The Proposal — Practice

Question 1

Who wrote 'The Proposal', and what kind of play is it?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Anton Chekhov; it is a one-act comic play (a farce).

Question 2

What are the names of Lomov's and Natalya's dogs?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Lomov's dog is Guess; Natalya's dog is Squeezer.

Question 3

Why does Lomov visit Chubukov's house?

Accepted Answer

To ask for the hand of Chubukov's daughter, Natalya, in marriage.

✦ Answer: to propose marriage to Natalya.

Question 4

What are the two things Lomov and Natalya quarrel about?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — First, they quarrel over a strip of land called Oxen Meadows, each claiming it belongs to their family.

Step 2 — Later, they quarrel over whose hunting dog is better — Lomov's Guess or Natalya's Squeezer.

✦ Answer: the land 'Oxen Meadows' and whose dog (Guess vs Squeezer) is better.

Question 5

Describe Lomov's character.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Lomov is a wealthy landowner but a nervous, anxious hypochondriac, always worrying about his health (palpitations, a twitching side, sleeplessness).

Step 2 — He is also quarrelsome and easily excited, arguing fiercely over trifles.

✦ Answer: a nervous, hypochondriac and quarrelsome but well-off landowner.

Question 6

How does the engagement finally take place?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — During the quarrel over the dogs, the over-excited Lomov faints (they even fear he has died).

Step 2 — When he revives, Chubukov quickly seizes the moment, joins the couple's hands and declares them engaged — even as they resume arguing.

✦ Answer: after Lomov faints and revives, Chubukov joins their hands and declares them engaged.

Question 7

How does 'The Proposal' satirise marriage among the landed gentry?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Lomov comes to marry not out of love but because it is time and Natalya is a suitable, propertied match.

Step 2 — The 'proposal' repeatedly collapses into fights over land (Oxen Meadows) and property (the dogs), showing what really matters to them.

Step 3 — Pride and stubbornness nearly wreck a marriage both sides want.

Step 4 — That they get engaged while still quarrelling mocks such marriages as loveless, property-driven and destined to be full of squabbles.

✦ Answer: it mocks gentry marriage as driven by land/property and pride rather than love, exposed through their absurd quarrels.

Question 8

What human weaknesses does the play expose, and what can we learn from it?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — It exposes quarrelsomeness and stubborn pride — fighting over trifles even against one's own interest.

Step 2 — It mocks greed and materialism — valuing land and possessions over relationships.

Step 3 — It shows how anxiety and short temper (Lomov) and sharp-tonguedness (Natalya) create needless conflict.

Step 4 — Lesson: patience, humility and keeping trivial matters in perspective help preserve relationships.

✦ Answer: it exposes pettiness, pride and materialism; we learn the value of patience, humility and not quarrelling over trifles.

Practice — The Proposal

Sign in to save attempts to your dashboard and track your accuracy over time

Find a verified tutor

Join a live course

Browse coaching centres

About

Categories

Support

Documentation

Get Study Tips & Updates

Download Our App

Download for iOS

Download for Android

Popular Cities