Critically appreciate the play - The Proposal by Anton Chekhov

Critically appreciate the play

        

    

        One act play “The Proposal” is like a short story. This play is a farcical comedy in satirist style. The main concentrate of the play is “how human vanity destroys human relationship” In this play the main characters Lomov and Natalya both wants to marry each other but there was a problem of ego. They both want to look superior to each other.

          

       When the play starts we can observe the artificiality of human nature. When Chubukov talks with Lomov he uses very cheesy words and time and again tries to impress him. Lomov is also well dressed and looking handsome as he came with an intention to marry Natalya, after knowing this fact Chubukov became happier. At this point of the play, dramatist presents the greedy and selfish nature of humankind. People hate each other till they do not have any kind of need of them. Chubukov and Natalya both are interested in the wealth of Lomov and that is why they have accepted him as their family member. On the other hand Lomov is impressed by Natalya’s beauty and an ability to do household work. He emerges as the innocent character at this part. Chubukov and Natalya have greedy and possessive nature, these both control human minds. Dramatist has presented this with humour and satire.

         Chekhov has very well presented the human nature by depicting protagonists as ordinary human beings. Human beings have their weaknesses and Natalya and Lomov also have this kind of weakness. Both fight with each other and at the same time they also try to talk with each other in good way.  Dramatist also presented that how humans create issues in small matters like Natalya and Lomov have started fighting on their meadows and dogs. We can say that,

“A good start can’t start without disasters”

         

           There are lots of arguments and dispute in the play. Proposal turns into quarrel and both the quarrel contain harsh arguments and insults of their family members. They continuously attack each other with abusing words about their family members.

           There are lots of verbal attacks by Natalya in the play. Natalya abuses Lomov by saying that he can be only fit in the kitchen works and all household works.

“Natalya: (teasing) My heart.... what sort of a hunter are you? You ought to go and lie on kitchen oven and catch black beetles, not go after foxes! My heart!”

 She also abused his family members,

“Natalya: and there haven’t been many back-biters to equal your aunt.”

        Chekhov has woven plot with humorous presentation and gentle satire. He has presented human feelings with funny description. The way Lomov and Natalya fight, it is very serious for them but it seems very funny on the part of audience. It is more common and like a day to day life situations. The play has a farcical presentation of human feelings and emotions especially possessiveness, greed, short temper nature and bad behaviour with other people. All humans have these qualities and readers can feel that they are reading the real story.

 

Critically appreciate the play

• ·       Introduction of the play
• ·       Characters – humans with weaknesses
• ·       Human nature
• ·       Argument and disputes
• ·       Verbal attacks
• ·       Power of greed and possession
• ·       Humorous presentation with satire
• ·       Hero-heroine – presentation of common people

Introduction and Background of the play

Character of Lomov

Character of Natalya 

Character of Chubukov

 Questions:

1. Explain at least two points from the play. (Human nature, Argument and disputes,Verbal attacks, Power of greed and possession, Humorous presentation with satire)