The Proposal Question Answer – Class 10 English

Before You Read

Activity

1. The word 'proposal' has several meanings. Can you guess what sort of proposal the play is about?

(i) a suggestion, plan or scheme for doing something (ii) an offer for a possible plan or action (iii) the act of asking someone's hand in marriage

The play is about a proposal of the third kind, (iii) the act of asking someone's hand in marriage. Lomov comes to Chubukov's house to ask for the hand of his daughter, Natalya.

2. Do you think Indian and Russian weddings have any customs in common? With the help of a partner, fill in the table below.

Wedding Ceremonies in Russia and India

Thinking about the Play

1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says "And I've always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son"? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

At first Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. Seeing him nervous and formally dressed, he says in an aside, "He's come to borrow money. Shan't give him any!"

He is not sincere when he later says, "And I've always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son." A moment earlier he had been ready to refuse Lomov a loan. His affection appears only when he learns that a rich neighbour wants to marry his 25-year-old daughter, a match that makes good economic sense. His real feelings come out during the quarrels. He calls Lomov a "pettifogger", "villain", "scarecrow", "stuffed sausage", "Boy! Pup!" and "Milksop! Fool!", and tells him, "don't set foot in my house again!" Even when he finally blesses the couple, he says, "Kiss and be damned to you!" and "Only leave me in peace!" His "love" for Lomov is plainly false.

2. Chubukov says of Natalya: "… as if she won't consent! She's in love; egad, she's like a lovesick cat…" Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Chubukov's words are an exaggeration, but there is some truth in them. Natalya is not shown as being in love with Lomov. She does not even know why he has come, and she quarrels bitterly with him over Oxen Meadows, calling him "impudent" and later a "rascal" and a "monster". So "lovesick cat" is not accurate in the romantic sense.

However, she is clearly eager to get married. The moment she learns that Lomov had come to propose, she falls into an easy-chair, wails and has hysterics, crying, "Bring him back! Back!" and "I'm dying! Fetch him!" She at once gives up her claim, saying, "Oxen Meadows… really are yours." When Chubukov puts Lomov's hand in hers, she says, "Yes, yes, I'm willing." At 25, she is anxious not to lose a suitable, wealthy match. So she is keen on the marriage, though not truly lovesick.

3. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a "malicious, doublefaced intriguer." Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as "an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.")

(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

These characters are so quarrelsome that they will find something new to fight about almost at once. They may quarrel over the wedding arrangements: the date, the number of guests, the food, or who should pay. They may argue about the dowry and whether Oxen Meadows will now go to Lomov. They might fight over whose house the couple will live in, how the land and estates should be managed, or whose hay is better. Even the old disputes over the dogs and family honour will surely return, since the play ends with Natalya still shouting "Worse! Worse! Worse!"

Thinking about Language

I.

1. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play? Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.

Yes. In an English play an older man would not call an adult man my darling or my treasure; these terms of affection sound Russian. The use of the full name with the father's name (patronymic), as in "honoured Stepan Stepanovitch", is also typically Russian.

2. Look up the following words in a dictionary and find out how to pronounce them. Pay attention to how many syllables there are in each word, and find out which syllable is stressed, or said more forcefully.

The stressed syllable is shown in capital letters.

3. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and then use each in a sentence of your own.

(i) You may take it that

Meaning: you may assume or be sure that.

Sentence: You may take it that the school will remain closed tomorrow because of the flood warning.

(ii) He seems to be coming round

Meaning: he appears to be regaining consciousness (it can also mean changing one's opinion to agree with someone).

Sentence: The boy fainted in the heat, but after we sprinkled water on his face, he seemed to be coming round.

(iii) My foot's gone to sleep

Meaning: my foot has become numb for a while because of sitting in one position for a long time.

Sentence: After sitting cross-legged on the floor through the long puja, I could not stand up because my foot had gone to sleep.

II. Reported Speech

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).

To report a question, we use the reporting verb asked (as in Sentence Set 1).

2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb ___.

To report a statement, we use the reporting verb said (or declared, as in Sentence Set 5).

3. The adverb of place here changes to ___.

The adverb of place here changes to there.

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).

When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the past tense (as in Sentence Set 3, where the present perfect "haven't been" becomes the past perfect "hadn't been").

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.

If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to past continuous tense. For example, am getting 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).

When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the adverb respectfully 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.

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 he, him, their or his in reported speech. (I → he, me → him, our → their, mine → his; for a woman speaker, she, her, their, hers, as in Sentence Set 5, where "my mowers" becomes "her mowers".)

III. Here is an excerpt from an article from the Times of India dated 27 August 2006. Rewrite it, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech. Leave the other sentences unchanged.

90-year-old A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema's most famous character actors, laughingly asked why we wanted to know his age. He added that if people knew he was so old, he would not get work. For his age, he is rather energetic. We asked him what the secret was. He replied that his intake of everything was in small quantities and that he walked a lot.

He said that he had joined the industry when people retired. He had been in his 40s, so he did not miss being called a star. He said that he was still respected and given work when actors of his age were living in poverty and without work. He said that he did not have any complaints, adding that he had always been underpaid. Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He said with regret that though he was no doubt content that day, money was important, and that he had been a fool not to understand the value of money earlier.

Speaking and Writing

1. Anger Management: 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. Can you think of three ill effects that result from anger? Note them down. Suggest ways to avoid losing your temper in such situations. Are there any benefits from anger?

Three ill effects of anger:

1. It harms health. Anger raises blood pressure and heartbeat, and causes headaches and stress. In the play, Lomov's palpitations grow worse with every quarrel until he faints.
2. It spoils relationships. In anger we say hurtful things we do not mean. Lomov and the Chubukovs insult each other's families and nearly lose a good marriage over a worthless meadow.
3. It clouds judgement. An angry person cannot think clearly and often takes wrong decisions that he or she regrets later.

Ways to avoid losing your temper:

• Pause before reacting. Count slowly to ten or take a few deep breaths.
• Move away from the situation for a while and return when you are calm.
• Listen to the other person's point of view and speak politely, not loudly.
• Do not argue over small, unimportant matters; ask yourself whether the issue really matters.
• Release stress through exercise, music, prayer, meditation or talking to a trusted friend.

Benefits of anger: Anger is not always harmful. Controlled anger at injustice can push us to act, for example to speak against cruelty, corruption or unfair treatment. It can also give us energy to fight back against failure and work harder. The key is to control anger and direct it to a good purpose, instead of letting it control us.

2. In pairs, prepare a script based on the given excerpt from The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore. You may write five exchanges between the characters with other directions such as movements on stage and way of speaking, etc.

Characters: Nikhil, a zamindar; Bimala, his wife (the Chota Rani); a Messenger

Scene: Nikhil's office room. Afternoon. Nikhil sits at his desk, busy with papers. The Messenger enters.

MESSENGER : [bowing] Sir, the Rani Mother has sent for you.

NIKHIL : [looking up, startled] Who did you say has sent for me? The Bara Rani?

MESSENGER : No, sir, the Chota Rani Mother.

NIKHIL : [to himself, surprised] The Chota Rani! It seems a century since she last sent for me. [He leaves his papers and walks off to the inner apartments.]

[The inner room. It is neat and tidy again. Bimala stands near the window, dressed up. She flushes a little and toys with the bangles on her left arm. Nikhil enters and stands silently, looking at her enquiringly.]

BIMALA : [abruptly breaking the silence, in a firm voice] Look here! Is it right that ours should be the only market in all Bengal which allows foreign goods?

NIKHIL : [calmly] What, then, would be the right thing to do?

BIMALA : [sharply] Order them to be cleared out!

NIKHIL : [gently, shaking his head] But the goods are not mine.

BIMALA : [raising her voice] Is not the market yours?

NIKHIL : It is much more theirs who use it for trade.

BIMALA : [impatiently] Let them trade in Indian goods, then.

NIKHIL : [with a faint smile] Nothing would please me better. But suppose they do not?

BIMALA : [angrily, stepping forward] Nonsense! How dare they be so insolent? Are you not…

NIKHIL : [raising his hand to stop her, firmly but quietly] I am very busy this afternoon and cannot stop to argue it out. But I must refuse to tyrannise.

BIMALA : [passionately] It would not be tyranny for selfish gain, but for the sake of the country.

NIKHIL : [turning towards the door, sadly] To tyrannise for the country is to tyrannise over the country. But that I am afraid you will never understand. [He walks out slowly. Bimala stands still, hurt and angry, twisting her bangles.]

(Curtain)

3. In groups, discuss the qualities one should look for in a marriage partner. You might consider the following points.

• Personal qualities: appearance or looks; attitudes and beliefs; sense of humour
• Value system: compassion and kindness; tolerance, ambition; attitude to money and wealth
• Education and professional background

Model points for the discussion:

Personal qualities. Good looks may attract us at first, but they fade with time, so they should not be the main reason for choosing a partner. As the poem "For Anne Gregory" suggests, a person should be loved "for yourself alone". Similar attitudes and beliefs help a couple agree on important matters such as religion, family and raising children. A sense of humour is very valuable, because it helps a couple laugh together and get through hard times. Lomov and Natalya clearly lack this.

Value system. Compassion and kindness are perhaps the most important qualities, since a kind partner will be caring in sickness and in trouble. Tolerance helps a couple respect each other's views and avoid petty quarrels like those over Oxen Meadows. Healthy ambition is good, but it should not make a person selfish. A partner should have a sensible attitude to money: neither greedy nor careless, and not choosing a match only for land or wealth, as the families in the play do.

Education and professional background. Education helps partners understand each other and share ideas. A stable profession gives the family security. However, it matters more that both partners respect each other's work and share responsibilities at home.

In conclusion, a good marriage partner is one who is kind, understanding, honest and respectful, and with whom one can share both joys and sorrows.

4. Are there parts of the play that remind you of film scenes from romantic comedies? Discuss this in groups, and recount to the rest of the class episodes similar to those in the play.

Yes, several parts of the play are like scenes from romantic comedies:

• The nervous suitor. Lomov arrives in evening dress and white gloves, trembles, keeps drinking water and cannot come to the point. Many films show a hero rehearsing his proposal and getting tongue-tied in front of the girl's father.
• The misunderstanding. Chubukov thinks Lomov has come to borrow money, and he tells Natalya only that "a merchant" has come "for his goods", so she has no idea why Lomov is there. Comedies often build humour on such mistaken guesses.
• Quarrelling lovers. Lomov and Natalya fight like enemies over Oxen Meadows and the dogs instead of talking of love. In many romantic comedies, the hero and heroine quarrel at every meeting before they finally come together.
• The sudden change of heart. When Natalya learns about the proposal, she has hysterics and makes her father bring Lomov back, and at once agrees that the Meadows are his. Films often show a heroine who realises at the last moment that she does not want to lose the hero.
• The comic fainting and the forced union. Lomov faints, everyone thinks he is dead, and the father joins the couple's hands in a hurry. Many films end with an elder uniting the pair in a comic, chaotic scene, just as Chubukov shouts "Champagne! Champagne!" over the quarrel.

In your group, you may recount a scene from a romantic comedy you have seen, and point out how it resembles one of these episodes.

In This Lesson: What You Can Do

Dictate the biographical information given below. Students should then guess the name of the playwright. (1564–1616). He was born at Stratford-on-Avon in April 1564…

The playwright is William Shakespeare (1564–1616). He was born at Stratford-on-Avon, married Anne Hathaway, worked as an actor and playwright in London, retired to Stratford and died in 1616.

Homophones

Can you find the words below that are spelt similarly, and sometimes even pronounced similarly, but have very different meanings? Check their pronunciation and meaning in a dictionary.

• They were too close to the door to close it.

• Since there is no time like the present, she thought it was time to present the present.

These words have the same spelling but different meanings, and some of them have a different pronunciation as well. Strictly speaking, words spelt alike but with different meanings are called homographs. The noun and verb present differ in stress (stress on the first syllable for the noun, on the second for the verb).