Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

"The Proposal" is a one-act play featured in Class 10 English "First Flight" Book, which illustrates how anger and arguments can ruin a relationship. It also depicts the consequences of entering into a marriage with the intention of deceiving one's spouse. In this EduRev document, let's have a look at some Long Answer Questions of this chapter.

Q1: The proposal was forgotten amidst argumentation. Which right approach should have been followed by both parties?

Ans: When Lomov visited the Chubukovs to propose to Natalya, little did he know that their conversation would take a turn for the worse. Instead of progressing with his proposal, Lomov and Natalya found themselves caught up in an argument over trivial matters such as land and dogs, with the proposal becoming a distant afterthought.
Their argument first began over a piece of land called the oxen meadows, with both parties claiming ownership of it. This disagreement only served to worsen their relationship and put a damper on any prospects of a successful proposal. To make matters worse, their argument then shifted to their respective dogs, with each of them insisting that their dog was superior to the other. This pettiness only served to escalate their argument and further derail their focus from their intended purpose.
In hindsight, it is clear that both parties failed to approach the situation in the right manner. If they had both prioritized their marriage over their disagreements, they could have found a way to come to a mutual agreement on the land ownership issue. Moreover, it was unwise of them to argue over trivial matters such as their dogs, which had no bearing on their proposal.
In order for their proposal to have a chance of success, both parties needed to check their egos and approach the situation with politeness and patience. They needed to be open-minded and flexible, and most importantly, they needed to prioritize their relationship over any disagreements they may have had. Ultimately, their failure to approach the situation in the right manner led to the breakdown of their communication and the postponement of Lomov's proposal.

Q2: Write a brief character sketch of Lomov.
Ans. Lomov is a man who is of marriageable age. He also suffers from a weak heart and sleeplessness. So, he is desperate to settle down in life and lead a quiet and regular life. Despite his ailments, Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer. This makes Chubukov secretly wish to marry his daughter Natalya. As for Lomov, he did not love her, though he was desperate to have a life partner, and so he wanted to marry Natalya. Lomov was however hesitant to ask for her hand from Chubukov. That made him beat around the bush, argue with Natalya and leave without proposing. Thus we can find that Lomov’s conditions overpower the other traits he has. He is an eligible, assertive, rich, bachelor, who will be liked by any girl. However, we also know that he is nervous, lacks confidence and is prone to talk in a long-winded manner.

Q3: Describe how Chubukov got Natalya married to Lomov.

Ans: Chubukov was thinking that Lomov had come to borrow money from him but when he told him that he had come to propose to his daughter he was overjoyed and even shed a tear. He kissed and embraced Lomov. He told Lomov that he was hoping it for a long time. He also told Lomov that he loved him as his own son.
In fact, Chubukov, secretly wished Lomov to marry his daughter as he knew that Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer and his only daughter could lead a comfortable life with him. No wonder, he was overjoyed to know that Lomov was there to propose to his daughter.

Q4: Describe the incidents of humour in the play, ‘The Proposal’?

Ans: ‘The Proposal’ is certainly a humorous play. The very entry of Lomov in a formal dress and the way Chubukov greets calling him ‘darling’, ‘my treasure’ or ‘my beauty’ make one laugh. The marriage proposal, supposed to be romantic turns to be humorous as the way Natalya and Lomov indulge in arguments over petty issues like ownership of Oxen Meadows and superiority of dogs makes the play humorous. 
The critical terms that the characters use for each other like a scarecrow, turnip ghost, blind hen, stuffed sausage, etc., force one to laugh. The hysterical fit of Natalya, when she comes to know about the proposal and the wailing of father and daughter when they think Lomov is dead, create immense humour. Finally, the way Natalya puts her hand in Lomov’s under continuous arguments indicating acceptance of the proposal is really humorous. Thus we see that the whole play is replete with humour, making it a humorous play.

Q5: Give a brief character sketch of Natalya.

Ans: Natalya was 25 years old and the daughter of Chubukov. She was a good housekeeper, not bad to look at and educated; that was why Lomov wanted to marry her. She could be a good wife to him. She secretly loved Lomov. She became hysterical when she came to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. She asked her father to call him back. To please Lomov she asked him to forgive her and agreed to his ownership of the Oxen Meadows.
She was greedy and short-sighted. She got the whole field of hay cut. She was also very inquisitive and wanted to know why Lomov was dressed up formally. She was touchy and short-tempered and fell into contradiction and argument on two occasions—once over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the second time over the superiority of her dog Squeezer. She is as rigid as Lomov. She is not ready to give up even after getting ready to marry him.

Also Check at EduRev: 

• Short Answer Questions: The Proposal
• Summary: The Proposal

Q6: What is the theme of the play ‘The Proposal’?

Ans: The One Act play ‘The Proposal’ throws light on the lifestyle of the landlords of Russia in the 19th century. The farm labourers worked on their farms. So, these landlords led a life of ease and comfort. In fact, they led an idle life. They were full of vanity and pride. They quarrelled over petty things. In the play, we see that Lomov and Natalya have a dispute over a piece of land. They quarrel again over the qualities of their dogs. 
Chubukov, Natalya’s father, instead of pacifying them, joins them. He and Lomov abuse each other. All of them behave in a very funny way. The play also brings to light the social life of the landowners of the 19th century. An unmarried grown-up daughter was considered a great burden by the parents. Chubukov curses himself for being the father of Natalya. An aged bachelor was also looked down upon in society. This theme has been presented nicely through the characters of Lomov and Natalya.

Q7: How and why does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does Chubukov react to his visit?

Ans: Lomov is a Russian landlord of thirty-five years old. He is a neighbour of another rich landlord Chubukov. He is at a critical age when he thinks he should get married. He wants to lead a peaceful and regular married life. He sees in Chubukov’s daughter Natalya an ideal life-companion. He thinks she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad looking. He comes to Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marriage. Naturally, he is formally dressed in a fashionable jacket and white gloves. In the beginning, Chubukov seems to be rather cold to his visit. He thinks that Lomov has come to borrow money from him. However, his indifference soon changes into warm enthusiasm. Lomov tells him the real purpose of his visit. Chubukov is extremely happy to hear it. He tells Lomov that he has been thinking for a long time for this marriage. He calls Lomov a good neighbour and an ‘angel’. He is ready to give his consent to their marriage.

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 is a woman of twenty-five years. She is of marriageable age and wants to get married at all cost. Chubukov calls her a love-sick cat. Lomov visits her house and has come with a proposal of marriage. She doesn’t know of it and comes to know of it only after Lomov goes out in disgust. Before that Natalya and Lomov have a long quarrel over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. Lomov claims the owner and is ready to show the necessary documents to prove his claim. Natalya calls Lomov a strange man who wants to grab their land. His act is unfriendly not like that of a good neighbour. 
Lomov feels insulted and goes out in disgust. We find a different Natalya when she comes to know the real purpose of Lomov’s visit. She cries loudly to bring Lomov back. She threatens to die if he is not brought back. Lomov returns. But old habits die hard. Both Lomov and Natalya forget the real issue of their marriage. The quarrel over the Meadows is settled. Now they start fighting over their dogs Squeezer and Guess. Natalya calls Lomov’s dog Guess and old and good for nothing. On the other hand, Lomov calls her dog Squeezer far inferior to his dog Guess. This quarrel continues till Lomov becomes unconscious. 
In the end, Chubukov loses no opportunity and says “Be quick and get married.” Natalya embraces and blesses Lomov and they are blessed by Chubukov. They start their married life by picking up a fresh quarrel over Squeezer and Guess.

Q9: 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 is the daughter of a rich Russian landlord Chubukov. She is twenty-five years old. She knows that she must marry and not lose a suitable match for her. She doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to many of her neighbour and landlord Lomov. Natalya is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad looking. Even Lomov acknowledges her skills and suitability as his life-partner. He himself comes to her house with a proposal of marriage.
In spite of having many good qualities which helps her to be an ideal wife, Natalya has certain weaknesses in her character. She is quarrelsome like her father. She doesn’t seem to be practical and prudent. She is ‘a love-sick cat’. She is dying too many Lomov. However, she forgets the main issue but indulges in unnecessary quarrels over the ownership of Oxen Meadows. She irritates Lomov by proving the superiority of her dog Squeezer over his dog Guess. However, she grabs the opportunity in the end. As directed by Chubukov, she embraces, blesses and gets married to Lomov at once. But old habits die hard. She starts her married life with a fresh quarrel.

Q10: Justify the title of the lesson, ‘The Proposal’.

Ans: Anton Chekov has aptly and logically titled his one-act-play ‘The Proposal’. The title justifies the theme and the subject of the play. The whole story revolves around Lomov’s marriage proposal to Chubukov’s daughter Natalya. The play ends with Chubukov asking Natalya to hurry up and get married immediately. Natalya seals the proposal by kissing and embracing Lomov. Chubukov willingly and happily blesses the couple. The play begins with the visit of Lomov to Chubukov’s house. The moment Chubukov comes to know that Lomov has come with a proposal of marriage, he becomes extremely happy. Lomov is genuinely interested in marrying Natalya. He thinks that she is a good housekeeper, educated and not bad looking. He sees in Natalya an ideal wife who can help him in leading a peaceful and regular life. 
Natalya herself being a love-sick cat sees in Lomov a suitable life partner for her. The moment she comes to know that Lomov has come with a marriage proposal, she blames her father for not telling it before. She threatens to die if Lomov is not brought back immediately. No doubt, there are quarrels and disputes over the ownership of Oxen Meadows and on the superiority of their dogs. I Abuses and insults are freely traded. But this farce can’t hide the real intention of the main characters. The play ends with Natalya kissing and embracing Lomov and Chubukov blessing the newly married couple.

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