Character Sketch: The Proposal | English Class 10 PDF Download

Character Sketch of Natalya

Natalya, a twenty-five-year-old unmarried woman, lives in the same neighborhood as Lomov. She is a capable housekeeper and has decent looks. Her father mockingly calls her a "lovesick cat," hinting at her strong desire for love and companionship. Though Lomov considers her well-educated, her argumentative nature often overshadows this trait. She engages in a heated dispute with Lomov over a seemingly unimportant piece of land, revealing her quarrelsome disposition. Initially, she dismisses the significance of the meadows, but when she realizes Lomov intended to propose, she quickly regrets her behavior and urges her father to bring him back. However, her argumentative nature resurfaces, leading to another quarrel—this time about their dogs. Natalya’s character is a blend of pride, stubbornness, and emotional vulnerability, making her a complex and engaging figure in the story.

Keywords for Character Sketch of Natalya:
Hardworking, respectable, lovesick, argumentative, quarrelsome, stubborn, emotional, proud, inconsistent, yearning for love.

Character Sketch of Lomov

Lomov, a well-off but highly nervous landowner in his mid-thirties, is plagued by various health issues. Despite seeking an ideal match, he has been unsuccessful in marriage and, due to his advancing age, reluctantly decides to propose to Natalya. However, his lack of confidence prevents him from initiating the proposal directly. Instead, he unintentionally veers into an argument over the ownership of the "Oxen Meadows," completely derailing the moment. His quarrelsome and immature nature is evident when he engages in heated disputes with Natalya, first over land and later over their dogs. His childish stubbornness leads him to insult the Chubukov family, risking his only chance at marriage. Though he desires companionship, his inability to control his temper and recognize important moments makes him a comical yet frustrating character.

Keywords for Character Sketch of Lomov: 
Wealthy, nervous, hypochondriac, lacks confidence, quarrelsome, stubborn, childish, argumentative, hesitant, comical.

Character Sketch of Chubukov

Chubukov is a wealthy and practical landowner who lives as a neighbor to Lomov. Though he appears to be a caring father, his approach to his daughter's marriage is more business-like than emotional. His primary goal is to secure a beneficial match for Natalya, ensuring financial stability. Despite being short-tempered and quarrelsome, he is quick to shift his attitude when he realizes that Lomov has come with a marriage proposal.

His argumentative nature leads to frequent disputes, especially regarding the ownership of Oxen Meadows. However, the moment Natalya expresses her interest in Lomov, he hastily calls him back, showing his manipulative tendencies. Chubukov’s character highlights the comedic yet practical aspects of marriage negotiations, where financial gain often takes precedence over emotions.

Keywords for Character Sketch of Chubukov:

wealthy, practical, caring father, short-tempered, argumentative, shrewd, manipulative, business-minded, rash, opportunistic.