Comment on the setting of the play with reference to costume, customs and mannerism. Does it relate to the socio-economic background of that period?
Anton Chekhov shows his complete mastery of stagecraft and dramatic technique in the play. The setting of the play is not Moscow and its fashionable lavish mansions, but a simple country house belonging to Chubukov. The whole play takes place in the drawing-room of Chubukov country house. The characters wear dress-jacket, gloves and négligeé (loose gown) as typical Russians did. They are full of grand mannerism in the beginning but immediately after the argument they reveal the unsophisticated manners of the country people. Their luxurious lifestyle is in stark contrast to the landless peasants working on their lands. Lomov's formal dress and manners and Natalya's informal dress and words augment the comic elements in the play while satirising the custom of formally proposing before marriage which is prevalent among the upper class.
Discuss the reasons why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters.
Marriage was the only means through which a young woman could gain social and economic stability in the 19th-century Russian society. It is hence, important to Natalya to get married to a well-established man. Though she dislikes Lomov, she is willing to marry him. Chubukov as a dutiful and loving father ponders to the whims and fancies of his daughter. He is relieved to get her finally engaged to Lomov and this helps us to understand the worry of a father who shoulders the responsibility of finding a good match for his marriageable daughter. Lomov also declares in his soliloquies that being thirty-five years old, he needs to lead a "quiet and regular life". So, to him also, maintaining his status in the society is very important and that is why he decides to propose to Natalya. He decides to marry her considering that she will be a useful housewife for him. In this way, the marriage proposal becomes very important to all the characters.
