Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. What do you think would have been Chubukov's reaction on hearing the reason why Lomov had come to his house?
Ans: When Chubukov discovered that Lomov had come to ask for Natalya's hand in marriage, he was overcome with joy and relief. He greeted Lomov warmly, embraced him  saying that he had long wished for such an alliance. Chubukov treated Lomov as he was his own  son and welcomed the proposal as good news for the whole family.

Q2. What justification did Lomov give to Natalya and Chubukov to prove that he is the rightful owner of Meadows?
Ans: Lomov said that his aunt’s grandmother had given the free use of Oxen Meadows to Chubukov’s grandfather’s peasants in return for making bricks. Since this was only a temporary arrangement, the land legally belonged to his family, and he also had documents to prove it.

Q3. There is a certain way in which the characters speak in the play The Proposal. What does it tell us about the Russian men?
Ans: The manner in which the characters speak in The Proposal shows that Russian landowners were very formal, proud and status-conscious. They use polite and respectful language at first, but they quickly become aggressive and argumentative. Their speech reflects their short temper, pride and tendency to quarrel over small matters, especially property and personal honour
Q4. Describe, in brief, the character of Natalya as sketched in the chapter of the proposal.
Ans: Natalya is a twenty-five-year-old, confident and hardworking woman who manages the household well. However, she is also quarrelsome, short-tempered and extremely emotional. She becomes hysterical over matters of property and is very anxious to get married, which makes her behave impulsively.
Q5. Lomov went to Chubukov's house and sought permission so that he could trouble him with a request. What is the trouble that he is talking about?
Ans: Lomov went to ask for the hand of Natalya in marriage; this marriage proposal is the "trouble" he meant.

Q6. Natalya was not Lomov's real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two reasons for his decision.

Ans: Lomov's desire to marry Natalya stemmed from two main reasons. Firstly, he was experiencing health issues, specifically a weak heart and sleep problems, which made him feel vulnerable. He sought a companion who could provide care and support during these challenging times. Secondly, at the age of 35, he felt it was crucial to settle down and lead a more stable life, as he believed that marrying would help him achieve a sense of normalcy and peace.

Q7. Lomov calls himself a 'land grabber'. Justify the statement in about 20-25 words.
Ans: Lomov is called a 'land grabber' because he insists on his right to the Oxen Meadows, leading to a sharp dispute with Natalya over ownership.

Q8. How and why did Lomov come to meet the Chubukov family?
Ans: Lomov came formally dressed in a dress-jacket and white gloves because he had come with the serious intention of asking for Natalya’s hand in marriage.

Q9. How can you say that Natalya was not convinced that Oxen Meadows was owned by Lomov?
Ans: Natalya firmly rejected Lomov's claim, insisting her family had owned Oxen Meadows for nearly 300 years. She found his claim absurd and, supported by her father, refused to accept Lomov as the landowner.

Q10. What did Natalya say about Guess?
Ans:  Natalya said that Guess was an old, ugly and inferior dog. She claimed that her dog Squeezer was far better, younger and of a superior breed compared to Guess.

Q11. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for?
Ans: Upon seeing Lomov dressed in formal evening attire, Chubukov initially suspects that he has come to borrow money. Although he decides not to lend him any, he engages in conversation with him in a polite manner.

Q12. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from?
Ans: Lomov suffers from palpitations, nervous excitement and insomnia (sleep disturbance). These conditions make him anxious and eager to find a calm, regular domestic life in marriage.

Q13. Describe Lomov's first meeting with Natalya.
Ans: Lomov visits his neighbour Chubukov to propose to his daughter, Natalya. Nervous and unsure, he struggles to express his intentions clearly. He begins by discussing his meadows, which he claims border their birchwoods. This leads to a heated argument between them over the ownership of the meadows, overshadowing the proposal itself.

Q14. What kind of a man is Lomov?
Ans: : Lomov is a nervous, weak-hearted and excitable man. He is extremely anxious about his health and often complains of heart palpitations, numbness in his foot and sleep problems. He is also very argumentative and gets upset easily, which leads him into unnecessary quarrels. His lack of emotional control makes him a comical and pitiable character.

Q15. Who is the heroine of the play?
Ans: Natalya is the heroine of The Proposal. She is the daughter of Chubukov and is twenty-five years old. She is intelligent and hardworking but also short-tempered and eager to get married, which plays a major role in the development of the story.

Q16. Why does the proposal remain unmade during Lomov's first visit?
Ans: The proposal remains unmade during Lomov's first visit because he is very nervous and excitable. Instead of getting straight to the point, he beats around the bush. When Natalya arrives, Lomov starts to argue with her over a piece of land, which makes him even more agitated. In his excitement, he leaves the room, cursing and threatening both Natalya and her father, Chubukov, completely forgetting about the proposal.

Q17. Why is Natalya so anxious to marry Lomov?
Ans: Natalya feels anxious because, as an unmarried woman of twenty-five, she fears being left without a match. When she learns that Lomov might propose, she grows emotional and urges her father to bring him back, showing how eager she is for marriage.

Q18. How does Chubukov join the quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Ans: Chubukov comes in to find his daughter and Lomov arguing about Oxen Meadows. Rather than calming them, he becomes angry, defends his family's claim and insults Lomov and his ancestors, thereby intensifying the quarrel.

Q19. What is the cause of the second quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Ans: The second quarrel begins over their dogs. Lomov praises Guess, while Natalya defends Squeezer, whom she claims is superior. Their competitive pride about the animals soon escalates into shouting and a fresh dispute.

Q20. Why was Lomov brought back by Chubukov?
Ans: Lomov was brought back because Natalya discovered that he had come to propose marriage. On hearing this, she became very upset and anxious that she might lose her chance to get married. She immediately asked her father to bring Lomov back, so Chubukov went out and persuaded Lomov to return.

Q21. How does Lomov behave when he is excited?
Ans: When Lomov is excited his heart palpitates, his right eyebrow begins to twitch and he feels a numbness in his foot. At times his excitement becomes so great that he faints.

Q22. Who are Lomov and Chubukov, and how are they related to each other?
Ans: Lomov and Chubukov are neighbouring landlords. They have known each other for years: Chubukov has helped Lomov in the past, and now Lomov wishes to marry Chubukov's daughter, Natalya. They are also involved in a dispute over Oxen Meadows.

Q23. Why does Lomov come to Chubukov? How does Chubukov react to his visit?
Ans: Lomov comes to ask for Natalya's hand in marriage. At first Chubukov mistakes his visit for a request to borrow money, but when he realises Lomov wishes to propose, he is delighted and welcomes the idea warmly.

Q24. Why does Lomov think that he should not be alone but marry a suitable woman like Natalya?
Ans: Lomov feels that at thirty-five he should have a settled, peaceful life. He believes a wife like Natalya, who is a good housekeeper, educated and attractive, would provide the quiet, regular companionship he needs for his health and happiness.

Q25. How does Lomov speak warmly of Chubukov's family in the beginning? Why does he change his stand?
Ans: At the start, Lomov recalls friendly ties and respect between the families and speaks of Chubukov warmly. His tone changes when the dispute over Oxen Meadows begins; the quarrel provokes anger and pride, and he reacts sharply, abandoning his earlier warmth.