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The Proposal Summary: A Play by Anton Chekhov

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Summary of the Proposal

The Proposal summary is based on a Ruritanian play written by Anton Chekhov. It is a short story that speaks about the tumultuous strain between two wealthy neighbours. The discontentment and lust within to increase their property and wealth induce them to the most straightforward way known to man, marriage. 

 

In the Proposal Class 10 summary, Ivan Lomov is 35 years old and a wealthy bachelor who has a heart issue. He desires to marry his neighbour, daughter Natalya, who is 25 years old. However, he needs the approval of her father, Stepan Chubukov, who is a wealthy landowner. 

 

Theme

The Proposal is a rattling good story about a young man, Ivan Lomov, who presents a marriage Proposal to his neighbour, Stepan Chubukov, for his unmarried daughter, Natalya. The story takes a nose-dive for the worse as the three of them enter into an argument about who gets to keep the property, Oxen Meadows, and the dogs. 

 

Ivan Lomov has come dressed elegantly to ask the hand of his neighbor’s daughter. Assuming that he has come for some other purpose, Chubukov asks him the reason for the visit. When he says the actual reason, he calls his daughter. 

 

During the conversation with Natalya, Ivan mentions Oxen Meadows that happens to be a topic of dispute between both families. Natalya, assuming that Lomov has come to discuss that, is none too pleased with it. 

 

She begins arguing about it with Ivan. Stepan enters into the argument making it worse. All the characters in the Proposal Class 10 summary, have delved into the discussion that they forget about the primary purpose of Ivan visiting Stepan's home. 

 

The quarreling goes on until the emotions get the better of Lomov, who ends up fainting. Ivan has a heart issue, and Natalya's anger seems to have calmed down. Before Lomov could walk away, she forces her father, Chubukov, to accept his marriage Proposal. 

 

Stepan instantly agrees and places his daughter's hands into Ivan's. Sadly, the new couple begins bickering about their wealth.

 

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Introduction to the Proposal Class 10 Summary

The Proposal is a truthful play that was written by Anton Chekhov during the 18th century. His works are widely popular because they deal with practical issues that plague society today. The Proposal is a short, hilarious, and practical short story about two wealthy neighbors. 

 

The summary of the Proposal is about how families with immense wealth want to enhance their earthly possessions through marriage further. The author finds it amusing that though they have already filled their coffers with plenty of gold and silver, their desire and lust for money know no bounds. 

 

The play begins with Ivan Lomov, who is a wealthy man. Lomov seeks the hand of his wealthy neighbour, Stepan Chubukov's daughter Natalya. Stepan's immense real estate wealth in the form of Oxen Meadows is hard to resist for Ivan. 

 

Sadly, things do not go as planned, and all three of them end up arguing about their wealth. Each of them, Stepan, Natalya, and Lomov, want to stake claim even for the dogs. The beauty of the summary of the Proposal Class 10 is that they forget the primary purpose, the Proposal. 

 

Stepan does not want to lose out on a good deal for his 25-year-old daughter, Natalya, and accepts the marriage Proposal. Things take a turn for the worse as the new couple begins from where they started arguing about material possessions.

 

Conclusion of the Proposal

The Proposal summary in English is a beautiful short story about how wealthy families seek to tie up with one another through marriages to increase their property and wealth. They do not seem to be satisfied with what life has given to them.

 

All three characters in the summary of the Proposal are quarrelsome and arrogant in their ways. Things become humorous to a certain extent when they call each other names and argue about whose dog is better and more expensive. 

 

The story beautifully illustrates that at the end of the day, we are human, after all. 

 

Story Highlights

  • Lomov goes to Chubukov's house to ask for Chubukov's daughter's hand.

  • Lomov explains the reason for his visit to Chubukov. Chubukov permits him to marry his daughter.

  • Lomov begins to speak of his land, which Natalya believes she owns.

  • Lomov informs Natalya that he is the owner of the property. As the argument continues, Chubukov comes and takes Natalya's side.

  • Lomov's visit to Natalya was for a reason, according to Chubukov.

  • Natalya tells Chubukov to dial Lomov's number. When Lomov comes, they dispute once again about whose pet dog is the best.

  • Lomov loses consciousness. Chubukov gives Lomov her daughter’s hand.

We hope that The Proposal Summary Class 10 English helped students to have a thorough understanding of the chapter. You can visit Vedantu's website for various chapters and other study material. You can also access sample papers, previous year question papers, revision notes, & essential questions for your board Exams preparation. Furthermore, you can also download the Vedantu app for more interactive videos. You can ask real-time doubts to the subject experts and get them solved free of cost. 

FAQs on The Proposal Summary: A Play by Anton Chekhov

1. What You Find Out From the Play about Russian Men?

The proposal summary is based on Russian characters, a man, a father, and his daughter. The Russians, in general, are particular about how they dress and present themselves to others. They dress elegantly for functions and special occasions. 


Though the men seem gentle and sweet, they tend to become provoked if their requests are not met. In the summary of the proposal class 10, we see two neighbors who are quite friendly and caring but actually are more concerned about material possessions. Besides, they hold grudges against each other. 


It is humorous to note that they were quarreling about who should own their pet dogs. The conclusion in the proposal summary indicates that Ivan was a quarrelsome individual. 

2. Do You think Ivan Lomov Wanted to Marry Natalya or Gain the Oxen Meadows?

Ivan Lomov wanted to marry Natalya more than gain possession of Oxen Meadows. However, Ivan was already 35 years old and had a medical issue. Moreover, Natalya was only 25 years old, a rich heiress to Oxen Meadows, and was not bad-looking. 


Ivan did not have time on his side. Instead of wasting time, he might as well tie the knot with Natalya, whom he knows for many years, as his neighbor. Not to mention, Stepan also knew Ivan thanks to the fact that they were neighbors. 


Though both the men had a close eye on each other's property, they probably bonded since they were neighbors for many years. This was a win-win situation for Ivan in this summary of the proposal class 10. 

3. What are the qualities that are common in all the three characters of the play ‘The Proposal’?

All of the characters in the play are aggressive, prideful, and possessive. They are constantly ready to argue about petty issues.

4. What was the reaction of Natalya when she came to know that Lomov had come to propose to her?

Natalya was shocked when she discovered that Lomov had come to propose to her. She cries, changes her position, and asks her father.

5. What does the play- The Proposal teach us? In today’s time, why are people going away from each other?

The play 'The Proposal' demonstrates how easily anger and arguments can destroy a relationship. As a result, it is necessary to keep your anger under control to maintain a healthy relationship. Arguing over insignificant or small topics is harmful and time-consuming. If someone makes a mistake, rather than getting furious and arguing with them continuously, one should be willing to forgive and forget. People nowadays prefer to see only the good in others and are reluctant to accept their flaws. As a result, maintaining a positive and cordial relationship with others is getting increasingly challenging.

6. Describe Natalya as a person with an Example.

Natalya is a bit of a hypocrite, stubborn and argumentative person. Natalya meets Lomov warmly and graciously when she first enters the room, allowing him to smoke and complimenting him on his appearance. She quickly interrupts and contradicts Lomov when he mentions "my meadows". An argument of who owns what land, therefore, becomes a contentious issue.

7. Neighbours must have a friendly relationship, which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe their first fight.

Lomov meets Natalya, and instead of proposing to her, he goes off the rails. He explains how he inherited his land and how he admires her father. He also informs Natalya that his Oxen meadows are in touch with her Birchwood. When Natalya hears this, she says that Oxen Meadows is theirs. They begin to argue about it. Lomov says that he is talking about the Oxen Meadows, which is between her Birchwoods and Burnt Marsh. Natalya again says that they are theirs. 


Lomov denied it. He tells her that those meadows were given to her father's grandfather by his aunt's grandmother. After forty years of using the land, the peasants began to see the land as their own. Natalya's father arrives and begins a fight with Lomov. They get into a furious argument and start name-calling. Lomov eventually leaves their house.

8. Is it essential to study The Proposal Class 10 word meanings?

Yes, it is essential to study The Proposal Class 10 word meanings for the Exam. The word meanings may come in your Exams. If you learn them, you can score good marks in your Exams.