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The Proposal Summary in English by Anton Chekhov
The Proposal by Anton Chekhov About the Author
Author Name | Anton Chekhov |
Born | 29 January 1860, Taganrog, Russia |
Died | 15 July 1904, Badenweiler, Germany |
Short stories | The Chameleon, The Man in a Case, Ionych, Misery |
Movies | The Orchard, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya |
The Proposal Summary in English
The play highlights the tendency of the wealthy families who seek ties with other wealthy families to increase their estates through marriages that make good economic sense. Lomov is a rich eligible bachelor who wants to marry Natalya, the daughter of another rich man, Chubukov. All the three characters are quarrelsome and quarrel over petty issues. Both Natalya and Chubukov curse Lomov and find him a useless, pettifoger, lunatic, gambler, backbiter and so on. Lomov also calls him a land grabber.
There is no chemistry between Natalya and Lomov. But the moment she comes to know that Lomov wants to marry her, she becomes polite and starts waiting for him. Chubukov also tells Lomov, And I have always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.’ The proposal is in danger of being forgotten amidst all quarrelling but better sense prevails and the proposal is made and accepted.
The Proposal Summary Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Who is Lomov? Why does he visit Chubukov?
Answer:
Value Points
- Lomov is a wealthy youngman.
- visits Chubukov to seek the hand of his wealthy daughter.
Question 2.
What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of Lomov’s visit?
Answer:
Chubukov – misunderstands that Lomov had come to borrow money
Lomov – had come to trouble him with a request for help
– he didn’t reveal his purpose of coming directly.
Question 3.
Why does Natalya quarrel with Lomov? What is the result?
Answer:
Lomov fought with Natalya for a piece of land. Both of them wanted to have a claim for the same piece of land, i.e., Oxen Meadows. The second time they fought for their dogs to establish the supe-riority of one over the other.
Lomov and Natalya are not able to decide whose dog is superior as Natalya is proud of her dog, Squeezer who is young and belongs to a pedigree, whereas Lomov considers it to be uppershot and boasts of his pet ‘Guess’ who he thinks is a first rate dog. But Natalya considers ‘Guess’ to be old and as ugly as a worn out cab horse.
Or
Value Points
- Chubukov’s strange remarks
- His behaviour towards Lomov
- His reaction at the dress of Lomov
- His eccentric behaviour
- Sudden change in the behaviour
Question 4.
Why is Chubukov surprised at Lomov’s wearing of a formal evening dress when Lomov comes to meet him?
Answer:
Chubukov is surprised at Lomov’s wearing of a formal evening dress as there was no formal occasion known to him. He asked Lomov if he was going somewhere in such a nice dress. Lomov told him that he had come to his house to propose Natalya.
Question 5.
Chubukov says to Lomov, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.” Is he sincere in saying so? Give reasons.
Answer:
Chubukov says to Lomov, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.” No, he is not sincere in saying so. He didn’t have a good opinion about him. He thought that he had come there to ask for some money. He changed his stand only when he came to know that Lomov wanted to marry Natalya, his daughter. It was something that Chubukov always wanted.
Question 6.
What was Lomov’s opinion about Squeezer?
Answer:
Lomov’s opinion about Squeezer was not positive. He considered Squeezer a bad hunter. Lomov was sure that dog’s lower jaw was shorter than the upper one. He thought it to be of inferior quality.
Question 7.
With what request does Lomov come to Chubukov? What is his state of mind at that time?
Answer:
Lomov came to Chubukov to request him to allow him to propose to his daughter Natalya. At that time he was suffering from weakness. His limbs became numb. Whenever he was excited, his heart started palpitating. His foot often became numb and he was unable to bear the shock in life.
Question 8.
Why did Chubukov thank Lomov for proposing to his daughter?
Answer:
Chubukov was overjoyed to know that Lomov wanted to propose to his daughter Natalya. He thanked him for taking this decision. He was happy as Natalya had passed the marriage age.
Question 9.
Why was Chubukov sure that Natalya would give her consent for the proposal?
Answer:
Chubukov was sure that Natalya would give her consent for the proposal because Natalya was in love with Lomov. Therefore, she would give her consent for the marriage proposal. Moreover, she wanted to get married.
Question 10.
What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from?
Answer:
Lomov is suffering from weakness or depression. His limbs become numb. Whenever he is excited his heart starts palpitating. His foot often becomes numb and he is unable to bear the shock in life.