English - Prose Chapter 11: A Marriage Proposal Long Answer Questions

Long Answer Questions:

Question 1.On the basis of your reading of scene I, do you think that Lomov and Choobookov are cordial neighbours ?

Answer:Yes, I think that Lomov and Choobookov are cordial neighbours When Lomov calls at Choobookov, the later welcomes him. He calls him his esteemed neighbour. He rather complains that Lomov has almost neglected him because he has paid a visit after a long time. Lomov on his part admires Choobookov. He says that Choobookov has always been kind and helpful to him.

Question 2.Write a short note on the character of Lomov on the basis of his self-revelation in scene II ?

Answer:Lomov is an old bachelor. He is thirty-five and has not been able to decide who to marry. Probably he has been looking for an ideal woman to marry. He is unable to take a firm decision. He suffers from a number of serious ailments. He suffers from palpitations of the heart and throbbing of veins and eyelids. He is also shy and lacks confidence. He is afraid that Natalia may not accept him.

Question 3.Are Lomov and Natalia really interested in laying claim to Ox- meadows ?

Answer:Lomov and Natalia don’t seem to be actually interested in laying claim to the Ox-meadows. As Natalia says it is not worth much. The meadows are lying neglected for a long time. But it is the vanity of both Lomov and Natalia to lay claim to it. Both of them are willing to gift it to each other. But they say as a matter of principle, they cannot allow anyone to take them away because they are their property. In this quarrel they forget the more serious and urgent matter—the marriage proposal. Any how when Natalia learns that Lomov has come to propose to her she says to him that she was mistaken. The meadows belong to him. But Lomov again harps on his claim to them. He is not willing to let the matter rest there because of his vanity.

Question 4.Do you think that Natalia was also interested in marrying Lomov ? What makes you think so ?

Answer:Yes, Natalia is very much interested in marrying Lomov. She has had a serious quarrel with him because she does not know he has come to propose to her. But when he has gone and her father tells her the real motive of Lomov a visit, Natalia goes hysterical. She moans and wails. She asks her father to bring him back because she wants to accept him at once.

When Lomov has come back, he begins to talk of the meadows, she wishes he talked of the proposal instead. She gives up her claim to the meadows. She is eager not to lose her suitor. After all she is twenty-five years old and does not want to remain unmarried all her life. When Lomov kisses her, she says, “I’m very happy.”

Question 5.Despite his heated arguments with Lomov, Choobookov in the last scene shows haste in finalising the marriage. What could be the reason of his haste?

Answer:Choobookov is over worried about his old daughter Natalia’s marriage. He is eager that she is married off without any further delay. When he learns that Lomov has come to propose to her, he is overjoyed. He embrances and kisses Lomov. He calls him his son. He assures him that Natalia will accept him.

Unluckily Lomov and Natalia are easily excited. They quarrel over the question of the ownership of the meadows. When Choobookov hears the noise, he immediately rushes to see what the matter is. But he supports his daughter and thus the real purpose of Lomov’s visit is lost. But when Lomov is gone, and he tells Natalia that Lomov wanted to propose to her, she blames Choobookov for the quarrel. She asks him to bring him back. He feels like killing himself.

Lomov comes again. Once again they quarrel over the superiority of their dogs. Once again Choobookov supports his daughter.

But Lomov is too excited and he collapses. Once again Natalia weeps because the chances of. her marriage seem to have gone forever.

When Lomov regains consciousness Choobookov does not lose the opportunity to get them married. He hastily joins their hands, and makes them kiss each other. He is happy because the burden is off his back. Now he can live in peace.

Question 6.Do you think the title of the drama is suitable ? Give reasons in support of your views. Suggest a different title of the drama ?

Answer:The contents of the play do not justify the title. We find there is no marriage proposal, there is no love-talk, and there is no acceptance or refusal by the lady-love. Instead we find that the young man is an old bachelor who suffers from a number of ailments. The lady is not a young charming woman but a grown up woman of twenty-five.

Lomov shyly tells Choobookov that he has come to propose to his daughter Natalia. But when Lomov and Natalia are together they exchange no sweet words like love-birds. Instead they begin to quarrel over the ownership of the Ox-meadows. Choobookov who knows the purpose of Lomov’s visit, does not try to pacify them. Instead he supports his daughter and the quarrel takes a serious turn. Poor Lomov is excited, his heart palpitates and he leaves. But neithbour Choobookov nor Natalia show mercy on him.

But soon Natalia learns the purpose of his visit. She wails and asks her father to bring him back.

Shemeless Lomov comes back. This time Natalia is soft and sweet. She wants him to propose so that she may accept him immediately. But both Natalia and Lomov are vain to the core. They begin to quarrel over an insignificant matter, the superiority of their respective dogs. They have no restraint. They do not think of the actual questions—the marriage proposal. Neither Lomov proposes nor Natalia accept him. It is Choobookov who appears to be more concerned.

Lomov is almost dead and Natalia is hysterical. When Lomov regains consciousness. Choobookov joins their hands though they are still quarrelling.

In fact the title of the play is far from being suitable. The title of the play should be ‘A comedy of Human Vanity’.

Question 7.Natalia and lomov would be an ideal couple Do you agree? Give reasons

Answer:The basic requirement of an ideal couple is mutual respect, understanding and sacrifice. But Natalia and Lomov are made of a different stuff. Both of them have obstinate vanity. They are not willing to yield a bit. For example, the Ox-meadows are a worthless piece of land. It is disputed. Both Lomov and Natalia lay their claim to it. Lomov is prepared to take the matter to a court of law to prove his claim. On the other hand Natalia asks her father to send men to mow the meadow immediately. Both of them call each other names, Lomov is about to faint but he goes on repeating how it belonged to his aunt’s grandmother.

This matter ends. But they again begin to quarrel over the superiority of their dogs. It is an insignificant matter but both Natalia and Lomov make it a question of life and death. Even after they are engaged, the quarrel continues. Neither of them is willing to yield or be quiet. This qurrel, and many more quarrels like these, will adorn their married life. They will continue to quarrel over trifles. But, since both need each other, they will live together. But they will be far from being an ideal couple.