the proposal

Characters

Plot

Lomov tells Chubukov that he is a 35 year old man, at a critical age who suffers from palpitations and sleep disorder.

Once he regains is consciousness, he kisses her hands and they end up quarrelling about their pet dogs.

While cursing and defaming Lomov, Chubukov accidently reveals the real reason behind his visit , the proposal to Natalaya. And she immediately regrets sending him out and asks her father to bring him back. Chubukov curses himself for being the father of a young daughter.

Lomov: I’m already 35 — a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I’m excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there’s a twitch in my right eyebrow… I jump up like a lunatic, walk about a bit and lie down again, but as soon as I begin to get off to sleep there’s another pull! And this may happen twenty times.

When Lomov returns, Natalaya tries to deviate the topic by talking about shooting. A little later, they enter into another debate about their dogs. Chubukov enters the scene only to make things worse again. Everyone gets hyper and Lomov finally falls because of the palpitations. Even then, the cursing continues and Natalya notices that he is unconscious. As they find him unable to drink water, declare him dead, but when he moves a little bit, Chubukov forcefully hands over Natalaya’s hands to him, gives them blessings and asks them to kiss.

While they both are having this heated argument, Chubukov enters and sides with his daughter. He tells Lomov that the Oxen Meadows belong to their family. At first, Lomov tries to reason with Chubukov that the meadows were his, but when it does not work, he calls him a “Grabber.” This fuels the debate as they start calling each other names. Natalaya calls Lomov a Pettifogger and his family lunatic while he calls her ancestors embezzlers. As the fighting and name calling continues, Lomov suffers from extreme palpitations and a numb foot. Chubukov’s throws him out of his house.

Upon Natalya’s arrival, Lomov initiates the conversation about the cordial terms of both the families. But as a reference to Oxen Meadows belonging to his family comes up, they both have a heated argument over its ownership. While Lomov argues that he has the documents to prove it, Natalaya refuses to believe that something that belongs to her family for 300 years could not be theirs. They begin to shout and scream at each other.

Lomov: Eh? Kiss whom? [They kiss] Very nice, too. Excuse me, what’s it all about? Oh, now I understand ... my heart... stars... I’m happy. Natalya Stepanovna... [Kisses her hand] My foot’s gone to sleep.

Natalya: I... I’m happy too...

Chubukov: What a weight off my shoulders, ouf!

Natalya : But, still you will admit now that Guess is worse than Squeezer.

Lomov : Better!

Natalya : Worse!

Chubukov : Well, that’s a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne!

Lomov : He’s better!

Natalya : Worse! Worse! Worse!

Chubukov: And that blind hen, yes, that turnip-ghost has the confounded cheek to make a proposal, and so on! What? A proposal!

Natalya: What proposal? To propose? To me? Why didn’t you tell me so before? Ah! [Falls into an easy-chair and wails] Bring him back! Back! Ah! Bring him here.

Chubukov: Bring whom here?

Natalya: Quick, quick! I’m ill! Fetch him! [Hysterics.]

Chubukov: What’s that? What’s the matter with you? [Clutches at his head] Oh, unhappy man that I am! I’ll shoot myself! I’ll hang myself!

Natalya: I’m dying! Fetch him!

Chubukov: Oh, what a burden, Lord, to be the father of a grown-up daughter! I’ll cut my throat I will, indeed! We cursed him, abused him, drove him out; and it’s all you... you!

Lomov : I see stars... mist... where am I?

Chubukov : Hurry up and get married and — well, to the devil with you! She’s willing! [He puts Lomov’s hand into his daughter’s] She’s willing and all that. I give you my blessing and so on. Only leave me in peace!

Lomov : [getting up] Eh? What? To whom?

Chubukov : She’s willing! Well? Kiss and be damned to you!

Natalya : [wails] He’s alive... Yes, yes, I’m willing.

Chubukov : Kiss each other!

Natalaya: You pettifogger! All your people were like that! All of them!

Lomov : Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement, like your grandfather!

Chubukov: You Lomovs have had lunacy in your family, all of you! Your grandfather was a drunkard, and your younger aunt, Nastasya Mihailovna, ran away with an architect, and so on...

Lomov : And your mother was hump-backed. [Clutches at his heart] Something pulling in my side... My head.... Help! Water! ...My left foot has gone to sleep... You’re an intriguer....Oh, my heart! And it’s an open secret that before the last elections you bri... I can see stars... Where’s my hat?

Natalya : It’s low! It’s dishonest! It’s mean!

Chubukov : And you’re just a malicious, doublefaced intriguer! Yes!

Lomov : Here’s my hat. My heart! Which way? Where’s the door? Oh I think I’m dying! My foot’s quite numb... [Goes to the door.]

Chubukov : [following him] And don’t set foot in my house again!

Lomov: You will remember that my Oxen Meadows touch your birchwoods.

Natalya: Excuse my interrupting you. You say, “my Oxen Meadows”. But are they yours?

Lomov: Yes, mine.

Natalya: What are you talking about? Oxen Meadows are ours, not yours!

Natalya: Yes, yes... they’re ours.

Lomov: No, you’re mistaken, honoured Natalya Stepanovna, they’re mine.

Natalya: Just think, Ivan Vassilevitch! How long have they been yours?

Lomov: How long? As long as I can remember.

Natalya: Really, you won’t get me to believe that!

Lomov: I’ll show you the documents, Natalya Stepanovna!

Natalya: No, you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours!