What is the first argument about in the play? Does the argument come to a successful conclusion?
In the play ‘The Proposal’ written by Anton Chekhov, Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov and Natalya Stepanovna first quarrel was regarding the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Lomov claimed that his aunt’s grandmother had given the free use of the meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father grandfather for forty years and in return, they had to make bricks for her. However, Natalya refused to believe it and declared the meadows to be her ancestral property. The argument proceeded to an ugly squabble.
Lomov started to palpitate and thought that he would faint and he left their house in anger. But as soon as Natalya came to know from her father that Lomov had come with a marriage proposal, she changed her tone. She suddenly became excited and ordered her father to call him back. She apologized to Lomov and they got reconciled. Thus, the first argument between them ended.
Why did Lomov think about taking a decision about getting married? Whom did he want to marry? Why?
In his soliloquy, Lomov put down the reasons for him to get married. Lomov was 35 years old which means he had reached the last stage of his youth. Till date, he had not found anybody whom he could truly love and thus thought that further waiting might lead in surpassing the ideal age for getting married. Moreover, he thought himself to be a weak man suffering from numerous diseases. So, he needed to be looked after by somebody. Therefore he must get married on the spur of the moment without thinking much.
Lomov wanted to marry Natalya Stepanovna.
Lomov wanted to marry Natalya because she was an excellent housekeeper and was well educated. Moreover both their families had known each other for generations.
What are Oxen Meadows? What is the measure of the land? What is the controversy?
Describe the episode where Lomov and Chubukov engage themselves in an argument regarding the past incidents of each others’ families.
Why did Natalya and Lomov quarrel over dogs?
When does Natalya come to know of the proposal? How does she react? Why does she react in this way?
How did the second argument come to an end?
Narrate in brief what happened at Marusinsky hunt.
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?
