The Proposal ENGLISH [NCERT] - The Proposal

CHUBUKOV : What a weight off my shoulders, ouf! NATALYA : But, still you will admit now that Guess is worse than Squeezer.
LOMOV : Better!
NATALYA : Worse!
CHUBUKOV : Well, that’s a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne! LOMOV : He’s better!
NATALYA : Worse! Worse! Worse!
CHUBUKOV : [trying to shout her down] Champagne! Champagne!
Q.1. What does Chubukov suggest to celebrate the engagement?
(A) Have lunch
(B) Cut a cake
(C) Drink champagne
(D) Go for a walk
Q.2. What argument restarts between Natalya and Lomov after the proposal is accepted?
(A) About land ownership
(B) About wedding arrangements
(C) About whose dog is better
(D) About family traditions

CHUBUKOV : She’s willing! Well? Kiss and be damned to you!
NATALYA : [wails] He’s alive... Yes, yes, I’m willing.
CHUBUKOV : Kiss each other!
LOMOV : Eh? Kiss whom? [They kiss] Very nice, too. Excuse me, what’s it all about? Oh, now I understand ... my heart... stars... I’m happy. Natalya Stepanovna... [Kisses her hand] My foot’s gone to sleep.
NATALYA : I... I’m happy too...
Q.1. How does Chubukov react when Natalya agrees to marry Lomov?
(A) He laughs at them
(B) He asks them to shake hands
(C) He tells them to kiss
(D) He calls the doctor again
Q.2. What physical discomfort does Lomov mention after regaining full consciousness?
(A) His arm is hurting
(B) His foot has gone to sleep
(C) He has a headache
(D) He is feeling dizzy

CHUBUKOV : Who’s dead? [Looks at Lomov] So he is! My word! Water! A doctor! [Lifts a tumbler to Lomov’s mouth] Drink this! No, he doesn’t drink. It means he’s dead, and all that. I’m the most unhappy of men! Why don’t I put a bullet into my brain? Why haven’t I cut my throat yet? What am I waiting for? Give me a knife! Give me a pistol! [Lomov moves] He seems to be coming round. Drink some water! That’s right.
LOMOV : I see stars... mist... where am I?
Q.1. What does Chubukov do when he believes Lomov is dead?
(A) Starts crying silently
(B) Tries to revive him with water
(C) Calls the police
)D) Starts blaming Natalya
Q.2. What are Lomov’s first words after regaining consciousness?
(A) “Call a doctor!”
(B) “Who are you?”
(C) “I see stars... mist... where am I?”
(D) “Bring me water!”

NATALYA : He’s dead. [Pulls Lomov’s sleeve] Ivan Vassilevitch! Ivan Vassilevitch! What have you done to me? He’s dead. [Falls into an armchair] A doctor, a doctor! [Hysterics.]
CHUBUKOV : Oh! What is it? What’s the matter?
NATALYA : [wails] He’s dead... dead!
Q.1. What does Natalya request when she thinks Lomov is dead?
(A) Water
(B) Help from the neighbors
(C) A doctor
(D) Her father
Q.2. How does Natalya react after thinking Lomov is dead?
(A) She runs away
(B) She sits quietly
(C) She calls the police
(D) She falls into an armchair and wails

CHUBUKOV: And you’re under the slipper of your house-keeper!
LOMOV: There, there, there... my heart’s burst! My shoulders come off! Where is my shoulder? I die. [Falls into an armchair] A doctor!
CHUBUKOV: Boy! Milksop! Fool! I’m sick! [Drinks water] Sick!
NATALYA: What sort of a hunter are you? You can’t even sit on a horse! [To her father] Papa, what’s the matter with him? Papa! Look, Papa! [screams] Ivan Vassilevitch! He’s dead!
CHUBUKOV: I’m sick! I can’t breathe! Air!
Q.1. What does Chubukov say about Lomov’s relationship with his house-keeper?
(A) He dislikes her
(B) He takes care of her
(C) He is under her slipper
(D) He ignores her
Q.2. What does Natalya shout at the end of the scene?
(A) Call a doctor!
(B) He’s gone mad!
(C) Ivan Vassilevitch! He’s dead!
(D) Get water quickly!

Why is the title “The Proposal” ironic?

What tone is used in the play?

What does the play mostly mock?

What is the resolution of the play?

How does Chubukov react when the argument restarts?

With what request does Lomov come to Chubukov? What is his state of mind at that time?

Why were Natalya and Lomov arguing over the Oxen Meadows?

Why was Chubukov sure that Natalya would give her consent for the proposal?

Why is Chubukov surprised at Lomov's wearing of a formal evening dress when Lomov comes to meet him?

Why is Chubukov surprised at Lomov's wearing of a formal dress when he comes to meet him?

What are the three parts of the play 'The Proposal' that remind you film scenes from romanticcomedies?
Discuss the scene with examples from the text.

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?

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'?

'Papa, tell us truly, which is the better dog, our Squeezer or his Guess.' What is the point ofcontroversy between Lomov and Natalya about their dogs as you find in the above dialogue?

'Losing temper quickly is a very bad characteristic. It proves as a total loss.' Explain it and suggesthow high temperature can be managed, with reference to your text.