Sponsor Area
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
We just get along somehow, my angel, thanks to your prayers, and so on. Sit down, please do... Now, you know, you shouldn’t forget all about your neighbors, my darling. My dear fellow, why are you so formal in your get-up! Evening dress, gloves, and so on. Can you be going anywhere, my treasure?
1. Who speaks these lines and to whom?
2. Do you think Chubukov means all the nice words he speaks?
3. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘sweetheart’
1. Chubukov speaks these lines to Lomov.
2. Not at all; he is a bit hypocritical and shows excess hospitality to Lomov.
3. Darling.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Lomov: Well, you see, it’s like this. [Takes his arm] I’ve come to you, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, to trouble you with a request. Not once or twice have I already had the privilege of applying to you for help, and you have always, so to speak... I must ask your pardon, I am getting excited. I shall drink some water, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch.[Drinks.]
Chubukov: [aside] He’s come to borrow money. Shan’t give him any! [aloud] What is it, my beauty?
1. Where has Lomov gone?
2. Why has Lomov gone there?
3. Find the word in the passage that means ‘opportunity or benefit’.
1. Lomov has gone to visit Chubukov.
2. Lomov has gone there to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage.
3. Privilege.
Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It’s cold... I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I’ll never get married. Brr... It’s cold! Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.
1. Who is feeling cold here? Why?
2. How do people normally feel before an examination?
3. Give the meaning of the phrase ‘mind made up’.
1. Lomov is feeling cold here. He feels nervous as he has come to propose Natalya. He is not sure how she would react.
2. There is a lot of nervousness before an examination. The candidates wait with anxiety and suspense before they receive the question paper.
3. The phrase ‘mind made up’ means ‘to decide’.
Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:
In the first place, I’m already 35 — a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I’m excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there’s a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. I no sooner get into bed and begin to go off, when suddenly something in my left side gives a pull, and I can feel it in my shoulder and head.
1. Why is Lomov now in a hurry to get married?
2. What happens to him on account of his palpitations?
3. Find a word from the passage which means ‘emotional’.
1. Lomov is in a hurry to get married because he is already 35 years old. He suffers from health problems like palpitations.
2. On account of his palpitations he gets excited soon and is always very upset.
3. Excitable.
Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Then smoke. Here are the matches. The weather is splendid now, but yesterday it was so wet that the workmen didn’t do anything all day. How much hay have you stacked ? Just think, I felt greedy and had a whole field cut, and now I’m not at all pleased about it because I’m afraid my hay may rot. I ought to have waited a bit. But what’s this ? Why, you’re in evening dress.
1. Who is speaking these words and to whom?
2. What does she offer him?
3. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘heaped’.
1. Natalya is speaking these words to Lomov.
2. She offers him a cigarette to smoke.
3. Stacked.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Natalya : No, you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. These Meadows aren’t worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can’t stand unfairness. Say what you will, I can’t stand unfairness.
1. What surprises the speaker?
2. What does she find ‘unfair’?
3. Find a word in the passage that means opposite to ‘gradually’.
1. Lomov’s calling the Oxen Meadows as his property surprises the speaker.
2. The Oxen Meadows have been with the Chubukov’s for the past three hundred years. Now, Lomov claims these as his. Natalya finds it unfair.
3. Suddenly.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Ours! You can go on proving it for two days on end, you can go and put on fifteen dress jackets, but I tell you they’re ours, ours, ours! I don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want to give anything of mine. So there.
1. Who speaks these words and to whom?
2. What are they fighting over?
3. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘confirm’.
1. These words are spoken by Natalya to Lomov.
2. They are arguing over the ownership of Meadows.
3. Prove.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
But, please, Stepan Stepanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man! My aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that.
1. Who speaks these words and to whom?
2. What do ‘they’ stand for?
3. Give the meaning of ‘accustomed’.
1. Lomov speaks these words to Chubukov.
2. ‘They’ refers to the ‘Meadows’. Each one is trying to prove that the Meadows belong to them. They are disputing over the ownership of the land.
3. Familiar.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Chubukov : [yells] He’s coming, I tell you. Oh, what a burden, Lord, to be the father of a grown-up daughter! I’ll cut my throat I will, indeed! We cursed him, abused him, drove him out; and it’s all you... you.
Natalya:No, it was you!
Chubukov:I tell you it’s not my fault. [Lomov appears at the door] Now you talk to him yourself.
1. What does the speaker refer to as ‘a burden’?
2. What does Chubukov blame Natalya for?
3. Find a word in the passage that means ‘mistake’.
1. The speaker refers being father of a grown-up daughter as a burden.
2. Chubukov blames Natalya for quarrelling with Lomov and driving him out of the house.
3. ‘Fault’.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
I’m thinking of having a go at the blackcock, honoured Natalya Stepanovna, after the harvest. Oh, have you heard? Just think, what a misfortune I’ve had! My dog Guess, who you know, has gone lame. He is old, but I wouldn’t take five Squeezers for him. Why, how can you? Guess is a dog; as for Squeezer, well, it’s too funny to argue. Anybody you like has a dog as good as Squeezer.
Natalya:No, it was you!
Chubukov:I tell you it’s not my fault. [Lomov appears at the door] Now you talk to him yourself.
1. Who speaks these lines?
2. What misfortune does he refer to?
3. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘bad luck’.
1. Lomov is speaking these lines to Natalya.
2. He refers to the misfortune of his dog Guess becoming lame.
3. Misfortune.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Natalya : There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer. I don’t like people who don’t say what they mean, because you know perfectly well that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your silly Guess. Why do you want to say he isn’t?
1. What does Natalya blame Lomov for?
2. What do Natalya and Lomov first argue about?
3. Find a word in the passage that means ‘opposition’.
1. Natalya blames Lomov for opposing whatever she says.
2. Natalya and Lomov first argue about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows.
3. Contradiction.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Don’t excite yourself, my precious one. Allow me. Your Guess certainly has his good points. He’s purebred, firm on his feet, has well — sprung ribs, and all that. But, any dear man, if you want to know the truth, that dog has two defects : he’s old and he’s short in the muzzle.
1. Who speaks these words to whom?
2. Why is the listener excited?
3. Give the meaning of the word ‘purebred’.
1. Chubukov speaks these words to Lomov.
2. The listener is excited because his dog Guess has been put down.
3. Ancestry.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It’s not true! My dear fellow, I’m very liable to lose my temper, and so, just because of that, let’s stop arguing. You started because everybody is always jealous of everybody else’s dogs. Yes, we’re all like that! You too, sir, aren’t blameless! You no sooner begin with this, that and the other, and all that... I remember everything!
1. Who gives this advice to whom?
2. What according to the speaker is not true?
3. Give the meaning of the word ‘blameless’.
1. Chubukov gives this advice to Lomov.
2. According to the speaker considering Guess as a good dog is not correct. Lomov had tried to put down the bravery of Squeezers by saying that it is afraid of chasing a fox but it goes and troubles a sheep.
3. Spotless.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Drink this! No, he doesn’t drink. It means he’s dead, and all that. I’m the most unhappy of men! Why don’t I put a bullet into my brain? Why haven’t I cut my throat yet? What am I waiting for? Give me a knife! Give me a pistol! [LOMOV moves] He seems to be coming round. Drink some water! That’s right.
1. Who offers water to whom?
2. What has happened to Lomov?
3. Give the meaning of the phrase ‘put a bullet into my brain’.
1. Chubukov offers water to Lomov.
2. On account of the overheated argument Lomov almost fainted and he is lying on the chair. Chubukov thinks Lomov is dead.
3. The phrase means ‘kill myself’.
Why does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? How does Chubukov react to his arrival?
Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to ask for his daughter, Natalya's hand in marriage. Being surprised at his sudden and unexpected visit, Chubukov pretends to be very polite to him as he thinks Lomov has come to borrow money from him.
Why does Lomov want to marry?
Lomov is concerned about his marriage because he is already thirty-five. So he thinks he ought to lead a quiet and regular life. He wants to be settled. Moreover, he is not perfectly fit and healthy. He suffers from anxiety, palpitations and strange fear.
Why does Lomov propose to Natalya?
Due to his health and mental problems, Lomov wishes to settle down by getting married. He knows Natalya since childhood and knows that she is an excellent housekeeper, well educated and not bad looking girl from a high status rich family. So, he proposes to Natalya.
Sponsor Area
What makes Chubukov suspect Lomov’s purpose? What does he decide to do?
How does Chubukov react to Lomov’s proposal? Why?
Chubukov is extremely happy and excited to know about Lomov's proposal. He assures him that Natalya would agree to the proposal. He showers his affection on Lomov and sheds a tear out of happiness and says that it is his heartfelt desire. He does so because he thinks that Lomov would make a good match for his daughter.
What do Lomov and Natalya fight over in the first instance ? How does Chubukov react to it?
In the first instance, Lomov and Natalya fight over an issue of the ownership of the Oxen Meadows that has been a disputed property between the two families since generations.
Chubukov does not try to pacify them. Instead, he himself joins it and out of anger, drives Lomov out of the house.
How does Natalya react when she gets to know about Lomov’s proposal? Why?
After quarelling with Lomov and driving him out of his house, Chubukov discloses to Natalya about his purpose of visit. When Natalya gets to know about Lomov's marriage proposal, she starts wailing hysterically. She asks her father to bring Lomov back. It shows that she is even more desperate to marry Lomov.
Why Chubukov calls Lomov back even after driving him out of his house?
When Natalya gets to know about Lomov’s proposal, she turns hysterical. She starts wailing and asks Chubukov to bring Lomov back. Out of his affection for his daughter, Chubukov calls Lomov back so that he may propose to Natalya.
Why does Chubukov call it ‘a burden’ to be the father of a grown up daughter?
Chubukov has already driven Lomov out of his house. When he sees his daughter behaving frantically, he goes to call him back being an affectionate father. But, It seems disrespectful to him. This uncertain behaviour of Natalya is unbearable to him . So he calls it a burden to be the father of a grown up daughter.
What do Lomov and Natalya fight over the second time ? How does Chubukov react to it this time?
Their second fight is regarding a petty issue. They disputed over the superirity of their dogs. No one is ready to accept his or her dog’s being inferior. Chubukov also joins the fight and abuses Lomov. Not only he quarrels with him, but also drives him out of his house.
How do Lomov and Natalya marry?
Lomov has fainted and has just regained his senses. He is unable to understand anything. Natalya declares her consent. Chubukov gets them married hurriedly without proper procedure. All the three are happy. But their argument and quarrel goes on.
Who do you think is the rightful owner of the Oxen Meadows? How?
Lomov is the rightful owner of the disputed Oxen Meadows. The Meadows belongs to his ancestors. He has evidence and documents in support of his claim. He is familiar with the history. He argues logically. He appears to be true and honest.
What role does Chubukov play in quarrels ? What kind of a person is he?
Chubukov loses his temper easily. Instead of settling the quarrel, he flames it up. He spoils the situation. He appears to be hot-headed, haughty and arrogant. He is hypocrite and pretentious. Despite being so, he is an affectionate father. When he sees his daughter behaving frenziedly, he immediately goes to call Lomov back. He wants her daughter to be happy. Undoubtedly, he is irrational. But, it is only due to his efforts that Lomov could marry Natalya in the end.
Pick out comic instances from the play ‘The Proposal’.
Or
Do you think 'The Proposal’ is a comedy? Give instances from the play that favour your answer.
Unquestionably, ‘The Proposal’ is a comedy. The play has a series of comic instances. Lomov’s unstable physical condition makes him appear comical. Chubukov's and Natalya's immediate response on Lomov's marriage proposal is notable. Besides, their fighting over petty issues of dogs and meadows and the way ultimately the marriage ceremony takes place bring out the humour in the play.
Comment on the title of the play ‘The Proposal’.
The play, ‘The Proposal’ is all about a marriage proposal and how the characters of the play deflect from the purpose twice due to their uncertain behaviour. This one-act comedy by Anton Chekhov sharply comments on how financial security takes supremacy over romance and love.
Do you think both of them really wanted to use the land for themselves?
The play has its roots in the cultural practice of Russia a century ago when financial stability for the aristocrats was considered in the greater possession of land. Both of them didn’t mind losing the land but they were not willing to accept that the land belonged to the other. They brought all facts to prove that the land belonged to them. They were even willing to present the land to the other as a gift but their egos wouldn’t allow them to concede it to the other.
What did Chubukov tell Lomov when the latter shouted at him?
Chubukov told him that he was not used to being spoken to in that tone of voice. He was twice the age of Lomov. Hence, he expected some respect from Lomov.
How did Lomov and Chubukov throw mud on each other’s family?
Both of them abused each other’s family. Lomov blamed Chubukov by saying that his grandfather was tried for land embezzlement while Chubukov blamed Lomov by saying that his grandfather was a drunkard and his younger aunt ran away with an architect.
How did Natalya react when she came to know that Lomov had come to propose to her?
Natalya started behaving strangely when she got to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. As she was a yong girl of twenty five, she was concerned about her marriage. Finding Lomos very rich, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity of marrying him. Without having any shame for having abused him, she asks her father to call him back.
The characters in the play are very quarrelsome and they fight over silly matters. They are prone to outbursts of anger. Anger can cause harm not only to one’s health but it can also destroy our social and family life. Therefore anger management is very important in life. Based on your reading of the play, write a paragraph on the topic : ‘How to Manage Our Anger’.
How to Manage Our Anger
As adults, one important thing to learn is how to manage our temper. Some of us tend to get angry quickly, while others remain calm. Anger can have lot of ill effects on our health. It is at the root of many personal and social problems including domestic violence, physical and verbal abuse, and community violence. The effects of anger are not limited to our personal and social lives. Unchecked anger can weaken a person’s immune system, and can contribute to headaches and migraines, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Because anger often arises out of situations in which we feel powerless, it is natural for us to initially react to these situations by blaming others. However, blaming can only worsen a situation if it allows us to avoid taking responsibility for our own emotional reaction. Take time out from the situation; that way, we wouldn’t respond in a violent manner. If anger causes recurring problems in our life, it can be difficult to look within ourselves and face the fears or pain that we may have been suffering from for many years.
You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentences fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. One has been done for you.
1. To report a question, we use the reporting verb_______ (as in Sentence Set 1).
2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb asked.
3. The adverb of place here changes to__________ .
4. When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the____________ tense (as in Sentence Set 3).
5. If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to___________ tense. For example,____________ changes to was getting.
6. When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the adverb_________ in the reporting clause (as in Sentence Set 1).
7. The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as ,_______, ______, _________ , or___________ in reported speech.
“Please don’t shout ! You can shout yourself hoarse in your own house but here I must ask you to restrain yourself !”
(a) Who is speaking and to whom ?
(b) What is the dispute over ?
(c) What does the word, ‘restrain’ mean ?
Sponsor Area
Sponsor Area
