Strong Roots
Asleep in the Valley
Asleep in the Valley-----Arthur Rimbaud(a Sonnet)
1. What is the subject matter of the poem?
is the futility of war.
2. How does the stream flow through the valley ?
>slowly
3. In what verse is the poem written?
>in free verse.
4. What kind of grass is found on the banks of the stream?
>bright grass
5. What happens on the grass as the stream flows on it?
>The stream leaves a silvery layer on the bright grass.
6. From where do the sun rays fall on the valley ?
>The sunrays come streaming down on the valley from the mountain top.
7. What are the sun rays compared with?
>…a softly flowing stream.
8. What happens when the sun rays come down into the valley?
>fills the valley with a lot of light.
9. Who is lying asleep in the valley?
>A very young soldier is lying asleep in the valley.
10. What are the two adjectives the poet use to describe the valley?
>’ small’ and ‘green’
11. What is serving as the bed of the sleeping soldier?
>A dense undergrowth (plentiful growth of bush) soaked with warm sun rays is serving as the bed of the sleeping soldier.
12. What is serving as the pillow of the sleeping soldier?
>Ferns are serving as the pillow of the sleeper.
13. How does the pillow of the sleeping soldier feel and look?
>The so-called bed of the sleeping soldier looks green and it feels warm because it is soaked with sunrays.
14. What has nature given to the feet of the soldier in his last sleep ?
>Nature has offered some wildflowers to the feet of…
15. How does the poet describe the soldier’s smile?
>…to that of an infant, because it is gentle and innocent.
16. Why does the poet ask nature to keep the sleeper warm?
>…because he is afraid that the young soldier may catch a cold in the open air.
17. What does the poet expect from nature besides keeping the soldier warm?
>The poet wants that besides keeping the soldier warm, Nature should also save him from the disturbance of the humming insects.
18. How does the soldier sleep?
>The soldier is sleeping peacefully, open-mouthed, in the sunlight, and has kept one hand on his breast.
19. How is the dead soldier shown respect by the nature?
>Nature has shown respect to the soldier by providing flower at his feet.
20. How can you say that the poem is an anti-war poem?
>as its ending evokes out pity at the ultimate and unfortunate death of a young soldier.
21. What do two red holes indicate?
>The two red holes imply that the soldier has been killed in the war with two rifle-shots in his side. It indicated that the soldier will never wake up again.
22. How did you know that the valley is rich in its flora and fauna?
>…as there is a different kind of flower, plants and insects.
23. What does the concluding line of the poem reveal?
>…a rude shock that the soldier is the victim of war.
What is the role of nature in Arthur Rimbaud‘s poem, Asleep in the Valley‘?
O, Explain the title of the poem.
ANS.: In Arthur Rimbaud’s poem ‘Asleep In The Valley’, the soldier is lying in the soft green valley on soft grass putting his hand on his chest and an innocent smile in his face. Nature plays a significant role in Arthur Rimbaud‘s poem ‗Asleep in the Valley‘. The death of a young soldier becomes poignant in tragedy against the sunny backdrop of Nature. The sunlit green valley with a slow small river flowing through it creates an atmosphere of peace and silence, as if, to facilitate the eternal sleep of the soldier. The valley provides the soldier with a pillow of fern and a warm, green, sun-soaked bed to help him sleep in peace. Such a backdrop of Nature also serves to highlight the tragic irony of a soldier who is fated to be expired unsung, unsolved and uncared. (The politicians and the diplomats, who send them to the battlefield, gloating over their exploits, do not care a fig for his death.) The title of the poem contradicts between the beautiful scenery of the valley and the harsh reality. Hence the title is appropriate and ironical.
The Place of Art in Education
TUTORIALevolution
Non-Accidental Reporting
Nirmal
Vidyalaya Abhiyan OBSERVED AT ABC SCHOOL
ABC School observed
1 March, 2017 as the beginning of a three-day long "Nirmal Vidyalaya
Abhiyan' which was inaugurated by the Municipal Councillor of the zone. He
appreciated the initiative taken by the students and expected that it will
spread a message to bring awareness among the public to keep their surroundings
clean. The students cleaned their classrooms on the first day. On the second
day the sports field and auditorium were nicely cleaned. More dust bins were
placed in ithe path from junior to senior wing. On the third day poster making
competition was held in primary, middle and senior categories and the winners
were awarded for the best posters. The school Principal, Dr. Name Title expressed his satisfaction in his concluding speech in the assembly and
expected that it would not restrict to the three days it was observed, rather
it would be a way of life for the whole school.
ROTARY CLUB ORGANISED BLOOD DONATION CAMP
AT Malda
A blood
donation camp was organized by the Rotary Club of Malda on 26th January, 2014 on the auspicious
occasion of the Foundation Day of the club and 65th Republic Day of India. The large
playground of the club was the venue. A medical team consisting of a physician
and his trained assistants from Malda Medical Hospital was invited to
the camp to run it smoothly. They arrived at the camp at 9 am on the eventful
day. Thereafter the camp began to operate on full swing. At least 200 donors
gave blood in the camp. At around 11 am Mr. Name Title, the MLA of
Malda District visited the camp. He appreciated the solemn effort of
the club and expressed his gratitude to the medical team for their active part
in such a social work. The blood collected in this camp was later sent to the
Blood Bank of ABC Hospital. The donors were given a packet of dry food
and an I-Card each. This I-Card would help them get blood in time of their dire
need. The camp ended with a smiling face on everybody’s face.
AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR TO MURSHIDABAD
Educational tours are of great importance.
They broaden our outlook and enhance our knowledge more than books can. Last year our school organized an educational
tour to Murshidabad in the summer vacation. We, a party of twenty-five
students, joined the tour. It was a two-day long tour. Our teachers of history
accompanied us on the tour as our escorts. Early in the morning we boarded the
luxury bus hired for the purpose. The boys were in a jubilant mood. The entire
journey was transported by witty jokes and quiz on History. The bus sped past
the hamlets, fields and shops. After a journey of five hours, we reached our
destination and checked in a hotel. The very next day we went out a-visiting
from site to site. The tombs of different Nawabs, palaces, Qatra Mosque, the
beautiful garden of Katgola, Moti Jheel – all began to throb with historical
implications before our very eyes. The majestic beauty of Hazarduari and the
cannon lying on the bank of the Bhagirathi made History real. The very air of
the vast field of Plassey across the Ganges appeared to be laden with battle
cry and bloodshed. This reminded me of Siraj fighting against Robert Clive
tooth and nail only to lose because of Mirjaffar’s betrayal. The tour proved to
be browsing page after page of History on the Muslim period in Bengal. We set out for our return journey on
the third day morning with the experience of a hilarious trip of History.
\
A three-day-long science exhibition was held at A. C. The institution (H.S) from 15th November to 18th November here. It was organized by the students on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the school. The event took off with the Headmaster delivering a brief introductory speech. Name, a scientist of ABC Research Centre, Kolkata graced the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest. Various items of science like arc-indicator, barometer, sounding-line, metal detector etc were on display in the exhibition. The students from the science section also arranged for a demonstration. They demonstrated to the visitors how the so-called Sadhus create fire from nowhere by using glycerine, how the electric bell works, how light influences the resistance of some conductors etc. Scientific-minded visitors poured out into the exhibition to make it grandly successful.
---Sujit Chakraborty
ANNUAL PRIZE DAY
The Annual Prize giving ceremony was an occasion of grandeur as usual at C.C. Girls High School (H.S). this year. The Leader K. N. Chowdhury, having offered his precious presence was honoured as the Chief Guest, distributing prizes to the deserving students, students from different spheres like academics, sports, extra-curricular activities were given due recognition. A gala cultural concert was presented by the students of the higher secondary faculty. The toddlers of the primary level participated in recitation accompanied by dance and the secondary students ornamented the show with their excellent recital on instruments. The teachers and guardians, who graced the occasion left with a note of praise and applause for each and every event. The administration, staff and students had all contributed to make the programme a grand success.
---Sujit Chakraborty
SCHOOL CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE
The
A. C. Inasitution School held its golden jubilee celebrations on Sunday on the
school premises. The event started off with a procession by students that
circumnavigated the school. Then came the lighting of the lamp ceremony.
(X-teacher), the former secretary, school education,
lit the lamp, along with other guests of honour. “I’m immensely proud to be a
part of this golden jubilee celebration,”__said. A host of cultural events
followed. These held the audience captive. Various dance performances based on
eastern dance forms made the audience spell-bound. “This year is immensely
special as the school has stepped into its 50th year. This school has been an
integral part of our locality and is extremely proactive towards various social
causes,” said K.
N. Chowdhury, the local MLA, who was one of the
guests of honour. The students were evidently proud to be part of the
celebrations. “Our school is like a family and each student, teacher and staff
member is a family member. I feel immensely proud that we have managed to make
it this far,” said Chanchal Jha, the principal. The ceremony came to
an end with a vote of thanks followed by the singing of our National Anthem.
No.st /nd /rd /th INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVED
The students of C.C. Girls’ (H.S.) School today observed here the 54th Independence Day of India with pomp and grandeur. The ceremony started with the hoisting of our tri-colour by the Headmistress at 7 am. It was accompanied by our national song – ‘Van de Mataram’ sung by the students in chorus. Around 7-30 am a mass rally went out from the school. It marched past the local road with slogans, flags and posters. At 10 am a cultural function was organized by the students and the teachers. Numerous local dignitaries and guardians were invited to it. The school-secretary presided over the ceremony. The local BDO graced the ceremony as the guest-in-chief. A host of events like patriotic songs, recitation of patriotic poems etc. was presented. Then a one-act play ‘On to Delhi’ (Dilli Chalo) was staged by the students. It was a grand success. The HM then gave a neat but impressive speech followed by a short one by the chief guest. Finally, the ceremony ended with a vote of thanks.
TUTORIALEvoltion
Comedy
of Errors
1. What are the two enemy states in Comedy of Errors?
->…Syracuse & Ephesus.
2. What was the cruel law in Ephesus?
->…that if any merchant of Syracuse entered the land of Ephesus, he would either pay a heavy fine or he would be
put to death for that offence.
3. Why did Aegeon visit Epidamnum?
->…for an urgent piece of business.
4. Why did Aegeon buy the two sons of the poor woman?
->…for their parents were very poor and he also wished to make them servants of his sons.
5. How was Aegeon separated from his wife and elder son?
->…because of a shipwreck in the sea.
6. What were the names of Aegeon’sson?
->…Both the sons of Aegeon were Antipholus.
7. What were the names of of the slaves?
->…Dromio.
8. How old was Antipholus Y when he went out in search of his brother and mother?
->…18 years.
9. Why did Aegeoncome to Ephesus?
->…in a search of his younger son.
10. Why did the Duke of Ephesus take pity on Age?
->…as he heard the misfortune of Aegeon.
11. What did the Antipholus Y hear when he landed on Ephesus?
->…that a man from Ephesus was waiting to receive the death punishment for breaking the rule.
12. What did a friend advise AntipholusY?
->…to reveal his identity as a merchant of Epidamnum.
13. Why did not Antipholus help his father by paying the ransom?
->…as he did not know that the victim was his own father.
14. Where did elder Antipholus live and for how long?
->…in Ephesus for 20 years.
15. How was the Antipholus separated from his mother?
->the the fisherman who saved them took him away from his mother and sold him to Xenophon, a great warrior.
16. Who was Menaphon?
->…the uncle of the Duke of Ephesus.
17. Why and how was Antipholus E rewarded by the Duke of Ephesus?
->…once saved the Duke’s life and therefore the Duke …by getting him married to a rich a lady named Adrina in
Ephesus.
18. What was the name of the wife of Anti Of Ephesus?
->…Adriana.
19. Whom did Elder Dromio invite to dinner in Adriana’s house?
->…the Younger Anti.
20. Why was Anti Y angry with Dro. ?
->…he pressed him to meet and dine with Adriana.
21. Why did Anti Y beat Dro. ?
->…as he thought Dro was jesting with him untimely.
22. What sort of woman was Adriana?
->…of jealous temper and suspicious minded in nature.
23. Where did Adriana catch Anti.S?
->…near an inn.
24. Who claimed Dromio as her husband?
->…the cook maid.
25. Why was the real husband driven away from his own home?
->…as his servant could not identify him and his wife also ordered the servant not to allow anybody to enter the house.
26. Why was elder Antipholus angry and why did he leave his own house?
->…. Moreover when the servant laughed at him and reported that his wife was dying with Antipholus,…
27. Why did Anti S escape from the house of Adriana?
->…as she claimed and treated him as her husband.
28. What did Anti S decide after strange happening?
->…to leave the place immediately and ordered Dromio to get their things on board.
29. Why did Anti Y refuse to accept the gold chain?
->…as he quite sure that he is not its real owner.
30. Why was the goldsmith arrested?
->…as he owed some money to another person.
31. Why was Elder Anti arrested?
->…as the goldsmith brought against him the charge of non-payment for the gold chain.
32. Who bound Elder Anti with rope and why?
->…as she thought him to be mad.
33. Who was the Abbess?
->The lost wife of Aegeon…
34. Where did the Elder Anti take shelter?
->…in the convent of the abbess.
35. Why did the abbess reproach/criticise Adriana?
->…for her bad temper and jealous mind.
36. Where was the place of Aegeon’sexecution?
->…near the convent of abbess.
37. Why did Adriana come to meet the Duke?
->...for the justice as the abbess refused to hand over her lunatic/mad husband.
38. Why did the Anti of E come to the Duke?
->.... to complain that his wife had confined him on a false charge of lunacy.
39. Who first, understood the cause of disturbance?
-.The Duke.
40. Why did Anti of E deny to acknowledge Aegeon or pay ransom for him?
->…as he had never seen his father since the shipwreck in his infancy.
TUTORIALEvolurion
As You Like It
1. Where did the usurper rule?
He ruled in a province or Dukedom in France.
2. Where did the lawful Duke flee away?
The lawful Duke fled to the forest of Arden.
3. Why did the lawful Duke flee away?
The lawful Duke fled away because he was dethroned
and banished by his brother Duke Frederick.
4. Who accompanied the lawful Duke?
A few faithful followers accompanied the lawful
Duke.
5. How did the old Duke and his followers spend life in the forest?
They led the life like that of Robin Hood of
England and felt it be more relaxing than the life of a court.
6. How did they spend the summer in the forest?
In the summer they lay under the shade of the trees
watching the playful sports of the forest deer.
7. Why were the chilling winds were called true counsellors?
They are called true counsellors as they do not
flatter but represent truly one's own condition, and though they bite sharply,
their tooth is nothing like that of unkindness and ingratitude.
8. Who was Rosalind? Rosalind was the daughter of the banished Duke. Who
was Celia?
Celia was the daughter of Duke Frederick.
9. Who was Duke Fredrick?
Duke Frederick was the brother of the lawful Duke,
and he was the usurper as he drove away from the lawful Duke.
10. Why did Rosalind stay back in the court?
Rosalind stayed back in the court as she was the
close companion of her cousin Celia.
11. Why did Celia agree to watch the wrestling match?
Celia agreed to watch the match as she thought that
it would amuse Rosalind.
12. Who were the contestants of the wrestling match?
The contestants of the wrestling match were the
court wrestler and young Orlando.
13. Why did Rosalind and Celia try to dissuade Orlando from fighting the
match?
They tried to dissuade Orlando as it was an uneven
match between a skilled wrestler and young man.
14. What did Rosalind and Celia speak to the young wrestler?
Rosalind and Celia forbade him to take part in the
unequal wrestling match.
15. What was the effect of the entreaties of the fair ladies?
The effect of the entreaties of the fair ladies was
that the young wrestler became more determined to prove his valour in front of
the fair ladies.
16. What made the young wrestler wish to die?
The young wrestler wished to die for his helpless
misfortune.
17. Why did Rosalind feel pity for the young wrestler?
Rosalind felt pity for the young wrestler for his
friendless condition.
18. Why was the Duke Frederick displeased with Orlando?
The Duke Frederick was displeased with Orlando as
he came to know that he was the son of Sir Rowland de Boys, a friend of the banished Duke.
19. What did Rosalind give Orlando and why?
Rosalind gave Orlando her chain from her neck as a
token of love to him.
20. Why was the Duke Frederick angry with Rosalind?
He was angry with Rosalind because people praised
her virtues more than her own daughter Celia.
21. What order did Frederick give to Rosalind?
Frederick ordered Rosalind to leave the court and
join her father in the forest.
22. What did Celia decide after the banishment of Rosalind?
Celia decided to accompany Rosalind in the forest.
23. Why did Rosalind and Celia disguise themselves?
They disguised themselves for their protection on
the way to the forest of Arden.
24. How did Rosalind and Celia disguise themselves?
Rosalind disguised herself as a countryman named
Ganymede and Celia disguised herself as a country maid named Aliena.
1. Who did Ganymede and Aliena meet in the forest when they were tired and
hungry?
They met a countryman who was a servant of a
shepherd.
2. Who provided Ganymede and Celia food and rest?
A servant of a shepherd provided them food and
rest.
3. How did Ganymede and Aliena settle in the forest?
They bought the cottage from the shepherd and kept
his servant to wait on them.
4. What was Oliver's duty to Orlando? Did he do it perfectly?
Oliver's duty to Orlando was to provide him with
good education. But he did not take proper care of him, rather hated him.
5. What did Adam tell Orlando when he returned from the wrestling match?
Adam asked Orlando to flee away as he overheard
that his brother Oliver had planned to burn him to death in his room.
6. How did Oliver plan to kill Orlando?
Oliver planned to kill Orlando by setting Orlando's
chamber on fire while he was asleep.
7. How much money did Adam give to Orlando?
He gave Orlando five hundred crowns.
8. What did Orlando do to get food?
Orlando drew his sword to grab the food from the
Duke and his men.
9. Who carved the barks with the name of Rosalind and wrote sonnets on her?
Orlando carved the barks with the name of Rosalind
and wrote sonnets on her.
10. How did Ganymede recognize Orlando in the forest?
Ganymede recognised Orlando as he was wearing the
chain gifted earlier by her.
11. Why could not Orlando recognize Rosalind?
Orlando could not recognize Rosalind as she was in
the guise of Ganymede, a countryman.
12. What did Ganymede prescribe Orlando for curing his love?
Ganymede prescribed Orlando to visit and court him
every day, as if, he was his Rosalind.
13. Whom did Orlando see lying on the ground on his way to visit Ganymede?
Orlando saw his own brother Oliver lying on the
ground on his way to visit Ganymede.
14. Why was it waiting for the sleeping man(Oliver)?
It was waiting for the man to wake up in order to
kill and eat his flesh as lions do not attack a sleeping or dead man.
15. What did Oliver do when he woke up?
When Oliver saw Orlando fighting with the lioness
to save him at the cost of his own life, he was full of remorse and begged his mercy.
16. How did Orlando get injuries in his arms?
Orlando got injuries in his arms while fighting
with the lioness.
17. Why did Ganymede faint?
Ganymede fainted as he heard the report of
Orlando's injury while fighting with a lioness.
18. How did Rosalind meet her father in the forest?
At the wedding ceremony of Oliver and Aliena,
Rosalind met her father in the forest.
19. What did the old Duke ask Ganymede first?
The old Duke asked Ganymede his name and parentage.
20. Why did Ganymede ask Orlando to put on his best clothes?
Ganymede asked Orlando to put on his best clothes
because he would find his Rosalind for the wedding.
21. What was the joyful news from an unexpected messenger?
Duke Frederick had restored the dukedom to the
banished Duke.
22. Who turned Frederick's heart from his wicked design?
A hermit in the forest changed his heart from his
wicked design.
23. How did Frederick intend to spend the rest of his life?
He intended to spend the rest of his life in a
religious house.
TUTORIALevolution
The Proposal, a one-act play by Anton Chekhov
Complete Over-view with the Characters of the Drama
StepanStepanovitchChubukov–A
Landowner / Natalya’s Father
NatalyaStepanovna –25Years Old Daughter of Chubukov
Owner of Birchwood and Burnt Marsh inherited from her father’s grandfather.
Ivan VassilevitchLomov –A Kind but Very Suspicious Land Owner of Oxen Meadows inherited from his aunt’s grandmother. The peasants of the father’s grandfather of Natalya made bricks for the grandmother of Lomov’s aunt.
1st Quarrel/Abuses :
Chubukov abuses Lomov – his father was a guzzling gambler, All of Lomov’s family are pettifogger, Lunacy, drunkard grandfather, aunt NastasyaMihailovna eloped with an architect, malicious, double-faced intriguer, Devil, Scarecrow, Blind hen, Turnip ghost, Stuffed sausage, Wizen-faced frump.
Lomov to Chubukov– Grabber, embezzlement (grandfather), His mother was a hump-backed, intriguer (Natalya), The offence they do in the last election was an open secret.
Natalya abuses Lomov –His aunt was the most backbiter, Lomov was low, dishonest, mean, rascal, monster.
2nd Quarrel/Abuses :
After a long quarrel when Lomov came again, Natalya came to know from her father that he had come to propose her. So, she said (Aside) “I wish I know how to get started… (Aloud) Are you going to shooting soon? But soon they involved in another quarrel.
Lomov’s Dog – Guess was a the first-rate dog, He brought it from Mirnov with 125 roubles [Natalya’s dog was overshot (lower jaw is shorter than the upper) means a bad hunter, In Mariinsky hunt Guess ran well with Count’s Dog, while Squeezer was left behind, All dogs are running after a fox while Squeezer is worrying a ship]
Natalya’s Dog – Squeezer is the son of Harness and Chisels, bought with 85 roubles [There is no getting at the pedigree of Lomov’s dog at all, It is old, ugly, a worn-out cab-horse, Teasingly: what kind of hunter Lomov is? He ought to lie on the kitchen oven and catch black beetles, not go after foxes]
Chubukov –Found out two defects- it is old and it’s short in the muzzle. I’ll shoot you like a partridge. In the mid of the quarrel Lomov become senseless. When he came to sense, Chubukov forced them to get married.
______________________________________________________________________________
MCQ
1)
Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is a Russian- …
2)
The character suffered from awful palpitation was /
worse kind of nervous disorder was-…
3)
By the expression ‘having a go’ Lomov means to say-…
4)
Natalya’s dog (Squeezer )was blamed as-…
5)
Nataly teasingly advised Lomov to-…
6)
Lomov does not ask Natalys for marriage because-…
7)
The engagement of Lomov and Natalya became complete
by-…
8)
Primarily Chubukov guessed that Lomov had come to-…
9)
By the expression ‘spit it out’ Chubukov means to
mean-…
10) Hearing
Lomov, Chubukov said ‘glad’ because-…
11) Lomov was
afraid of never getting married if-…
12) Chubukov
said that a merchant had come ‘for
his goods’-…
13) In the first
meeting Natalya wore-…
14) Natalya told
Lomov that she was / they were-…
15) Regarding
Lomov’s evening dress Natalya says, ‘I never!’ she means-…
16) Natalya
objected Lomov’s claim on-…
17) ‘Oxen
meadows’ refers to the land-…
18) According to
Lomov his aunt’s grandfather had made a
grant of ‘oxen Meadows’ to-…
19) According to
the condition for the grant, Chubukov’s grandfather was-…
20) Measurement
of Oxen Meadows is 5 destinations, is equivalent to-…
21) The unit of
currency mentioned in the play ‘The Proposal’ is-…
22) Chubukov
abuses Lomov as ‘Petty Fogger’ which means-…
23) Lomov blamed
Chubukov as ‘grabber’ which means-…
24) Whom did
Chubukov described as drunkard?-…
25) The word
‘lunacy’ with reference to Lomov means-…
26) The word
‘embezzlement’ means-…
27) Chubukov
blamed Lomov’s grandfather as-…
28) Natalya
called Lomov a ‘monster’ because-…
29) Natalya
wanted that Lomov should come back because-…
30) The label of
the play can be summed up as-…
31) The
sub-genre of the play is-…
32) Chubukov
delighted with the proposal because-…
33) Lomov,
Chubukov and Natalya approach marriage-…
34) Lomov has
two consideration regarding marriage-…
35) Lomov wanted
to talk to Natalya in order to-…
36) Being heated
in an argument, over ownership, the three characters behaved-…
37) Natalya
learns about the proposal when Chubukov-…
38) Lomov and
Natalya again engaged in argument immediately-…
39) Chubukov
asked the coup[le to get married because-…
40) Chubukov is calling for champagne in order to-…
____________________________________________________
BAQ
1. Discuss the reason why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters in “The Proposal”.
Ans : The marriage proposal of Ivan Lomov with Natalya in the play “The Proposal” was not only important to the concerned characters but also to Chubukov, Natalya’s father. Lomov was already thirty-five. He wanted a restrained life and that is why he wanted a settled married life for him. On the other hand, Natalya was twenty-five. She was expert in domestic affairs. She was very eager to marry Lomov. Chubukov, on the other side wanted to grab the opportunity in order to shake down all the responsibility of a daughter’s father from his shoulders in social front. He also knew that the echonomic and social responsibility regarding Natalya would be over when Lomov would marry Natalya. So, he celebrated the occasion by offering champagne. Keeping in view all the reasons, we can conclude that the marriage is very important to all the characters.
2. Describe in detail the character of
Lomov.
Ans : Ivan Lomov is one of the leading characters played a significant role in “The Proposal”. We find him as a funny character in the play. He believes that he had a number of illness including nervous disorder. Although he came to propose Natalya but he could not, as he got involved into an argument with Natalya centering the ownership of ‘Oxen Meadows’. Being a patient of nervous disorder, Lomov was prone to unusual excitement. Lomov failed to propose Natalya formally. It was Chubukov under whose instruction Lomov kissed Natalys and the marriage proposal of Lomov got the final seal of assert through Chubukov’s intervention. Lomov’s argumentative nature and nervous representation make us enjoy his character very much in the play.
3. Write in detail the character of
Chubukov. Or, Discuss, whether Chubukov is a responsible father.
Ans :In the play “The Proposal”, StepanovitchChubukov is basically more a shrewd/clever land-owner and a business-minded father, than a sensible one. Chubukov makes unusual welcome to Lomovusuing words like ‘my precious’, ‘my darling’ etc. but he remains in doubt about Lomov’s real purpose of visiting his house. He takes Natalya’s side of argument only to display that he is a supportive father. He is pleased at the marriage proposal of Lomov but latter when he requires to callLomov back to his daughter, he is greatly offended. He timely intervenes to put the seal of assert to Lomov’s marriage proposal. He offers them champagne to celebrate the occasion as he feels greatly relieved from the echonomic and social responsibility of a grown-up daughter. It is clear from his behavioural aspects that Chubukov is out and out a matter-of-fact father with lack of personality and very little sensibility.
4. Describe in detail the character of
Natalys.
Ans : In Anton Chekhov’s play “The Proposal”, the character, Natalya appears in her negligee and a house coat. This is enough to draw out attention to two important aspect of her character. First of all, she is not a very fashionable lady. Secondly, she is expert in managing homely affairs. Later on, we find her argument with Lomovcenteringaround the ownership of ‘Oxen Meadows’ and the superiority of their dog Squeezer in comparison to Lomov’s dog, Guess. Natalys suffers from hysterics as she becomes excited when she comes to know that Lomov wants to propose her. She is greatly tensed when Lomov was found dead-like on the armchair. She becomes happy when Lomov comes into sense. She is the only woman character in the play and plays a very significant role.
5. Give a short description of the social
life as you see in the play?
Ans : In “The Proposal” Anton Chekhov focuses on the contemporary Russian society of his time. We come to know that then marriage use to be negotiated ridiculously and often without considering the age gap in between the spouses. Marriages are mostly arranged and the quality, qualifications, temperaments, attitudes etc. Hardly mattered. In most cases , marriage was either a case of economic benefit or of other gains. Girls could not decides or choose their partners. Daughters were considered as economic liability. Natalya was not an exception. He timely intervenes to put the seal of assert to Lomov’s marriage proposal and felt greatly relieved from the economic and social responsibility of a grown-up daughter. It depicts well the pettiness of Russian landowners who place the consideration of property and personal pride over love and marriage. Thus the play, “The Proposal” can be considered as a piece of contemporary Russian social life.
6. How did Chubukov
alternate the arguments in order to serve his real purpose ?
Ans : … Natalya appears before Lomov and he started to describe the bond of love and respect between the Lomovs and Chubukovs. While doing that Lomov mentions his ownership upon ‘Oxen Meadows’ to face the chalanging demand of Natalya upon the same. Chubukov takes Natalya’s side and the marriage proposal of Lomov takes the back seat. Natalya comes to know about Lomov’s proposal. He was brought back. But soon they engaged in another argument regarding the superiority of their respective dogs. The marriage proposal of Lomov is never clearly focused.
7. Do you consider Chubukov’s play “The Proposal” to be a satire/farce on marriage ?
Explain with reason.
Ans :Anton Chekhov's "The Proposal" is usually classified as a farce, rather than satire, because it is a short work that focuses on a single idea in a limited way and in a comical way such as the hypochondriac [Lomov], the shrew [Natalya], and the hypocrite [Chubukov]. Farce is further identified by exaggeration and absurdity, two other elements in Chekhov's one-act play.It is full of such exaggerated actions that exceed the limits of common sense. For instance, Lomov who gulps down water, puts his hand over his heart, runs to the door and "staggers out." After he leaves, Natalya becomes "hysterical," falling back into an armchair "and groans for some time. The quick turn of feeling from cordiality to hurling of insults such as Lomov's calling Chubukov a "Grabber" and his returning the insult to Lomov, terming him "Intriguer!" Next is Chubkov's screaming that he will kill himself.Later Joining the hands of his daughter and neighbour, Chubukov shouts,"Get married! She's agreed! Only leave me in peace!"Thus, the farcical basis of "The Proposal" is the fact that Lumov himself is never able to propose.Another form of humour is practical jokesthat the father plays upon his daughter whenChubukov, instead of telling his daughter about Lomov’s marriage proposal, informs her that there is "a dealer who has come to buy something."These elements of exaggeration and absurdity set the tone of ridicule by Chekhov in depicting the pettiness of Russian society. Their hypocrisy is also depicted comically in the placement of economic considerations over those of love and romance.
8. Justify the title of
‘The Proposal’
Ans :The Proposal, a one-act play of Anton Chekhov, explores the process of getting married in a comical way. This one act paly can be read as a satire upon the upper middleclass people of Russia and their courtship. This one-act play depicts the conflicts that the characters face in the play in search of economic value of marriage. It shows the character’s desperation for marriage in a comical way. In Chekhov’s Russia, marriage was a means of economic stability for majority of people. They use to marry to gain wealth and economic possessions or to compromise with the social pressure. The characters in the play involve in arguments over small and irrelevant things. The main argument revolves round the Oxen Meadows and the two dogs called Guess and Squeezer. However the play queerly ends with the acceptance of Lomov’s proposal of marriage by Natalya. Thus the title is highly significant and ironically important.
9. Explain The Proposal as a one-act play.
Ans :A one-act play, as the name suggests, is a play that takes place, from beginning to end, in a single act. The Proposal, written by Anton Chekhov also introduces a comic one-act play centering round three characters :Chubukhov, Lomov, Chubukhov’s neighbour and Natalya, Chubukhov’s daughter. It is a fast-paced play of dialogue based action with situational humour. The setting of the play is Chubukhov’s country house where Lomov, a long-time neighbour of Chubukhov, has come to propose marriage to Chubukhov’s 25 years old daughter, Natalya. Stating his purpose, Lomov receives joyful permission from Chubukhov to marry his daughter. Lomov is a nerve-patient and is prone to unwanted excitement. Having welcomes by Natalya when he tries to explain the reason for being there, he gets into argument for twice with Natalya regarding the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the superiority of their respective dogs, Guess and Squeezer. In the mid of their argument Chubukhov intervenes and forces them to accept the marriage proposal with a kiss. Thus, we find the play from the beginning to end is taken place in a single act securing all the features of an ideal one-act play.
New year’s Eve-According to the Russian calendar, Russians celebrates the new yearfron 6thro 12th January. Therefore, New Year’s Eve here refers to the evening of 5th January, the last day of the year.
She is like a lovesick cat- The expression is an expression of simile. A simile is an explicit comparison between two different things or ideas. In the above case Natalya, 25 years old daughter of Chubukhov and a cat are two dissimilar things. They have been compared having a common feature called ‘lovesickness’.
Open Secret- It is an example of Oxymoron. Oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposite ideas of seemingly opposite ideas are placed side by side to create an effect on the logical process of thinking. In this case ‘secret is described as ‘open’ which is not possible in reality.
“Bring him back”---Natalya
says this in Chekhov’s hilarious face 'The Proposal’. She says this to her
father Chubukov.
When Lomov departs from Chubukov’s
housewithout expressing his desire to Natalya,Chubukhov tells her about the
proposal. He informs that Lomovhas expressed his desire to many
Natalya.Love-sick Natalya now understands thatthe argument over Oxen Meadows
has done aharmfulact to her life. Natalya now wants to makeup the Situation by
calling him back. She betraysimmense passion for him.
Natalya is a maid of 25. She was not still
been able to find her man. She is love-sick. She cannot afford a chance to miss
such a proposal. So, she is very-much upset. However her passion for Lomov has
been presented in an exaggerated manner.
Arguments
over Dogs:Inspite of her every caution Natalya contradicts Lomov
whenhe describes his dog, Guess' the best. Natalya comments that it was toomuch
to spend 125 roubles for Guess. They got better dog, Squeezer for 85 roubles
only. Lomovreadily finds Squeezer’s faults- it is overshot; as aresult it is a
bad hunter. Natalya then describesSqueezer as a pure dog and Guess as impure,
old,ugly and like a worn-out cab-horse. Chubukovsays Guess is old and short in
the muzzle. Lomovmentions how Squeezer was left behind but Guessran neck and
neck with the Count’s dog. Then theyleave the issue of the dogs and starts
excavatingeach other’s family scandals.
10. How did Chubukov and
Lomov contaminate each-other’s family ?
11. “I’m ill ! Fetch him !”
---Who is the speaker ? Whom does the speaker to be fetched and why ? Why does
the speaker feel ill ?
12. What are Chubukov’s and
Natalya’s opinions about the hunting strategy of Lomov ?
13. What is the reason
behind Lomov’s thinking that Natalya can be an acceptable wife ?
Some Special Notes :
One
Act Play:ln Anton Chekhov’s one-act play ‘Theproposal’ all of the
characters are some way orthe other influenced by the marriage proposal.Lomov
is desperate for a wife. Natalya has notfound her man. Chubukov wants his
daughter toget married soon. Lomov’s intention makesChubukov jubilant. However
before unfolding hisproposal to Natalya Lomov becomes entangled intwo long
arguments with her, first over a disputedplot of land and then over their
hunting dogs. SoNatalya does not get any proposal from Lomov.However, the
proposal is successfullyComplemented by the marriage at the endbecause of
Chubukov’s presence of mind. Thetitle ‘The Proposal’ appears to be
moremeaningful for that.
