THE PROPOSAL

THE PROPOSAL

 Extract Based Questions (4 marks each)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question - 1.

Chubukov: [aside] Hes come to borrow money. Shant give him any !
[aloud] What is it, my beauty?
Lomov: You see, Honored Stepanitch I beg pardon Stepan Honoritch I mean, Im awfully excited, as
you will please notice . In short, you alone can help me though I dont deserve it, of course and havent
any right to count on your assistance . (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Why is Lomov not able to answer properly?
(b) What purpose has he come for?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as very much?
(d) What does Lomov need?

Answer:

(a) Lomov is not able to answer properly because he has come to ask for Natalayas hand which made him too excited.
(b) He has come to propose Natalya.
(c) Awfully.
(d) Lomov needs help.

Question - 2.

Ive been hoping for it for a long time. Its been my continual desire (shed a tear) And Ive always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son. May god give you both-His help and His love and so on, and so much hope (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is the speaker here? Who is he talking to?
(b) Why does the speaker shed a tear?
(c) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to despair?
(d) Since how long is Chubukov hoping?

Answer:

(a) The above lines are spoken by Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov in response to the proposal for his daughter, Natalya Stepanovana by Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov.
(b) The tear shed here has no significance. Chubukov is merely feigning emotions because to him, the marriage proposal is simply an opportunity to extend their estates.
(c) Hope is the opposite of Despair.
(d) Chubukov is hoping since a long time.

Question - 3.

Im off my balance with joy, absolutely off my balance ! Oh, with all my soul Ill go and call Natalya, and all that. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) Why is he so very happy?
(c) Why is he going to call Natalya?
(d) Which word in the passage refers to happiness?

Answer:

(a) The speaker is Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a rich landowner.
(b) The proposal from his rich neighbor Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov for his daughter, Natalyas hand in marriage is the cause of his excitement.
(c) He is going to Natalya to inform her of the proposal that Lomov has brought.
(d) Joy.

Question - 4.

What more do I want? But I am getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Drinks) And it is impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I am already 35-a critical age. So to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I am excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling and there is a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is speaking to whom?
(b) Describe the physical condition of the speaker.
(c) Find from the passage the noun form of the word excite.
(d) What according to the author is a critical age.

Answer:

(a) Lomov to himself.
(b) He was suffering from palpitation and getting awfully upset.
(c) excitement.
(d) Thirty five

Question - 5.

And its impossible for me not to marry. In the first place I am already 35-a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations. Im excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and theres a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. I no sooner get into bed and begin to go off, when suddenly something in my left side gives a pull and I can feel it in my shoulder and head. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What happens to his body while speaking?
(c) Find a word from the passage that means the same as sad.
(d) What is the reason of the authors suffering?

Answer:

(a) Lomov.
(b) His lips were trembling, and there was a twitch in his right eyebrow.
(c) upset..
(d) Palpitation.

Question - 6.

Theres nothing to argue about. You see my aunts grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to the peasants of your fathers grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her. ( 1x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is speaking to whom?
(b) Who gave the meadows and why?
(c) Give the meaning of the word, perpetuity.
(d) What did the aunts grandmother want in return?

Answer:

(a) Lomov is speaking to Natalya.
(b) Aunts grandmother of Lomov gave meadows to the grandfather of Natalyas father for free use in perpetuity to make bricks in return.
(c) The state of lasting for long period/for all times.
(d) She wanted them to make bricks for her.

Question - 7.

What a surprise! Weve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then were suddenly told that it isnt ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. These meadows arent worth much to me. They only come to five dessiations and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I cant stand unfairness. Say what you will, I cant stand unfairness. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(b) What is difficult for the speaker to believe?
(c) What is that which the speaker cant bear?
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as astonishment?

Answer:

(a) Natalya is the speaker of these lines.
(b) It is difficult for the speaker to believe that the meadows, which had been in the family for 300 years werent her any more.
(c) The speaker cant tolerate unfairness.
(d) Surprise.

Question - 8.

These meadows arent worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I cant stand unfairness. Say what you will, I cant stand unfairness. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who speaks the above lines and to whom?
(b) How much are the meadows worth?
(c) Find a word in the extract that means not based on what is just.
(d) Were the meadows of much worth to the author?

Answer:

Value Points:
(a) Natalya speaks to Lomov.
(b) approximately 300 roubles.
(c) unfairness.
(d) No
Detailed Answer:

(a) Natalya speaks the above lines to Lomov.
(b) The meadows are worth approximately 300 roubles.
(c) unfairness means not based on what is just.
(d) No, the meadows werent of much worth to the author.

Question - 9.

I can make you a present of them myself, because they are mine! Your behavior, Ivan Vassilevitch, is strange, to say the least! up to this we have always thought of you as a good neighbor, a friend; last year we lent you our threshing machine, although on that account we had to put off our own threshing till November, but you behave to us as if we were gypsies. Giving me my own land, indeed! No, really, that is not at all neighborly; in my opinion, it is even impudent, if you want to know. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is speaking to whom?
(b) How had she helped her neighbor?
(c) What is the dispute between both the characters?
(d) Which word in the passage mean the same as Unknown?

Answer:

(a) Natalya is speaking to Ivan Vassilevitch.
(b) She had helped her neighbor by lending out her threshing machine.
(c) The dispute between both the characters is over a piece of land.
(d) Strange.

Question - 10.

Dont excite yourself, my precious one. Allow me. Your guess certainly has his good points. Hes pure bred, firm on his feet, has well-sprung ribs, and all that. But my dear man, if you want to know the truth, that dog has two defects; hes old and hes short in the muzzle. (1 x 4 = 4)

(a) Who is the speaker here? Who is he speaking to?
(b) According to the speaker what is the truth about guess?
(c) What is the adjectival form of truth?
(d) Which word refers to drawback?

Answer:

(a) The speaker is Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a rich land owner. He is speaking to Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov, who is another landowner and also his neighbor.
(b) Chubukov is pointing out to Lomov that despite many plus points in his guess, there were two major defects, i.e., the dog was old as well as short in the muzzle.
(c) The adjectival form of truth is truthful.
(d) Defects.

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question - 1. Which qualities are common in all three characters of the play The Proposal?

Answer: All the characters in the play are argumentative, full of pride and possessiveness. They are always ready to argue for petty things.

Question - 2. How does Lomov come to Chubukovs house? What for does he come? How is he received?

Answer: Lomov came to Chubukovs house in the evening dress with gloves on. He cames to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all the respect by Chubukov.

Question - 3. How does Chubukov react when Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter?

Answer: When Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter, Chubukov gets off balanced with joy. He embraces and kisses Lomov, sheds a tear of joy and calls for Gods blessing for Lomov and Natalya.

Question - 4. Why did Lomov want to get married?

Answer: Lomov wanted to gel. married as he was already 35 years old. Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep- sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him.

Question - 5. What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?

Answer: When Lomov is in an excited state his heart beat increases, lips tremble and there is a twitch in his right eyebrow. When he goes to sleep in such a state something pulls him from his left side and he jumps like a lunatic

Question - 6. How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting?

Answer: Natalya repeatedly insisted that Oxen Meadows are theirs and told Lomov that upto now she considered Lomov as a good neighbor and friend. This excited Lomov to the point of verbal fighting.

Question - 7. How does Lomov react when Chubukov says that he is not used to misbehavior by a young man like Lomov?

Answer: Lomov reacts by saying that Chubukov thinks that he is a fool. He says that he cannot talk to him calmly and politely as he is making a false claim to his property. He further accuses Chubukov of being a grabber.

Question - 8. Why does Natalya ask her father Chubukov to fetch Lomov in at once? Why does she accuse her father?

Answer: Natalya asked her father to fetch Lomov at once as she had come to know that Lomov had come to propose her. She accused Chubukov of driving Lomov out of their home.

Question - 9. How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose? 

Answer: When Natalya came to know that Lomov had come there to propose her she was shocked. She wails, changes her stance and asks her father to fetch Lomov.

Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words)

Question - 1. Who is Lomov and why does he visit Chubukov? 

Answer: Lomov is a landowner in Russia. He is about thirty five years old which is a critical age for marriage. In order to put his proposal for Natalya, he visits Chubukov in his best dress and Chubukov thought that he had come to borrow money.

Question - 2. Why did Lomov go to the house of Chubukov? 

Answer: Lomov, a rich bachelor, went to the house of Chubukov to propose to Natalya, the daughter of Chubukov, for marriage. Though Lomov was not in love with her but he felt that she was a good housekeeper, beautiful and well educated. He also felt it was time he should settle down.

Question - 3. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from? 

Answer: Lomov is suffering from weakness, numbness of limbs and palpitations.

Question - 4. What do you learn about Natalya from the play, The Proposal? 

Answer: Natalya is the only daughter of the landowner Chubukov. She was very possessive about her land and was very determined not to part with it. She was a short tempered lady who used to quarrel with anyone very often. She always pinpointed the amount of help she had offered to her neighbors. Though well educated, she did not use her education wisely and thoughtfully.

Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words & 8 marks each)

Question - 1. Give a character sketch of Lomov.

Answer: Lomov was a funny man. Physically he was weak but financially he was sound. He was a rich bachelor who wanted to marry Natalya. He was not really in love with Natalya but wanted to marry her because he thought that she was a good-housekeeper and beautiful. He said if he desired for an ideal or real love, he would never get married. He felt that he was 35, now he must lead a quiet and regular life. When he went to propose her, he got diverted. Actually, Natalya thought that he had come to claim oxen meadows as his own, quarrel took place between them. One more time they quarreled over petty issues. Before finally proposing to her, he fainted and after that shouted a lot but finally succeeded to get acceptance.

Question - 2. Justify the title The Proposal.

Answer: The title of the play The Proposal is very appropriate. A young man, Lomov wants to propose Natalya for marriage. He goes to her house for the same. Being confused, he doesnt propose at once. He beats about the bush. He speaks irrelevantly. As Natalya doesnt know that he has come to propose her, she thinks that he has come to claim oxen meadows as his own, she starts quarrelling. This results in one after another quarrel. After her father Chubukov reconciles; Natalya comes to know that he has come to propose her. Then at once she forgets the issue of fighting. Then the proposal is made and accepted. Finally, they get engaged.

Question - 3. Why does Chubukov suspect Lomov when he comes to his house? 

Answer:

Value Points:

Chubukov suspects that Lomov may be going somewhere as he wears formal dress.
When Lomov explains that he has come seeking help, Chubukov suspects that has come to borrow money.

Detailed Answer:

When Lomov comes to Chubukovs house, Chubukov suspects that Lomov may be going somewhere because he has come there wearing formal dress. When Lomov explains to him that he has come there seeking his help, then Chubukov suspects that he has come to borrow money.

Question - 4. Arguments and disputes seldom solve a problem. Describe the dispute between Natalya and Lomov over the dogs and their superiority.

Answer:

Value Points:

Natalya and Lomov fought over superiority of their dogs-Squeezer and Guess
Guess -lame, good hunter
Squeezer -high pedigree, over shot, bad hunter silly argument should never come in the way of matrimony
Tolerance, acceptance paves the way to good relationship.

Detailed Answer:

Natalya and Lomov fought over the superiority of their dogs-Squeezer and Guess. Lomov was pained to hear that despite many qualities, Guess had two major defects, i.e., the dog was old as well as short in the muzzle. Lomov was proud of his dogs pure breed, its well sprung ribs. It was also a good hunter. On the other hand, Natalyas high pedigree-squeezer was a bad hunter. She pointed out that her dog, Squeezer was better than Guess. She remarked that Guess was old, ugly and a worn out cab horse. She also called Guess a lame dog. Then Lomov stated that his dog had become lame since its leg had been bitten by some other dog. Though Lomov had come there to propose Natalya as he wanted to marry her, they involved themselves in silly arguments that also over petty issues. Their main purpose was sidelined in the dispute. But such silly argument should never come in the way of matrimony. Rather it is the attribute of tolerance and acceptance that paves the way to good relationship.

Question - 5. Neighbors must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them.

Answer:

Value Points:

Lomov and Natalya are next-door neighbors.
Moreover the former came to Natalya to propose to her.
The very first meeting had in itself seeds of things to be expected in their married life.
In spite of being very rich landlords they quarrel over a very tiny piece of land Called, Oxen Meadows
Lomov said that they were given to the peasants of Natalyas great grandfather in return for making bricks. So it happened to be considered to be Natalyas property.
Natalya does not buy the explanation. Instead offers to make a present of it to Lomov who in turn rejects the suggestion.
The quarrel continues endlessly.
The would-be couple were very materialistic. Their mask of hypocrisy fell off sooner than expected.
They did not have qualities which go to make a successful marriage: tolerance, compassion and
consideration for the other persons feelings.

Detailed Answer:

Lomov and Natalya were next-door neighbors. One day, Lomov came to Natalya to propose her. Natalya, who didnt know that he had come to propose her, thought that he had come to claim Oxen Meadows as his own. When Chubukov, Natalyas father, interfered with them and also pleaded that the Oxen Meadows were the properties of Chubukov, the fight aggravated. For a few moments, Lomovs real purpose was overshadowed by that issue and he continued the bias that meadows belonged to his aunts grandmother who gave them to the peasants of Chubukovs grandfather on the condition that they would prepare bricks for her. So how it would be considered as Natalyas property.
Though both Lomov and Chubukov, Natalyas father, were very rich landlords, they quarreled over a tiny piece of land, called, Oxen Meadows. But that was not the end of quarrel. Natalya didnt agree with Lomovs explanation. Instead, she offered to make a present of it to Lomov who, in turn, rejected the suggestion. And the quarrel continued endlessly. Such first meeting of Lomov and Natalya had in itself seeds of things (quarrels over petty issues) to be expected in their married life.

Value Based Questions

Question - 1. What are the main points of pleading between Chubukov and Lomov over Oxen Meadows? [Value Based Question] 
Answer: On hearing the uproar between Natalya and Lomov, Chubukov appears at the scene. Immediately Natalya asks her father to let Lomov know about the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Chubukov too pleaded that these were the properties of Chubukovs. But Lomov denied their ownership. He pointed out that it was his aunts grandmother who gave the meadows to the peasants of Chubukovs grandfather on the condition that they would prepare bricks for his aunt. [CBSE Marking Scheme, 2011]

Question - 2. On what issues did Lomov and Natalya quarrel? What does their quarrel reveal about them? [Value Based Question]

Answer: There are two controversies between Natalya and Lomov. First is about the Oxen Meadows and the other is about the dogs namely Guess and Squeezer.

Lomov states that his dog has become lame since its leg has been bitten by some other dog. Natalya points out that her dog Squeezer is better than Guess. She says that Guess is old, ugly and a worn out cab horse.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each] [Additional]

Question - 1. The principle forgive and forget, helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbors. Do you think Anton Chekov conveys this message in the play The Proposal?

Answer: Anton Chekov does convey the message that the principle of forgive and forget helps a lot in -maintaining cordial relationship with ones neighbors. Initially, the neighbors in the play, Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov were fighting over petty issues. They were putting important issues behind them and wasting their time by arguing over small things. These arguments slowly developed into fights and they started hurling abuses at one another. This damaged their relationship with each other.

It was when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her that she left the topic of argument (Oxen Meadows) behind. She also asked for forgiveness from Lomov and requested him to come to the point. Hence it is mandatory to forgive and forget if one wants to have cordial relationship with others.

Question - 2. The characters Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues. It shows their poor skills at anger management. Suggest some ways that help you in maintaining cordial relationship with people around you.

Answer: The way in which Lomov and Natalya lost their temper shows that how anger can easily effect a relationship. Thus, it becomes very important to have good anger management skills. Following are a few anger management skills that can be followed in ones life. These would also help in building healthy relationships.

Always follow the principle of forgive and forget.
Try to understand the person to whom you are talking.
Be helpful rather than being self-centric.
Always have empathy towards others.
irst listen and then speak.
Be as courteous as possible to everyone.
Dont have the habit of always complaining about others.

Question - 3.

Based on your understanding of the Play The Proposal how do you think good relationships can be maintained? Why in todays time we see so many people going away from each other?

Answer: The play The Proposal teaches us how anger and arguments can easily ruin a relationship. Thus to maintain a good relationship, it is important to have a control over your anger. Having arguments over unimportant or small issues is extremely harmful and a waste of time. If someone commits a mistake, one should be ready to forgive and forget rather than being angry and arguing with the person endlessly. In todays time people try to find only the positives in others and do not easily accept their negatives. Hence is becoming extremely difficult to maintain a good and cordial relationship with others.

Question - 4. It is a common observance that more attention is paid to unimportant issues at the cost of important ones. The play The Proposal beautifully portrays this fact. Suggest some steps how we can avoid this unhealthy practice.

Answer: It is true to an extent that people usually give more importance to the unimportant issues forgetting their priorities. Just like how Lomov came to propose Natalya but due to their argument that matter was left unaddressed. Thus, it becomes very important to set your priorities in life. One must ignore the unimportant issues. It is a waste of time to have discussions over them. One should not pay too much attention on the trivialities. This energy can be saved on spending it over some useful and important issues that gives a fruitful result.

Question - 5. Neighbors must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them. 

Answer: Lomov and Natalya meet and rather than proposing her he gets off the point. He tells her how he inherited his land and how he respects her father. He also tells Natalya that his Oxen meadows touch Natalyas Birchwood. On hearing this, Natalya says that Oxen Meadows are theirs. They start arguing about it. Lomov clarifies that he is talking about the Oxen Meadows that are between her Birch woods and Burnt marsh. Natalya again insists that they are theirs.

Lomov refuses it. He tells her that his aunts grandmother gave those meadows to her fathers grand father. The peasants used the land for forty years and started regarding it as their own. Natalyas father comes and also starts quarreling with Lomov. They get into a heated argument and resort to name-calling. After some time, Lomov leaves their house.