CBSE Class 10 English The Proposal Important Questions Set 04

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. 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”? Give reasons to justify your answer. (NCERT)
Answer: At first, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money, as he was in evening dress. He was not sincere when he said that he had always loved Lomov like his own son, because he had already decided not to lend him any money. It was only when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand that his attitude changed and he rushed out to call Natalya.

Question 2. Lomov did not love Natalya but he married her. Why? (Diksha)
Answer: Though Lomov was not in love with Natalya, he wanted to marry her because he was suffering from a weak heart and sleeplessness. He was thirty-five and wanted a companion who could look after him and give him a quiet, regular life.

Question 3. Natalya was continuously successful in maintaining an upper hand during her arguments with Lomov. Justify. (Any one example) (CBSE SQP 2022, modified)
Answer: Natalya maintained the upper hand because she answered every point and countered every argument Lomov presented. In the argument about the dogs, she insisted that Squeezer was of better breed, younger and faster, and mocked Guess as old and overshot. She did not lose her cool, while Lomov grew more and more agitated.

Question 4. How does Chubukov react when Lomov asks for the hand of his daughter in marriage? (CBSE 2019)
Answer: Chubukov got extremely excited when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He embraced and kissed Lomov and said he had long wished for it. He felt relieved as the burden of getting his daughter married was finally going to be off his shoulders, and also because Lomov was wealthy.

Question 5. Justify the title of the play ‘The Proposal’ with reference to the characters and plot. (CBSE 2024)
Answer: The title ‘The Proposal’ is justified as the central plot revolves around Ivan Lomov’s intention to propose to Natalya Stepanovna. Lomov’s visit starts a string of misunderstandings and humorous quarrels about the Oxen Meadows and the dogs. Chubukov’s eagerness and Natalya’s reactions show how important the proposal is to the development of the plot.

Question 6. Describe Natalya’s reaction when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. (CBSE 2014, modified)
Answer: When Natalya learnt that Lomov had come to propose to her, she changed her stance completely, wept and asked her father to bring him back at once. She was elated and excited at the thought of a marriage proposal, as Lomov was a wealthy neighbour and she wanted to get married.

Question 7. Chubukov suspects Lomov when he comes to his house. Comment. (CBSE 2016, 2012, modified)
Answer: When Lomov arrives in evening dress, Chubukov first suspects that he is going somewhere special. When Lomov says he has come to ask a favour, Chubukov suspects that he has come to borrow money and secretly decides not to lend him any.

Question 8. How does the second issue of dispute between Natalya and Lomov develop in ‘The Proposal’? (Delhi Gov. QB 2022)
Answer: The second dispute between Natalya and Lomov is over their dogs. Lomov claims that his dog Guess is superior to Natalya’s dog Squeezer, as Squeezer is overshot. Natalya insists that Squeezer is definitely the better of the two, and the argument grows heated.

Question 9. If a soliloquy were to be created for Lomov when he enters the scene in the play, what would it suggest?
Answer: A soliloquy for Lomov would reveal his inner nervousness and confusion. It would show him trying to convince himself that he must propose at once, listing Natalya’s practical qualities and worrying about his age and health. It would suggest that his proposal is driven by convenience rather than love.

Question 10. When Natalya comes to meet Lomov, she quotes her father’s words. Explain what Chubukov meant by the given statement.
Refer to the line from the play:
And papa said, “Go; there’s a merchant come for his goods.”
Answer: Chubukov meant that Lomov had come to ‘buy’ Natalya, treating marriage like a business deal. The ‘merchant’ is Lomov and the ‘goods’ are Natalya. The remark shows that marriages in that society were seen as transactions, and it adds to the irony since Natalya does not yet know about the proposal.

Question 11. Justify the opinion that Russian society emerges as an important character through the happenings of the play and the thoughts and interactions of its characters.
Answer: The play reflects Russian landowning society of Chekhov’s time. Marriage is treated as a deal to secure property and status; Lomov proposes for convenience and Chubukov is eager to get rid of his daughter. The quarrels over land, dogs and family honour show the pride and pettiness of that class. Thus society itself shapes the characters.

Question 12. How does the argument about Oxen Meadows start? (CBSE Delhi Com. 2017)
Answer: Lomov, at first, claims that Oxen Meadows belong to him. Surprised on hearing this, Natalya then claims that Lomov is wrong and that Oxen Meadows belong to her family. Thus the argument over whom Oxen Meadows belong to starts.

Question 13. Why does Chubukov suspect Lomov when he comes to his house? (CBSE AI 2016)
Answer: Chubukov suspected Lomov of coming to borrow money because Lomov came with a request which, he said, only Chubukov could help him with. Lomov did not reveal his purpose of coming directly. Lomov had asked Chubukov for help twice previously.

Question 14. How does Chubukov react to Lomov’s arrival at his house? (CBSE Delhi Com. 2013)
Answer: Chubukov greets Lomov warmly on the surface, but he is suspicious. Chubukov suspected Lomov of coming to borrow money because Lomov came with a request which, he said, only Chubukov could help him with. Lomov did not reveal his purpose of coming directly. Lomov had asked Chubukov for help twice previously.

Question 15. Why does Lomov wish to propose to Natalya? (CBSE AI 2012)
Answer: Lomov is thirty-five years of age, with health problems. He wishes to settle down by getting married. He knows that his neighbour and friend Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya, is still single. She is good-looking, an excellent housekeeper and estate manager, well educated, and belongs to a family as rich as Lomov’s. Therefore, he wishes to marry Natalya.

Question 16. 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”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Answer: Chubukov first suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He is not at all sincere when he says that he has always loved Lomov. Many times Chubukov has called Lomov with disgraceful names. He wouldn’t have done so if he truly loved him as he claimed. He called him ‘angel’ only because he had come with the proposal to marry his daughter.

Question 17. Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Answer: No, I wouldn’t agree that Natalya was in love. The way she quarrels with Lomov and even kicks him out of the house suggests that what her father says is not true.

Question 18. (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. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, double-faced intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”)
(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.
(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?
Answer: (i) Landgrabber, grabber, pettifogger, guzzling gambler, backbiters, intriguer, malicious, double-faced intriguer, rascal, monster, The villain! The scarecrow!, stuffed sausage! The wizen-faced frump!, Intriguer! Boy! Pup! Old rat! Jesuit! Boy! Milksop! Fool! blind hen, turnip-ghost.
(ii) Lomov—unhealthy, quarrelsome, ambitious, headstrong, nervous.
Natalya—young, flighty, ambitious, quarrelsome, headstrong. Chubukov---quarrelsome, headstrong, hypocrite, pompous, ambitious.
(iii) Maybe next the characters would quarrel about who had better horses.

Question 19. Read through the play carefully and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.
Answer: Modern English expressions: weight off my shoulders, seems to be coming round, to lose my temper, make head or tail of. Older English expressions: to the devil with you, to get in with, intriguer, go and lie on the kitchen oven and catch black Beetles, Be hanged to, some demon of contradiction in you, give it to them in the neck, why are you got up like that, how may you be getting on.

Question 20. Who is Lomov and why does he go to Chubukov’s house?
Answer: Lomov is a wealthy landowner. He is thirty five years old and is Chubukov’s neighbour. Lomov goes to Chubukov’s house to ask for his daughter Natalya’s hand in marriage.

Question 21. How is the quarrel over Oxen meadows settled at last?
Answer: When Natalya realises that Lomov had come to propose to her, she agreed that the Oxen Meadows were indeed Lomov’s property and that was how the Oxen Meadow’s matter was settled.

Question 22. Why does Chubukov go and call Lomov back?
Answer: Natalya quarrels with Lomov and throws him out of the house. But when she learns that he had come to propose her, she sends her father to go and call Lomov back.

Question 23. Point out the humorous elements in the one-act play ‘The Proposal’.
Answer: The one act play is full of humorous elements. Ivan Lomov, a hypochondriac and a long time wealthy neighbour of Chubukov, who was also wealthy, comes to seek the hand of shrewd Natalya Stepanovna, Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter. All three are quarrelsome people who quarrel over petty issues. Instead of proposing to marry Natalya Lomov goes on to talk about properties, relations, family histories, and pets, draws them into an unnecessary argument, and antagonises both of them. The proposal gets in danger of being forgotten amidst all this quarrelling. The play therefore, mocks marriage. Thus, ‘The Proposal’ ends on a comic note, while the dispute over the pets continues.

Question 24. Draw a brief character sketch of Natalya.
Answer: Natalya Stepanovna is a strong-willed, educated and good-looking girl of twenty-five who is also a good house keeper and more effective than Lomov in speaking clearly and getting to the point. She is the leading female character of the play and the daughter of Chubukov. She is short tempered and quarrelsome. Her will is focused on maintaining a superior manifestation and she insists that Oxen Meadows belongs to her family and not to Lomov. She is love sick and has no such respect for Lomov till she learns that he wants to marry her. She continues to argue that her dog is better than Lomov's dog.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Chubukov was thinking of refusing Lomov’s proposal without even knowing of later’s intentions. When he came to know that Lomov had come to ask for the hand of his daughter, he showered love and blessings on Lomov. Was he really sincere or was it just an example of his dual personality? Do you like such kind of people? Give your opinion in 120–150 words.
Answer: Chubukov is a very diplomatic person. Thinking that Lomov had come to borrow some money, he posed himself to be very sweet and wanted to refuse him somehow. But when Lomov disclosed his real intention of marrying his daughter, he changed colours and started showing exaggerated love. He was not sincere. In fact he possesses a dual personality. I don’t like such selfish persons. They can do anything to fulfil their interests. In fact, we can say that they are opportunists. These persons can even go to the extent of harming others in their self-interest. Most often they become successful in deceiving others but they end up being hated by all.

Question 2. Natalya and her father both accused Lomov of telling a lie regarding the Oxen-Meadows but when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her, she at once wanted him back. This shows her selfishness. What traits of Natalya’s character are revealed here? Do you like her?
Answer: Both Chubukov and her daughter Natalya have a dual personality. Natalya welcomed him warmly and talked with him pleasantly. But when Lomov referred to the Oxen Meadows, a disputed piece of land, as ‘My Oxen Meadows, she objected strongly saying that the land belonged to them. The argument went on for some time. When she came to know that Lomov wanted to marry her, she at once changed her tactics and hysterically told her father to bring Lomov back. Like her father, she also turned out to be very selfish. As she was about to pass the marriage age, she was desperate to get married. In spite of the differences in their thought and opinions, she agreed to marry him. I don’t like Natalya as she is too self-centered, short tempered and eccentric. Just to settle down in her life, she agreed to marry Lomov, with whom she had much differences. One should always be honest in one’s behaviour. Never compromise on your values.

Question 3. Throughout the play, the characters tried to overpower each other by insulting and abusing. They were angered very easily. Do you think it is very necessary to learn how to manage our anger? What are the harms of being too ill-tempered? Suggest some ways to keep your calm in even the worst of the situations.
Answer: Throughout the play, the characters are seen arguing and hurling abuses at each other over petty issues. They are angered very easily and never hesitate to blame the other person for nothing. The important thing to learn here is how to control our anger. Some people get easily excited and lose control. But anger has many ill-effects too. The person who gets angry easily is prone to many diseases like high blood pressure, nervous breakdown, heart attack, etc. So it is of utmost importance to maintain one’s calm even in the worst of the situation. Follow these simple rules to manage your anger.
(i) Take deep breaths to keep stress at bay.
(ii) Count till 10 to minimise your angry feelings.
(iii) Have a glass of cold water to calm your nerves. More importantly, avoid retaliating at once.

Question 4. Forgiveness is the foundation of cordial relationship. Do you agree? How is this message conveyed in the play The Proposal? How can forgiveness be inculcated in the students in the schools?
Answer: Yes it is true that forgiveness is the foundation of all the cordial relationships in our society. Most of the time enmity is developed due to communication gap or misunderstanding. Lack of tolerance and mismanagement of anger lead to enmity. Whenever there is any disagreement or difference of opinion, one must sit together and sort out the issue amicably. One must forgive another. We make fences and spoil relationships. Anton Chekov has conveyed this message in the play ‘The Proposal’. Lomov and Chubukov are neighbours. They have a controversy on the issue of ownership of the Oxen Meadows. They also have a difference of opinion on the superiority of the breed of their dogs. Lomov wants to resolve the issue and visits Chubukov with a purpose to propose Natalya. On the other hand, when Chubukov sees Lomov, he suspects that he must have come for borrowing money. It is only the lack of forgiveness that creates unnecessary misunderstandings and leads to quarrel on petty issues. The matter is not sorted out until they forgive each other. Forgiveness should be inculcated amongst the students in our schools through examples from real life and literature.

Question 5. Forgiveness is the foundation of a cordial relationship. Do you agree? How is this message conveyed in the play ‘The Proposal’? (CBSE 2023)
Answer: It is quite true the forgiveness is the foundation of all the cordial relationships in our society. Most of the time enmity is developed due to communication gap or misunderstanding. Lack of tolerance and mismanagement of anger lead to enmity. Whenever any disagreement or difference of opinion persists, one must sit together and sort out the issue amicably. One must forgive another. The writer has conveyed this message in the play “The Proposal”. Lomov and Chubukov are neighbours. They have a controversy on the issue of ownership of the Oxen Meadows. They also have a difference of opinion on the superiority of the breed of their dogs. Lomov also wants to resolve the issue and visits Chubukov with the purpose to propose Natalya. On the other hand, when Chubukov sees Lomov, he suspects that he must have come for borrowing money. It is only the lack of forgiveness that creates unnecessary misunderstandings and leads to quarrel on petty issues. The matter is not sorted out until they forgive each other.

Question 6. How and why does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does Chubukov react to his visit?
Answer: Lomov is a Russian landlord of thirty-five years old. He is a neighbour of another rich landlord Chubukov. He is at a critical age when he thinks he should get married. He wants to lead a peaceful and regular married life. He sees in Chubukov’s daughter Natalya an ideal life-companion. He thinks she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad-looking. He comes to Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marriage. Naturally, he is formally dressed in a fashionable jacket and white gloves. In the beginning, Chubukov seems to be rather cold to his visit. He thinks that Lomov has come to borrow money from him. However, his indifference soon changes into warm enthusiasm. Lomov tells him the real purpose of his visit. Chubukov is extremely happy to hear it. He tells Lomov that he has been thinking for a long time for this marriage. He calls Lomov a good neighbour and an ‘angel’. He is ready to give his consent to their marriage.

Question 7. Give a brief pen-portrait highlighting Lomov’s strength and weakness. Why can’t he express himself like a calm and composed man?
Answer: Lomov is a Russian landlord of thirty-five years. He is a neighbour of another rich landlord Chubukov. Lomov is highly impulsive, irritating and quarrelsome. Physically, he is a wreck. He enjoys a very poor health. He suffers from palpitations, hyper-tensions and heart problems. He is easily excited and irritated. Lomov realises that he has reached an age where he needs a peaceful and regular life. In Chubukov’s daughter Natalya, he sees an ideal life-partner. She is a good house-keeper, educated, and not bad-looking. So, he visits Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marriage. Lomov is confused. He can’t talk like a calm and composed man. He forgets the main issue and the purpose of his visit. He indulges in unnecessary details and quarrels, over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. He does not know how to solve and deal with controversies. He picks up a new quarrel over the dogs. He unsuccessfully tries to prove that his dog, Guess is far superior to Natalya’s dog, Squeezer. Lomov appears in a formal dress. He seems to be fashionable, well-dressed and presentable. He is a gentleman and acknowledges the help received from his neighbour, Chubukov. He is self-respecting and is ready to give Oxen Meadows to Natalya as a present. Last but not least, his desire to marry Natalya is practical and genuine.

Question 8. Chubukov has all the attributes of a quarrelsome rich Russian landlord. Instead of solving the problems, he only adds fuel into the fire in their quarrel over Oxen Meadows and the dogs. Justify the statement.
Answer: Chubukov represents a typical rich landlord of 19th century Russia. He seems to be fairly rich and resourceful. Even his neighbour Lomov acknowledges the frequent help rendered to him by Chubukov. He lends his threshing machine to Lomov. On account of this help, he has to put off their own threshing till November. Chubukov is quite practical. He knows that Lomov can be a good match for his daughter Natalya. So, he at once gives his assent to Lomov’s proposal of marrying her. Actually, he has been waiting for such a proposal for a long time. Chubukov is a landlord and can’t resist his hunger for land. He opposes the claim of Lomov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. He even threatens to send his mowers out to the Meadows. Chubukov can be quite quarrelsome, abusing and insulting. He always sides with his daughter. He picks up a quarrel on Oxen Meadows. He calls Lomov “a landgrabber” and “villain”. He abuses his grandfather of being a “drunkard” and his father a ‘gambler’. He jumps into the quarrel and adds only fuel to the fire. However, Chubukov see a great opportunity. He grabs the opportunity the moment Lomov comes into senses. He makes Natalya kiss and embrace Lomov and gets them married.

Question 9. What are the main points of controversy over the ownership of Oxen Meadows between Chubukov and Lomov? How and why does Natalya jump into the quarrel?
Answer: The ownership of Oxen Meadows is claimed by both the families, the Lomovs and the Chubukovs. It becomes a bone of contention between them. Lomov claims that his Oxen Meadows touch the birdwoods of Chubukov. Natalya contests the claim. She claims that they belong to them. Lomov explains that his aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of the Chubukovs. In return, they were to make bricks for the Lomovs. Natalya claims that their land expands to Burnt Marsh. Hence, Oxen Meadows belong to them. They have had the land for 300 years. Lomov is ready to present the necessary documents to prove his ownership over the Meadows. Natalya threatens to send her mowers to the Meadows. Chubukov comes in and jumps into the quarrel. He sides with his daughter. Lomov threatens to go to the court. There is a free exchange of abuses and insults. Chubukov calls Lomov’s grandfather a drunkard. Lomov calls Chubukov’s mother hump-backed. Natalya calls Chubukov’s mother hump-backed. Natalya calls Lomov dishonest, rascal and mean. Chubukov calls Lomov a villain and a scarecrow. The dispute ends when Natalya comes to know about the marriage proposal. She surrenders her claim and accepts that the Meadows belong to Lomov.

Question 10. How do Natalya and Chubukov react when Lomov falls down in an armchair and considered to be dead? How does Chubukov manage to get Natalya married with Lomov?
Answer: Anton Chekov’s play ‘The Proposal’ presents a farcical situation when Lomov falls down unconscious in an armchair. Before that there has been a free for all. Insults and abuses were freely hurled. The dispute over Oxen Meadows was settled but the quarrel over the dogs took an unpleasant turn. Lomov is called “Boy! Pup!”, “Milksop” and “Fool”. He can’t bear the heat and excitement and falls down unconscious. He is thought to be almost dead. Both Natalya and Chubukov feel that things are going out of their hands. They feel helpless. Chubukov feels like shooting himself or cutting his own throat. Natalya is dying for marriage. The moment Lomov comes to senses, everyone feels relieved. Chubukov can’t afford to miss the opportunity. He tells Natalya to “hurry up and get married!” She too acts at once. She embraces and kisses Lomov and gives her willing to marry him. Only one thing is left for Chubukov. He blesses the newly married couple and opens a bottle of champagne. They say old habits die hard. The new couple starts their married life with a fresh quarrel. It is over their dogs Squeezer and Guess again.