek the hand of Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya. All three are quarrelsome people, and they quarrel over trivial issues. The proposal is in danger of being forgotten amidst all this quarrelling. But economic good sense ensures that the proposal is made, after all the quarreling.

Short Summary Of Chapter 11 The Proposal
In English

SUMMARY

The play. ‘The Proposal’ is set in Chubukov house Lomov, a young man enters Chubukov meets him Ch Ta landowner is extremely happy to meet him. He asks him to sit down. He also asks him where be is going in the evening dress.

Lomov tells him that he has come to see him with a request. He wants to say but gets excited Chubukov feels that be has come to borrow money. Lomov, nervous as he is about to make a marriage proposal, starts rambling At last he says that he has come to ask Natalya’s hand. Chubukov, Natalya’s father is greatly excited to hear it Chabukov embraces and kisses Lomov for it. He says that he always wanted that Lomov asks him if he should think at be gives his consent. Chubukov gives his consent readily. He tells him that Natalya also is in love with him. Lomos trembles due to great excitement. He says that if he looks for an ideal love he would never get married He gets cold. He feels that Natalya is a good housekeeper. She is beautiful and well-educated. He should lead a quiet and regular life.

Natalya enters. She asks him why he is in the evening dress.

Lomov tries to tell her the purpose behind the visit. But he is off the point. He tells her that he has known her family for long. He also tells her how he inherited his land and how he respects Natalya’s father. He tells her that his Oxen Meadows touch Natalya’s birch woods. And over this issue they fight verbally.

Natalya refutes Lomov’s claim. Lomov offers to make a present to them to Natalya. Natalya gets angry Chubukov enters and Natalya asks him to tell Lomov that Oxen Meadows are theirs. Lomov challenges this Chobukov clarifies that by shouting Lomov won’t prove the ownership. He accuses Lomov of speaking disrespectfully to him as he is twice his age. Lomov adds that good neighbours don’t behave like that. He calls Chubukov a land grabber Lomov threatens to take Chubukov to court. They exchange abuses calling that Lomov’s grandfather was a drunkard He calls him a monster who has the courage to propose to his daughter. Chubukov tells her that Lomov had come so propose her for marriage. She starts weeping at having refused such a good match. She asks Chubakov to bring him back at once.

Lomov enters, Natalya begs to be excused. She tells him that the Meadows are his. Their talk now centers on dogs. Lomov tells Natalya that his best dog Guess costs him 125 roubles Natalya calls it too much as her father gave & roubles for his Squeezer. Squeezer is better than his dog Lomov refutes it. Both Lomov and Natalya now start fighting over their dogs. Lomov calls his Guess better. Natalya calls hers better. Lomoy’s heart gets palpitating. He says that his heart is going to pieces. Chubukov enters. He asks what the matter is Chubukos also adds that Lomov’s dog Guess is old and short.

Lomov cites facts for his dog’s superiority. He cites the dog race with the count’s dog. In that Squeezer was left behind. Dogs ran but Squeezer ran after a sheep. Lomov speaks about the condition of his heart. After hurling abuses at each other Lomov falls down.

Natalya asks her father what has happened to Lomov. Chubukov also feels sick as he can’t breathe. Chubukov asks what the matter is. Natalya says that Lomov is dead. At this Chubukov calls for water and a doctor.

Chubukov starts accusing himself. Soon Lomov revives Chubukov asks him to hurry up and get married. Natalya is also willing to marry him Chubukoy asks him to kiss each other. Chubukov feels that a weight has come off his shoulders and he celebrates.

TITLE JUSTIFICATION

TITLE JUSTIFICATION

The title is suitable as the narrative presents the first sermon that the Buddha delivered at Benares. Kisa Gotami, a mother was crushed by the death of her son. She moved from door to door and at last came to Buddha. She requested the Buddha to revive her son by giving him some medicine. He said that he would do that if she could bring a handful of mustard seeds. He further instructed her that it must be taken from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend.

Kisa went from house to house but was unable to find one where nobody had died. She was tired and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the light of the city as they flickered up. Thus she realised that these lives flicker up for some time and are extinguished again. This way the Buddha taught her that the lives of mortals in this world are troubled and brief and there is no means by which one can avoid deaths. Death is certain and irreversible.

THEME

THEME

The major theme of Chehov’s The Proposal’ is the cold approach to marriage that had been common in nineteenth century Russia, especially among the wealthy. The play, as a satire for this money-driven type of marriage, depicts the a two main characters as excessively posh and desperately wanting to wed each other for economic security, blind to the fact they may not get along well.

MESSAGE

MESSAGE

The play. The proposal’, focuses on the cold approach to marriage that had been common in nineteenth-century Russia, especially among the wealthy. Anton Chekov satirises the wealthy, money-minded wealthy people of the times to whom the consideration of wealth of the prospective bride, appealed more than love and compatibility between the bride and groom.

CHARACTER SKETCH

CHARACTER SKETCH

Stepan Chubukov

In the play, ‘The Proposal’, Anton Chekov has presented three characters. Stepan Chubukov is one of them. He was wealthy land owner who had a daughter named Natalya. He was a very quarrelsome man but had a habit of speaking politely to everyone initially. He welcomes Lomov in a polite manner and is overjoyed when Lomov tells him that he has come to propose to his daughter. Chubukov was a man to be carried away easily and so when Natalya and Lomov had an argument he too joined in and insulted Lomov. Chubukov is projected as a loving father but a greedy man who is looking for a good match for his daughter. His manner of showing exaggerate affection and cordiality to Lomov is the highlight of his character and creates humor in the play.

Lomov

Lomov was a thirty five year old unmarried and a wealthy man. He anxiously waited to get married because he had reached what he called ‘a critical age. He proposed to a girl named Natalya in his neighbourhood. Lomov was a strange, nervous man. He had a sickly disposition. He went to propose to Natalya but quarrelled over petty issues like the Oxen Meadows and pet dogs, forgetting entirely the reason for his coming to Natalya’s house. He also abused Natalya and her father. It seems that his actions are prompted more by material and pragmatic considerations rather than any romantic feelings for Natalya. He is calculative and deliberates quite pragmatically on his reasons for getting married. He is far from being a romantic suitor for Natalya.

Natalya

Natalya was a beautiful, young girl of twenty five. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov and could do all the household work. She was quarrelsome by nature. She quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen Meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to prove which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive and fights and insults Lomov. When she comes to know that he had come to propose to her, she starts lamenting over the loss as Lomov is rich and a good match financially. Lomov is called back and once again an argument ensues before proposing. Thus Natalya is quite a pragmatic and materialistic person who has her sight fixed on her welfare.

GLOSSARY

Privilege- advantage;

Palpitations-fast or irregular heartbeat;

Lunatic-mad;

Twitch- convulse;

Perpetuity- continuity;

Implore- beg;

Principle- code;

Threshing- separating seeds from plants;

Excruciating- unbearable, painful;

Pettifogger-cheat;

Impudence- insolence;

Overshot- shot beyond;

Pedigree- lineage;

Muzzle- snout.

TYPE I: REFERENCE TO CONTEXT (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)

TYPE I: REFERENCE TO CONTEXT (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)

Read the extracts and answer the following questions:

Chubukov : Oh, don’t go round and round it, darling!

Spit it out! Well?

Lomov: One moment… this very minute. The fact is I’ve come to ask the hand of your daughter, Natalya Stepanovna, in marriage

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker in the above lines?

(ii) Why is Lomov going round and round?

(iii) Why has he come to Chubukov’s house.

(iv) What kind of person is he?

Answers

(i) The speaker in the above lines is Chubukov.

(ii) Lomov is going round and round as he is nervous.

(iii) He has come to ask the hand of Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya Stepanovna in marriage.

(iv) He is a nervous kind of person who beats about the bush.

Chubukov: joyfully] By Jove! Ivan Vassilevitch! Say it again – I didn’t hear it all!

Lomov: I have the honour to ask…

Chubukov: [interrupting] My dear fellow… I’m so glad, and so on… Yes, indeed, and all that sort of thing. [Embraces and kisses Lomov] I’ve been hoping for it for a long time. It’s been my continual desire.

Questions

(i) What does Chubukov want Lomov to say again?

(ii) What is the attitude of Lomov?

(iii) What is the reaction of Chubukov to Lomov’s offer?

(iv) Why does Chubukov kiss Lomov?

Answers

(i) Chubukov wants Lomov to say again that he had come to propose marriage to his daughter, Natalya. (ii) Lomov is quite nervous and unsure of himself.

(ii) He is overjoyed and expresses himself in the most exaggerated way.

(iv) Chubukov kisses Lomov as he is overjoyed by his proposal.

Chubukov: What am I behaving in this idiotic way for? I’m off my balance with joy, absolutely off my balance! Oh, with all my soul… I’ll go and call Natasha, and all that.

Questions

(i) What has Chubukov just heard?

(ii) How is he behaving?

(iii) What does he decide to do?

(iv) What kind of person is he?

Answers

(i) Chubukov has just heard Lomov say that he wishes to propose to Natalya.

(ii) He is overjoyed and excited at Lomov’s proposal.

(iii) He decides to give the happy news to Natalya.

(iv) He is quite an excitable person.

Why, of course, my darling, and… as if she won’t consent!

She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat, and so on.

Shan’t be long!

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker in the above lines?

(ii) Who is referred to as ‘she’?

(iii) Who is the speaker addressing?

(iv) Why does the speaker say as if she won’t consent”?

Answers

(i) The speaker in the above lines is Chubukov.

(ii) Natalya is referred to as “she’.

(iii) The speaker is addressing Lomov.

(iv) The speaker says this as Lomov has just informed Chubukov of his intention to marry Natalya and he assure Lomov that Natalya would not refuse the good proposal.

Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement. [Drinks] And it’s impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I’m already 35 a critical age, so to speak.

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker in the above lines?

(ii) Who is speaker talking about?

(iii) Where is speaker in the above lines?

(iv) Why does speaker consider it impossible for him not to marry?

Answers

(i) The speaker in the above lines is Lomov.

(ii) He is talking about Natalya Stepnovna.

(iii) In the above lines he is in Natalya’s house.

(iv) He considers it impossible for him not to marry as he is of marriageable age.

What are you talking about? Oxen Meadows are ours, not yours!

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker here?

(ii) Who is being referred to by yours’?

(iii) What is ‘Oxen meadows”?

(iv) Who is being referred to as ours?

Answers

(i) Natalya is the speaker here.

(ii) Lomov is being referred to as yours”.

(ii) ‘Oxen meadows’ is a piece of land that both claim to own.

(iv) Ours is referred to Natalya and his father.

Hear me out, I implore you! The peasants of your father’s grandfather, as I have already had the honour of explaining to you, used to bake bricks for my aunt’s grandmother. Now my aunt’s grandmother, wishing to make them a pleasant.

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker here?

(ii) What did the peasants do?

(iii) Who is Lomov imploring to?

(iv) Why is he doing so?

Answers

(i) Lomov is the speaker here.

(ii) The peasants used to bake bricks for Lomov’s Aunt’s grandmother.

(iii) Lomov is imploring to Natalya.

(iv) He intends to hear his reasons as to why he claims to own ‘Oxen Meadows’.

You may take it that I know whether I have the right or not. Because, young man, I’m not used to being spoken to in that tone of voice, and so on. I, young man, am twice your age, and ask you to speak to me without agitating yourself, and all that.

Questions

(i) Who is the speaker here?

(ii) How did the speaker want Lomov to talk to him?

(iii) What ‘right’ is the speaker referring to?

(iv) What is the tone of the speaker?

Answers

(i) Chubukov is the speaker here.

(ii) Chubukov wanted Lomov to speak to him without agitating himself.

(iii) The speaker has just been told that he doesn’t have the right to give away someone else’s land.

(iv) The speaker speaks in a quarrelsome tone and is defending himself.

Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement, like your grandfather!

Questions

(i) Whom does the speaker say the above lines to?

(ii) How did Lomov describe his people?

(iii) Who according to the speaker was tried for embezzlement?

(iv) Explain ‘Never mind about my People’.

Answers

(i) Lomov (The speaker) said the above lines to Chubukov.

(ii) Lomov described his people as being honourable,

(iii) According to Lomov Chubukov’s grandfather had been tried for embezzlement.

(iv) Lomov said this line to defend his family members and project them as honourable.

Natalya : What proposal?

Chubukov: Why, he came here to propose to you.

Natalya : To propose? To me? Why didn’t you tell me so before?

Chubukov: So he dresses up in evening clothes. The stuffed sausage! The wizen-faced frump!

Questions

(i) Who is being referred to as ‘he’?

(ii) Why did he meet Chubukov?

(iii) Why does Natalya say ‘Why didn’t you tell me so before?’

(iv) Who was dressed in as a stuffed sausage?

Answers

(i) Lomov is being referred to as ‘he’ in the extract.

(ii) He met Chubukov’s to ask for Natalya’s hand.

(iii) Natalya says so as she realized that she had missed a good marriage proposal from the wealthy Lomov.

(iv) Lomov was dressed as a stuffed sausage.

TYPE II: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30-40 WORDS EACH)

Answer the following questions:

What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

Ans. At first Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as he was in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided to not give any money to Lomov. It was only when Lomov asked

for his daughter’s hand in marriage that his attitude changed and he rushed out to call his daughter, Natalya.

Chubukov says of Natalya: ” as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Ans. Natalya is not in love earlier. When she comes to know Lomov had proposed to her. She starts weeping and asks her father to bring Lomov at once. This change is brought about by her in view of the fact that Lomov was a wealthy man and a good match financially.

(i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well-educated.”)

(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Ans. The words and expressions that have been used to describe each other by various characters of the play are Chubukov: intriguer, grabber, old rat Natalya: a lovesick cat, an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking’ well-educated. Lomov: a good neighbour, impudent, pettifogger, malicious, double faced intriguer, rascal, blind hen, turnip ghost, a villian, scare crow, stuffed sausage, etc.

Which qualities are common in all three characters of the play ‘The Proposal’?

Ans. All the characters in the play are argumentative, full of pride and possessiveness. They are always ready to argue for petty things. They are quarrelsome and have no consideration for the other person. All are selfcentered and have vested interests. Nobody has been shown by the playwright in a positive light.

How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come? How is he received?

Ans. Lomov, a wealthy landowner came to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on. He came to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all due respect by Chubukov.

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

Ans. When Lomov tells Chubukov that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter, Chubukov gets off balanced with joy. He embraces and kisses Lomov, sheds a tear of joy and calls for God’s blessing for Lomov and Natalya. He behaves exaggeratedly out of joy and excitement as Lomov is a wealthy man.

Why did Lomov want to get married?

Ans. Lomov wanted to get married as he was already 35 years old which he called ‘a critical age’. Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him. He wanted to lead a peaceful and regular life.

What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?

Ans. When Lomov is in an excited state his heart beat increases, his lips tremble and there is a twitch in his right eyebrow. When he goes to sleep in such a state something pulls him from his left side and he jumps like a lunatic.

How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting?

Ans. Natalya repeatedly insisted that Oxen Meadows, a piece of land was theirs and told Lomov that up to now she considered Lomov as a good neighbour and friend that he obviously was not. She calls him names and accuses him of being dishonourable. This excited Lomov to the point of verbal fighting.

How does Lomov react when Chubukov says that he is not used to misbehaviour by a young man like Lomov?

Ans. Chubukov accuses lomov of misbehavior. At this, Lomov reacts by saying that Chubukov thinks that he is a fool. He says that he cannot talk to him calmly and politely as he is making a false claim to his property. He further accuses Chubukov of being a landgrabber.

Why does Natalya ask her father Chubukov to fetch Lomov at once? Why does she accuse her father?

Ans. Natalya asked her father to fetch Lomov at once as she had come to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. She accused Chubukov of driving Lomov out of their home. The turn in her behavior is due to the fact that Lomov was a rich man and a good match.

How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose?

Ans. When Natalya came to know that Lomov had come there to propose her she was shocked. She wails, changes her stance and asks her father to fetch Lomov. Until now she had been fighting with Lomov but now she does a volte face and is eager to meet him.

What is the bone of contention between Natalya and Lomov?

Ans. When Lomov visited Natalya’s house, she repeatedly insisted that Oxen Meadows, a piece of land, was theirs and told Lomov that up to now she considered Lomov as a good neighbour and friend which he really was not. She calls him names and accuses him of being dishonourable. This provoked Lomov to a verbal battle with Natalya

What considerations made Lomov think of marriage?

Ans. Lomov was 35 years old. It was high time that he should settle for a quiet and regular life. Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted company of someone to look after him. so he wanted her to get married.

What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?

Ans. Lomov’s heart beat increases. His lips tremble. There is 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 lunatic. Thus excitement causes him to behave most strangely.

What was the reason for the bitter verbal battle between Natalya and Lomov?

Ans. Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows, a tract of land was not theirs. She says that upto that she thought Lomov was a good neighbor. They lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November. She believed that Lomov was being quite impudent in trying to give her back her own land.

What is odd about Lomov?

What were Lomov’s reasons for marrying Natalya?

Ans. Lomov reasons for getting married were quite practical. He wanted to get married as he was already 35 years old which he called “a critical age”.

Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him. He wanted to lead a peaceful and regular life. Also Natalya was good looking and a good housekeeper.

How do Lomov and Chubukov fight after talking about dogs?

Ans. 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. Lomov calls him an ‘intriguer’. Chubukov calls him ‘pup’. Lomov calls him ‘old rat’. Chubukov calls him ‘fool’

TYPE III: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (100-120 WORDS EACH)

Answer the following questions:

How is ‘The Proposal’ a great comedy?

Ans. The play, ‘The Proposal’ is a great comedy. It is because of the characters and subject matter and how they behave. Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov fight over foolish things. Their fighting creates a lot of laughter. The verbal fights over Oxen Meadows and dogs are really full of humour. It is ironical that Lomov who had come all dressed up to propose O Natalya lands up fighting over issues related to ownership of land. His most romantic intentions fall apart and the main characters find themselves fighting tooth and nail over petty issues. Yet the alliance does come about when Natalya comes to know Lomov’s intentions in coming to her. Her economic good sense prevails and Natalya, in a volte face, changes her stance and fawns on her suitor-Lomov, who is a wealthy man and a good match.

Justify the title of the play ‘The Proposal’.

Ans. The title of the play is The Proposal’ and it is a very apt one because the whole play is about Lomov proposing to Natalya even though it happens in the most unromantic manner. Right from the beginning to the end of the play, the story revolves round a marraige proposal. Lomov I comes to Natalya’s house to propose to her but even before he does it, they both start fighting. As a result, Lomov becomes sick and leaves. Natalya’s father informs her about the intention of Lomov and she starts lamenting over the loss as Lomov is rich and a good match financially. Lomov is called back and once again an argument ensues before proposing. Hence, we can say that the title is perfect for the play.

Write a character sketch of Stepan Chubukov?

Ans. In the play, ‘The Proposal’, Anton Chekov has presented three characters. Stepan Chubukov is one of them. He was a wealthy land owner who had a daughter named Natalya. He was a very quarrelsome man but had a habit of speaking politely to everyone initially. He welcomes Lomov in a polite manner and is overjoyed when Lomov tells him that he has come to propose to his daughter. Chubukov was a man to be carried away easily and so when Natalya and Lomov had an argument he too joined in and insulted Lomov. Chubukov is projected as a loving father but a greedy man who is looking for a good match for his daughter. His manner of showing exaggerate affection and cordiality to Lomov is the highlight of his character and creates humor in the play.

Describe briefly the character of Lomov.

Ans. Lomov was a thirty five year old unmarried and a wealthy man. He was anxious to get married because he had reached what he called ‘a critical age’. He proposed to a girl named Natalya in his neighbourhood. Lomov was a strange, nervous man. He had a sickly disposition. He went propose to Natalya but quarreled over petty issues like the Oxen Meadows and pet dogs, forgetting entirely the reason for his coming to Natalya’s house. He also abused Natalya and her father. It seems that his actions are prompted more by material and pragmatic considerations rather than any romantic feelings for Natalya. He is calculative, and deliberates quite pragmatically on his reasons for getting married. He is far from being a romantic suitor for Natalya.

Describe the character of Natalya.

Ans. Natalya was a beautiful, young girl of twenty five. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov and could do all the household work. She was quarrelsome by nature. She quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen Meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to prove which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive, and fights and insults Lomov. When she comes to know that he had come to propose to her, she starts lamenting over the loss as Lomov is rich and a good match financially. Lomov is called back and once again an argument ensues before proposing. Thus Natalya is quite a pragmatic and materialistic person who has her sight fixed on her welfare.

Selfish considerations soon changed the behavior of Natalya towards Lomov. Discuss.

Ans. It is true that selfish considerations soon changed the behavior of Natalya towards Lomov When Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalya, he lands in a fight with her on the ownership of a piece of land called ‘Oxen Meadows. After the initial greetings, the conversation veers to the ownership of “Oxen Meadows’. Lomov claims ownership of this property but Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows are not theirs. She says that up to: that she thought Lomov was a good neighbor. They lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November. She also quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen Meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to prove which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive, and fights and insults Lomov. Thus their first interaction was full of mudslinging and insulting each other.

When Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov had come to propose to her for marriage, she at once changes her stance and asks her father to fetch Lomov in as he was too good a match financially to be lost. She also accuses Chubukov that he had driven Lomov out

Stepan Chubukov is portrayed as a greedy and humorous character. Comment.

Ans. In the play, ‘The Proposal’. Anton Chechov has presented Stepan Chubukov as a wealthy land owner who had a daughter named Natalya. He was a very quarrelsome man but had a habit of speaking politely to everyone initially. He welcomes Lomov in a polite manner and is overjoyed when Lomov tells him that he has come to propose to his daughter. Chubukov was a man to be carried away easily and so when Natalya and Lomov had an argument he too joined in and insulted Lomov. Chubukov is projected as a loving father but a greedy man who is looking for a good match for his daughter. His manner of showing exaggerated affection and cordiality to Lomov is the highlight of his character and creates humor in the play.

Describe the first interaction between Natalya and Lomov.

Ans. When Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalya, he lands in a fight with her on the ownership of a piece of land called ‘Oxen Meadows’. After the initial greetings, the conversation veers to the ownership of ‘Oxen Meadows’. Lomov claims ownership of this property but Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows are not theirs. She says that up to that she thought Lomov was a good neighbour. They lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November. She also quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen Meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard

to prove which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive, and fights and insults Lomov. Thus their first interaction was cache other. full of mudslinging and insulting.

Describe the sudden change in the behavior of Natalya towards Lomov.

Ans. When Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalya, he lands in a fight with her on the ownership of a piece of land called Oxen Meadows”. After the initial greetings, the conversation veers to the ownership of ‘Oxen Meadows’. Lomov claims ownership of this property but Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows are not theirs. She says that up to that she thought Lomov was a good neighbor. They lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November. She also quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen Meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to prove which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive, and fights and insults Lomov. Thus their first interaction was full of mudslinging and insulting each other.

When Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov had come to propose to Natalya for marriage, she at once changes her stance and asks her father to fetch Lomov in as he was too good a match financially to be lost. She also accuses Chubukov that he had driven Lomov out.

How do Lomov and Chubukov fight after talking about dogs? How can their behavior be explained.

Ans. 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. Lomov calls him an intriguer. Chubukov calls him “pup’. Lomov calls him ‘old rat’. Chubukov calls him fool’, etc. Thus they fight calling each other names. They also do not refrain from insulting their ancestors and calling them dishonourable. Their behaviours and manners go to show that beneath their veneer of respectability, they are intolerant, quarrelsome, materialistic people who care only about their own self-interest and lose all civility when it is threatened.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

‘The Proposal’ is a hilarious play. Substantiate with examples.
Narrate the series of changes in the attitudes of Natalya towards Lomov.
Describe the fight between Lomov and Chubukov. What does it reveal about their true natures?
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them.
It is a common observation that more attention is paid to unimportant issues at the cost of important ones. The play The Proposal’ beautifully portrays this fact. Suggest some steps how we can avoid this unhealthy practice.