The Marriage Proposal

Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov (chDkPôf)

A master of short story and one of the modern

playwrights

Born in southern Russia, he moved to Moscow as a

young man and planned to become a doctor. While in

medical school, he published many literary sketches to

support his family.

he received his medical degree in 1884,

but choose to write than to practice medicine.

Early SuccessChekhov quickly won fame for his comical stories and farces, such asA Marriage Proposal. He considered humor to be an essential ingredient in all his work, but his writing grew more serious over time. Most of his full-length plays, including UncleVanya, The Three Sisters, and The CherryOrchard, combine elements of tragedy and farce. Chekhov died from tuberculosis at age 44, when he was at the height of his career.

The Russian Gentry A Marriage Proposal is a one-act farce, written in 1888-1889 and first performed in 1890. It is a fast-paced play of dialogue-based action and situational humour. Ittakes place on a country estate in late-19th-century Russia. The characters are members of the privileged class known as the gentry. These wealthy landowners employed peasants to work their fields, which allowed them to enjoy a life of leisure. Writers of farces often poked fun at the habits of the gentry, including their tendency to marry for economic gain rather than affection.

Characters:

Stepan Stepanovitch Tschubukov (Chubukov)(styG-pänP styG-pänPEv-yGch chübüPkEf),A country farmer

Natalia Stepanovna (nE-tälPyEstyG-pä-nôvPnE),His daughter (aged 25)

Ivan Vassiliyitch Lomov (G-vänPvEs-yClPyGch lôPmEf), Tschubukov’s neighbor

Setting:

The living room in Tschubukov’s Mansion in Russia. Tschubukovdiscovered asthe curtain rises. Lomov, enters formally wearing a dress suit. A

Time:The present [1890s]

Plot Summary

Introduction

Lomov, wearing a formal dress enters in the living room of the mansion of Chubukov his neighbor and friend, chubukov warmly accepts him and shakes hand and offer a sit.

Lomov told Chubukov that he wants to marry Chubukovs’ daughter Natalia.

Chubukov expresses his happiness and told lomov to wait and assures him that she will accept his proposal.

Rising action:

When Natalia faces Lomov, and Lomov struggles to tell her what is his purpose and he want to express it briefly.

They end up arguing about their property (oxen meadows) and Lomov forget about his purpose.

Chubukov enters and then tell him, upon the request of Natalia, that they owned the oxen meadows which cause the problem to rise.

They drive away Lomov and called him with different names.

Crisis and Suspense:

Chubukov tells Natalia about Lomovs’ purpose on visiting and dressing formally because of the proposal.

Upon knowing this, Natalia became hysterical and ask chubukov to bring back Lomov in their Mansion.

Lomov struggles because of his palpitation, makes his way to Natalia and said that land is not important, he argue because of his principle.

ClimaxNatalia then feels sorry and admits that the oxen meadows are Lomovs’ property, she tries to change the subject wishing that Lomov will proceed to his proposal.

They end up arguing again about their dogs. On which is the better dog Lomovs’ Guess or Natalias’ Squeezer.

Chubukov then enters and both of them (Natalia and Lomov) ask him on which is the better dog. Chubukov gives his opinion to both of them and ends up arguing again

Falling Action:

Chubukov wanted the commotion to stop so he helps Lomov to remember his purpose on visiting their Mansion.

As Lomov remembers he struggles to think for his body and his heart is suffering from pain due to palpitation.

Chubukov mimics his every word because of his irritation for forgetting his purpose and continue calling him with different names. They continue to argue as Lomov losses his his consciousness.

Resolution (Denouement):

Natalia, seeing Lomovfaint,thinks that his dead and starts crying Chubukov help lomov to gain consciousness.

As Lomov gain his consciousness Chubukov is desperate and wanted the argument to stop so he told Lomov that Natalia accepts his proposal.

Lomov does not understand whats going on but he is happy and kisses Natalias’ hand, they still argue about their dogs. Poor Chubukov wanted peace so he ask for champagne trying to stop the two couple from arguing again.

Conflict:

Man vs. Man:Lomovs’ principle against Natalia.

Man vs. Society: The idea that lomov wants to marry Natalia not because of love but for economic stability. The idea of economic stability is not because this is what he wants but it is what the society do which became ones perspective for marriages.

Theme:Principles complicates minor issues.

Marriage is a necessity.the play suggest that love sometimes is not important in marriage, it is the other way to stabilize financial status.

Tone:•Humorous

The characters’ attitude in the play is comical which entertains the readers.

MARAMING SALAMAT

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