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Saturday, 20 February 2016

One Act Play: The proposal ----Anton Chekov



 1. Q. Bring out the humour in the play “The Proposal”  
(or)
            The play “The Proposal” is almost a comedy of manners – explain 
  (or)
            Discuss the theme of the play “The Proposal”

  The Play “The Proposal” by Anton Chekov is humorous and witty.  It deals with the quarrel between Lomov and Natalya over small issues. Lomov comes to the house of Chubukov, a land owner. Natalya is the daughter of Chubukov.  She is aged about 25. Lomov wants to marry her.  He is aged about more than 35. Yet he wants to propose to her without respecting the feelings of Natalya and her father. Meanwhile Natalya and Lomov exchange heated arguments for the ownership of the Volovyi Meadows and the greatness of their dogs Tyer and Flyer.
     Lomov belongs to a rich family. He boasts of his wealth and claims that Volovyi Meadows are his own. He says that his dog Tyer is better than Natalya’s dog Flyer. On the one hand, he behaves like a peculiar person, who suffers from hypochondria. On the other hand, he proposes to marry Nataliya. Thus he seems to be foolish. It reminds us of a sentimental and humorous comedy.
     The play “The Proposal” is full of farce too. Farce is type of comedy that provokes the audience belly laughs in the theatre. Here Chekov uses a highly exaggerated character like Lomov- caricatured character type. He puts Lomov and Natalya into humorous situations. Two argumentative and opposite people come together.  At last Natalya agrees to marry Lomov, in spite of their long dispute over the Meadows and their dogs.


2. Q. Sketch the character of Lomov in the play “The Proposal”  

Lomov is the central character of the play “The Proposal”.  He is argumentative by nature.  He belongs to a rich family. He boasts of his wealth and claims that Volovyi Meadows are his own. He suffers from a psychological disease called hypochondria. It is a state of mental depression due to unnecessary anxiety about one’s health.   Lomov is thus a person of poor health.
     Lomov is the neighbour of Chubukov. One day he comes to the house of Chubukov, a land owner. Chubukov has a daughter aged about 25. Her name is Natalyia. Lomov wants to marry her.  He is aged about more than 35. Yet he wants to propose to her without respecting the feelings of Natalya and her father. Meanwhile Natalya and Lomov exchange heated arguments for the ownership of the Meadows and the greatness of their dogs Tyer and Flyer.
     Lomov tells Natalia that he has health problems. He feels that he is dying. He falls into a chair and faints.  Natalya thinks that he is dead. She starts weeping and requests her father to call a doctor. Chubukov finds himself in a terrible situation.  Meanwhile Lomov comes to senses. He sees mist before his eyes.  Chubukov does not want to take any more chance to leave Lomov alone. He at once speaks out that his daughter is willing to marry Lomov. He thrusts Lomov’s hand to his daughter’s hand and gives them his blessings.

Best Regards,
Sasi Kumar.....
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