Discuss Chekhov's The Proposal' as a supreme example of a one-act play. | Describe the character of Chubukov as a sensible father.

Discuss Chekhov's The Proposal' as a supreme example of a one-act play.

Anton Chekhov has a significant impact on the creation of modern drama. A one-act play narrates the happenings of a single day and revolves around a solitary incident that takes place at a particular place. 'The Proposal' by Anton Chekhov describes the events of the day when Lomov goes to Chubukov house to seek his daughter's hand in marriage. The play deals with a specific issue. Therefore, Chekhov has chosen only three characters to highlight the theme of courtship and marriage. The strength of the play lies in its energy that is built through a series of dialogues. The three characters, Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, Natalya Stepanovna and Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov with their witty and humorous dialogues, make the play alive. Chekhov has successfully criticised the lifestyle and mannerism of the landed gentry of 19th Century Russia. All the scenes of the play take place at Chubukov drawing-room. Thus, The Proposal' fulfils all the criteria of a one-act play.

Describe the character of Chubukov as a sensible father.

Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a wealthy landowner in Chekhov's play 'The Proposal', was troubled with the responsibility of finding a suitable husband for his daughter Natalya. When Lomov approached Chubukov with his marriage proposal for Natalya, he readily accepted it and encouraged him to talk to his daughter. It is clear that Chubukov disliked Lomov as he gave vent to his real feelings during the course of their argument. However, when he found Natalya getting excited for bringing back Lomov, as a sensible father he realised that Natalya and Lomov should get married. Lomov had abused them and insulted their family, but we must consider that he was a man of principles. He shouted at them in a fit of anger, but his actual self got revealed when he said: "I don't want the Meadows, but I am acting on principle." So, he considered Lomov to be a man of moral values. Hence, for his daughter's sake, he almost forced him to get engaged even in the midst of a fierce battle of words. In this way Chubukov proved himself to be a sensible father to whom his daughter's well being was his first priority.

Give a brief sketch of the character of Lomov in the play The Proposal'.

Sketch the character of Natalya.

"Now, you know, you shouldn't forget all about your neighbours, my darling."—Who said this and to whom? Why was the speaker surprised? Comment on the approach of the speaker.

"Then why are you in evening dress, my precious ?"-Who said this? Why was the person spoken to, in his evening dress? What did the speaker assume about the person?

"He's come to borrow money! Shan't give him any..."-Who is the speaker? What makes him say this? What features of this character are revealed here?

"Oh, don't go round and round it, darling! - Who is addressed as 'darling'? What is it? Who is the speaker? Why does he make this comment?

"I've come to ask the hand of your daughter, Natalya Stepanovna, in marriage."-Who is the speaker? To whom does the speaker say this? What was the reaction of the person spoken to?

"...do you think I may count on her consent ?"-Why is the speaker so uncertain? How does the speaker ultimately get consent?

"She's like a love-sick cat,"-Who said this and about whom? Analyse the character of the person, referred to here, under the light of the comment above.

"If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot for an ideal, or for real love, then I'll never get married."-Who thinks so? When does he think so? Why does the speaker think about it?

"Go; there's a merchant come for his goods."—Who said this and to whom? Who is the merchant'? What is referred to as 'goods'? In what way does it bring out the attitude of the person and the society at that time?

"I'm trembling all over,' -Who is 'I' here? How does the speaker express his nervousness?

"You must excuse my apron and négligé...". - above-mentioned line has been extracted. Who is the speaker of the quoted line? What is négligee? What was the speaker engaged in before arrival? What did the speaker offer the person addressed as you?

"We've had the land for nearly three hundred years..."—Who is the speaker? Who is spoken to? What is referred to as 'the land'? What do you know of the land from their conversation?

"If you like, I'll make you a present of them."-Who is the speaker? Who is the person spoken to? What would the speaker make a present of? Why did the speaker say so?

"How have you the right to give away somebody else's property?" - Who is the speaker? What property is referred to here? Why does the speaker ask this question?