Summarise the prose A Marriage Proposal.
Ans.A marriage proposal is a very amusing comedy by Anton Chekhov,
the Russian writer. The comedy results from the temperamental weaknesses of
the characters who display a total disregard of common sense.
Choobookov and Lom Lomov are neighbours. One day the latter calls on
his neighbour in morning coat and gloves. Choobookov is naturally happy to
welcome him. But he wants to know why the young man should be unnecessarily
so formal about his dress. Lomov goes on talking pleasantries. But he is quite
nervous and goes an talking sips of water to regain his composure and strength,
In the midst of this mental condition any how Lomov manages to inform,
Choobookov that he has come to ask for Natalia's, his daughter's hand in marriage
Choobookov is delighted. He goes inside to call Natalia. But he does not tell her
why Lomov has come.
Natalia enters the drawing room and speaks words of welcome to Lomov.
She also expresses her suprise to see that her neighbour has come to see her in
such formal dress. In order to be pleasant to Natalia Lomov starts talking about
the cordial relations that have prevailed between the two families since long.
And then he inadvertently refers to the OX Meadows which he calls his family
property. This is a topic that angers Natalia who has always known that there was
formerly some dispute over it but now the Meadows are settled in the name of
their family. The debate between them takes an interminable form, making
Lomov completely forget the marriage proposal he had come for.
As the debate continues and both try to shout the other down there comes
Choobookov who does not need much persuasion from Natalia in joining it. He
also asserts his family's claim to the OX Meadows and tries to correct Lomov's
approach when Lomov does not relent both indulge in a sort of digging skeletons
from the cupboard of their family histories. Finally Lomov just stageers out of
the drawing room.
It is then that Choobookov tells Natalia that Lomov had come with a
proposal to marry her. Strangely, this has a hysterical effect on the girl who wants
Lomov to be brought back. And when he comes they both forget the purpose of
the resumption of the meeting. They now argue over the superiority of their
hounds - Lomov says that his guess is superior to the pug-jawed leap of Natalia.
In the meantime the condition of Lomov takes a worse turn-he almost gasps for
breath and appears to have collapsed Natalia wishes to commit suicide. Lomov
is revived after a few draughts of water. And then Choobookov, almost with a
force, pushes their hands into a union and the marriage proposal is seasoned to
be accepted.
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