Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

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Introduction

The Proposal by Anton Chekhov is a comedy that focuses on the absurdity of human behavior and the superficiality of social norms. The characters in the play, Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov, are involved in humorous situations that revolve around marriage, family pride, and petty arguments. Despite the central theme of marriage, the play humorously explores human vanity, miscommunication, and impulsiveness, making it an engaging yet critical look at society's values.

Question Answers

Q1. In spite of being a good housekeeper, educated, and not bad-looking, Natalya is quarrelsome, vain, and highly impulsive. Justify your answer in 120 words.

Ans: Natalya, the 25-year-old daughter of the wealthy landlord Chubukov, seeks a marriage, particularly to impress her neighbor, Lomov. Although she is a good housekeeper, well-educated, and attractive, she exhibits significant personality flaws. Natalya is quarrelsome, impulsive, and vain, much like her father. She frequently argues about trivial matters such as the ownership of Oxen Meadows and whose dog is superior. Despite her fine qualities, Natalya’s impulsiveness often overshadows her virtues. When she marries Lomov, their marriage begins with another argument, which underscores that her impulsive nature has not changed, highlighting the importance of deeper qualities for a successful relationship.

Q2. Write a brief character sketch of Lomov.
Ans: Lomov is a 35-year-old man who is eager to settle down, although he is anxious and nervous. His weak heart and sleeping problems make him feel rushed to find a partner. Despite his health issues, Lomov is financially stable, which makes him a good match, particularly for Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya. He seeks a marriage not out of love but because he believes it is time to settle down. His nervousness makes him hesitant to propose, and his long-winded speech prevents him from getting to the point. While Lomov has good qualities, his anxiety and tendency to overthink make it difficult for him to express them clearly.

Q3. Describe how Chubukov got Natalya married to Lomov.
Ans: At first, Chubukov thinks Lomov has come to ask for a loan. However, when Lomov expresses his desire to marry Natalya, Chubukov is overjoyed and even cries with happiness. He hugs Lomov, calling him a son, as he sees this as a great opportunity. Chubukov secretly desires Lomov to marry his daughter because of his wealth and the comfortable life it would ensure for her. His excitement at Lomov's proposal shows how much he values status and security over emotional connections, which is why he eagerly agrees to the marriage.

Q4. Describe the incidents of humour in the play, ‘The Proposal’?
Ans: The Proposal is full of humorous incidents. The play begins with Lomov entering in formal clothes and Chubukov greeting him affectionately, calling him “darling” and “my treasure,” which is a funny and exaggerated way of addressing a potential suitor. The central part of the humor is the ridiculous argument between Lomov and Natalya over trivial matters like Oxen Meadows and their dogs. They call each other “scarecrow” and “stuffed sausage,” which highlights the absurdity of their fight. Natalya’s dramatic reaction to Lomov fainting and her placing his hand on hers during their argument is also a humorous twist. The humor in the play is driven by the characters’ exaggerated emotions and the silly nature of their arguments.

Q5. Give a brief character sketch of Natalya.
Ans: Natalya is a 25-year-old woman, the daughter of Chubukov. She is a good housekeeper, well-educated, and attractive, making her a suitable match for Lomov. Despite her virtues, Natalya is impulsive, quarrelsome, and vain. She has a deep affection for Lomov, but her pride and quick temper lead to frequent arguments. She is stubborn and easily offended, often embroiled in arguments over things like Oxen Meadows and whose dog is better. Natalya is determined to get married, but she struggles with being emotionally controlled and rational, as demonstrated by her impulsive reactions to situations.

Q6. What is the theme of the play ‘The Proposal’?
Ans: The central theme of The Proposal is the absurdity of social expectations and the superficiality in relationships. The play explores the trivial nature of landlord culture in 19th-century Russia, where wealth and social status are more important than genuine connection. The characters' petty arguments about land and dogs overshadow the primary purpose of their meeting, which is a marriage proposal. The play also examines the social pressure on unmarried women and how marriage is often seen as a means of securing a comfortable life. Ultimately, the theme revolves around human ego, pride, and the ridiculousness of small arguments that prevent people from seeing what truly matters in relationships.

Q7. How and why does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does Chubukov react to his visit?
Ans: Lomov, a 35-year-old neighbor, decides it’s time to propose to Natalya after feeling the pressure to settle down. He believes Natalya is an ideal match, being educated and a good housekeeper. Lomov visits Chubukov’s house in formal clothes, intending to propose. At first, Chubukov thinks Lomov is there for a loan and reacts coldly. However, when Lomov reveals he wants to marry Natalya, Chubukov is overjoyed and enthusiastically embraces him, calling him his son. Chubukov, eager for his daughter to marry a wealthy neighbor, is thrilled and immediately approves of the proposal.

Q8. Describe how does Natalya react before and after knowing the real purpose of Lomov’s visit. Does she act sensibly in this regard?
Ans: Natalya initially does not know that Lomov intends to propose. Instead, she argues with him about the Oxen Meadows and accuses him of trying to steal their land. Lomov attempts to prove the land belongs to him, but the argument escalates. However, when she learns that Lomov came to propose, she suddenly shifts her attitude and calls for him to return. She even threatens to die if he does not come back. When Lomov returns, they begin to argue about their dogs instead of discussing the proposal. Their argument gets so heated that Lomov faints. Chubukov then encourages them to marry quickly, which they do. However, their marriage starts with another argument, showing that Natalya’s impulsiveness and quick temper remain unchanged.

Q9. Do you think that Lomov and Natalya make a good match? Justify your answer.

Ans: Lomov and Natalya may not seem like a perfect match at first. Both are highly emotional and impulsive, which is demonstrated through their constant bickering over trivial matters. Lomov is nervous and anxious, while Natalya is quick-tempered and stubborn. They lack deep emotional compatibility, but their marriage is driven by social and financial considerations. Chubukov, Natalya’s father, supports the union for the sake of wealth and social standing. Though the couple’s personality conflicts are evident, they ultimately settle into marriage, driven more by social pressures than genuine affection. However, their compatibility seems to be based more on convenience than true love.

Q10. How does the humor in the play highlight the characters’ flaws?

Ans: The humor in The Proposal serves to highlight the absurdity of the characters’ flaws and the triviality of their concerns. The petty squabbles over land, dogs, and family pride expose the shallow nature of their characters. Lomov's nervousness, Natalya's quick temper, and Chubukov’s emotional volatility create a farcical atmosphere. Instead of a romantic proposal, the characters engage in ridiculous arguments, showcasing their insecurity, pride, and impulsiveness. The humor accentuates the play's satirical critique of human nature, revealing how pride and ego often overshadow more important matters in life, such as love and mutual respect.