Class 10 English Prose 11 Proposal

Are you finding The Proposal by Anton Chekhov a bit tricky to understand? You're not alone! This one-act play is packed with humour, drama, and misunderstandings that make it both entertaining and meaningful. Designed especially for CBSE Class 10 students, this blog will help you grasp the key themes, characters, and important questions simply and clearly. Whether you're preparing for your exams or just trying to understand the story better, these notes will guide you through it all.

Chekhov’s The Proposal explores how marriage, in some societies, is more about property and status than love. With its fast-paced arguments and witty dialogues, the play offers a light-hearted yet thought-provoking look at human behaviour. These Class 10 notes are crafted to help you with chapter summaries, word meanings, character sketches, and answers to NCERT textbook questions—all aligned with the latest syllabus.

• Why do Lomov and Natalya keep fighting?
• What is Chekhov trying to say about relationships?
• How to write top answers for board exams?

Read on for clear, concise notes to help you ace this chapter with confidence!

CBSE Class 10 The Proposal  Notes

The Proposal class 10 notes will provide a summary and topic-wise details to help students understand what the story is about. Below, we have provided the links to downloadable PDFs of chapter-wise Notes for class 10 English and that too for different categories of marks.

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CBSE Class 10 The Proposal Summary

Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is a one-act farcical comedy that highlights the absurdity of human behaviour, especially when pride, property, and social status come into play. The play uses sharp wit and humorous situations to expose how superficial reasons can dominate important decisions like marriage.

1. The Proposal Begins

Lomov arrives at Chubukov’s house dressed in formal clothes, looking nervous. He says he has come with an important request. Chubukov initially assumes Lomov is asking for money but is overjoyed when he realises Lomov wants to propose to his daughter Natalya. He immediately agrees and blesses the match.

2. First Argument – Over Oxen Meadows

When Natalya enters, unaware of the proposal, Lomov begins awkwardly talking about their good neighbourly relations. Soon, the conversation turns to Oxen Meadows, a piece of disputed land. Both claim ownership, and the talk turns into a heated argument. Insults are exchanged, and Lomov storms out in frustration.

3. The Realisation

After Lomov leaves, Chubukov tells Natalya the real reason behind his visit. Shocked and embarrassed, she begs her father to bring Lomov back immediately, saying she is willing to accept the proposal.

4. Second Argument – Over Dogs

Lomov returns, still nervous and flustered. Natalya tries to steer the conversation toward a proposal, but they start fighting again—this time about whose dog is better. Lomov praises his dog, Guess, while Natalya insists that Squeezer, her dog, is superior. The argument grows louder and more ridiculous.

5. The Climax and Conclusion

During the shouting match, Lomov suddenly collapses, appearing lifeless. Natalya panics, thinking he’s dead. Chubukov also begins to regret everything. But soon, Lomov comes to, and Chubukov quickly pushes the two to get engaged before another fight breaks out. Even as the engagement is announced, the couple resumes arguing—this time as an engaged pair!

CBSE Class 10 The Proposal Themes and Message

Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is more than just a funny play—it delivers important messages about society, relationships, and human nature. Written as a farce, the play uses exaggerated characters and situations to highlight serious ideas in a light-hearted way.

• Marriage as a Social Contract: The play shows that in some societies, marriage is more about wealth, land, and social status than love or compatibility.
• Pettiness of Human Nature: Chekhov mocks how people often let ego and pride get in the way of important matters.
• Satire and Comedy: The play uses humour and irony to expose real issues in society.

Message of the Play

The Proposal delivers a simple yet powerful message: human beings often let pride, greed, and ego get in the way of meaningful relationships. Through humour and exaggeration, Chekhov shows how people can behave irrationally, especially when social status and property are involved.

The play encourages us to value understanding, communication, and emotional connection over material things and pride.

Chapter 11 The Proposal  Class 10: Character Sketch?

Anton Chekhov’s one-act play The Proposal features three main characters. Each one has a unique personality that adds to the humour and message of the story. Their exaggerated traits help Chekhov deliver a light-hearted yet meaningful take on human behaviour, pride, and social norms.

1. Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov

Role: A wealthy landowner in his mid-thirties.

Personality:

• Nervous and insecure, especially when it comes to personal matters like proposing marriage.
• Obsessed with his health, often exaggerating minor ailments, making him appear comically dramatic.
• Stubborn and argumentative; he gets easily drawn into petty disputes over land and dogs.

Significance: Lomov’s flaws and nervousness drive much of the humor in the play. Despite his quirks, he genuinely desires to marry Natalia, though his poor social skills complicate things.

2. Natalia Stepanovna

Role: The 25-year-old daughter of Stepan Chubukov.

Personality:

Strong-willed and argumentative, she is quick to stand her ground on trivial matters.

Practical yet emotional; when she learns of Lomov’s proposal, she becomes desperate to fix the situation despite her earlier quarrel.

Intelligent but easily provoked, which fuels her conflicts with Lomov.

Significance: Natalia’s fiery personality adds tension and humor to the play. Her determination and vulnerability reflect the complexities of her character.

3. Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov

Role: Natalia’s father and Lomov’s neighbor.

Personality:

• Jovial yet opportunistic; he is eager for Natalia to marry Lomov because of his wealth.
• Short-tempered; he often escalates arguments instead of resolving them.
• Hypocritical; he shifts between being welcoming and insulting Lomov, depending on the situation.

Significance: Chubukov represents the comedic and opportunistic nature of society, where material gain often outweighs genuine concern. His behavior amplifies the absurdity of the play.

Each character in The Proposal is exaggerated in a humorous way to highlight human flaws, making them relatable yet ridiculous. Their interactions create a comedic masterpiece that pokes fun at the trivialities of life and relationships.

Chapter 11 The Proposal Class 10: Why to Read this Chapter?

Chapter 11, The Proposal by Anton Chekhov, is part of the Class 10 CBSE English syllabus because it introduces students to the elements of humor, satire, and human psychology in literature. Here’s why it’s included:

1. Understanding Human Behavior: The play explores human tendencies like greed, stubbornness, and the way petty issues can overshadow important moments. Students can relate to these universal traits, making it an engaging study.
2. Humor and Satire: Chekhov uses humour to critique societal norms, such as how marriage was often treated as a transaction rather than an emotional bond. This helps students appreciate the subtle art of satire in storytelling.
3. Language and Literary Skills: The dialogue-driven structure of the play helps students analyze character interactions, study dramatic techniques, and improve their comprehension of literary devices like irony and exaggeration.
4. Moral and Social Lessons: Through its humorous take on serious topics like relationships and communication, the play encourages students to think critically about resolving conflicts and valuing meaningful connections over trivial disputes.

By including The Proposal in the syllabus, CBSE ensures that students experience a balanced mix of fun and learning while gaining insights into classic literature.

How Can This Chapter-wise Material Help Students?

Chapter-wise materials, such as summaries, character sketches, and thematic analyses, can significantly help students in various ways.

Simplifies Complex Content

• Breaking the chapter into smaller sections makes it easier to understand.
• Helps students focus on key events, themes, and characters without getting overwhelmed.

Saves Time

• Well-structured summaries and notes reduce the time spent revisiting the entire text.
• Ideal for quick revision before exams.

Enhances Exam Preparation

• Highlights important points likely to appear in questions.
• Provides insights into writing structured answers for exams.

Improves Understanding of Literary Elements

• Explains literary devices, themes, and character motivations in simple terms.
• Encourages deeper appreciation of the author’s style and intent.

 Builds Analytical Skills

• By analyzing the characters and themes, students learn to think critically.
• Encourages them to relate the story’s lessons to real-life situations.

Boosts Confidence

• A clear understanding of the chapter enables students to answer questions confidently in class and on exams.
• Provides a foundation for forming their own interpretations of the text.

Encourages Engagement

• Fun and relatable explanations make literature more interesting.
• Helps students connect with the story, making learning enjoyable.

Common Mistakes Students Make in Chapter 11 The Proposal Class 10

Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal may seem like a simple, funny play, but many students lose marks because they overlook key details or misunderstand its deeper meaning. Here are some of the most common mistakes students make while studying or writing answers related to this chapter—and how to avoid them.

Ignoring the Deeper Message

Many students focus only on the arguments and comedy in the play and miss the deeper social commentary. Chekhov is not just making us laugh—he’s criticising how pride, land, and social status can affect serious matters like marriage.

Tip: Always mention the central message in long answers: Marriage as a social contract, pride, and the absurdity of human behaviour.

Confusing the Arguments

It’s easy to mix up the two main arguments in the play:

• First about Oxen Meadows (land)
• Second about dogs (Squeezer vs Guess)

Some students merge both arguments or forget the order, which affects the flow of their answers.

Tip: Remember the correct sequence of events—it shows your understanding of the plot.

Missing Character Traits

Often, students write very basic or one-dimensional character sketches. They may describe Lomov only as “nervous” or Natalya only as “quarrelsome” without showing how their behaviour reflects the play’s theme.

Tip: Link each character’s personality to the message of the play (e.g., pride, ego, materialism).

Overlooking Humour and Satire

Some students treat the play too seriously and miss the comedic and farcical tone Chekhov uses to make his point. This can make your answers sound dull or incomplete.

Tip: Mention how humour is used to expose the flaws in human nature—this adds depth to your response.

Writing Vague Answers

Answers that lack detail or examples from the play often fail to impress examiners. Just saying “Lomov was sick” or “They fought a lot” is not enough.

Tip: Use specific examples from the dialogue or events to support your answers—like how Lomov collapses after the second argument or how Chubukov’s mood keeps changing.

To score full marks in The Proposal, balance humour with analysis. Understand the characters, their actions, and how they reflect Chekhov’s message about society. Don’t just memorise—understand and connect the ideas.

How to Prepare Chapter 11 The Proposal Class 10 for Exams

The Proposal by Anton Chekhov is one of the most entertaining chapters in your Class 10 English syllabus—but don’t let the humour fool you. To score well, you need to go beyond just knowing the story. Here’s a simple guide to help you prepare this chapter effectively for your board exams.

Understand the Plot Thoroughly

Don’t just memorise—understand the flow of the story. Know:

• Why Lomov visits Chubukov
• What causes the two arguments (land and dogs)
• How the play ends with an unexpected engagement

Tip: Create a short timeline of events to remember the sequence clearly.

Know the Characters Inside Out

Focus on the personalities of Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov:

• Their traits (e.g., proud, argumentative, dramatic)
• How they behave during the arguments
• What each character represents in the play

Tip: Practice writing 2–3 line character sketches using adjectives and examples.

Understand the Themes and Message

The play is more than just a comedy—it’s a satire on:

• Marriage as a deal rather than a bond of love
• Pride and ego ruining relationships
• Society’s obsession with land and status

Tip: Include the theme or message in long answers to show deeper understanding.

Revise Important Questions

Prepare for both short and long answer questions, such as:

• Why do Lomov and Natalya fight?
• How does Chekhov use humour to send a message?+
• What makes this play a satire?

Tip: Practise past year questions and try writing in your own words.

Memorise Important Lines and Dialogues

Quoting short phrases or lines in your answers adds weight. For example:

• “I’ve come to ask for the hand of your daughter.”
• “My dog Guess is better than your Squeezer!”

Tip: Learn 2–3 key lines per character to use in your exam answers.

Focus on Presentation

• Keep your answers structured (Introduction → Main points → Conclusion)
• Use paragraphs and bullet points where needed
• Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes

Tip: Read your answers aloud while practising to catch errors and improve clarity.

Don’t treat The Proposal as just a funny story. Look deeper, understand the characters and themes, and practise writing clearly and confidently. With the right preparation, this chapter can be one of the easiest to score in!

Chapter-wise materials serve as a valuable resource, balancing clarity and depth to help students excel in both understanding and performance. At Educart we have provided these questions and other support materials, so teachers can help the students practice these types of questions thoroughly. These PDFs can be downloaded just with a click and user authentication.