What is Farce? Discuss “The Proposal” as a Farce. - The Proposal by Anton Chekhov

What is Farce? Discuss “The Proposal” as a Farce.

What is Farce?

           

         Farce is a comedy which entertains audience by situations which are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and thus improbable (doubtful). Farce is also characterized by physical humor with highly stylish clothes or disguise and physical performances. Farce contains witty and comical language. Farce has been written for the stage and film. The dictionary meaning is,

“A light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character.”

The Proposal as a Farce:

       

          In Chekhov’s Russia, marriage was a mean of economic stability for most people. They married to gain wealth and possessions or to satisfy social pressure. The satire is conveyed successfully by emphasizing the couple’s foolish arguments over small things. The main arguments in the play revolve around “The Oxen Meadows” and “The two dogs” called “Guess and Squeezer”.

           As we read the play we can get the elements of Farce. Lomov’s dress and his behavior both are comic. We can observe his situation when Chubukov and Natalya fight with him. At the same point, Natalya can be considered as the quarrel loving and dominating girl. Chubukov is a mature man but when he sees Natalya and Lomov’s fight he also joins it and takes his daughter’s side. There are many situations which are farcical. As per the definition of Farce, it only contains development of plot rather than character and it skillfully creates humorous situations rather than any change in character’s behavior. All the characters are true to life and sometimes exaggerated in their emotions. 

Here are some farcical situations from the play:

1. Lomov’s dress:

       Lomov has come to Chubukov’s house in evening dress. He is very formal in his dress and that is why Natalya and Chubukov both ask him about his dress in a mocking way. His dress represents his wealth and also his desperateness for marriage. Chubukov says in a funny way,

“CHUBUKOV: Then why are you in evening dress, my boy? It’s as if you’re celebrating New Year's Eve!”

Natalya also has made fun of Lomov’s dress,

“But look at you! Why, you're in evening dress! Well you do look nice! Are you going to a party or something? Tell me!”

2. Lomov’s physical illness:

         Lomov is the hero of the play but though he lacks heroic quality and his physical weakness creates humor for the audience. He is not able to fight with anybody but though he tries and in that try he feels numbness, palpitation and aching in heart. He clutches his heart time and again during fight which creates humor.

         Lomov is physically weak but he doesn’t want to show his weakness to Natalya and Chubukov. His continuously tries to hide his fear from Natalya and Chubukov and that makes him a funny character. His age and his desire don’t match. He is only thirty-five but his symptoms of physical weakness prove his nervousness and inability to handle the situation. He fights with clutching his heart.

“LOMOV: And your mother was a hunchback! (Clutches at his heart) Oh my God Something’s pulling in my side.... my head is pounding…..  I need water!”

Natalya and Chubukov make fun of his physical weakness. Natalya says,

“NATALYA STEPANOVNA: (Teasing) My heart.... What sort of a hunter are you? You’d be better off lying down in a darkened room than chasing after foxes! (Mocking him) Oh My heart!”

In the end, Lomov marries Natalya in the condition of half-consciousness.

3. Fight on minor issues:

      

       The very first fight was about ownership of meadows. They both have accepted that the cost of those meadows does not matter for them, but though they have fought on that matter and abused each other and also their family member.

      

       The second fight was about superiority of their dog. This was the most trivial issue to fight. Though they have fought very badly and that has created a good humor in the play. Even after marriage also they have fought about the superiority of their dogs and it continued.

      

       This both fight has created a good amount of humor and excitement. It has created a farcical element in the play. Farce is not a cheap comedy with silly incidents but it involves good amount of humor with wit.

Conclusion:

         Thus, the play, “The Proposal” can be considered as the farcical play which criticizes human nature with funny or one can say realistic conditions. The play reflects human weaknesses with comical elements, and when a reader reads the play, s/he laughs but intellectually they laugh on their own weaknesses and nature.

Questions:

1. What is the meaning of Farce?
2. Explain the use of Farce in the play.
3. Which scene is most comic for you?
4. If you were the director, which characters would you like to choose for this play's film version?