Comment on the setting of the play with reference to costume, customs and mannerism. Does it relate to the socio-economic background of that period?
Anton Chekhov shows his complete mastery of stagecraft and dramatic technique in the play. The setting of the play is not Moscow and its fashionable lavish mansions, but a simple country house belonging to Chubukov. The whole play takes place in the drawing-room of Chubukov country house. The characters wear dress-jacket, gloves and négligeé (loose gown) as typical Russians did. They are full of grand mannerism in the beginning but immediately after the argument they reveal the unsophisticated manners of the country people. Their luxurious lifestyle is in stark contrast to the landless peasants working on their lands. Lomov’s formal dress and manners and Natalya’s informal dress and words augment the comic elements in the play while satirising the custom of formally proposing before marriage which is prevalent among the upper class.
Discuss the reasons why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters.
Marriage was the only means through which a young woman could gain social and economic stability in the 19th-century Russian society. It is hence, important to Natalya to get married to a well-established man. Though she dislikes Lomov, she is willing to marry him. Chubukov as a dutiful and loving father ponders to the whims and fancies of his daughter. He is relieved to get her finally engaged to Lomov and this helps us to understand the worry of a father who shoulders the responsibility of finding a good match for his marriageable daughter. Lomov also declares in his soliloquies that being thirty-five years old, he needs to lead a “quiet and regular life”. So, to him also, maintaining his status in the society is very important and that is why he decides to propose to Natalya. He decides to marry her considering that she will be a useful housewife for him. In this way, the marriage proposal becomes very important to all the characters.
Discuss the significance of the title ‘The Eyes Have It’.
Establish ‘The Eyes Have It’ as a good short story.
What instructions were given to the girl by her parents before she started her journey? Do you think the narrator started to like the girl from the very beginning? Support your answer with reference to the text.
….my voice startled her.”- Who is the speaker here? Who is mentioned as “her”? Why was she “startled” by the voice of the speaker? What did she do afterwards?
“I didn’t see you either”, I said. “But I heard you come in.’ Was it not a hint for the girl to understand that the narrator was blind? What did the narrator think before stating this?
What was the destination of the narrator in the story The Eyes Have It’? What description of his destination did he give? How could he give such a description in spite of being blind?
“Oh, how lucky you are.” -Who is the speaker here? Who is “you” referred to? Why is the person spoken to being called “lucky”?
“Yes, October is the best time”- Who is the speaker? On what occasion is the remark made and to whom? Why is October the best time?
“…she thought me a romantic fool”- Who might be thought a romantic fool? When and … why did the speaker doubt so?
“Then I made a mistake”-What ‘mistake’ did the speaker make? Why was it a ‘mistake’? What removed the speaker’s doubts? What did the speaker do then?
“Why don’t you look out of the window?”- Who said these words to whom? Why? Describe the action of the listener.
“Do you see any animals?” -Who asked this and to whom? What was the reply? How could the person give the answer?
“You have an interesting face”- Who said this? To whom was it spoken? When did the speaker make this remark? What was the reaction of the person spoken to?
“Few girls can resist flattery”- How did the narrator try to flatter the girl?
“I’m tired of people telling me I have a pretty face.” Who said this, to whom and when? What did the person speak to reply?
“But the thought of laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely.”- Why did the narrator feel so?
“The voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream”- Who thought so? Whose voice is referred to here? Why was the voice so special?
“She would forget our brief encounter;”—Who said this and about whom? What is the brief encounter referred to here? Why did the speaker think so?