Brief the meeting of Lomov and Chubukov as it took place at the beginning of the play.
Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a wealthy landowner in Anton Chekhov’s play ‘The Proposal gives an exceptionally warm welcome to Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov who is his neighbour. As soon as Lomov enters, Chubukov rises and expresses surprise and pleasure on meeting him as if he was a long lost friend. He showers a bounty of affection on him with endearing words like “my dear fellow”, “my darling”, “my angel”, “my precious”, etc till we are led to believe that Chubukov has an extreme fondness for Lomov. However, the irony becomes apparent when Chubukov speaks aside and says that he won’t lend money if Lomov asks for it. The very next moment, coming back to the sweet tone he asks, What is it, my beauty ?” Now his words sound false. Chubukov also pretends to be pleasantly surprised when Lomov declares his intention to propose to his daughter. However, as the play progresses we see that they do not have any regard for each other. Rather they harbour jealousy, suspicion and hatred in their minds. Thus, Chekhov exposes the deception and hypocrisy of the upper class.
How does Chubukov react to Lomov proposal?
When Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov declares his intention to propose marriage to Chubukov daughter, in Chekhov’s play The Proposal’, Chubukov appears to be joyfully surprised. Ecstatically he asks Lomov to repeat his words and then interrupts him to make a false show of emotion. He even shed tears of joy, embraces and kisses Lomov calling him his son and showers his blessings on him. He also pretends to lose his mental balance in joy. However, his use of words like “… and so on”, “… all that sort of thing”, “… and all that” makes it clear that his reactions are not genuine. His real intentions are disclosed when in a fit of anger he says, that turnip-ghost has the confounded cheek to make a proposal.” Thus the playwright criticises the deceitfulness of the aristocrats through the diplomatic behaviour of Chubukov.
On what issues did Lomov and Natalya quarrel at first? How did their argument come to an end?
Why did Lomov think about taking a decision about getting married? Whom did he want to marry? Why?
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?