Quick Navigation:
| | | | |
Quick Navigation:
| | | | |
The Proposal
Introduction: The Suitor Arrives
- Lomov's Visit: Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov, a wealthy neighbor, visits Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov. Lomov is dressed formally in a dress-jacket and white gloves, leading Chubukov to initially wonder if he is on his way to a formal engagement like a New Year’s Eve visit.
- The Request: After some nervous hesitation and incoherent speech, Lomov reveals that he has come to ask for the hand of Chubukov's daughter, Natalya Stepanovna, in marriage.
- Chubukov's Reaction: Chubukov is overjoyed. He embraces and kisses Lomov, stating he has long desired this match and loves Lomov like a son. He eagerly exits to send his daughter to the drawing room.
- Lomov's Anxiety: Alone, Lomov reflects on his critical age of thirty-five and his need for a quiet, regular life. He suffers from palpitations, nervousness, and sleep disturbances. He tries to calm himself before Natalya arrives, deciding that he must marry now rather than wait for "real love," or he never will.
The First Argument: Oxen Meadows
- Casual Beginnings: Natalya enters, apologizing for her apron as she was shelling peas. They discuss the weather and the harvest briefly.
- The Spark: Lomov attempts to transition to his proposal by mentioning the friendly relationship between their families. He casually refers to "my Oxen Meadows," which touch Natalya's birchwoods.
- The Dispute: Natalya immediately interrupts, claiming the Oxen Meadows belong to her family, not Lomov's. Lomov insists they are his, referencing documents and his aunt's grandmother who gave free use of the land to the peasants of Natalya's grandfather's father.
- Escalation: The argument heats up. Natalya argues that her family has owned the land for nearly 300 years and refuses to acknowledge Lomov's claim, even though she admits the land itself (worth 300 roubles) matters little to her compared to the injustice.
- Chubukov Intervenes: Natalya's father enters. Instead of mediating, he supports his daughter, shouting that the meadows belong to them. They exchange insults; Lomov is called a "landgrabber," and he accuses the Chubukovs of having a history of embezzlement and lunacy.
- Departure: Overwhelmed by palpitations and anger, Lomov staggers out of the house, threatened by Chubukov that he will take the matter to court.
The Realization and Return
- The Revelation: Still fuming, Chubukov insults Lomov after he leaves, accidentally revealing to Natalya that "the stuffed sausage" had actually come to propose marriage to her.
- Hysteria: Natalya's anger instantly turns to despair. She falls into a chair, wailing, and demands her father bring Lomov back immediately, blaming her father for driving him away.
- Chubukov's Distress: Chubukov is frantic, lamenting the burden of being the father of a grown-up daughter. He agrees to call Lomov back, threatening to cut his own throat out of frustration.
- Attempt at Peace: Lomov returns, exhausted and in physical distress. Natalya, desperate to secure the proposal, backtracks and admits the Oxen Meadows are indeed his. Lomov, acting on principle, accepts this, and they try to steer the conversation to a neutral topic: hunting.
The Second Argument: Hunting Dogs
- Comparison of Dogs: Lomov mentions his dog, "Guess," has gone lame and laments the 125 roubles he paid. Natalya claims her father paid only 85 roubles for his dog, "Squeezer," and insists Squeezer is far superior.
- Defects and Pedigree: Lomov argues that Squeezer is "overshot" (has a bad jaw) and is a bad hunter. Natalya retorts that Squeezer is a thoroughbred, whereas Guess is old and ugly like a worn-out cab-horse.
- Renewed Hostility: The argument becomes personal again. Natalya mocks Lomov, telling him he is not a hunter and should catch black beetles instead. Lomov's heart condition worsens as they shout at each other.
- The Collapse: Chubukov enters the fray again. Amidst the shouting of insults—"Intriguer," "Pup," "Old rat"—Lomov's palpitations become unbearable. He collapses into an armchair and loses consciousness.
The Proposal Accepted
- Panic: Natalya thinks Lomov is dead and goes into hysterics again, screaming for a doctor. Chubukov is equally terrified, wondering why he hasn't shot himself yet.
- Waking Up: Lomov begins to stir, seeing mist and stars. Chubukov seizes the moment, unwilling to risk another argument or delay.
- Forced Acceptance: Chubukov practically forces the couple together, shouting that Natalya is willing. He shoves Lomov's hand into Natalya's.
- The Kiss: Natalya cries that she is willing. Lomov, still dazed and confused ("Eh? Kiss whom?"), finally understands and they kiss.
- Immediate Quarrel: Moments after the engagement is sealed, Natalya resumes the argument, claiming Squeezer is better than Guess. Lomov insists Guess is better.
- Curtain: The play ends with the couple arguing loudly while Chubukov shouts for champagne to drown out the noise, relieved to have the burden of marrying off his daughter lifted.
Quick Navigation:
| | | | |
1 / 1
Quick Navigation:
| | | | |
