The

Proposal
By Anton Chekhov

Presented by Sharumathi Palaniappan

 Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short-story

writer who is considered to be one of the greatest writers
in the world. His career as a playwright produced four
classics, and his best short stories are held in high esteem
by writers and critics. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August
Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the
three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in
the theatre. Chekhov was a doctor by profession.
 Introduction

The proposal is based on Anton Chekhov's play. It's

a short tale about a turbulent relationship between
two wealthy neighbors. Their dissatisfaction and
desire to enhance their possessions and wealth
drives them to the simplest method known to man:
marriage.
Ivan Lomov is a 35-year-old prosperous bachelor
with a heart condition in this play. He wishes to
marry his neighbor's 25-year-old daughter
Natalya. He does, however, need her father's
permission, as a wealthy landowner named Stepan
Chubukov.
Summary
Lomov was a thirty-five-year-old gentleman who suffered from
severe heart-throbbing and became upset easily. He thought that
Natalya was an excellent housekeeper, a well-educated and
average-looking woman who would be an ideal partner to marry.
However, when Chubukov heard about the proposal, he was glad and
embraced Lomov. He immediately rushed inside to call his daughter,
Natalya.

When Natalya arrived, Lomov began the conversation about how

both the families share a cordial relationship. As he spoke about his
land Oxen Meadows, that was a disputed property, Natalya objected
that the land belonged to her family. Lomov yelled back stating that
the land belonged to him. Both of them had a heated argument on
this topic until Lomov had a sudden palpitation attack with
numbness on his feet. In no time, Natalya’s father Chubukov arrived
and the father-daughter duo started abusing Lomov. Feeling insulted,
Lomov rushed out of the house. As Chubukov continued to defame
the young man, he accidentally mentioned to Natalya about
Lomov’s marriage proposal. Hearing this, Natalya immediately
regretted insulting Lomov and asked her father to bring him back.
 Summary
Chubukov rushed out of the house immediately to call Lomov. When the young man returned, Natalya started a conversation about their
dogs. In no time, a second round of debate ensued between her and Lomov where she mentioned that her dog Squeezer was better than
Lomov’s Guess. Soon, Chubukov entered the scene and the argument worsened. All the three people began quarreling and soon Lomov
fainted with another attack of palpitation.

Seeing this, Natalya asked her father to wake up Lomov as she expressed her desire that she liked him too. Suddenly when Lomov made a
movement, they offered him some water to drink and Chubukov put Natalya’s hand over his hand. Stepan does not want to lose out on a
good deal for his 25-year-old daughter, Natalya, and accepts the marriage Proposal. Things take a turn for the worse as the new couple
begins from where they started arguing about material possessions. They agreed to marry but the quarrel persisted as Natalya said that
Squeezer was better than Guess.
Conclusion

All three characters in the summary of the Proposal are quarrelsome

and arrogant in their ways. Things become humorous to a certain
extent when they call each other names and argue about land and
about whose dog is better and expensive.

The story beautifully illustrates that at the end of the day, we are
human, after all.
 Activity - Sequencing
A. Natalya tells Chubukov to call Lomov back.
B. Lomov explains the reason for his visit to Chubukov.
C. As the argument continues, Chubukov comes and takes Natalya's side
D. Lomov loses consciousness.
E. When Lomov comes, they dispute once again about whose pet dog is the best.
F. Chubukov gives Lomov her daughter’s hand.
G. Chubukov is happy that Lomov wants to marry Natalya.
H. Lomov informs Natalya that he is the owner of the property.
I. Lomov begins to speak of his land, which Natalya believes she owns.
J. Lomov goes to Chubukov's house to ask for Chubukov's daughter's hand.
K. Chubukov accidently reveals that Lomov was going to propose to Natalya.

J-B-G-I-H-C-K-A-E-D-F
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