by Anton Chekhov
NCERT Questions & Answers + Important Extra Questions
NCERT Textbook Questions
What does Chubukov at first__( think that Lomov has come for? Is he__( happy when he learns the real reason?
Answer
When Lomov arrives in formal evening dress, Chubukov at first suspects he has come to borrow money — something neighbours often did. He mentally prepares to refuse the loan. When Lomov nervously reveals that he has come to ask for Natalya's hand in marriage, Chubukov is overjoyed. He embraces Lomov, sheds tears of happiness, and calls for champagne. He is delighted because: (i) Lomov is a wealthy neighbour — a good match for his daughter. (ii) He had been hoping for this proposal. (iii) He immediately calls Natalya to come meet Lomov, before Lomov can change his mind.
How does the__( quarrel start between Lomov and Natalya?
Answer
Lomov begins chatting nervously with Natalya, trying to build up courage for the proposal. He mentions his Oxen Meadows (a piece of land) and how they border Natalya's family's Birchwoods. When he casually mentions that the Oxen Meadows belong to him, Natalya is outraged — she insists the Meadows belong to the Chubukovs. Both become increasingly agitated, arguing about the ownership of the land — each citing their own family history, old documents, and traditions. What starts as a polite conversation quickly escalates into a heated quarrel, and Lomov completely forgets to propose. The irony is that the proposal that both families want gets derailed by a petty land dispute.
What happens to Lomov when he gets__( excited or upset?
Answer
Lomov is a hypochondriac (someone who constantly worries about their health). When he gets excited or upset: (i) His heart starts palpitating — he feels it thumping, skipping beats. (ii) His side starts twitching — a nerve in his thigh begins to pull and throb. (iii) His arm goes numb — he can't feel his left arm. (iv) He gets a buzzing in his ears. (v) He feels he might collapse or die at any moment. These symptoms appear repeatedly during both quarrels — about the Meadows and about the dogs. His health anxiety is both comical and central to the play's humour.
Describe the__( second quarrel — about the dogs.
Answer
After Chubukov persuades Natalya that Lomov came to propose (not to fight about land), Natalya is shocked and insists on calling Lomov back. When he returns, she tries to be sweet and steer the conversation toward the proposal. But they start discussing dogs, and a second quarrel erupts — over whose hunting dog is better. Lomov claims his dog Guess is the finest, having paid 125 roubles. Natalya insists her dog Squeezer is far superior. Each mocks the other's dog — "Guess is old and ugly," "Squeezer is overshot (has a faulty jaw)." Chubukov joins in, insulting Lomov's dog and family. The quarrel becomes so heated that Lomov faints and appears to die. Everyone panics — but Lomov recovers, and Chubukov hastily puts Natalya's hand in Lomov's and declares them engaged before another quarrel can begin.
What is the__( ending of the play?
Answer
The ending is hilariously ironic: After Lomov faints and is revived, Chubukov quickly joins their hands and blesses the match before they can start fighting again. Natalya agrees — she is now engaged to Lomov. For a brief moment there is happiness. But almost immediately, the quarrel restarts — Lomov and Natalya begin arguing again about their dogs (Guess vs Squeezer). Even as an engaged couple, they cannot stop fighting. Chubukov, exhausted, calls for champagne. The play ends with the couple quarrelling — showing that marriage will not change their combative natures.
Important Extra Questions
What is the__( theme of the play?
Answer
"The Proposal" is a one-act farce (comedy) by Anton Chekhov that satirises several aspects of human nature:
(i) The absurdity of petty quarrels: Lomov and Natalya both want to marry each other, but they can't stop fighting over trivial matters (land, dogs). Their quarrels are absurd because they are meaningless — both will share everything after marriage anyway.
(ii) The institution of marriage: In the 19th-century Russian landed gentry, marriages were often business arrangements based on land, wealth, and social status, not love. Lomov proposes not out of love but because he's 35, needs a wife, and Natalya is a "good housekeeper" with land next to his.
(iii) Human ego and pride: Neither Lomov nor Natalya can back down from an argument, even at the cost of losing what they actually want (marriage). Their pride matters more than their happiness.
(iv) Hypocrisy: Chubukov warmly welcomes Lomov as a "darling" when he thinks he's proposing, but instantly insults him during quarrels. The characters' behaviour changes based on self-interest.
Compare the characters of Lomov and Natalya.
Answer
Lomov: A 35-year-old landed gentleman who is nervous, hypochondriac, and indecisive. He wants to marry Natalya but can't bring himself to propose — he gets distracted by quarrels. He is argumentative, easily offended, and prone to health anxieties (palpitations, numb arm, twitching). Despite being wealthy, he is insecure and seeks validation. He is comically unable to control his emotions or his health.
Natalya: A 25-year-old woman who is practical, strong-willed, and equally argumentative. She is a "good housekeeper" but fiercely defensive about her family's property and pride. When she learns Lomov came to propose, she desperately wants him called back — showing that she wants marriage but won't sacrifice her pride for it. She is as stubborn as Lomov and matches him quarrel for quarrel.
Similarity: Both are argumentative, proud, and unable to express their real feelings. Both want the marriage but can't stop fighting long enough to make it happen.