⭐ Chapter 9 – “The Proposal”

“The Proposal” is a one-act comic play. It shows how rich families want to get their children married for financial benefits.
Ivan Lomov, a rich but nervous man, comes to propose to Natalya. But instead of proposing, they start fighting about Oxen Meadows (a piece of land). They shout, argue and insult each other.
Later, Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov came to propose. She cries and calls him back. They again quarrel about whose dog is better – Guess or Squeezer.
Finally, they agree to marry, but still continue fighting.
The play shows how silly arguments destroy peace, even at an important moment like marriage.

⭐ HINDI

“द प्रपोज़ल” एक हास्य नाटक है। इसमें दिखाया गया है कि अमीर परिवार अक्सर पैसों और ज़मीन के लालच में शादी करवाते हैं।
इवान लोमॉव नताशा को प्रपोज़ करने आता है। लेकिन प्रपोज़ल देने के बजाय दोनों ऑक्सन मीडोज़ नाम की ज़मीन पर झगड़ने लगते हैं। वे एक-दूसरे को गालियाँ देते हैं और चिल्लाते हैं।
जब चूबूकोव बताता है कि लोमॉव उसे शादी के लिए प्रपोज़ करने आया था, तब नताल्या रोकर उसे वापस बुलाती है।
लेकिन वापस आने पर दोनों फिर लड़ पड़ते हैं— इस बार अपने-अपने कुत्तों “Guess” और “Squeezer” पर।
अंत में शादी तय हो जाती है, लेकिन झगड़ा फिर भी बंद नहीं होता।
यह नाटक दिखाता है कि कैसे लोग छोटी-छोटी बातों पर झगड़कर रिश्तों को बिगाड़ देते हैं।

⭐ WORDS MEANING

⭐ VERY SHORT QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

Q1. Who comes to propose to Natalya?

Ans: Ivan Lomov.

Q2. What was the main reason for fights?

Ans: Oxen Meadows (land dispute).

Q3. What were the families fighting about later?

Ans: Their dogs—Guess and Squeezer.

⭐ SHORT ANSWERS (3 Marks, Easy Language)

Q1. Why did Lomov come to Chubukov’s house?

Ans: Lomov came to propose marriage to Natalya. He wore evening dress and gloves because he wanted to look formal. But he got nervous and could not speak directly.

Q2. Why did Lomov and Natalya fight over Oxen Meadows?

Ans: Both believed the land belonged to their families. Natalya said that Oxen Meadows were theirs for 300 years. Lomov said he had legal documents proving the land belonged to him. This caused a big fight.

Q3. Why was Lomov always nervous and sick?

Ans: He was 35 years old, had heart palpitations, sleeplessness, and anxiety. He got upset very quickly. Even during the proposal, he kept clutching his heart and asking for water.

Q4. Why did Natalya cry when she heard Lomov had come to propose?

Ans: Because she realised she had insulted him and fought with him. She did not want to lose the marriage proposal. So she cried and forced her father to bring him back.

⭐ LONG ANSWERS (5–6 Marks, CBSE Board Level)

Q1. Write the character sketch of Ivan Lomov.

Ans:
Lomov is a rich landowner, but he is very nervous and weak. He suffers from palpitations and anxiety. He came dressed formally to propose to Natalya but became confused and started fighting about land and dogs. He is argumentative, emotional and short-tempered.
He wants marriage because he believes he is becoming old and needs a peaceful life. He is not romantic but very practical.
Overall, he is a humorous character who creates comedy due to his foolish behaviour.

Q2. How does the play “The Proposal” show that people fight over small things?

Ans:
The play shows three characters—Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov—who get angry very quickly. Instead of talking about marriage, they quarrel about Oxen Meadows and then about whose dog is better. They insult each other, shout and nearly faint.
Their behaviour shows that people often let ego, pride and anger ruin important situations. Even after agreeing to marry, they start fighting again.
The play teaches that quarrelling over petty issues destroys peace and happiness.

Q3. Describe the sequence of quarrels between Lomov and Natalya.

Ans:

1. First quarrel: Oxen Meadows.
   • Both claim ownership.
   • They involve Chubukov and insult each other.
2. After proposal is revealed, Natalya cries and calls Lomov back.
3. Second quarrel: Whose dog is better – Guess or Squeezer?
   • They again shout and fight.
   • Lomov becomes sick, almost faints.
4. Proposal happens, but they still continue fighting.

This shows they cannot stop fighting even for one minute.