Jharkhand Board Class 10 English Notes | The Proposal Solutions Chapter 11
11. The Proposal
Questions on Extract
Extract-1. Lomov : But you can see from the documents,
honoured Natalya Stepanovna. Oxen Meadows, it's true, were once
the subject of dispute, but now everybody knows that they are
mine. There's nothing to argue about. You see my aunt's
grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to
the peasants of your father's grandfather in return for which they
were to make bricks for her. The peasants belonging to your father's
grandfather had the free use of the Meadows for forty years, and
had got into the habit of regarding them as their own, when it
happened that.........
Natalya : No, it isn't at all like that! Both grandfather and
great-grandfather reckoned that their land extended to Burnt
Marsh―which means that Oxen Meadows were ours. I don't see
what there is to argue about. It's simply silly! (Page 147) (V.Imp.)
(a) Why does Lomov say that Natalya can see the
documents?
(b) What for did Lomov's aunt's grandfather give the Oxen
Meadows to Natalya's father's grandfather?
(c) Why does Natalya say that Oxen Meadows are theirs?
(d) What is 'simply silly' here?
(e) Find a word from the passage which means :'in
continuity!
Ans.(a) He says so as a proof to the fact that Oxen Meadows are
his.
(b) He gave the Meadows in lieu of their making bricks for
Lomov's aunt's grandmother.
(c) She says so because her grandfather and great-grandfather
thought that Oxen Meadows extended to Burnt Marsh.
(d) It is simply silly' to believe that Oxen Meadows are of
Lomov.
(e) 'in perpetuity.
Long Type Questions and Answer
Q. 1. What for does Lomov go to Chubukov's house? How
does he go and behave? How is he received by Chubukov? How
does Chubukov react?
OR, Who is Lomov? What purpose for he went to the house
of Chubukov?
Ans. Lomov goes to Chubukov's house to propose to Natalya.
He is in his evening dress and has white gloves. Chubukov receives
him warmly. It is because Lomov is the most suitable son-in-law
for his daughter. So Chubukov shows his extreme love and joy at
his coming to his house. He calls him 'my angel'. 'my treasure'. 'my
precious'. However, before it Chubukov thinks that Lomov has
come for borrowing money. He won't give him any. Lomov goes
round and round. Chubukov asks him to speak the purpose. Lomov
gathers up the courage. He then says that he has come to ask the
hand of his daughter, Natalya. Chubukov is extremely pleased to
hear it. He embraces Lomov and kisses him.
Q.2. Describe the arguments (verbal fight) between Lomoy
and Natalya and Chubukov over the ownership of Oxen
Meadows.
Ans. Lomov is very nervous to propose to Natalya. So instead
of proposing he starts talking this way or that way. He says that
Natalya will remember that his Oxen Meadows touch Natalya's
birchwoods. This starts the argument between him and Natalya.
Natalys says that Oxen Meadows are theirs. Lomov says that Oxen
meadows were once under a dispute. But they are his now. His
aunt's grandmother gave their free use in perpetuity to the peasants
of Natalya's father's grandfather. The peasants used them freely for
forty years. But they reagarded treating them their own. Natalya
objects to it. She replies that they have had them for nearly three
hundred years, though they are worth 300 roubles. Both stick to
their arguments.
Q. 3. Describe how Lomov and Natalya and Chubukov
insist that their dogs are better.
Or, Describe the verbal fight between Lomov and Natalya
and Chubukov over their respective dogs.
Ans. After the verbal fight between Lomov, Natalya and
Chubukov Lomov staggers. He then goes out in excitement.
Chubukov repeats that Lomov came to propose. At this Natalya
asks her father to fetch Lomov in. When the comes, Natalya asks
politely when he is going hunting. Lomov says that his dog Guess
has gone lame. Natalya says it is a great pity. Lomov calls that his
dog Guess is the best. He cost him 125 roubles. Natalya says it is
not so. Their dog Squeezer cost 85 roubles. Lomov calls it funny.
Natalya replies that Squeezer has a pure breed. But Lomov says
that Squeezer's lower jaw is shorter than the upper one. Lomov
says that Squeezer is hardly worth for 25 roubles. Natalya calls
Squeezer a better dog. But Lomov says Guess is better. Even
Chubukov says the Guess is old and short in the muzzle. Lomov
says that on the Marusinsky hunt, Guess ran neck-to-neck. But
Squeezer was left behind. Then other dogs ran after a fox. But
Squeezer ran after a sheep.
Q. 4. "The Proposal' is a great comedy and full of great
humour. Explain the statements.
Ans. "The Proposal' is really a great comedy. It is full of great
humour. This is caused by the foolish or non-serious behaviour of
Lomov, Natalya and her father Chubukov. Lomov comes to
Natalya's house to propose. He doesn't propose, but talks of the
ownership of Oxen Meadows. Lomov says that they are his. But
Natalya says they are theirs. The argument is highly comical. They
start accusing each other. Lomov sas Chubukov's mother was
'hump-backed'. Chubukov says Lomov's father was a gambler. His
younger aunt ran away with an architect. They call each other
'intriguer', 'landgrabber'. etc. These are highly humorous. Lomov's
palpitations also cause a lot of homour. When Chubukoy asks
Lomov to kiss. Lomov asks "Kiss whom'. This is high humour.
◆◆◆