Summary of "The Proposal" by Anton Chekhov
"The Proposal" is a one-act farce that explores the
comedic and absurd nature of courtship between the wealthy landowners Ivan
Lomov and Natalya Stepanovna. Lomov visits Stepan Chubukov’s house to
propose to his daughter, Natalya. However, instead of smoothly asking for
her hand in marriage, they begin to argue over trivial matters like the
ownership of Oxen Meadows and whose dog is better. These petty arguments
escalate to the point where the proposal itself is almost forgotten. In the
end, despite their endless bickering, Chubukov persuades them to get
married, although they continue arguing even after their engagement is
secured.
Answers to Questions
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What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says, "And I've always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son"?
- Chubukov initially suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He is not entirely sincere when he later claims that he has always loved Lomov like his own son. His exaggerated reaction to Lomov's proposal, followed by the rapid change in his behavior when Lomov starts arguing with Natalya, shows that his affection is more tied to the material benefit of the marriage than genuine emotion.
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Chubukov says of Natalya: "...as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat..." Would you agree?
- Yes, Chubukov's statement is partly true. Natalya’s reaction after learning that Lomov came to propose — she becomes extremely upset and demands that he be brought back immediately — suggests that she has feelings for Lomov, even if they are not overtly romantic. Her sudden switch from arguing with Lomov to eagerly accepting his proposal reflects emotional confusion, much like a "lovesick cat."
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(i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other.
- Lomov calls Chubukov a "malicious, double-faced intriguer" and accuses him of being a "grabber." Chubukov, in turn, calls Lomov a "fool," a "pettifogger," and an "intriguer." Natalya and Lomov also insult each other, with Lomov claiming that Natalya’s dog, Squeezer, is "overshot" and a poor hunter, while Natalya calls Lomov’s dog, Guess, "old" and "ugly."
(ii) Five adjectives to describe each character:
- Lomov: Nervous, argumentative, insecure, excitable, indecisive.
- Natalya: Stubborn, emotional, quarrelsome, passionate, prideful.
- Chubukov: Manipulative, opportunistic, impatient, hypocritical, dramatic.
(iii) What will they quarrel about next?
- They are likely to quarrel about household matters, future decisions regarding their land or livestock, or continue bickering about trivial matters like their dogs, as their argumentative nature seems to be a core part of their personalities.
