The Proposal - D.A.Q. (Part – I)

The Proposal

Anton Chekhov

Descriptive Answers type Questions & Answers

D.A.Q. (Part – I)

1. How does Chubukov welcome Lomov at his house and why?

Answer: Chubukov is surprised and beside himself with joy to see his neighbor at his door. After exchanging pleasantries, he asks Lomov to sit down. Trying every means to please him, Chubukov tells him he should not forget his neighbor altogether. He should feel free to visit his house more often. This extraordinary warmth on the part of Chubukov suggests that he is trying hard to push his daughter’s marriage with him. So, he uses terms of endearment like ‘my darling’, ‘my angel’, ‘my treasure’ etc. But, when Lomov beats about the bush, a doubt crops up in his mind about Lomov’s intention why he pays the visit to Chubukov’s house. Chubukov has inkling that he must have come to borrow money.

2. What made Lomov hesitated in revealing his intention for marriage proposal. Or, why is Lomov always hesitant?

Answer: Lomov is Chiubukov’s neighbor and know s his daughter from her childhood days. It is natural for him, therefore, to feel shaky and to hesitate to make the proposal for marriage to her directly. Moreover, he is not mentally tough enough to go for such a venture. The fact is that Lomov is a trump card for Chubukov to expose and ridicule the absurdity of the prevalent custom of marriage in his days. Lomov feels shaky and suffers from all sorts of imagined illness and continues to vacillate. He thus makes himself a laughing stock and helps in making a farce of the proposal for marriage.

3. Why does Chubukov ask Lomov not to go round and round and instead to spit it out?

Answer: Chubukov is not only a level-headed father but is also a shrewd judge of character. It does not escape him that though they are neighbors and though it is a lunch time, Lomov has put on formal evening dress. From the very beginning he starts fumbling rather than stating the purpose of his visit. Chubukov is sure Lomov must have come to borrow money and he determined not to give him any. So, he asks Lomov not to go round and round instead to spit it out. 

4. How does Chubukov react to Lomov’s proposal? How does Chubukov assure Lomov that his daughter, Natalya, will surely marry him?

Answer: When after all his vacillations Lomov finally makes the proposal, Chubukov goes overboard with joy and cannot believe his ears. For confirmation he asks Lomov to repeat it. Expressing his joy he embraces and kisses Lomov. He says it has been his continual desire to see that his daughter Natalya and Lomov get married. Shedding a drop of tears he says, he has always loved Lomov as his own son. He says he has almost been off his balance with joy and so is behaving in an idiotic way. After regaining his poise, he goes out to convey this joyous tiding to his daughter. 

            Finally, Lomov gets over his hesitations and tells Chubukov of his desire to marry his daughter, Natalya. However, doubts persist in his mind and he asks Chubukov if Natalya will give her consent. Chubukov assures him of Natalya’s consent. With all his experience of life he knows how girls of marriageable age behave. He knows his daughter is in love and hence is not behaving normally. He compares his daughter to a love-sick cat which is said to behave abnormally under the spell of amorous feelings. So, he tells Lomov not to be unduly worried about Natalya’s favorable response.

Also Read:

The Proposal – M.C.Q

The Proposal – M.C.Q (Mock Test - 01)

The Proposal – M.C.Q (Mock Test - 02)

The Proposal – M.C.Q (Mock Test - 03)

The Proposal – D.A.Q (Part – I)

The Proposal – D.A.Q (Part – II)