THE PROPOSAL

PRUVE "THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL "PLAY AS FACIAL PLAY.

INTRODUCTION 

ANTON CHEKHOV (1860-1904)

Born 29 January 1860, Russia 🇷🇺 

              He was a Russian playwright, short story writer, and also a physician. He is considered one of the most famous for the story and a pioneer of modern drama. In his work we see nuances of human behaviour, exploring the complexities of everyday life. His Notable works are The Seagull and Three Sisters.

                       ANTON CHEKHOV

         Chekhov was a physician by profession. He said, "Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress."

     

Introduction of play 

                    The play "THE PROPOSAL" also known as "A Marriage Proposal," was written in 1888. The play has three major characters: Chubuko, Natalya and their neighbour Lomov. Lomov want to marry Natalya so he comes to their home and asks Subokov for his daughter's hand, That's why this play is titled "The Marriage Proposal." The play grows with an absurd conflict between Lomov and Natalya. The topic of ownership of a piece of land, oxenmedow and who's a dog is best? It is a prime example of Chekhov's skill in satirizing human nature and society. 

Characters 

Chubukov = Greedy, short-tempered father of Natalya.

Natalya =  25 year old  girl,Argumentative, marriage-anxious daughter.

Lomov =   Niebour Nervous, quarrelsome suitor

🌿 Major Themes in “The Proposal”

Anton Chekhov’s “The Proposal” is a comedy, but beneath the humor, it highlights several important themes:

1. Marriage as a Social and Economic Contract

Chekhov shows marriage not as a romantic union, but as a practical arrangement between families for wealth, land, and status.

Lomov proposes to Natalia mainly because she is a good housekeeper and the match is “advantageous,” not because of love.

2. Greed and Materialism

Chubukov quickly agrees to the proposal, not out of concern for Natalia’s happiness but because Lomov is wealthy.

The quarrels about land (“Oxen Meadows”) show how material possessions matter more than relationships.

3. Human Pettiness and Absurdity

Instead of focusing on love or understanding, characters fight over trivial things:

Who owns the Oxen Meadows

Whose dog is better (Guess vs. Squeezer)

4. Hypocrisy in Human Nature

Chubukov acts friendly at first but quickly abuses Lomov during arguments.

Natalia shifts from fighting Lomov to desperately wanting to marry him once she learns he proposed.

5. Conflict Between Reason and Emotion

Lomov comes with a logical decision to marry, but his emotions (nervousness, anger, pride) take over and ruin the situation.

Natalia also lets her emotions control her—first quarrelling, then crying for marriage.

6. The Comedy of Manners (Satire on Aristocracy)

The play satirizes the Russian landowning 

SEVEN T

∆DEFINITION OF FACIAL 

          

      Farcial play is a subcategory of dramatic comedy that uses improbable, humorous situations, extensive exaggeration, and violent physical humour to entertain the audience. Dramatic farcical comedy uses physical comedy, silliness, rude humour and absurdity with the main purpose of making the audience laugh.

∆Seven types of farcial 

1. Identity Centered: Revolves around the mistaken or threatened identity of the characters.

2. Attitude towards the Plot: ...

3. Wit and Manners: ...

4. Reversal of Expectations: ...

5. Velocity and Speed: ...

6. Multiple and Fragile Substructures: ...

7. Use of Character Roles:

        "The Marriage Proposal "is a facial play by Anton Chekhov. Many times creates hummer by character and situation. 

  

1️⃣ Hypochondric nature 

          Lomov has hypochondria in the play. He consistently expresses imaginary health concerns that range from heart palpitations to general discomfort, his foot died from time to time, and he is down to earth. This trait provides a source of comedic tension and underscores the character's tendency to magnify minor issues. 

          

 EX. LOMOV: My heart's palpitating awfully. ... My foot's gone to sleep. ... There's something that keeps pulling in my side.

 

  2️⃣ Brocken conversations

                  Lomov has a hypochondriac in the play so he can not speak properly and he is nervous in the play. He fears that Natalya reject his proposal. When he tried to say something he broke his problem and sometimes Natalya and Chubokov cut his topic. It generates humour for the reader.

                  

                  LOMOV: He is old, but I wouldn't take five Squeezers for him. ... Why, how can you? ... Guess is a dog; as for Squeezer, well, it's too funny to argue. ... Anybody you like has a dog as good as Squeezer ... you may find them under every bush almost. Twenty-five roubles would be a handsome price to pay for him.

NATALYA STEPANOVNA: There's some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First, you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer.

  3️⃣ Absurd conflict :

                Both Niebour Natalya and Chubukov have absurd conflicts against Lomove. They fight for a ownership of piece of land oxen meadow and whose dog is best. Both are ridiculous topics although they lead to over-the-top arguments even fighting to go from their forefathers and give for them using abuse. Both are trivial matters but they illustrate they exaggerate matters.

                

 LOMOV: Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement, like your grandfather!

CHUBUKOV: You Lomovs have had lunacy in your family, all of you!

NATALYA STEPANOVNA: All, all, all!       

        

                 It is a facial play because, above all points absurd conversation, broken conversation and hypochondriac nature create humour. People like humour play so it is so famous play.