English Class 10 - X CBSE Chapter 11 The Proposal Material

INTRODUCTION

Anton Chekov (1860-1904) was a famous writer. He is chiefly known for his short stories. This story 'The Proposal' is a romantic story of a neighbour named Ivan Lomov. He is a landowner and often gets money from Chubukov; another landowner. Chubukov has a daughter named Natalya. Lomov comes to Chubukov with a marriage proposal for his daughter Natalya.

GIST

'The Proposal' is a one-act play. Actually, it is a farce written by Anton Chekhov in 1888-89. The play is 

about the tendency of wealthy families to seek matrimonial ties. The real purpose is to increase their estates and landed properties. Ivan Lomov was a wealthy neighbour of another wealthy farmer Stephan Chubukov. 

Lomov comes to seek the hand of Chubukov‘s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya. Lomov, Chubukov and Natalya - all three are quarrelsome people. They quarrel over petty or small issues. Each one of them has a claim over a particular piece of land. They also quarrel over their dogs. Amidst this quarrelling, they completely forget the real issue — the marriage proposal. But good sense prevails in the end. Economic good sense ensures that the proposal is made. Chubukov doesn't want to miss the opportunity. He puts his daughter's hand into Lomov's hands. He doesn't waste any time and blesses them. However, old habits die hard. The newly married couple starts their married life with a fresh quarrel.

DETAILED SUMMARY

Lomov and Chubukov are both landowners, they are neighbours. Chubukov has a grown-up, unmarried daughter, named Natalya. She is twenty-five years old. Lomov is a young man of thirty-five years. One day he comes to Chubukov's house. He is dressed in a formal evening dress.

Chubukov receives Lomov very warmly. Lomov is very nervous and excited. He asks for a glass of water. He tells Chubukov that he has come for a favour. Chubukov thinks that Lomov would perhaps ask for a loan of money. He makes up his mind not to give him any loan. But then Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of Natalya in marriage.

Chubukov feels very happy about the proposal. He says that he has been waiting for such a proposal from him for a long time. He says that Natalya is already like a lovesick cat. He is certain that she would welcome the proposal. Saying these words, he goes in to call his daughter.

Lomov is left alone for some time. He talks to himself about his reasons for making the proposal for marriage to Natalya. He says that he is already thirty-five years old. It is now time for him to lead a quiet and regular life. Besides, he suffers from palpitations (rapid beating of the heart). He gets easily excited. He cannot even sleep peacefully. As soon as he tries to sleep, he feels a pull in his head.

After a while Natalya enters. She does not yet know the purpose of Lomov's visit. She is surprised to see him in a formal evening dress. She asks him if he is going to a dance party. She talks to him about the fine weather and the harvesting of his crops. She tries to be nice to him.

Lomov feels very excited and nervous. He keeps beating about the bush. He is not able to come to the point. He says that good relations have always existed between the Lomov and Chubukov families. He says that they have been close neighbours because his Meadows touch Chubukov's Birchwood’s.

At this Natalya says that the Meadows belong to her family and not to the Lomov family Thus an argument starts over the ownership of the Meadows. Lomov says that he can show documents to prove his right of ownership. But, Natalya refuses to accept any such thing. 

The argument becomes heated. Lomov forgets all about his proposal of marriage. Both he and Natalya begin to abuse each other's family. Natalya insists that the Meadows belong to her. Lomov yells back that they are his.

Hearing their shouts, Chubukov enters. Instead of cooling them down, he, too, joins the quarrel. He begins to abuse Lomov and his family. Lomov, in his turn, curses and abuses Chubukov's family. But soon he becomes very nervous. He feels a strong pull in his heart. He forgets all about the proposal and staggers out of Chubukov's house.

Chubukov and Natalya go on calling names even after Lomov has left. But then Natalya learns from her father that Lomov had come to propose to her for marriage. She begins to cry over the lost opportunity. She asks her father to go out and call Lomov back. She cries hysterically, "I am dying! Bring him back." Chubukov curses his fate. He says that it is a curse to be the father of a grown-up, unmarried daughter. He has to go out and bring Lomov back.

Lomov comes back. He is still deeply excited. But Natalya feels happy at his return. She treats him in a nice manner. She tries to please him by saying that it was her mistake to claim the ownership of the Meadows. She agrees that the Meadows surely belong to Lomov. Natalya tries to encourage Lomov so that he may make his proposal of marriage. But Lomov again fails to come to the point. He begins to talk about the qualities of his dog named ‘Guess’. But Natalya says that her dog Squeezer is far superior to Lomov's dog. 'This leads to another heated argument.

Chubukov enters again. Natalya asks him to decide which dog is better- Lomov's or theirs. Chubukov gives his decision in favour of Squeezer. Thus, once again they start abusing each other. Lomov is not able to bear the excitement. He cries out, "My heart has burst”. Saying these words, he faints.

Natalya thinks that Lomov is dead. She wails and groans at the lost opportunity: She says that she is already twenty-five years old. No one has proposed to her so far. If Lomov is dead, she may not be married at all.

After a while, Lomov comes to himself. Chubukov gives him some water to drink. He says to him: willing." Chubukov puts his daughter’s hand into Lomov's. Lomov feels glad. Natalya kisses him but she still says that her dog is superior to Lomov's dog. Lomov shouts back saying that his dog is better. The play ends with Chubukov trying to bring peace between them. He says, "Well, that's a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne!".

Whatsapp Channel -            Link

Instagram -                          Link Link2

Google Maps & Contact -    Link

Feedback Form -                 Link