Chapter 9


The Proposal


1.Who is the first visitor in the play?

Answer: Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov.


2.How does Chubukov initially react to Lomov’s visit?

Answer: He is extremely happy and warmly welcomes him.


3.Why is Chubukov surprised by Lomov's appearance?

Answer: Because Lomov is dressed formally in evening clothes.


4.Why does Lomov say he has come?

Answer: To ask for the hand of Natalya Stepanovna in marriage.


5.How does Chubukov respond when Lomov says he wants to marry Natalya?

Answer: He is overjoyed and gives his blessing immediately.


6.What is the first topic Lomov and Natalya argue about?

Answer: Ownership of Oxen Meadows.


7.What does Natalya claim about Oxen Meadows?

Answer: That they belong to her family.


8.What proof does Lomov give about the Meadows being his?

Answer: He says his aunt’s grandmother gave them to Natalya’s grandfather’s peasants for temporary use.


9.How long does Lomov say the peasants used Oxen Meadows?

Answer: For forty years.


10.What is Natalya's reaction to Lomov’s claim?

Answer: She becomes angry and insists the land is theirs.


11.How does Chubukov react when he enters the argument?

Answer: He supports Natalya and argues with Lomov.


12.What is Lomov’s physical condition during the arguments?

Answer: He suffers from palpitations and becomes very weak and agitated.


13.What insult does Chubukov hurl at Lomov’s family?

Answer: He says the Lomovs have lunacy in their family.


14.What insult does Lomov return to Chubukov?

Answer: That Chubukov’s grandfather was tried for embezzlement.


15.What does Lomov threaten to do after the quarrel?

Answer: Take the matter to court.


16.How does Natalya react when she finds out Lomov came to propose?

Answer: She panics and insists her father bring him back.


17.What does Chubukov call Lomov in anger?

Answer: A "pettifogger" and a "stuffed sausage."


18.What is Chubukov’s reaction to Natalya’s request to bring Lomov back?

Answer: He is frustrated but agrees to go get him.


20.How does Lomov appear when he returns?

Answer: Exhausted, disoriented, and physically weak.


21.What does Natalya do to make peace with Lomov after he returns?

Answer: She admits that Oxen Meadows belong to Lomov.


22.What topic do they start arguing about after reconciling?

Answer: Whose dog is better — Lomov’s Guess or Natalya’s Squeezer.


23.What is Lomov’s opinion of Squeezer?

Answer: He thinks Squeezer is overshot and not a good hunter.


24.How does Natalya defend Squeezer?

Answer: She says Squeezer is purebred and better than Guess.


25.What does Chubukov say about Guess and Squeezer?

Answer: Guess is good but old and short in the muzzle; Squeezer is the best in the district.


26.How does Lomov physically react to the second argument?

Answer: He clutches his heart and falls into a chair, appearing to faint.


27.What does Natalya think has happened when Lomov collapses?

Answer: She thinks he has died.


28.How does Chubukov react to Lomov’s collapse?

Answer: He panics and calls for water and a doctor.


29.What does Chubukov do when Lomov regains consciousness?

Answer: He quickly puts Lomov’s hand into Natalya’s and tells them to marry.


30.Do Lomov and Natalya finally accept the proposal?

Answer: Yes, they agree to marry.


31.What do Natalya and Lomov start arguing about even after accepting the proposal?

Answer: Again about whose dog is better — Squeezer or Guess.