CBSE Class 10 English The Proposal Important Questions Set 05

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Describe how Natalya reacts before and after knowing the real purpose of Lomov’s visit. Does she act sensibly in this regard?
Answer: Natalya — of marriageable age — wants to get married at all cost — Chubukov calls her a love-sick cat — Lomov visits her house — comes with a proposal of marriage — She doesn’t know of it and comes to know of it only after Lomov goes out in disgust — Before that, Natalya and Lomov have a long quarrel. Lomov claims the ownership — Natalya calls Lomov a strange man wants to grab their land. His act — unfriendly not like that of a good neighbour — feels excited and insulted and goes out in disgust. — find a different Natalya — she comes to know the real purpose of Lomov’s visit — cries loudly to bring Lomov back — threatens to die — if not brought back. Lomov returns. But old habits die hard. Both Lomov and Natalya forget the real issue of their marriage — The quarrel settled — start fighting over their dogs, Squeezer and Guess — calls Lomov’s dog, Guess, an old and good for nothing — Lomov calls her dog, Squeezer, far inferior to his dog, Guess — quarrel continues till Lomov becomes unconscious — In the end, Chubukov loses no opportunity and says “Be quick and get married.” Natalya embraces and blesses Lomov — they are blessed by Chubukov —They start their married life by picking up a fresh quarrel over Squeezer and Guess.

Question 2. In spite of being a good housekeeper, educated, and not bad looking, Natalya is quarrelsome, vain and highly impulsive. Justify your answer.
Answer: Natalya — the daughter of a rich Russian landlord, Chubukov — is twenty-five years old — knows that she must marry and not lose a suitable match for her — doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to marry her neighbour and landlord, Lomov — a good housekeeper, educated, and not bad-looking — Lomov acknowledges her skills and suitability as his life-partner — comes to her house with a proposal of marriage. — having many good qualities — helps her to be an ideal wife — has certain weaknesses in her character — is quarrelsome like her father — doesn’t seem to be practical and prudent — is ‘a love-sick cat’ — dying to marry Lomov — forgets the main issue — indulges in unnecessary quarrels over the ownership of Oxen Meadows — irritates Lomov by proving the superiority of her dog, Squeezer over his dog, Guess — she grabs the opportunity in the end — directed by Chubukov — embraces, blesses and gets married to Lomov — old habits die hard — starts her married life with a fresh quarrel.

Question 3. Justify the title of the lesson, ‘The Proposal’.
Answer: Anton Chekov — aptly and logically titled his one-act-play ‘The Proposal’ — justifies the theme and the subject of the play — story revolves round Lomov’s marriage proposal to Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya — The play ends with Chubukov asking Natalya to hurry up and get married immediately — Natalya seals the proposal by kissing and embracing Lomov — Chubukov willingly and happily blesses the couple. The play begins with the visit of Lomov to Chubukov’s house — The moment Chubukov comes to know that Lomov has come with a proposal of marriage, he becomes extremely happy — genuinely interested in marrying Natalya — thinks that she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad-looking. He sees in Natalya an ideal wife who can help him in leading a peaceful and regular life. Natalya — a love-sick cat — sees in Lomov a suitable life-partner for her — The moment she comes to know that Lomov has come with a marriage proposal — blames her father for not telling it before — threatens to die if Lomov is not brought back immediately. Quarrels and disputes over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and on the superiority of their dogs — Abuses and insults — this farce can’t hide the real intention of the main characters — the play ends with Natalya kissing and embracing Lomov and Chubukov blessing the newly married couple.

Question 4. Doesn’t it look ridiculous and childish to see mature persons like Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov quarreling over their dogs, Squeezer and Guess? Give a reasoned answer.
Answer: Natalya and Lomov — mature persons — can be childish and ridiculous on occasions — easily forget the main issue—the proposal of marriage. Natalya — a love-sick cat — Lomov considers Natalya a good housekeeper. Such a good looking and educated woman can be an ideal wife for him — both of them fail to come to the main issue — After the dispute over the ownership of Oxen Meadows is resolved, they pick up a fresh quarrel over their dogs — behaviour childish and unwanted considering their mature age — Squeezer and Guess — become the symbols of their vanity and false pride — Natalya calls her Squeezer a thoroughbred animal of a noble breed — Chubukov jumps into the quarrel — calls Squeezer the best dog in the district — calls Lomov’s dog, Guess, old and short in the muzzle. Abuses and insults — exchanged. Lomov calls Chubukov an “intriguer”, “old rat” and “Jesuit”. Chubukov calls Lomov “Boy! Pup!” and “milksop! Fool!” — quarrel ends — Lomov lies down unconscious in an armchair. 

Question 5. Chekhov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Illustrate with examples from the play ‘The Proposal’. Also mention the values that you think any healthy relationship requires.
Answer: ‘The Proposal’ is one of Anton Chekhov’s famous plays in which he uses humour and exaggeration to comment on courtship in his times. Chekhov uses stereotypes: the nervous suitor Lomov, the quarrelsome Natalya and the hypocritical father Chubukov all add humour to the play. Lomov’s exaggerated actions often exceed the limits of common sense, like gulping down water, clutching his heart, staggering out of the door and fainting. The story moves from cordiality to the hurling of insults, as when Lomov calls Chubukov a ‘grabber’ and Chubukov calls Lomov an ‘intriguer’. These elements of exaggeration and absurdity ridicule the idea of love and romance in such marriages.
A healthy relationship requires mutual respect, patience, understanding and the willingness to forgive and compromise.

Question 6. The concept of ‘marriage of convenience’ is still practised in different parts of the world. Critically examine the relationship between Lomov and Natalya, highlighting their stance on it.
Answer: A ‘marriage of convenience’ is one where two people enter a relationship for a specific practical reason and not out of love. People have a planned motive, which may be economic, social or political, and the shortcomings of the partners are overlooked.
The relationship between Lomov and Natalya was also a marriage of convenience. Even though they quarrelled bitterly, they were ready to marry each other because of their circumstances. Lomov was thirty-five and suffered from several ailments, so he decided to marry Natalya for a quiet and regular life. Natalya, at twenty-five, was eager to get married and Lomov was a wealthy neighbour. Hence, both agreed to this marriage of convenience.

Question 7. In the end, Chubukov forcefully placed Natalya’s hand in Lomov’s and asked them to kiss each other as they were ready to get married. Imagine yourself as the playwright of this play and, depending on their characteristics, develop a conversation between Natalya, Chubukov and Lomov if Lomov had said no to the marriage in the end.
Answer: Chubukov: Oh my handsome son! It’s time you gave your hand to my daughter. Let the wedding bells ring, my child.
Lomov: I won’t deny that a few minutes ago I meant to propose to your daughter Natalya. But now I would like to change my mind. I don’t think it will work!
Natalya: (crying) No! But what went wrong? Papa and I respect you and your family a lot, Lomov.
Chubukov: (angrily) What do you mean it won’t work? My daughter is of such a high class. You don’t even deserve her.
Natalya: And I was going to reject you anyway. How can you think of marrying the daughter of the owners of the Oxen Meadows?
Lomov: (loudly) Oh, Natalya Stepanovna, don’t you forget that the Oxen Meadows are mine!

Question 8. The principle of ‘Forgive and Forget’ helps a lot in maintaining our relations with others. Do you think the author proves this message in the play ‘The Proposal’? (Delhi Gov. QB 2022)
Answer: Yes, Anton Chekhov does convey the message that the principle of ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in maintaining a cordial relationship with one’s neighbours. Initially, the neighbours in the play, Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov, fight over petty issues. They put important matters aside and waste their time arguing over small things. These arguments slowly develop into fights and they start hurling abuses at one another, which damages their relationship. Only when they set aside their quarrel, with Natalya even conceding the Meadows, does the proposal finally go through. Thus, the play shows that relationships can survive only when people learn to forgive and forget.

Question 9. As Lomov, write a diary entry reflecting on the theme of societal expectations and the pursuit of an ideal partner in the play. Explore the role of societal pressure in your decision-making process and how it relates to the theme of societal expectations.
Answer: Dear Diary,
Today I finally did it — I am engaged to Natalya Stepanovna! I am still shaking. Why did I go? I am thirty-five, and everyone in our circle expects a man of my age and estate to be married by now. People talk about bachelors, and a landowner without a wife and heir is pitied.
My doctor says I need a quiet and regular life because of my palpitations. If I had waited to find an ideal partner or real love, I would never have married. Natalya is an excellent housekeeper, educated and not bad-looking. Our lands even adjoin each other.
Yet we quarrelled over the Oxen Meadows and the dogs! I wonder whether society’s pressure has made me choose comfort over happiness. Still, it is done.
Ivan Lomov

Question 10. Based on your reading of the play and an understanding of the characters, what details would Lomov provide (and specifically leave out) in a matrimonial advertisement to find a bride like Natalya?
Answer: Lomov would present himself in the best light. He would mention that he is a 35-year-old landowner from a respected family, owning a large estate at Lomovka, including the Oxen Meadows. He would describe himself as well-mannered and seeking a quiet, regular family life. He would ask for a bride who is an excellent housekeeper, well-educated, not bad-looking and from a neighbouring landowning family.
However, he would leave out his weaknesses. He would not mention his palpitations, his excitable nature, his twitching eyebrow, his sleeplessness or his tendency to faint during arguments. He would also hide his quarrelsome streak and his obsession with his dog Guess and the Oxen Meadows, as these might put off prospective brides.

Question 11. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship, which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them. (CBSE AI 2016)
Answer: Unlike other neighbours who have a cordial relationship with each other, next-door neighbours Lomov and Natalya do not share such a relationship. Lomov wanted to get married and settle down. He considered Natalya to be an ideal woman for him because she was good-looking, rich, well educated, and an excellent housekeeper and estate manager. He came to propose to Natalya unaware of her argumentative nature.
Their very first meeting exposed their real characteristics. The would-be couple proved that they were materialistic when, in spite of being rich landowners, they quarrelled over a very small piece of land called Oxen Meadows. Lomov said that his aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather for free and temporary use in return for making bricks. The peasants used Oxen Meadows for forty years, got accustomed to it and started considering it as their own land. Natalya, however, did not believe the explanation. Instead, she argued that Oxen Meadows had belonged to her family all along. She even offered to make a present of it to Lomov, which he refused to accept as, according to Lomov, it already belonged to him. They quarrelled endlessly.

Question 12. Arguments and disputes seldom solve a problem. Describe the dispute between Natalya and Lomov over the dogs and their superiority. (CBSE Foreign 2016)
Answer: Arguments and disputes seldom solve a problem, especially when it is a silly argument over a petty matter. Lomov and Natalya too argue fiercely over the superiority of their dogs. Lomov says that his dog, Guess, has unfortunately gone lame recently; yet he is a first-rate dog. Natalya contradicts Lomov by saying that Guess is not a pure breed like Squeezer, who is of high pedigree. Lomov calls Squeezer overshot and a bad hunter. Natalya disagrees with Lomov and claims that Squeezer is younger and healthier than Guess, and therefore much better than him.

Question 13. Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Illustrate with examples from the lesson ‘The Proposal’. Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires. (CBSE AI 2015)
Answer: Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Ivan Lomov and Stepan Chubukov have known each other for years and share a cordial relationship. When Lomov goes to meet Chubukov and asks for Natalya’s hand in marriage, Chubukov is elated. He hugs and kisses Lomov as he cannot contain his joy. Chubukov’s hypocrisy creates humour in the play when he starts hurling abuses at his old friend Lomov and talks to him in a derogatory manner. He does this to support and encourage Natalya in her arguments with Lomov. What also adds to the humour in the play is that the real purpose of the meeting, the marriage proposal, is almost forgotten amidst all this quarrelling over petty issues.
Exaggerated actions that exceed the limits of common sense are seen in all the characters. Lomov gulps down water, puts his hand over his heart, runs to the door and ‘staggers out’. Chubukov gives consent on behalf of Natalya: “She’s in love... she’s like a lovesick cat,” says Chubukov, but he does not say anything to Natalya regarding the proposal. Soon enough Lomov, as well as the readers, learn that Natalya is far from being a ‘lovesick cat’. Natalya argues fiercely and endlessly, unaware of his intention of marrying her. However, as soon as she comes to know the reality, Natalya becomes hysterical, falls into a chair and wails. She tells her father to bring Lomov back because she is ‘dying’.
Courtesy, sincerity, love and mutual understanding are the keys to a healthy relationship, all of which are missing from Lomov and Natalya’s alliance.

Question 14. Lomov and Natalya, the two main characters in the play ‘The Proposal’, display some of their strange character-traits which may not prove helpful in their lives. Taking instances from the play, discuss only two traits which you think one cannot approve of in one’s marriage partner. What qualities should one look for in one’s marriage partner? (CBSE Delhi Com. 2013)
Answer: Lomov and Natalya, the two main characters in the play ‘The Proposal’, display some strange character-traits which may not prove helpful in their lives, especially after they are married. Both Lomov and Natalya are extremely argumentative. Throughout the play they argue about petty matters. Amidst the heated argument, the very important matter of the marriage proposal gets sidelined and forgotten. The cordial conversation, which started with the intention of proposing marriage to the girl, takes an ugly turn at the topic of who the real owner of Oxen Meadows is. Both Natalya and Lomov stand firm on their claims that the land belonged to their forefathers and that the other party’s forefathers were only allowed to use it. Although neither of them shows any evidence to support the claims, neither of them backs down from the argument either.
Both Lomov and Natalya are proud, short-tempered, condescending and inconsiderate individuals, and their argument about whose dog is better is proof of that. They try to impose the superiority of their own dog over the other, yet again failing to come to a logical conclusion. Lomov suffers from severe palpitations due to his arguments with Natalya and her father Chubukov. Yet Natalya shows no signs of concern for Lomov even after she learns about his intention of marrying her. They get engaged while the argument continues.
The fact that she agrees to marry Lomov, even though they are not compatible with each other, shows that she does so not because of love but for convenience. It is another quality one cannot approve of in one’s marriage partner. An ideal marriage partner should have patience and self-control. He or she should pay attention to the partner and act with maturity. It should be someone who does not argue over every petty matter, someone who is willing to learn and change negative habits, someone who is responsive and grateful to his or her partner.

Question 15. What type of person is Natalya? Give two examples to show her quarrelsome nature. (CBSE AI 2012)
Answer: Natalya Stepanovna is the twenty-five-year-old daughter of Chubukov, a landowner. Natalya is well educated, good-looking, yet unmarried. She is an excellent housekeeper and estate manager. However, Natalya is also extremely quarrelsome, fussy and proud.
She completely ignores what Lomov has to say (he was cautiously approaching the subject of his marriage) and turns the entire focus of the conversation to who owns Oxen Meadows. She is not ready to accept Lomov’s claim that the land belongs to him. Instead she calls him a land-grabber and many other foul names.
Later, Natalya and Lomov engage in another argument, over whose dog is superior.

Question 16. Describe the first quarrel between Lomov and Natalya.
Answer: Lomov has come to Natalya’s house to propose to her. When she comes out to speak with him, he starts talking of irrelevant things and then mentions Oxen meadows, a piece of land near Natalya’s land. He claims it to be his and Natalya on hearing it, starts asserting that the land was hers. He keeps saying that he has the papers to prove but Natalya is not prepared to hear any argument and they start quarreling on this issue. Natalya was not aware that Lomov had come to her with a proposal for marriage and not for quarrelling about a patch of land, hence she behaved foolishly and argued though Lomov had evidence of his ownership.

Question 17. Write a character sketch of Natalya.
Answer: Natalya is a young girl of twenty-five years. She lives in the neighbourhood of Lomov. She is very smart for her age. She has a cunning mind and uses her presence of mind to go with the flow of situations and turn things in her benefits. She is a good house keeper and is not bad looking. She is still unmarried and is thirsting for love. Her father calls her a lovesick cat. She is educated but doesn’t seem so. She is very quarrelsome and abusive. She is also very ambitious. When she learns Lomov had come to propose her she back tracks on her stand and agrees to Lomov’s argument.

Question 18. Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Illustrate with examples from the lesson, ‘The Proposal.’ Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires. (Board Question)
Answer: ‘The Proposal’ is one of Anton Chekov’s famous plays where he uses humour and exaggeration in the play to provide a commentary on courtship in his times. Chekov has used several stereotypes that help play the character’s part beautifully in the play. Lomov, Natalya ‘the shrew’, Chubukov ‘the hypocrite father’ all help in adding humor to the play. Lomov uses exaggerated actions that, sometimes exceeds the limits of common sense like, Lomov gulping down water, putting his hand to the heart or running to the door and staggering out.
Another interesting aspect of this storytelling is how the story progresses from cordiality to the hurling of insults which is seen when Lomov called Chubukov ‘a swindle’ and Chubukov promptly called Lomov an ‘intriguer’. The elements of exaggeration and absurdity set the tone of ridicule, which mars the elements of love and romance that is intended in the play. The playwright, through this play, ironically emphasises that courtesy, sincerity, love and mutual understanding are the keys to a healthy relationship.