First Flight

Chapter – 1 A Letter To God

Theme :-
The theme of a letter to God is faith and hope can move mountain.
This is proved through the central character of the story named Lencho. This
poor farmer works hard in his fields, but his crops are destroyed. He maintains
faith in God and remains hopeful for help from God. The protagonist, Lencho
expresses his strong belief in God by writing a letter, asking for help. Amazingly
Lencho was helped. We see that his request was heard and there were post
office employees to help him.

Let us see that in whatever the way he got help but he got. So, the story proves
the theme that faith can move mountains.

Tone :- Innocence

Lencho :- Lencho was a hard-working farmer, an ox of a man. A man with

minimal resources, but he was a man of faith and hope. He earned his living by
cultivating his fields. He had immense faith in God. He thought that God always
helped those who had a good conscience. He therefore sought to God for help
when he and his family reached the point of hunger and he had lost all hope
because he loved his family and was worried about them. Even the postmaster
was struck by his strong religious convictions and decided to help. Although he
was a farmer, Lencho had enough education to compose a letter. He
demonstrates his purity by trying to communicate with God directly.

Postmaster :- The postmaster was a fat and amiable man. He was good,
sensible, and compassionate person and had a very pleasant and humble
personality. He read the letter upon discovering that someone had addressed it
to God and was greatly affected and impressed by Lencho’s trust in God. He was
very aware that God does not have a physical address to which he could deliver
Lencho’s letter, so he decided to support Lencho and retain his faith in God, by
sending financial assistant. He collected 70 pesos from his staff members and
sent Lencho a portion of his pay as a contribution. But the postman was
saddened after reading Lencho’s second letter in which he had complained to
God about the people working in the post office. The postmaster’s good
intention receives a setback when Lencho doubts them.

Poem – 1 Dust Of Snow

Theme :-
The poem “Dust of snow by Robert Frost” shows us to appreciate even the
small things that we take for granted in life. The poet shows us that even small
and insignificant acts can help uplift our mood and make us forget about our
problems. The poet also shows that nature is a great healer of wounds and bad
moods. Observing the beauty and serenity of nature can bring peace of mind
and make us appreciate our life better.

Tone :- light and cheerful OR sorrow to joy and relief

Poem – 2 Fire And Ice

Theme :-
The theme of the poem Fire and Ice is that the world will be destroyed some
day and the poet is of the views that there will be two reasons for its
destruction; fire and ice. Fire symbolises greed and ice symbolize coldness in
relation and hate.

The poet says that the world is bound to destroy on day. However, it will be
destroyed by fire i.e. greed which makes a person do all the inhumane
blunders. However, if the world would have to perish twice, then coldness i.e.
hate would be responsible for its destruction.

So, greed and hate are the greatest enemies of humanity and the poet
suggests us to never adopt them.

Tone :- bleak and pessimistic OR light and formal

 Chapter – 2 Nelson Mandela : Long Walk To Freedom
Theme :-
The central theme of the chapter A Long Walk to Freedom- Nelson Mandela is
courage and resilience.
Nelson Mandela faced many obstacles throughout his life and with his own
courage and will power he overcame them all. Through his own strength and
determination, he achieved a great success in his life. So, the central theme of
this chapter is the courage and will power.
This story not only serves as an inspiring example of how to fight for justice,
but also showcases the power of love, friendship, forgiveness, and unity
towards achieving freedom.
The life of Nelson Mandela clearly shows that if you want success in your life
you should have courage, resilience and strong will power.
He stands out because of his strong faith in justice and his struggle against
oppression. The story of Nelson Mandela is a reminder to strive for what is
right and fight for it no matter the consequences. The theme of the chapter A
Long Walk to Freedom serves as an example of how we should never give up
hope and always have the courage to stand up for what we believe in.

Tone (Speech) :- motivational and upbeat

Nelson Mandela :- Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa,
after more than three centuries of white rule, is known for his strength of spirit,
integrity, honour, and leadership. His strength allowed him to endure 27 years
of prison. He never compromised his values. He was a man of belief, and
integrity and had a willingness to never give up the fight. He was a man of
uncommon courage, wisdom, and generosity. He says every man has his duties
to his family, to the community and to his country to perform honestly. It is not
the absence of fear but the victory over it. He believes that freedom is
indivisible. The chains on anyone of his people were the chains on all of them.
While growing up he realised that freedom has deeper value and meaning , it
means equality and honour for all. According to him oppressor is the prisoner of
hatred prejudice and narrow mindedness. They are stripped off their humanity
and privilege of being human is taken away from them.
 Poem – 3 A Tiger In The Zoo
Theme :-

The poem is a beautiful representation of the plight of animals. It is a shame that

such a powerful, agile, and untamable animal like tiger should be caged in a zoo.
In his natural and wild habitat, he does not need the help of any kind to hunt its
own food. His hunting of deer at the water hole may seem rather cruel. He hunts
not for pleasure but for food. His presence in the natural habitat is necessary to
maintain the balance of food chain. Sometimes, the tiger may stray into human
habitation. He only displays his strength and ferociousness. But he does not
harm anyone till he is provoked. Even in the cage, he ignores all those who come
to the zoo to see him as entertainment. Like human beings, the tiger too loves
and values his freedom. He shows his anger, hatred and even defiance by
walking about in rage in his cage. Human progress should not be at the cost of
destroying the natural habitats of untamable and proud animals like the tiger.

Tone :- one of regret OR one of sadness and sympathy for the tiger in captivity
OR tense

Chapter – 3 Two Stories About Flying

Theme of First Flight :-
`His First Flight’ is a story of hesitation, trial and error and finally getting
success in the end because of self-confidence and courage. It is an interesting
story of a hesitant and timid seagull learning the art of flying. While his two
brothers and sister had already learnt flying, his fear and hesitation stopped
him from doing so. His diving at the fish due to hunger proved a blessing in
disguise. After a shaky start, he spread out his wings and started flying upwards
and downwards. It was his first flight. The author gives a message that no one
attains success instantly. Repeated trials and errors lead him to success.

Young Seagull :- The young seagull is a fluffy and awkward-looking bird. He

has soft, downy feathers that are not yet fully developed, making him appear
smaller than the adult seagulls. His wings are also not fully formed, which makes
flying difficult for him.
The young seagull is curious and adventurous. He is eager to explore the world
and learn new things. He is also quite stubborn and is not easily deterred from
his goals, even when faced with challenges. He is confident in his abilities and
believes that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind.

Mother Seagull :- Mother Seagull is portrayed as a tough but motivating

character. She looks after her baby seagull in a loving and protective manner.
Her personality appears as comprehending, kind, and understanding. She is
characterised as a strong and powerful bird who is constantly prepared to
protect her offspring. She is also portrayed as a loving parent who is willing to
sacrifice her own convenience and security in order to protect her kid. She is
very patient with her young one, and she teaches him to fly with great care and
compassion. In addition, Mother Seagull is depicted as a perceptive bird who is
conscious of life’s risks and dangers. She cautions her young one about the
danger of the sea and results of not learning to fly. She encourages and
motivates her kid to learn to fly because she is aware that it is crucial for their
survival.

Tone :-

Theme of The Black Aeroplane :-

The Black Aeroplane by Frederick Forsyth sheds light on how one wrong decision
may lead to catastrophic results. The narrator in wanting to reach home heads
straight into storm clouds. The story also explores the element of the
supernatural through the mysterious black aeroplane and its pilot.

Pilot :- The narrator (Fredrick Forsyth) was a professional pilot. He was flying
his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. He was happy.

The narrator was quite a family man. He was dreaming of his holidays. He was
looking forward to being with his family. He wanted to be in time for breakfast.
The narrator seemed to lack his professional ethics and responsibilities. He was
about 150 kilometers away from Paris when the storm clouds appeared in the
sky. He did not have enough petrol to fly around them to the North or South.
He ignored his professional wisdom. He ought to have gone back to Paris.
The narrator was a grateful human being. He was grateful to the pilot of the
black aeroplane for saving his life. He went to the Paris control to ask who was
the other pilot who saved his life.

Unknown Pilot :- He was a helpful man. He was flying a black aeroplane. He

helped the narrator to find his way in the storm. He was a quite satisfied man,
who wanted nothing in return. When the narrator landed down safely at the
Paris airport, he made an inquiry about the pilot but he got no trace of him. The
pilot did his work and disappeared in the sky.

Tone :-

Poem – 4 How To Tell Wild Animals

Theme :-
The poem How to Tell Wild Animals is humorous and does not deal with any
serious theme. It simply tells how to recognize wild animals. And they method
chose by the poet is queer. She says that we will be able to recognize an animal
by the way it kills us.

If it roars while killing us, it is a lion. If an animal with yellow skin and dark
spots on it eats us, it is leopard. And if an animal kills us by hugging tightly, it is
bear etc. In the end, the poet also mentions how to differentiate between
crocodile and hyena and chameleon and lizard.

Tone :- humorous OR lighthearted and playful

Poem – 5 The Ball Poem

Theme :-

The main theme of the poem The Ball Poem is that we must lose the things
which we possess today. Hence we should learn to face such a situation and
move on. In the poem, the young and innocent boy loses his ball which he was
emotionally connected to.

The ball bounces into the river and vanishes away. The boy becomes
depressed. However, he soon learns that losing our favorite possessions is a
part of our life. We will lose many things in the future. Hence we should learn
to move on and hope for better.

Tone :- Depressing to Encouraging

Narrator :- The poet in the ball poem is observant and prudent. He does
not intrude upon the plight of the boy for he is wise enough to let him fight his
own problems. The boy, initially shocked and sorrowful of the loss of his ball,
has been able to get over his loss and be mature enough not to cry over spilled
milk.

Chapter – 4 From The Diary Of Anne Frank

Theme :-
The story is based upon the theme of loneliness and the inability of being
comfortable with others. The writer misses having a true friend and gets a diary
as her confidante. The lesson also shows the narrator’s intelligence and talkative
nature and how tactfully she handles her annoyed teacher.

Tone :- emotional and insecure OR Youthful; Optimistic with Jolts of Anger,

Irony, and Humor

Anne Frank :- Anne was a sensible, 13-year-old girl. Though she had loving
parents and friends, she was lonely. She could not share her innermost thoughts
and feelings with her friends. She knew that no one would understand her need
to keep a diary. Anne was very caring and loving. She adored her father. She
loved her grandma and often thought of her after her death. She was quite
mature for her age, for she knew that no one would have time for the thoughts
of a 13-years old. It was because of this maturity that she could not confide in
her friends. She was very talkative and was often punished by her Maths
teacher. Yet she was intelligent and had a good sense of humour. She convinced
her teacher with her arguments, ultimately, he took the joke and did not punish
her any more.

Mr. Keesing :- The school where Anne went to receive her education had
nine teachers out of which seven were men. Mr. Keesing, her old Maths teacher
was one of those seven. He was very strict by Nature. He would not tolerate
anyone talking in his class. Naturally, he remained quiet annoyed with Anne who
was no doubt the Chatterbox. He would punish her by giving her extra
homework. Anne would stuff her assigned homework with such funny contents
that not only the class but even Mr. Keesing felt greatly delighted. But Mr.
Keesing still failed to stop Anne's habit of chattering in the class. With the
intention of making a mockery of Anne he gave her an essay to write on the
topic: ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox’. Anne wrote her essay in
the form of a story in verse. It told the story of a mother duck and a father swan.
The father bites his three ducklings to death because they quacked too much.
The father in the poem is clearly Mr. Keesing and the ducklings are the children
of his class. Luckily Mr. Keesing took the joke the right way. He enjoyed this
poem and read it to several classes. He stopped giving Anne any extra
homework. He allowed her to talk in the class. He even started making jokes
with the children. Thus, we see how even Mr. Keesing got infected by Anne's
sense of humour.

Poem – 6 Amanda!

Theme :-

The central theme of the poem is the upbringing of a child. While it is

important for parents to teach their children what is right and wrong and in
still good manners in them, they also need to be sensitive towards the wishes
of the child. In the poem, Amanda is constantly being scolded and nagged by a
parent for even trivial things like eating chocolates. Amanda deals with this
unpleasant situation by escaping into an imaginary world where she is alone
and free. The poem gives the message that parents should not restrict their
children’s freedom to such an extent that they feel suffocated.
Tone (Amanda) :- Dreamy

Tone (Adult) :- Authoritative and Angry

Amanda :- Amanda is a young girl who drifts in and out of daydreams

throughout the poem.

Imaginative: Amanda dreams of being three different figures at different

points in the poem. First, she dreams of being a mythical mermaid, then an
orphan, and lastly, a fairy-tale princess named Rapunzel. These daydreams
indicate that she has a rich imagination.

Desires Peace and Freedom: Amanda’s daydreams symbolize her desire for
freedom. The words ‘silence is golden’ and ‘freedom is sweet’ further
emphasize Amanda’s desire to be free and lead a peaceful life.

Craves Solitude: As a mermaid, Amanda dreams of being the ‘sole inhabitant’

of the sea. Similarly, as Rapunzel she dreams of living alone in her tower. These
daydreams indicate that Amanda craves solitude and wants to be left alone.

Rebellious: One of Amanda’s daydreams involves her being an orphan. By

unconsciously wishing her parents dead in this manner, Amanda may be
rebelling against their extreme control.

Adult :- The unidentified adult speaker in the poem is presumably one of

Amanda’s parents who is very protective and conscious about her.

Controlling: A few examples of the adult’s controlling nature are when they tell
Amanda not to bite her nails, hunch her shoulders, and dictate what she eats.

Chapter – 7 Glimpses Of India

Theme of A Baker From Goa :-

The author reminisces the old times that he spent in Goa and the significance
of a bakery in his life. The narrative is a nostalgic writing based on the culture
of bakery in Goa and it highlights the important social position of bakery goods
and bakers in the Goan culture and tradition. The chapter delves deep into the
Goan bakery profession which the place gets from the Portuguese
colonization.

Elders still think fondly of the famous Portuguese loaves of bread. The family
tradition is still carried on even today by the new generation of bakers or pads
in Goa. Even today, marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread or
the ‘bol’ , just as a party or a feast loses its charm without Goan bread.

Tone :- Nostalgic

Narrator :- The narrator of the lesson is a nostalgic person. He loved bakery

products and considered the baker as his friend, guide, and companion. He
remembers the morning visits of the baker who came along with the bamboo
stick and baskets full of bakery goods. The narrator and his siblings would look
for their favorite bread bangles, much to the annoyance of the elders. They
would not even wash their face or brush their teeth before eating the breads.

Baker :- The baker or the pader or bread seller used to be an essential part
of the Goans life. The baker used to be the guide, friend, and companion. He
used to come in the morning with the jingle thud of his bamboo that would
wake us up. The baker and his family always looked happy and prosperous in
the good old days. His sweet bread or the boys are still part of feasts,
marriages, and Christmas in Goa. They had a distinct dress known as Kabai
during Portuguese time. With the passage of time, they started wearing the
shirt and trousers which were longer than the shorts and shorter than the full
length.

Theme of Coorg :-

The essay is a descriptive writing about the famous hill station in South India –
Coorg or Kodagu district of Karnataka state. It describes the Coorgi lifestyle,
the people, their culture, traditions, the natural beauty, and various attractions
that the place provides for tourists. The bravery of the Coorgi men, their
ancestry and traditional costume have been discussed elaborately.
Tone :- Nostalgic, Hopeful, Funny, Matter of fact

Theme of Tea From Assam :-

In ‘Tea from Assam’ Arup Kumar Datta describes how popular tea has become
as a beverage in the world. Over 80 crore cups of tea are drunk every day
throughout the world. It shows the increasing popularity of tea. The lesson
gives a graphic description of the sea of tea bushes stretching as far as eyes
can go in Assam. The plucking of the newly sprouted leaves by groups of tea-
pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs are vividly described in the
lesson.

Pranjol :- He had been born and brought up on a tea plantation in Assam.

His father managed the tea estate at Dhekiabari, Assam. He studied with Rajvir
in Delhi. He invited Rajvir to visit his home and the Dhekiabari Tea Estate
during summer vacations. He was an ardent fan of detective stories. Having
been brought up in a tea garden, he is familiar with the process of tea-growing
and plucking. However, he is inured to the beauty of his land, and is not as
captivated as its beauty as his friend. He is patient and listens to Rajvir’s stories
about tea with interest.

Rajvir :- Rajvir is a young, eager boy. His first view of the green countryside
of Assam enchants him. He is eager to learn, and has read up on how tea was
first discovered. He shares his knowledge with Pranjol. He is respectful towards
elders and hopes to learn more during his visit to Assam.

Tone :-

Poem – 7 The Trees

Theme :-

First, if we talks about this poem as the poem of nature, we find that it
supports the freedom and liberation of trees from the clutches of human
beings. According to the poet, humans have taken away the freedom of trees
by taking them in their homes and growing there. They have been separated
from their original home i.e. forest.

However now that they are a part of strong movement, they are going back to
their home (forest) and the poet seems to be quite happy with their departure.
She does not mention this departure in her writings but still she is happy with
them.

When we go through the words several times, we find that the poem is not
about nature and trees but about the women and their slavery in the
patriarchal world. They are forced to live in the four walls of the home. They
are made to believe that these four walls are their homes.

However, the women have been enlightened (because of emergence of

feminism). They are now coming out of this prison and going to the outer
world which is their ultimate destination. The poet seems to be happy about
their departure from four walls. However, she does not take part in the
movement.

Women are weak, yet they keep struggling without stopping. They break the
glass of patriarchy and finally succeed in coming out. They are now free. The
norms of the society have been changed now.

Tone :- light-hearted

Chapter – 8 Mijbil the Otter

Theme :-

The lesson Mijbil the otter talks about the relationship between a master and
his pet. It gives the message that one should be friendly towards the pet and
take good care of it. We keep pets by choice and if we have one, then we treat
it as a family member.

Tone :-
Narrator :- Gavin Maxwell, the narrator of the story “Mijbil the Otter ” is a
thoughtful and compassionate young man with a great love for animals. He
shows deep compassion for the otter, Mijbil, and his situation throughout the
entire story. Maxwell is a curious and adventurous person, as seen by his
choice to explore the isolated hills of Iraq where he finds Mijbil. He was thrilled
to own an otter as a pet. He worked tirelessly to ensure that Mijbil the otter is
safe and healthy. He used his knowledge of animal behavior to win the otter’s
affection, is concerned for him and assists Mijbil to adjust in his new
environment. He is patient and understanding, allowing Mijbil to settle into his
new home gradually. His love and compassion towards Mijbil serve as an
example of how humans may have a positive impact on the natural world.

Mijbil the Otter :- Mijbil, the otter, undoubtedly belonged to a species

that was once unknown to science. Zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata
Maxwell. Mijbil’s favorite activity was manipulating little things while he was
lying on his back. A friend of the author finds the wild otter in the streets of
Baghdad and brings him to the author’s house. The author named him Mijbil.
Initially Mij is hesitant and wary of people, but gradually, gains confidence and
develops a bond with the author. Mijbil was a mischievous and playful animal.
Mijbil also exhibits observant behaviour, and has an excellent sense of smell.
Mijbil could pick up simple orders and answer to his name further
demonstrates his intelligence and aptitude for learning.

Poem – 8 Fog

Theme :-

In the poem ‘Fog’, the poet uses an interesting metaphor to describe an element of
nature. He indirectly compares fog to a cat by presenting the idea that the
movements of the fog are much like that of a cat. It enters a city silently without
letting anyone know, just like the stealthy movement of a cat. Then it spreads over
the entire city, just like a cat sits for a while in one place and watches its
surroundings. Finally, the fog also leaves the city quietly like a cat. In this way, the
poet accurately captures the nature of fog by comparing it to a cat.
Tone :- calm, mysterious, light, and playful , peaceful

Chapter – 9 Madam Rides The Bus

Theme :-

Through Valli in Madam Rides the Bus, Vallikannan depicts the curious nature
of the children. The story also shows that how easily children are fascinated by
new things and their curiosity does not end without them experiencing the
delights of fantasy life in their life. Just as we see Valli has a desire to go on a
bus ride and she manages to go all alone. The experience of her first bus ride
has been depicted by Vallikannan in a humorous and rambling way. Through
the story, we get to see the world from the perspective of a child.

Tone :-

Valliammai :- Valliammai was an eight years young, bright, and street-

smart girl who lives in a slum in Chennai. She is lively, spunky, curious, and
blessed with a sharp wit and a strong sense of observation. She was a strong,
independent young girl who was not afraid to take chances or speak out for
herself, despite her innocent age. She desires traveling alone by bus out of
curiosity. She was fascinated by the scenery of the town while riding in a bus,
but she resisted the urge to get down. She is easily influenced by her
surroundings. When she saw the dead calf lying by the roadside, she realised
the mysteries of life and death. She discovered that in a moment’s time, people
or even other creatures who appeared to be in good health are suddenly taken
away by death. She set out on her ride as a young girl, but she came back as a
mature woman.

Bus Conductor :- The bus conductor was a cheerful, fun-loving man with a
fantastic sense of humour. He acts as a peacemaker and mediator, attempting
to appease everyone. While being helpful and courteous to Valli, he also made
fun of her arrogant attitude. He mimicked Valli’s tone and asked her to feel
comfortable. He addresses the young girl as “madam” because he feels that
she behaves like grown-ups. The conductor takes care of all the passengers and
offers a drink to Valli too. He is responsible towards her.
 Poem – 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Theme :-

The theme of the poem is that everyone has his own capabilities and should
never be judged based on his appearance. In the poem, Belinda, and all pets
she owns boast about their bravery. Belinda is as strong as barrel full of bears,
Ink and Blink were brave and fearless enough to chase down lions down the
stairs and Mustard considered itself as brave as an angry tiger.

However, Custard never boasted about its might and power and instead
always cried for nice and safe cage. Hence Belinda and all her pets used to
make joke of Custard. They would tease him mercilessly and call him bad
names. But Custard never reacted and rather accepted what they said.

But, when the pirate attacks the house of Belinda, all the so-called brave
animals run away to save their lives though Belinda keeps crying for help.
Then, Custard comes forward at once and faces the pirate. The pirate tries to
kill him by firing bullets. However, they do not hit him and Custard eats him up.

The story tells us that we should never judge a person based on his looks or
what others say about him. Every person is unique and capable in his own way.

Tone :- Humorous , Suspense

Chapter – 10 The Sermon at Benares

Theme :-

‘Sermon At Benares’ is the story of an unfortunate woman Kisa Gotami. She

had lost her only one. In her grief, she carried the dead body of her son from
one place to another. In the end, she came to Lord Buddha. She needed the
medicine that could cure her son. The Buddha asked her to bring him a handful
of mustard seed from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent,
or friend. Kisa Gotami did not find a house where some beloved one had not
died in it. She thought to herself that it was the fate of mankind. Death was
inevitable. Nobody can avoid dying. The world is afflicted with death and
decay. The wise do not grieve. `He who has overcome all soon will become free
from sorrow, and be blessed.’

Buddha :- Gautama Buddha is the founder of the religion Buddhism. He was

a spiritual teacher who had gained enlightenment of seeing the world’s pains
and greed. Buddha preached that human life is very short and it is full of
sorrows and pains. He cleared that our brief life is full of troubles and pains.
Everyone on this earth must one day meet with death.

Kisa Gotami :- Kisa Gotami was a simple woman who was devastated
when her only son died. She was not able to reconcile with this terrible loss
and was searching everywhere for someone who would be able to revive and
bring back her dead child to life. But nobody could do such a miracle. Her
grieve over the loss of her beloved child is so great that everyone thought that
she had lost her sense. Buddha knew that Kisa Gotami would understand the
inevitability of death from her own experience, so he asked her to get a
handful of mustard seeds from the house where nobody had ever died. But it
was impossible for her to find such a house. The poor woman returned empty
handed. She realised that she had been selfish in her grief and so, she accepted
that death is universal and common to all.

Poem – 10 For Anne Gregory

Theme :-

The poet discusses the importance of physical appearance and beauty in the
world. In the poem, young Anne desires to be loved for her inner beauty.
However, the poet tells her that young men love hair because of her golden
hair. No one would love her, if she did not have beautiful hair.

Anne becomes sad. However, the poet consoles her by saying that God is the
only One who loves humans because of their inner beauty rather than the
physical beauty.

The poet deals with theme of dark reality of the world. Here, the things or
individuals are appreciated as well as judged based on their physical
appearance. Therefore, there is racial discrimination based on colour.

Tone :- light and relaxed OR Conversational OR Agitated and Argumentative

(for particular stanza)

Chapter – 11 The Proposal

Theme :-

`The Proposal’ is a one-act play. It is a farce written by Anton Chekhov in 1888-

89. The play is about the tendency of wealthy families to seek matrimonial ties.
The real purpose is to increase their estates and landed properties. Ivan Lomov
was a wealthy neighbour of another wealthy farmer Stepan Chubukov. Lomov
comes to seek the hand of Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya.
Tomov, Chubukov and Natalya’-all three are quarrelsome people. They quarrel
over petty or small issues. Each one of them has a claim over a particular piece
of land. They also quarrel over their dogs. Amidst this quarrelling, they
completely forget the real issue — the marriage proposal. But good sense
prevails in the end. Economic good sense ensures that the proposal is made.
Chubukov does not want to miss the opportunity. He puts his daughter’s hand
into Lomov’s hands. He does not waste any time and blesses them. However,
old habits die hard. The newly married couple starts their married life with a
fresh quarrel.

Natalaya :- Natalaya was a young unmarried girl of twenty-five years age.

She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov, a young unmarried man. She was an
excellent housekeeper and was not bad looking. She was thirsty for love. Her
father called her a lovesick cat. Lomov said that she was well educated, but she
did not seem to be so. The ‘love-sick’ cat, Natalya does not even know Lomov’s
reason of arrival to her house in the very beginning of the play, rather engages
herself in a quarrel with Lomov over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and
then, a quarrel of Guess versus Squeezer. She said that those meadows were
not of much worth to her but she could not stand unfairness. She is a lonely
and sharp-minded woman who is not willing to give one inch of their land to
others. But when she gets to know about Lomov’s proposal of marriage, she
desperately wants him back. Even though she is broached as an argumentative
and quarrelsome woman, she at once accepts Lomov’s proposal to spend her
remaining life with him.

Chubukov :- Chubukov is portrayed as a practical man who is interested in

the material aspects of life. He is always trying to increase his wealth and social
status, and he sees his daughter’s marriage to achieve this goal. He is eager to
have Lomov as his son-in-law because he believes that Lomov’s wealth and
status will benefit his own family.
Chubukov is also shown as being rather manipulative, using his daughter as a
pawn to achieve his own ends. He tries to convince Natalya to marry Lomov by
telling her that he is a good match and that she will be happy with him.
In summary, Chubukov is a practical, materialistic, and manipulative character
who is primarily concerned with increasing his own wealth and social status.
He sees his daughter’s marriage to achieve this goal and is willing to use any
means necessary to achieve it.

Lomov :- Lomov was a young, unmarried man of thirty five. He was anxious
to get married as he had already reached a critical age. So he decided to
propose to a girl in the neighbourhood. Lomov thought that she was a good
housekeeper and was not bad looking. Further she was unmarried. Lomov was
a funny character. He was suffering from palpitation. He behaved as if he were
eccentric. He was so eager to marry Natalya. But when he came to propose to
her, he started quarrelling over trifles. He quarreled on issues like Oxen
Meadows and pet dogs named Squeezer and Guess. He even abused Natalya
and her father Chubukov while quarreling. However , he lacks self – confidence
and keeps beating about the bush instead of starting matters clearly. He is a
comical character who has not learnt the wise lesson of proper discrimination
between the relative importance of different situations. Instead of
concentrating on the topic of proposing romantically, he keeps on foolishly
asserting his claim over “oxen meadows “. He is childish, unintelligent, and
foolish who stubbornly keeps on arguing with the lady ,who seems to be the
only person he could marry. He does not even hesitate to hurl abuses at the
Chubukov family when he gets into heated arguments over Oxen Meadows
and the dogs. His stubbornness and immaturity almost ruin the sole prospect
of marriage.

Tone :-