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.

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

In Anton Chekhov's play The Proposal', Lomov tells Chubukov that he has come to propose his daughter for marriage. The title of the play leads us to expect a romantic scene where the marriage proposal would be made. But in reality, Lomov will never be able to utter his proposal before Natalya. She comes to know about it from her father. As soon as Lomov and Natalya meet they start arguing over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. When the argument reaches a climax, Lomov, unable to cope with the father-daughter duo walks out of their house in a rage and feeling sick. Chubukov mentions Lomov's intention of proposing to her and Natalya becomes desperate to bring him back. As Lomov comes back, another argument over the quality of their dogs start. Lomov faints and when he revives, Natalya's father hastily accepts Lomov's unuttered proposal on her behalf. Thus, the couple never gets time for the actual marriage proposal.

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

In the play, 'The Proposal Anton Chekhov alternates the actual proposal and the arguments of the characters in a skilful and satiric way. Throughout the play, he satirises the mannerism and behaviour of the landed gentry of 19th century Russia through the three characters' involvement in heated arguments over silly issues. Their frivolities are also exposed and ridiculed to the amusement of the readers. The prospect of the marriage proposal which is very important to all the characters and their participation in the petty arguments runs side by side in the course of the play. The effect of this is hilarious. The action of the play has been speeded up while alternating the proposal and arguments, so it evokes laughter and fun. Though the mood of the play is completely satiric, the playwright also aims at the entertainment of the audience. This alteration between the proposal and the arguments augments the quality of amusement in this play.

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?

“...she thought me a romantic fool"- Who might be thought a romantic fool? When and ... why did the speaker doubt so?

"Then I made a mistake"-What 'mistake' did the speaker make? Why was it a 'mistake'? What removed the speaker's doubts? What did the speaker do then?

"Why don't you look out of the window?"- Who said these words to whom? Why? Describe the action of the listener.

"Do you see any animals?" -Who asked this and to whom? What was the reply? How could the person give the answer?

"You have an interesting face"- Who said this? To whom was it spoken? When did the speaker make this remark? What was the reaction of the person spoken to?

"Few girls can resist flattery"- How did the narrator try to flatter the girl?

"I'm tired of people telling me I have a pretty face." Who said this, to whom and when? What did the person speak to reply?

"But the thought of laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely."- Why did the narrator feel so?