Introduction :
" Love , Friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something"
- Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov was born on 29 January 1860 in Russia and died on 15th July 1904 . He was a Russian playwright and Short Story writer . He is considered to be the greatest writer of all time . Chekhov is recognised as a master of the modern short story . He is a leading playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries .The Marriage Proposal is a Comic one act play
His Works
- Uncle Vanya (1897)
- The three sisters ( 1901)
- The Cherry Orchard (1904)
His Achievements
" Chekhov is recognised as a master of the modern short story" . He is a leading playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries " He also won Pushkin Prize in 1888
About himself
" Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass
- Anton Chekhov
Setting
" Setting shows when and wheres the action take place .
Location - It happened in Chubukov Country - house. It's exactly in the drawing room.
Time - It is happened in evening about 7 PM
About the play .
It is one act play. It was written by Anton Chekhov . Lomov has come to propose to his neighbor's 25-year-old daughter, Natalia. But when she is invited into the room after permission is granted. Ivan Lomov and Nataliya are quarreling with each other . They are quarreling about their oxen meadows. Chubukov , the lady's father also joins the heated discussion.
Title
"Title shows the centre idea of any literary work.
The title of the one act play is " The Marriage Proposal " .The title of the play is 'The Proposal' and it's a really appropriate one for the entire play is about Natalya being proposed to by Lomov. so , The title is short , sweet and simple .
Plot Summary of the play
- The story of two neighbours
- Quarrel over Oxen Meadows
- Realisation of Nataliya
- Quarrel over Dog
End of the play
- "The Marriage Proposal as a Comic Play
- " The Marriage Proposal as a Satirical Play
The story of Neighbours
The Proposal is a Comic Play . It was written by Chekhov . It was written during the 18th century. The story focuses on the main three characters . The male Protagonists are Lomov and Chubukov . The female protagonist is Nataliya . The story lays strength on the quarrel between both.
Quarrel over Oxen Meadow
Lomov is interested in getting married to Nataliya . So he pays a special visit to her house. They talk on some formal issues but they start arguments about the ownership of oxen meadows . Each claims that the property belongs to him/her
In this quarrel the proposal of Lomov is put aside and both continue to exchange comments. Lomov is ready to show the papers for it , but Chubukov denies it . Now they started abusing each other's family
"All's well that ends well" applies also to this play. The arguments continue even to the end .
Realisation Of Nataliya
Nataliya said;
"He comes to propose to me "
Oh my God !
Bring him back
Oh my God !
Get him back …
Please make him come back !! "
Chubukov does not want to lose out on a good deal for his 25 years old daughter , Nataliya. Nataliya comes to know about his intentions. Now , she realised her mistakes and told her father to bring him back
Chubukov remarks…
"Oh! What a burden
Lord , to be the father ,
Of a grown up daughter "!
Quarrel over Dog… .
Unfortunately after Chubukov's interference the first quarrel was stopped
Nataliya said ;
"Nataliya confesses that the Oxen Meadows belongs to him"
Then they start to talk about hunting season. Meanwhile Lomov makes a remark that his dog is better than her dog
Nataliya claims that ;
" Her Squeer is the best dog and hundred times better than Lomov's Guess"
But Lomov does not agree with this insulting remark of his dog. In this way they quarrel again . But , as usual, Lomov has palpitations . Thus, they abuse each other and Lomov again faints.
End of the one act play
When Lomov comes again to Nataliya house to put a proposal. But, he doesn't directly talk about his proposal. This time while quarreling over a dog . Once again father enters and tries to manage the situation. When all three people lose their temper . This play reaches its climax . Both lovers Nataliya and Lomov talk freely about their marriage.
"The Marriage Proposal as a satirical Play
This is a satirical play . In fact , this play is a humorous presentation of human feelings between Lomov and Nataliya , the hero and heroine of the play . Lomov's pathetic and futile attempt to propose marriage to Nataliya is turned into a farcical situation . It focuses on basic human relationships.
"The Marriage Proposal as a Comic Play.
Lomov is richly dressed for the occasion . He tries to show off his wealth and status. But this leads him into a foolish quarrel with Nataliya and her father . He has a weak heart . His eye-lids tremble . He faints . This creates joy and laughter from the reader's point of view
Comic scene
Lomov's dress up
Nataliya's entry
Lomov and Nataliya's quarreling
Landowning Class
A major theme in The Proposal is Chekhov's satire of the landowning class in 19th-century Russia. The landowners were a small, privileged class . Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov were obsessed about ownership of a worthless land Called Oxen Meadows. Their pride and greed are so extreme that they override a marriage proposal. Lomov calls Chubukov a land grabber, but, in truth, they all are .
Lack of Communication
A major theme is lack of communication . This first is seen by Lomov's style of speech. Instead of directly proposing to Natalya, he talks about their families. Also, he often stops his train of thought to mention something else. In the middle of his argument with Natalya and Chubukov about Oxen Meadows he cries, "You're a snake and a ... Oh, my heart … my eyes are gone blurry
Marriage.
