The Proposal NCERT Solutions Class 10 PDF Download 2026

Ans: At first, seeing Lomov dressed in formal evening wear (a dress jacket and white gloves), Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He mentally resolves not to give him any. No, he is not sincere. He only acts overly affectionate ("my angel", "my own son") because he discovers Lomov has come to propose to his daughter, which is a highly profitable deal for him.

Ans: Chubukov says this to reassure Lomov, but it is an exaggeration. Natalya is not genuinely "lovesick" or romantically in love with Lomov. However, she is desperate to get married because she is already 25 years old. This becomes evident when she learns Lomov came to propose; despite their bitter fight, she goes into hysterics, crying, "Bring him back! Back!" and forces her father to fetch him immediately.

Ans: The first dispute is about the ownership of a piece of land called Oxen Meadows. Lomov casually mentions "my Oxen Meadows." Natalya immediately objects, claiming the land belongs to her family and that they have owned it for 300 years. Lomov counters that his aunt's grandmother gave it to the peasants of Natalya's father's grandfather for free use, and thus it belongs to him.

Ans: The second dispute is about the superiority of their hunting dogs. Lomov claims his dog, Guess, is the best, even though he is a bit old and has a short muzzle. Natalya fiercely argues that her father's dog, Squeezer, is a hundred times better, younger, and faster. They end up insulting each other's dogs relentlessly.

Ans: Lomov wants to marry Natalya for highly practical reasons. Firstly, he is already 35, which he considers a "critical age." Secondly, he suffers from palpitations and needs a quiet, regular life. Finally, he considers Natalya an excellent housekeeper, educated, and not bad-looking.

Ans: Lomov was wearing a formal evening dress (a dress-jacket and white gloves) because he was paying a formal visit to his neighbour, Chubukov, to ask for his daughter Natalya's hand in marriage.

Ans: Lomov was a severe hypochondriac. Whenever he got excited or stressed during the argument, his heart started palpitating, his lips trembled, there was a twitch in his right eyebrow, and his left leg became completely numb.

Ans: The Oxen Meadows measured about five dessiatins and were worth roughly three hundred roubles. Despite their low financial value, both parties fought over them purely out of principle and pride.

Ans: When Natalya forces Chubukov to bring Lomov back after kicking him out, Chubukov cries out, "Oh, what a burden, Lord, to be the father of a grown-up daughter!" He feels tortured by her dramatic mood swings and the pressure to get her married.

Ans: Lomov argues that Squeezer is an awful dog because he is "overshot." This means that his lower jaw is shorter than his upper jaw, making him a poor hunter who cannot grip his prey properly.

Ans: Ivan Lomov is a 35-year-old wealthy landowner and a chronic hypochondriac. He is highly anxious, socially awkward, and lacks self-confidence. He views marriage not as a matter of love, but as a practical necessity to cure his loneliness and manage his failing health. Despite wanting a peaceful life, he is highly argumentative and stubborn. His pride and ego constantly get in the way of his goals, causing him to prioritize fighting over a piece of land or a dog rather than proposing to the girl he intends to marry.

Ans: Natalya is a 25-year-old unmarried woman. She is educated, not bad-looking, and an excellent housekeeper. However, she is extremely short-tempered, quarrelsome, and highly possessive about her property. She fights bitterly with Lomov, insulting him and his family. Yet, she is desperate to marry because, in her society, a 25-year-old unmarried woman is considered an old maid. When she realizes Lomov came with a marriage proposal, she immediately throws aside her pride, bursts into tears, and forces her father to fetch him back, revealing her desperation.

Ans: Anton Chekhov uses this play as a brilliant satire on how wealthy families viewed marriage. In the play, love, romance, and emotional compatibility are completely non-existent. Lomov wants to marry Natalya for a "regular life" and because she is a good housekeeper. Chubukov wants the marriage to combine their vast estates and wealth. Natalya wants to marry to secure her social status. They hurl the worst possible insults at each other, yet they end up engaged. It highlights that marriages were merely economic contracts driven by greed and social convenience, rather than affection.

Ans: The climax is highly absurd and comical. While fiercely arguing over their hunting dogs, Lomov's heart palpitations peak, and he collapses into an armchair, appearing dead. Chubukov and Natalya panic, wailing that the chance of marriage is gone. Suddenly, Lomov twitches and asks for water. A desperate Chubukov immediately forces Lomov's hand into Natalya's, shouts his blessings, and tells them to kiss. Groggy and confused, Lomov kisses her. The irony is that the very next second, Natalya re-starts the argument about the dogs, and Chubukov calls for Champagne to drown out the noise!

Ans: Chubukov's hypocrisy is evident throughout the play. When Lomov arrives, he is incredibly sweet, calling him "my angel" and "my treasure" because he wants the marriage to happen. But the moment the argument about Oxen Meadows starts, he changes his tone entirely, abusing Lomov, calling him a "pettifogger," "blind hen," and a "turnip-ghost," and even threatens to shoot him. When Natalya cries to bring Lomov back, he again switches sides, forcing the marriage. He is driven purely by self-interest and greed.

Ans: Natalya says this to her father, Chubukov. The irony is that just moments before, she was viciously fighting with Lomov, calling him a land-grabber and kicking him out of her house. But the instant she learns he came with a proposal, her anger vanishes, and she becomes a desperate, wailing woman demanding his immediate return.

Ans: They hurl terrible insults. Lomov calls Chubukov an "intriguer" and a "land-grabber." Chubukov accuses Lomov's grandfather of being a drunkard and says Lomov's aunt ran away with an architect. Natalya calls Lomov a "monster" and a "rascal."

Ans: Lomov proudly states that he paid Mironov 125 roubles for his dog, Guess, which he considers a bargain for such a first-rate dog.

Ans: Lomov considers 35 a critical age because he feels he is getting old and his health is deteriorating (palpitations, insomnia). He believes if he doesn't get married now, he will remain a bachelor forever and die alone.