Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is a comic one-act play included in Class 10 English. This post provides The Proposal Summary, along with the theme, character sketches. These notes offer a clear explanation, short summary, long summary, and exam-friendly points that make “The Proposal” simple and scoring for board exams.
Table of Contents
The Proposal Short Summary (80-120)
“The Proposal” is a comic one-act play by Anton Chekhov. Ivan Lomov visits Chubukov’s house to propose to his daughter, Natalya. However, instead of discussing marriage, Lomov and Natalya start quarrelling over Oxen Meadows. When Chubukov joins, the argument becomes worse and Lomov leaves in frustration. After learning that he came to propose, Natalya asks him to return. Lomov comes back, but another fight starts—this time over whose dog is better. Finally, Chubukov forces them to accept the proposal and announces their engagement. The play humorously shows how trivial issues can overshadow important moments.
The Proposal Summary (250-350)
Anton Chekhov’s play “The Proposal” is a light-hearted comedy that exposes how people often fight over the most useless things. The story begins when Ivan Lomov, a nervous and over-polite landowner, visits his neighbour Stepan Chubukov with the intention of proposing to his daughter, Natalya.
Chubukov becomes excited at the thought of the proposal and quickly sends for Natalya. But instead of talking about marriage, Lomov and Natalya suddenly get into a heated argument over a small piece of land called Oxen Meadows. Both claim it as their own, and within minutes the polite conversation turns into loud quarrelling.
When Chubukov returns, he too joins the fight. Lomov becomes so anxious that he almost collapses. The moment Natalya learns that Lomov actually came to propose, she panics and begs her father to bring him back immediately.
Lomov returns, but peace doesn’t last long. This time they start fighting over whose dog is superior. Even while shouting at each other, Chubukov somehow manages to announce their engagement.
Chekhov uses humour to show how human beings can turn even important moments into unnecessary battles. The play ends with the couple engaged—but still arguing, proving that some habits never change.
The Proposal Summary (700–800 words)
“The Proposal” by Anton Chekhov is a one-act farcical comedy that highlights how petty arguments and human foolishness can overshadow important moments in life. The entire play revolves around only three characters—Lomov, Chubukov, and Natalya—yet their conversations create powerful humour and reveal deep human behaviour.
The play opens with Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov visiting the house of Stepan Chubukov, his neighbour. Lomov is a wealthy landowner in his mid-thirties. He is extremely nervous by nature, and on this particular day, he is even more anxious because he has come with a serious purpose: he wants to propose to Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya. His hands tremble, his heart beats fast, and he struggles to speak properly. But still, he gathers courage and tells Chubukov that he needs his help.
At first, Chubukov thinks Lomov has come to borrow money. But as soon as Lomov mentions Natalya’s name, Chubukov becomes delighted. He knows that Natalya is 25 and it is the right age for her marriage. He warmly welcomes Lomov and encourages him to talk to Natalya.
When Natalya enters the room, she behaves politely at first. But Lomov, being nervous, starts talking mainly about land and property instead of marriage. Soon, he mentions Oxen Meadows, a small piece of land. This unexpectedly triggers the first quarrel of the play. Natalya insists that Oxen Meadows belong to her family, while Lomov argues that it has always been part of his estate. The discussion grows louder and louder until both start insulting each other’s families. Chubukov enters, and instead of calming them down, he joins the argument. Lomov’s already weak nerves fail him, and he leaves the house, almost having a heart attack.
As soon as Lomov goes out, Chubukov casually tells Natalya that Lomov had actually come to propose to her. Natalya, who was shouting at Lomov just a moment ago, suddenly bursts into tears. She demands that her father bring Lomov back immediately. Chubukov runs after him and somehow manages to drag him inside.
This time, Natalya tries to be gentle and encourages Lomov to speak. He, too, attempts to discuss marriage, but his nervousness gets the better of him once again. Before he can complete his proposal, another argument begins—this time about whose dog is superior. Natalya claims her dog, Squeezer, is better, while Lomov praises his dog, Guess, which he bought for a very high price. The fight becomes even more ridiculous than the first one, and Lomov once again collapses with chest pain.
Chubukov, fed up with their childish quarreling, forces Lomov and Natalya to hold hands. He loudly announces that they are now engaged. Even after agreeing to the proposal, Lomov and Natalya continue arguing, this time about dogs again. Meanwhile, Chubukov celebrates the engagement, though he is exhausted by their behaviour.
Through this humorous storyline, Chekhov makes a strong comment on human pettiness, pride, and the materialistic nature of marriage. The play shows how people lose their temper over the smallest issues, even at crucial moments. It also highlights how marriages during that period were often based more on property and social status rather than love.
“The Proposal” remains popular because its humour is universal—people everywhere fight over trivial matters. Chekhov uses simple dialogue and exaggerated nervousness to show that humans often behave foolishly, even when they know better. The play ends on a comic note, leaving the audience amused at how an important event like a marriage proposal becomes a battlefield of silly arguments.
Theme of The Proposal
“The Proposal” mainly highlights the foolishness of human behaviour. Chekhov shows how people often turn small issues into big fights. Instead of talking calmly, the characters start arguing over useless topics like a piece of land and even their dogs. Through humour, the play criticizes how marriages in society were based more on property, status, and ego, rather than love or understanding.The play also underlines how pride and stubbornness can spoil even important moments. Chekhov uses comedy to remind us that arguments over petty issues only expose our silliness and prevent us from focusing on what truly matters.
Theme of The Proposal (Human Style)“The Proposal” mainly highlights the foolishness of human behaviour. Chekhov shows how people often turn small issues into big fights. Instead of talking calmly, the characters start arguing over useless topics like a piece of land and even their dogs. Through humour, the play criticizes how marriages in society were based more on property, status, and ego, rather than love or understanding.The play also underlines how pride and stubbornness can spoil even important moments. Chekhov uses comedy to remind us that arguments over petty issues only expose our silliness and prevent us from focusing on what truly matters.
Character Sketches of The Proposal
Ivan Lomov
Lomov is a 35-year-old landowner who is polite but extremely nervous. He wants to marry Natalya not for love but for practical reasons such as stability and property. He suffers from anxiety and often imagines he has heart trouble. His short temper and lack of confidence lead him into silly arguments, showing the comic side of his personality.NatalyaNatalya is a 25-year-old daughter of Chubukov. She is well-educated and hardworking. Although she behaves politely at first, she quickly becomes aggressive when someone challenges her family or property. She is emotional and stubborn but also eager to get married. Her quick mood changes create much of the play’s humour.
Chubukov
Chubukov is a cheerful but short-tempered man. As a father, he desperately wants Natalya to get married. He welcomes Lomov warmly but immediately gets involved in every argument. He is loud, emotional, and sometimes dramatic, which adds to the comedy. Despite the chaos, he manages to fix the marriage.