The Proposal by
Anton
Chekhov
Genre: One-act Farce / Comedy of Manners
Year of Publication: 1890
📝 Summary
The
Proposal
(also known as A Marriage Proposal) is a humorous one-act play by
Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. It satirizes the foolishness of the
upper-class society, their materialism, and the pettiness of
human quarrels, even in important matters like marriage.
The
play opens in the drawing room of Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a
landowner. His wealthy neighbor, Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov, comes to
visit, dressed formally. Chubukov assumes that Lomov has come to borrow money,
but Lomov reveals that he has come to propose marriage to Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya
Stepanovna.
Chubukov
is delighted and calls Natalya. However, before Lomov can make his proposal,
the two start arguing about a piece of land called the Oxen Meadows.
Each claims ownership, and their quarrel becomes so heated that Lomov forgets the
proposal and storms out.
When
Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov had come to propose to her, she is shocked
and demands he be called back immediately. When Lomov returns, they again argue
— this time about whose dogs are better: Guess (Lomov’s dog) or Squeezer
(Natalya’s). Lomov becomes overexcited and collapses, appearing dead.
Chubukov,
desperate to secure the marriage, puts Lomov’s hand into Natalya’s and declares
them engaged while Lomov is barely conscious. The couple resumes
quarreling even after the engagement is announced. The play ends with more
shouting — not love, but arguments.
📍 Setting
- Time: Late 19th
century Russia
- Place:
Chubukov’s drawing room (a rural household setting)
💡 Themes
- Marriage
as a Social Contract:
- The play
mocks how marriage is seen as a business arrangement rather than a union
of love.
- Greed and
Materialism:
- The
characters care more about land and possessions than human emotions.
- Absurdity
of Human Behavior:
- Shows how
trivial matters lead to big fights.
- Irony and
Satire:
- Chekhov
uses humor to expose the foolishness of the upper class.
- Conflict
and Communication:
- Miscommunication
and pride turn a proposal into a series of comic quarrels.
💬 Important
Quotations
- “I’m
trembling all over, the very least thing upsets me.” — Lomov
→ Shows his nervous and hypochondriac nature. - “It’s not
love — it’s like a merchant’s transaction!” — Chubukov
→ Reflects the practical and material nature of marriage. - “We’ve had
the land for nearly 300 years, and now you want to take it away!” — Natalya
→ Illustrates the foolish pride and greed.
🏠 Places in the
Play
1. Chubukov’s Drawing Room
- The only
place where all the action takes place.
- It is part
of Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov’s house, a landowner’s home in the Russian
countryside.
- Described
as well-furnished and suitable for receiving guests.
- The
setting reflects the middle-class rural society of 19th-century
Russia.
- All events
— Lomov’s visit, the quarrels, the fainting, and the “proposal” — happen
here.
👥 Main
Characters
1. Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov
- A wealthy
landowner and father of Natalya.
- Around 60
years old, friendly at first but short-tempered and greedy.
- He is
excited when he learns Lomov wants to propose to his daughter, but quickly
joins in their quarrels.
- His main
interest is social advantage and property, not love.
- Represents
the materialistic and hypocritical upper-class society.
2. Natalya Stepanovna
- Chubukov’s
25-year-old daughter.
- Described
as a good housekeeper, not bad-looking, and well-educated.
- She is emotional,
proud, and argumentative.
- Quarrels
fiercely with Lomov about Oxen Meadows and whose dog is better.
- After
learning Lomov wanted to propose, she desperately calls him back — showing
she does want marriage, but cannot control her temper.
- Symbolizes
pride and possessiveness in human nature.
3. Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov
- A 35-year-old
bachelor and Chubukov’s neighbor.
- A landowner,
somewhat nervous, fussy, and hypochondriac (always worried about
his health).
- Comes to
Chubukov’s house to propose marriage to Natalya.
- However,
instead of confessing his feelings, he argues about land ownership
and dogs.
- He
collapses from nervous excitement during the quarrels.
- Symbolizes
human absurdity and pettiness — quarrelling over trivial matters
even in serious situations.
📖 Plot of The
Proposal
Introduction / Exposition
The
play opens in the drawing room of Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov, a
wealthy landowner in the Russian countryside. His neighbor, Ivan
Vassilevitch Lomov, arrives formally dressed. Chubukov thinks Lomov has
come to borrow money, but Lomov reveals he has come to ask for Chubukov’s
daughter, Natalya’s, hand in marriage.
Chubukov
is delighted and gives him permission to speak to Natalya.
Rising Action
Lomov
nervously tries to propose to Natalya but, instead of expressing his feelings,
he starts talking about the Oxen Meadows, a small piece of land near
their estates.
Both claim ownership, and soon, their polite conversation turns into a heated
argument.
They
quarrel about the ownership of the land, calling each other names. Lomov
becomes physically weak due to excitement and leaves angrily.
Climax
After
Lomov leaves, Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov had come to propose to her.
Shocked and upset, she cries and asks her father to bring Lomov back
immediately.
When
Lomov returns, the proposal is again delayed because they start another argument
— this time about whose dog is better, Lomov’s Guess or Natalya’s Squeezer.
The quarrel grows louder until Lomov collapses from stress and appears unconscious.
Falling Action
Chubukov
rushes in and tries to revive Lomov.
In his desperation to secure the marriage, he grabs Lomov’s hand, puts it into
Natalya’s, and hurriedly announces their engagement, even though Lomov
is barely conscious.
Conclusion / Denouement
As
soon as Lomov recovers, the newly “engaged” couple resumes quarreling
again — this time about dogs.
The play ends comically, with no peace, no romance, only shouting,
showing that the marriage is a deal between quarrelsome, materialistic people
rather than a union of love.
⚙️ Structure of
the Play
1. Form
- One-act
play (short, continuous, without scene divisions).
- Farce /
Comedy of Manners — exaggerates foolish behavior for humor.
- Based on dialogue
and arguments rather than action.
2. Dramatic Structure Breakdown
|
Structural Element |
Description |
|
Exposition |
Introduction
of characters and situation — Lomov visits Chubukov’s house to propose to
Natalya. |
|
Conflict |
The proposal
turns into an argument about Oxen Meadows. |
|
Climax |
Lomov
collapses after multiple quarrels; tension peaks. |
|
Falling
Action |
Chubukov
revives Lomov and forces an engagement. |
|
Resolution |
The couple
gets engaged but continues fighting — showing human foolishness and irony. |
3. Style and Tone
- Humorous
and satirical — mocks social customs and petty
quarrels.
- Written in
simple, realistic dialogue, capturing the rhythm of ordinary
speech.
- Fast-paced —
arguments build quickly, creating comic tension.
4. Conflict
- Man vs.
Man: Constant verbal fights between Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov.
- Man vs.
Self: Lomov’s nervousness and fear make him a victim of his own
emotions.
- Social
Conflict: The obsession with property and status
instead of emotions.
5. Ending and Irony
- The play
ends ironically: the engagement succeeds, but love fails.
- Chekhov
leaves the audience laughing but also reflecting on the pettiness of
human nature.
🎭 Summary in
Short
|
Stage |
Event |
|
Beginning |
Lomov visits
Chubukov to propose to Natalya. |
|
Middle |
Repeated
quarrels about land and dogs. |
|
End |
Forced
engagement and continued fighting. |
🧩 1. Who is the author of the play “The
Proposal”?
Answer:
The play The Proposal was written by Anton Chekhov, a famous
Russian playwright and short-story writer known for his use of humor and satire
to expose the foolishness of society.
💍 2. What is the
central theme of “The Proposal”?
Answer:
The central theme of the play is the foolishness and materialism of the
upper-class society. Chekhov shows how people treat marriage as a financial
deal or social contract, not as an expression of love. The play also mocks
human pettiness, pride, and greed.
🏠 3. Where does
the entire play take place?
Answer:
The entire play takes place in the drawing room of Stepan Stepanovitch
Chubukov’s house in the Russian countryside. All the action, including the
quarrels and the proposal, happens there.
😅 4. Why does
Lomov visit Chubukov’s house?
Answer:
Lomov visits Chubukov’s house to propose marriage to his daughter, Natalya
Stepanovna. However, due to his nervousness and quarrelsome nature, he ends
up arguing about land and dogs instead of proposing properly.
🗺️ 5. What do
Lomov and Natalya quarrel about first?
Answer:
Their first quarrel is about the ownership of Oxen Meadows, a small
piece of land lying between their estates. Each claims it belongs to their
family.
🐕 6. What is the
second quarrel about?
Answer:
The second quarrel is about whose dog is better — Lomov’s dog Guess
or Natalya’s dog Squeezer. This again turns into a loud and silly
argument.
🧠 7. Describe the character of Ivan Vassilevitch
Lomov.
Answer:
Lomov is a 35-year-old bachelor, a nervous and hypochondriac
landowner. He comes to propose marriage but ends up arguing over silly
matters. His behavior shows the foolishness of pride and materialism in
society.
👩 8. Describe
the character of Natalya Stepanovna.
Answer:
Natalya is 25 years old, intelligent but stubborn and argumentative.
She is eager to get married yet quarrels fiercely with Lomov. Her behavior
shows that emotions are often dominated by ego and greed.
👴 9. How does
Chubukov react to Lomov’s proposal?
Answer:
At first, Chubukov is delighted to hear that Lomov wants to marry his
daughter. But when they begin arguing, he becomes angry and abusive,
calling Lomov names. Later, he forces them to get engaged to secure the
marriage quickly.
😂 10. How does
the play end?
Answer:
The play ends ironically and humorously. Chubukov declares Lomov and
Natalya engaged while Lomov is barely conscious. Instead of celebrating, the
newly engaged couple resumes quarreling about their dogs. The ending
highlights the absurdity of human behavior.
💬 11. What type
of play is “The Proposal”?
Answer:
It is a one-act farce (a form of comedy) that exaggerates characters and
situations to produce humor. It also serves as a satire on upper-class greed
and foolishness.
❤️ 12. What
message does Chekhov convey through the play?
Answer:
Chekhov conveys that human beings often ruin meaningful moments with pride,
greed, and foolish arguments. Marriage should be based on love and
understanding, not on property or social gain.
🕵️ 13. How does
Chekhov use irony in the play?
Answer:
The title The Proposal suggests romance, but the play contains only quarrels
and shouting. The irony is that the proposal — meant to unite two people —
becomes a reason for endless conflict.
💭 14. How does
Lomov behave during his visit?
Answer:
Lomov behaves nervously and awkwardly. He often complains about his
heart and leg pain. His anxiety and temper lead to multiple quarrels, and he
even faints during the argument. His behavior adds to the comedy and
farce of the play.
💬 15. Why does
Natalya cry when Lomov leaves?
Answer:
Natalya cries when Lomov leaves because she learns from her father that Lomov
had come to propose marriage to her. She regrets arguing with him and
insists that her father bring him back immediately.
🎭 16. What kind
of relationship exists between the three characters?
Answer:
The three characters — Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov — are neighbors and
landowners. Their relationship is outwardly polite but full of selfishness,
pride, and greed, leading to constant quarrels.
🧩 17. What is the significance of the title “The
Proposal”?
Answer:
The title is ironic. Although the main event is Lomov’s marriage
proposal, the play focuses more on arguments than affection. The
proposal becomes a source of humor, not romance.
🧠 18. How is humor created in the play?
Answer:
Humor arises from:
- Ridiculous
arguments over trivial matters (land and dogs).
- Exaggerated
reactions of the characters.
- Irony in
situations and dialogue.
- The contrast
between the serious act of proposing and the childish fights.
📚 19. What is
the moral lesson of the play?
Answer:
The moral is that people should not let ego, greed, and pride ruin
relationships. Communication and understanding are more important than
wealth and social status.
🎀 20. Write a
short summary of “The Proposal” in your own words.
Answer:
The Proposal is a one-act farce by Anton Chekhov that mocks human
foolishness. Lomov visits Chubukov’s house to propose to his daughter, Natalya.
Instead of a peaceful proposal, they argue about land and dogs. After many
quarrels, Chubukov forces them to get engaged, but they continue fighting,
showing the absurdity of human pride.
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