Do you think "The Proposal can be defined as a play of contradictions? Support your answer with reasons. | Make a brief sketch of social life as you see in the play.

Do you think "The Proposal can be defined as a play of contradictions? Support your answer with reasons.

Chekhov's play 'The Proposal', can be defined as a play of contradictions. The action and the words of the characters are full of contrasts and contradictory elements. All the three characters put on an appearance of civility when they first meet each other. In the very beginning, we find Chubukov showering many endearing terms upon Lomov, but strikingly he says in an aside that he will not lend Lomov money if he asks for it. Afterwards, they talk about health and the weather. But soon they throw off their grand phrases and expressions. Engaging themselves in an argument they yell at each other, call each other names and even expose the scandals of their families. Again we see, when Lomov re-enters Chubukov's house for the second time, Natalya suddenly changes her behaviour and acknowledges that the Oxen Meadows belong to the Lomovs. She gently talks to Lomov and also asks him to forget about their previous quarrel. Soon another heated argument regarding the ability of their hunting dogs begin. None of them is ready to lose the argument and both the parties try to convince each other about the excellence of their dogs. Though Chubukov wants his daughter to get married to Lomov for social and economic security, he abuses Lomov during the verbal fight and even says that it is outrageous on the part of Lomov to think of proposing to his daughter. Such contrasts and contradictions are the souls of this play and they result in much fun and humour and increase the entertainment value of the play.

Make a brief sketch of social life as you see in the play.

In the play "The Proposal" written by Anton Chekhov, we get quite a clear picture of the 19th-century Russian society. Most of the land in the country was under the ownership of the landed gentry as is evident from the words of Chubukov and Lomov. They exploited the landless peasants and had been doing so for generations. This becomes distinct when we learn that Lomov's aunt's grandmother had given the free use of the land to the peasants of Chubukov grandfather and in return, they had to work for her. The upper classes enjoyed the fruits of their labour and had almost forgotten the reason for their existence. They passed their time in futile occupations like hunting and racing dogs. Marriage and courtship had become almost like a business deal where there was no place for love and trust. Thus, Chekhov portrays the degeneration of the aristocratic society through this play.

What is the focus in the play? Is it a character? Is it an action? Is it the unpredictability of the people? Explain your answer.

Write a brief note on Chekhov's depiction of aristocratic society in 'The Proposal'.

Why does Chekhov choose only three characters to deliver his message to us?

What aspects of the human condition and society does the play make fun of?

What is Anton Chekhov trying to say about the manner in which neighbours interact/ behave? Support your answer with evidence from the play.

How would you best describe the personalities of each of the characters in the play?

How does Chekhov alternate the actual proposal and the arguments? Explain your answer.

What are the effect of this alternating the proposal and the arguments? Explain your answer.

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?

Discuss the reasons why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters.

Discuss the significance of the title 'The Eyes Have It'.

Establish 'The Eyes Have It' as a good short story.

What instructions were given to the girl by her parents before she started her journey? Do you think the narrator started to like the girl from the very beginning? Support your answer with reference to the text.

....my voice startled her."- Who is the speaker here? Who is mentioned as "her"? Why was she "startled" by the voice of the speaker? What did she do afterwards?

"I didn't see you either", I said. "But I heard you come in.' Was it not a hint for the girl to understand that the narrator was blind? What did the narrator think before stating this?

What was the destination of the narrator in the story The Eyes Have It'? What description of his destination did he give? How could he give such a description in spite of being blind?

"Oh, how lucky you are." -Who is the speaker here? Who is "you" referred to? Why is the person spoken to being called "lucky"?

"Yes, October is the best time”- Who is the speaker? On what occasion is the remark made and to whom? Why is October the best time?