1. Unit at a glance
- Contains a short pre-reading note on the word “proposal” and an article describing Russian wedding customs.
- Main text is Anton Chekhov’s one-act farce The Proposal (1888–89).
- Theme centres on wealthy families seeking economically advantageous marriages that are repeatedly threatened by petty quarrels.
- Shows how trivial disputes over land and dogs derail a marriage proposal.
- Highlights the characters’ quick tempers, pride and tendency to insult one another.
- Ends with the proposal being accepted only after renewed quarrelling, underscoring economic motives.
2. Prose
Summary
Ivan Lomov, a neighbour of Stepan Chubukov, visits in formal dress to ask for the hand of Chubukov’s daughter Natalya. Chubukov is delighted and leaves to call her. When Natalya enters, the conversation soon turns to the ownership of Oxen Meadows. The three characters quarrel bitterly over the land, then over the merits of their dogs Guess and Squeezer. Lomov suffers heart palpitations and leaves in distress. On learning the real purpose of his visit, Natalya demands his return. The proposal is hurriedly accepted amid fresh arguments about the dogs.
Setting
A drawing-room in Chubukov’s house.
Main characters
- Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov: wealthy landowner and Natalya’s father.
- Natalya Stepanovna: Chubukov’s 25-year-old daughter, an excellent housekeeper.
- Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov: 35-year-old neighbour, nervous, excitable and suspicious.
Sequence of key events
- Lomov arrives and nervously asks Chubukov for Natalya’s hand.
- Natalya enters; they discuss the weather and hay, then dispute ownership of Oxen Meadows.
- Chubukov joins; the quarrel escalates to personal insults about family members.
- Lomov leaves clutching his heart.
- Natalya learns of the proposal and insists Lomov be brought back.
- On his return the three again quarrel over the dogs Guess and Squeezer.
- Lomov faints; on revival the proposal is accepted while the dog argument continues.
3. Poem
No poem is present in the unit.
4. Themes and messages
The writer shows that economic self-interest can override personal quarrels, yet petty pride and temper often destroy harmony. Reference: Chubukov says the marriage is “a continual desire” because of the neighbouring estates, yet the characters keep insulting one another even after the proposal is accepted.
5. Literary devices
- Irony: Chubukov calls Lomov “my angel, as if you were my own son” moments after suspecting he has come to borrow money.
- Repetition (for comic effect): “Oxen Meadows are mine!” / “Ours!” shouted repeatedly.
- Hyperbole: Lomov claims “my heart’s bursting”, “I die”.
- Sarcasm: Natalya calls Lomov “a stuffed sausage! The wizen-faced frump!”.
6. Vocabulary
- palpitations – irregular or rapid heartbeat
- pettifogger – a person who quibbles over trivial legal points
- intriguer – someone who schemes secretly
- embezzlement – theft of money entrusted to one’s care
- thoroughbred – of pure breed (used for dogs)
- overshot – having the upper jaw shorter than the lower (dog fault)
- dessiatins – old Russian land measure
- roubles – Russian currency
7. Exam pitfalls
- Confusing the Russian-wedding article with the plot of the play.
- Stating that the Meadows are finally given to one side (the text leaves the quarrel unresolved).
- Forgetting that Lomov faints twice and that the proposal is accepted only after he revives.
- Missing that the final argument about the dogs continues after the engagement.