SRI

SRIMATHI SUNDARAVALLI MEMORIAL SCHOOL

CHENNAI – 600 063

CLASS : X
DATE : 31.01.2022
PR-11: THE PROPOSAL
- ANTON CHEKOV

I. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.

Q.1. What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of Lomov’s visit?

Answer: Chubukov misunderstands that Lomov has come to borrow money. He does not
reveal his purpose of coming directly, instead he says that he has come to trouble him
with a request for help.

Q.2. 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.

Q.3. Why does Lomov wish to propose marriage to Natalya?

Answer: Lomov wishes to propose marriage to Natalya because he feels she is an excellent
housekeeper, not bad looking, and is also well-educated. Moreover, he feels that he is
already thirty-five, which is a critical age and he ought to lead a regular and settled life.

Q.4. Justify, in brief, the title of the play “The Proposal”.

Answer: The title of the play “The Proposal” is apt. Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to
propose marriage to his daughter. He talks to Chubukov about his intention and the old
man is very happy to have Lomov as the husband of this ageing daughter. When Natalya
comes, there begins an argument and eventually she also agrees to marry Lomov.

II. Answer the following question in about 120 words.

Q. The principle ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with
our neighbours. 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 a cordial relationship with one’s neighbours. Initially, the
neighbours 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 marriage to 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 a cordial relationship with others.

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