The Proposal - Questions and Answers

Before You Read & Play Analysis
Thinking About Language
Speaking & Writing

Before You Read - Activity

1. The word 'proposal' has several meanings. Can you guess what sort of proposal the play is about?

The play is about the third meaning: "the act of asking someone's hand in marriage". The play revolves around Ivan Lomov's proposal to Natalya Stepanovna.

2. Do you think Indian and Russian weddings have any customs in common? With the help of a partner, fill in the table below.
Customs similar to Indian ones Customs different from Indian ones
• Arranging for rings, bridal dress, cars, and reception • Wedding lasts for two days or up to a week
• Families sharing wedding expenses • Groom has to answer questions and pay cash to reach the bride
• Wedding procession with decorated cars • Bride gets "stolen" during reception and groom pays ransom
• Wedding toasts and blessings • Bride's shoe is stolen and groom pays for it
• Newly married couple goes for city tour • Specific Russian traditions like fighting to get the bride

Thinking about the Play

1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says "And I've always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son"? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

Chubukov at first suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. When Lomov appears in evening dress and seems nervous, Chubukov thinks to himself: "He's come to borrow money. Shan't give him any!"

No, Chubukov is not entirely sincere when he says he's always loved Lomov like a son. His immediate change from suspicion to overwhelming joy shows he's more interested in the economic benefits of the marriage alliance than genuine affection. His exaggerated reaction ("I'm off my balance with joy") seems theatrical rather than heartfelt.

2. Chubukov says of Natalya: "... as if she won't consent! She's in love; egad, she's like a lovesick cat..." Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

No, this description doesn't seem accurate based on Natalya's behavior in the play. When she first appears, she's practical and matter-of-fact, talking about shelling peas and hay. She shows no particular affection toward Lomov until she learns he came to propose. Even then, her interest seems more about getting married than being specifically in love with Lomov. Her immediate quarrels over property and dogs suggest practicality rather than romantic love.

3. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other.

Insults and accusations exchanged:

  • Lomov calls Chubukov: "intriguer", "grabber", "Jesuit"
  • Chubukov calls Lomov: "malicious, doublefaced intriguer", "villain", "scarecrow", "blind hen", "turnip-ghost", "stuffed sausage", "wizen-faced frump", "boy", "pup", "fool", "milksop"
  • Natalya calls Lomov: "rascal", "monster"
  • They insult each other's families: Lomov says Chubukov's mother was hump-backed; Chubukov says Lomov's grandfather was a drunkard and they have lunacy in their family
  • Positive descriptions: Lomov begins by describing Natalya as "an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated"
3. (ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

Lomov: nervous, hypochondriac, argumentative, wealthy, traditional

Natalya: strong-willed, practical, quarrelsome, status-conscious, domineering

Chubukov: materialistic, dramatic, quick-tempered, status-obsessed, manipulative

3. (iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Given their argumentative nature, they will likely quarrel about:

  • Wedding arrangements and expenses
  • Which family name should come first
  • Where the couple should live after marriage
  • How to manage their combined properties
  • Whose relatives are more respectable
  • Even after the final curtain, they're still arguing about whose dog is better!

Thinking about Language

1. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play?

Expressions that sound more Russian than English:

  • "my darling", "my treasure", "my precious" - used excessively between men
  • "honoured Stepan Stepanovitch" - very formal address
  • "egad" - old-fashioned exclamation
  • Measurement units: "dessiatins", "roubles", "verst"
  • References to Russian locations and customs

Modern English equivalents:

  • Instead of "my darling", English speakers might say "my friend" or use the person's name
  • Instead of "honoured", they might say "respected" or use "Mr."
  • Modern measurements would be acres, dollars/rubles, miles/kilometers
2. Look up the following words in a dictionary and find out how to pronounce them. Pay attention to how many syllables there are in each word, and find out which syllable is stressed.
Word Syllables Stressed Syllable
palpitations 4 (pal-pi-ta-tions) 3rd (ta)
interfere 3 (in-ter-fere) 3rd (fere)
implore 2 (im-plore) 2nd (plore)
thoroughbred 3 (thor-ough-bred) 1st (thor)
pedigree 3 (pe-di-gree) 1st (pe)
principle 3 (prin-ci-ple) 1st (prin)
evidence 3 (ev-i-dence) 1st (ev)
misfortune 3 (mis-for-tune) 2nd (for)
malicious 3 (ma-li-cious) 2nd (li)
embezzlement 4 (em-bez-zle-ment) 2nd (bez)
architect 3 (ar-chi-tect) 1st (ar)
neighbours 2 (neigh-bours) 1st (neigh)
accustomed 3 (ac-cus-tomed) 2nd (cus)
temporary 4 (tem-po-rar-y) 1st (tem)
behaviour 3 (be-ha-viour) 2nd (ha)
documents 3 (doc-u-ments) 1st (doc)
3. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and then use each in a sentence of your own.

(i) You may take it that - you can assume that; consider it as true

Sentence: You may take it that the meeting has been postponed until next week.

(ii) He seems to be coming round - he is recovering consciousness or changing his opinion

Sentence: After fainting, he seems to be coming round now.

(iii) My foot's gone to sleep - my foot has become numb

Sentence: I sat in the same position for so long that my foot's gone to sleep.

II. Reported Speech

Fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the sentences:

1. To report a question, we use the reporting verb asked (as in Sentence Set 1).

2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb said.

3. The adverb of place here changes to there.

4. When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the past tense (as in Sentence Set 3).

5. If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to past continuous tense. For example, am getting changes to was getting.

6. When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the adverb respectfully in the reporting clause (as in Sentence Set 1).

7. The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as he, him, their or his in reported speech.

III. Rewrite the excerpt from Times of India, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.

Ninety-year-old A.K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema's most famous character actors, laughed and asked why we wanted to know his age. He explained that if people knew he was that old, he wouldn't get work. We noted that for his age, he was rather energetic and asked what the secret was. He replied that his intake of everything was in small quantities and that he walked a lot. He said that he had joined the industry when people retire, as he was in his 40s, so he didn't miss being called a star. He added that he was still respected and given work when actors of his age were living in poverty and without work. He said that he didn't have any complaints but added that he had always been underpaid. As a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal said he never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He admitted that no doubt he was content that day, but money was important, and regretted that he had been a fool not to understand the value of money earlier.

Speaking and Writing

1. Anger Management: As adults, one important thing to learn is how to manage our temper. Can you think of three ill effects that result from anger? Note them down. Suggest ways to avoid losing your temper in such situations. Are there any benefits from anger?

Three ill effects of anger:

  1. Damaged relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
  2. Poor decision-making and impaired judgment
  3. Negative health impacts like high blood pressure and stress-related illnesses

Ways to avoid losing temper:

  • Take deep breaths and count to ten before responding
  • Remove yourself from the situation temporarily
  • Practice empathy and try to understand the other person's perspective
  • Use "I" statements instead of accusatory language

Benefits of anger:

  • Can motivate people to address injustices or make positive changes
  • Helps identify what matters most to us
  • Can provide energy to confront difficult situations
2. In pairs, prepare a script based on the given excerpt from The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore.

Sample Script (5 exchanges):

Scene: A room in the inner apartments. Bimala is dressed up, looking slightly nervous. Nikhil enters looking surprised.

Nikhil: (Surprised, looking around) Bimala! The room looks different today. What's the occasion?

Bimala: (Flushing slightly, playing with her bangles) Look here! Is it right that ours should be the only market in all Bengal which allows foreign goods?

Nikhil: (Thoughtfully) What, then, would be the right thing to do?

Bimala: (Firmly) Order them to be cleared out!

Nikhil: (Shaking head gently) But the goods are not mine.

Bimala: (Insistent) Is not the market yours?

Nikhil: (Patiently) It is much more theirs who use it for trade.

Bimala: (Passionately) Let them trade in Indian goods, then.

Nikhil: (Sighing) Nothing would please me better. But suppose they do not?

Bimala: (Angrily) Nonsense! How dare they be so insolent? Are you not...

Nikhil: (Interrupting, looking at watch) I am very busy this afternoon and cannot stop to argue it out. But I must refuse to tyrannise.

Bimala: (Pleading) It would not be tyranny for selfish gain, but for the sake of the country.

Nikhil: (Firmly, exiting) To tyrannise for the country is to tyrannise over the country. But that I am afraid you will never understand.

3. In groups, discuss the qualities one should look for in a marriage partner.

Qualities to consider in a marriage partner:

Personal qualities:

  • Appearance or looks: Physical attraction is important but shouldn't be the only factor
  • Attitudes and beliefs: Shared values and worldview create stronger bonds
  • Sense of humour: Ability to laugh together helps navigate difficult times

Value system:

  • Compassion and kindness: Essential for supporting each other
  • Tolerance: Ability to accept differences and imperfections
  • Ambition: Similar levels of drive and life goals
  • Attitude to money and wealth: Financial compatibility reduces conflicts

Education and professional background:

  • Similar educational levels often lead to better understanding
  • Respect for each other's professional choices and ambitions
  • Willingness to support each other's career growth
4. Are there parts of the play that remind you of film scenes from romantic comedies?

Yes, several elements from "The Proposal" are common in romantic comedies:

  • The nervous proposal: Like many rom-coms where the character is anxious about proposing
  • Comical arguments: Similar to scenes where couples argue about trivial matters
  • Parental interference: Chubukov's dramatic reactions resemble over-the-top parents in comedies
  • The "almost missed opportunity": When Natalya realizes she might lose the proposal and desperately wants Lomov back
  • The dramatic fainting: Lomov's exaggerated health issues are classic comedic elements
  • The rushed ending: The quick resolution with the father forcing them together is a common rom-com trope

These elements can be seen in films like "Father of the Bride," "Meet the Parents," and "The Proposal" (the 2009 film with Sandra Bullock).