Write a note on the Socio-economic picture of the Russian society as found in

‘The Proposal'.

‘The Proposal’ depicts the flaws of the feudalistic society that existed before the
November Revolution in 1917 in Russia. The scene in ‘The Proposal’ opens with
Lomov coming to Chubukov’s place to put forward a marriage proposal for his
daughter. Lomov’s marriage proposal constitutes the main event in the play.
The event exposes a society where the aged father of an eligible girl feels
helpless and wants to marry off his daughter as soon as possible and by any
means. This projects a bourgeoisie society where an eligible girl feels relieved to
get marriage proposal even from a person who is not quite suitable for him. This
is a society where money and financial security matter the most. This is a
feudalistic society where ownership of land is one of the most important things
for feudal landlords.
Lomov, an ideal representative of the feudal society, proposes to marry
Natalya solely out of practical and economic considerations. Even in the time of
proposal he cannot avoid the thought of property and gets involved in a
quarrel with Natalya over land and hunting dogs. To conclude, it can be said
that ‘The Proposal’ presents a feudalistic and patriarchal society where money
reigns supreme and women are commodified and least respected.