How did the second argument come to an end?

In the play ‘The Proposal’ the argument of Natalya and Lomov over their dogs came to a temporary end when Chubukov called him names like “milksop” and “fool” at which Lomov collapsed. When Lomov regained consciousness, Chubukov did not lose time and encouraged Natalya to accept the proposal that Lomov had not been able to utter in front of her. Natalya followed her father’s instructions and kissed the puzzled Lomov to finalise the ‘deal’ of marriage. However, soon after they resumed arguing. To stop the argument Chubukov shouted out for champagne to celebrate the occasion and thus drowned their voices. In this way, their argument ended, but it gave us a hint that their married life would also be a perpetual argument.

Narrate in brief what happened at Marusinsky hunt.

According to Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov, in Chekhov’s play The Proposal’, during the Marusinsky hunt his dog Guess ran as fast as the Count’s dog but Chubukov dog Squeezer was left behind. At this Chubukov retorted that the Count’s whipper-in had hit him with his whip. Lomov added that the reason for this was that, Squeezer was worrying a sheep while the other dogs were chasing a fox. However, Chubukov was not ready to accept that. Thus, Chekhov criticises the superfluous lifestyle of the landed gentry who had no work to do and so kept themselves occupied with quarrelling about land and dogs. They spoke about a hunting expedition with as much seriousness as if they were discussing a battle.


Describe the reaction of Natalya and her father thinking that Lomov is dead.

Is Lomov really ill or is he hypochondriac? Give reasons for your answer.


Do you think Chubukov and Lomov are good neighbours? Give reasons with reference from the play.

What change of behaviour and tone do you notice in Natalya as she heard that Lomov’s actual intention was to propose to her for marriage?


What is ironic about Natalya’s request to bring Lomov back?

What are Lomov and Natalya’s actual feelings and opinions about each other?


Comment on the father-daughter relationship as depicted in the play.

Describe the physical problems that Lomov thinks he has.


Why does Lomov think Natalya will make an acceptable wife? Explain your answer.

Why did not Lomov directly ask Natalya to marry him?


Why did Lomov leave Chubukov house?

How did Lomov regain his senses finally by Chubukov? How was the marriage between Lomov and Natalya accomplished?


Who made the proposal and to whom? What was the proposal? How was the proposal realised?

How did the illness of Lomov help to unite Lomov and Natalya?


The playwright has used some funny adjectives with which the characters use to blame each other. How do they contribute to the comic elements of the play?

Do you find the play funny? Support your answer with illustrations from the text.


Do you think “The Proposal can be defined as a play of contradictions? Support your answer with reasons.

Make a brief sketch of social life as you see in the play.