EnglishCBSE Class 10 · The Proposal

The Proposal Class 10: Summary and the Quarrels Explained

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

In The Proposal, Lomov visits his neighbour Chubukov to ask for the hand of his daughter Natalya, but he quarrels with her first over Oxen Meadows and then over whose dog, Guess or Squeezer, is better. Chubukov joins in each time. The proposal finally succeeds, yet the quarrel restarts at once. The play is a farce on pride and petty anger.

Notice that each quarrel starts from pride over something small, a meadow or a dog, and even the engagement cannot stop the next one.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show

Setting and characters. The play is a one-act farce by Anton Chekhov. Chubukov is a landowner, Natalya is his daughter and Lomov is a nervous neighbour who has put on evening dress and white gloves to propose.

Scene 1: the welcome. Chubukov welcomes Lomov warmly with sweet words, but in an aside guesses he has come to borrow money. When Lomov asks for Natalya's hand, Chubukov is overjoyed and goes to fetch her. Alone, Lomov lists his reasons for marrying: he is 35, he needs a quiet life and his health is poor.

Scene 2: the first quarrel, Oxen Meadows. Natalya enters in her apron. Lomov starts a roundabout speech about the friendship between the families and mentions Oxen Meadows. Natalya objects that the Meadows are hers. They argue about ownership; the land is worth only about 300 roubles, but Natalya says she cannot stand unfairness. Chubukov takes her side, and the quarrel turns into insults about each other's families. Lomov clutches his heart and staggers out.

Scene 3: the reveal. Chubukov tells Natalya what Lomov had come for. She is in hysterics and demands that he be brought back. Chubukov fetches him and Natalya apologises, agreeing that the Meadows are Lomov's.

Scene 4: the second quarrel, Guess and Squeezer. To start a fresh topic, she asks about shooting. Lomov's dog Guess has gone lame, and they argue over whether Guess or Chubukov's Squeezer is the better hunter. Insults return, and Lomov collapses into an armchair. They think he is dead.

Scene 5: the engagement. When Lomov recovers, Chubukov puts his hand into Natalya's and gives his blessing. They kiss. Within moments, Natalya says Guess is worse than Squeezer, and the quarrel begins again as Chubukov calls for champagne.

What the quarrels show. Both start from trivial things and grow into family insults. Each person is proud and stubborn, and their friendship is shallow. Marriage here is a practical deal, not love.

Key quotations

Short lines worth knowing by heart: who says them, when, and why they matter.

worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can't stand unfairness
Natalya: During the quarrel over Oxen Meadows.
Shows that the quarrel is about pride, not value.
I don't want the Meadows, but I am acting on principle.
Lomov: Offering to give the land as a present.
Shows stubborn ego dressed as principle.
Well, that's a way to start your family bliss!
Chubukov: Right after the engagement, as they quarrel again.
Ironic comment on the future marriage.

The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show: key facts

Sequence of the play: Chubukov welcomes Lomov
Lomov asks for Natalya
First quarrel: Oxen Meadows
Lomov collapses and leaves
Natalya learns of the proposal
Second quarrel: Guess and Squeezer
Engagement and a new quarrel; Use it for the summary.
The two quarrels: Meadows land, 300 roubles, family history
Dogs Guess against Squeezer, hunting skill
Both pride, insults and collapse; Compare for 40-50 word answers.
Why they quarrel: Pride in property
Stubbornness
Wish to win
Little thought for the proposal; The real causes beneath the topics.
What the ending shows: They accept the match
They quarrel at once
Chubukov calls for champagne; The cycle will go on.

Meadows	land, 300 roubles, family history
Dogs	Guess against Squeezer, hunting skill
Both	pride, insults and collapse

How to answer The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show questions

Use this for summary, theme or character questions that refer to the quarrels.

1Begin with Lomov's purpose: to propose to Natalya.
2Name the first quarrel, the Meadows, and how it ends.
3Name the second quarrel, the dogs, and how it ends.
4Explain the cause: pride and stubbornness, not real need.
5Close with the ending as irony: engagement and a quarrel together.

The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Winning over caring

Suppose two cousins are choosing a venue for a joint birthday party but spend two hours arguing about whose favourite cartoon is better until both leave angry, without booking anything.

Which feature of the play does this show, and what should they do?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A trivial quarrel blocks the real purpose.
Ego makes each insist on winning.
They should compromise.

Answer: It shows how petty anger spoils a serious purpose, as the dog quarrel spoils the proposal. A compromise would solve it.

Memory hook: Do not lose the day to win the argument.

Tricks to remember The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

M-D-E
Meadows, Dogs, Engagement.
Use it when: The order of the three main moments.
300 roubles, big fight
A 300-rouble field and two dogs ruin a proposal.
Use it when: Shows how small the cause is.
Faint, fetch, fight
Lomov leaves, is fetched back, fights again.
Use it when: The shape of the play.

The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: The disputed land · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

What was the name of the land that Lomov and Natalya quarrelled over?
(a) Birch Meadows (b) Oxen Meadows (c) Green Meadows (d) Hay Meadows

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The first quarrel is over Oxen Meadows (1 mark).

Answer: (b)

Example 2: Natalya's reaction · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

How does Natalya react when she learns that Lomov had come to propose to her? Answer in 30-40 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

She goes into hysterics (1).
She demands that he be brought back and then admits the Meadows are his (1).

Answer: Natalya is shocked and goes into hysterics when her father tells her Lomov had come to propose. She demands that he be brought back at once. When Lomov returns, she apologises and agrees that Oxen Meadows really are his.

Example 3: The quarrel over the dogs · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Why does a new quarrel begin after the first one is settled? Answer in 40-50 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

They try a fresh topic, hunting (1).
Lomov's lame dog Guess and Squeezer are compared (1).
Pride makes each insist (1).

Answer: After settling the Meadows, Natalya starts a safe topic, shooting. But Lomov mentions that his dog Guess has gone lame, and they argue whether Guess or Squeezer is the better hunter. Neither can admit being wrong, so pride and stubbornness bring back the quarrel.

Example 4: Lomov's reasons · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

What reasons does Lomov give in his monologue for marrying Natalya? What do they show? Answer in 40-50 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Age 35, a critical age (1).
Quiet life, poor health (1).
Practical rather than romantic (1).

Answer: Lomov says he is 35, a critical age, and needs a quiet, regular life because he has palpitations and sleepless nights. He also praises Natalya's housekeeping and education. He does not mention love, so his reasons show that he treats marriage as a practical arrangement.

Example 5: Farce and meaning · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

The Proposal is called a farce. Explain, with reference to the quarrels, what the play tells us about human nature, in 100-120 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Farce: exaggeration and comic situations (2).
Quarrels: Meadows and dogs (2).
Message about pride and anger (1).
Expression (1).

Answer: A farce uses exaggeration and absurd situations to make us laugh, and The Proposal does this through its quarrels. A man comes to propose but fights over a field worth about 300 roubles, collapses, is thought dead and is engaged within moments. Then the engaged couple begins another quarrel over two dogs. The humour comes from the contrast between a serious purpose and the petty reasons for anger. Underneath, the play shows human nature: people are proud, stubborn and quick to take offence over small things, and they value winning more than peace. Chekhov invites us to laugh at them and, perhaps, at ourselves.

Where students lose marks in The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Mixing the two quarrels
They happen at different points and over different things.
Wrong working
Lomov and Natalya fought over Guess and Squeezer first.
Right working
The first fight is over Oxen Meadows; the second is over the dogs.
Do this: Use M-D-E.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Saying the play is about a love marriage
Lomov never mentions love.
Wrong working
Lomov proposes because he loves Natalya.
Right working
He gives practical reasons: age, health, a quiet life and her housekeeping.
Do this: Quote his reasons.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Missing the irony at the end
The ending is the joke.
Wrong working
The play ends happily with the engagement.
Right working
The engagement is followed at once by another quarrel, and Chubukov remarks that this is a way to start family bliss.
Do this: Add the final quarrel.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Giving a wrong value or name
Facts must match the play.
Wrong working
The Meadows were worth 3,000 roubles.
Right working
They were worth only about 300 roubles.
Do this: Recall: 300 roubles.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Use M-D-E to order the story in a summary.
Mention that each quarrel begins over something small and grows into insults.
Quote acting on principle to show ego.
Say 'farce' and give one example of exaggeration.
End with the irony of the final quarrel.

Practice questions on The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which dog belonged to Chubukov?
(a) Guess (b) Squeezer (c) Ink (d) Mustard
Hint
Lomov's dog is Guess.
Answer
(b)
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
Why does Chubukov cheer when Lomov asks for Natalya's hand? Answer in 30-40 words.
Hint
He first thought Lomov wanted money.
Answer
Chubukov had thought Lomov had come to borrow money, so the proposal is a happy surprise. He embraces Lomov, says he has always loved him like a son and rushes to bring Natalya, as he is eager to see his grown-up daughter settled.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why does Lomov say he is acting on principle? Is this believable? Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Ego against fairness.
Answer
Lomov says he does not want the Meadows but is acting on principle, even offering them as a gift. This is not believable, because he fights on and takes offence at every remark. His principle is only stubbornness and pride, used to justify his refusal to give way.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
How does Chubukov's behaviour towards Lomov change during the play? Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Sweet words, then insults, then blessing.
Answer
At first Chubukov greets Lomov with sweet names and claims to love him like a son. When the quarrel begins, he takes his daughter's side and calls him names. At the end, he joins their hands and gives his blessing, so his warmth depends on his interest.
Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Do you think Natalya and Lomov will have a happy marriage? Give your view with evidence from the play in 100-120 words.
Hint
Weigh the quarrels against the forgiveness.
Answer
The marriage may be lively rather than peaceful. Natalya and Lomov quarrel twice in a single visit, and even after the engagement they begin to argue about the dogs, so Chubukov's remark about family bliss is ironic. Both are proud, stubborn and quick to take offence. Yet there are hopeful signs. Natalya is eager to marry and apologises when she learns of the proposal, and Lomov is willing to accept her. Their quarrels also end quickly. Perhaps their marriage will survive on habit and need, with frequent arguments. It will be practical rather than romantic, and it will need patience from both of them.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Who wrote The Proposal?Show answer
Anton Chekhov.
2.What was the first quarrel about?Show answer
Oxen Meadows.
3.What was the second quarrel about?Show answer
Whose dog was better, Guess or Squeezer.
4.What was the value of the Meadows?Show answer
About 300 roubles.
5.What happens to Lomov at the end of the second quarrel?Show answer
He collapses in an armchair and is thought to be dead.
6.What does Chubukov call for at the end?Show answer
Champagne.

The Proposal: The Three Quarrels and What They Show: frequently asked questions

What is The Proposal about?

A nervous landowner tries to propose to his neighbour's daughter, but they keep quarrelling over land and dogs.

Why does the proposal succeed in the end?

Chubukov joins their hands and gives his blessing when Lomov recovers; Natalya also wants the marriage.

Why is the play a farce?

It uses exaggerated quarrels and absurd events to mock pride and petty anger.

Which questions come from the quarrels?

Extract questions, 40-50 word answers on the causes and a long answer on theme or character.