Student Question
Describe the characters Lomov, Natalia, and Tschukobov in A Marriage Proposal.
Quick answer:
Lomov is a hypochondriac, nervous about proposing to Natalia, and prone to disputes, leading to arguments over land and dogs. Natalia, unaware of Lomov's intentions, argues passionately over property rights and later demands his return upon learning of his proposal. Her father, Tschubukov, initially teases her about Lomov's visit, but becomes agitated during their arguments, hurling insults and threatening drastic actions before ultimately facilitating their marriage.
A Marriage Proposal is a farce that pokes fun of romance and marriage within the upper class as the consideration and pride in property takes precedence over love and marriage with Chekhov's characters. These characters frequently stop listening to each other, often contradict each other, and constantly contradict each other.
- Ivan Vassiliyitch Lomov
Tschubukov's neighbor, thirty-five-year-old Lomov decides to formally
propose marriage to Natalia Stepanovna, although he has known his neighbor for
years. When he formally asks Natalia's father, Stepan Tschubukov, he is hugged
by this parent. Nevertheless, he is worried that Natalia will refuse and
remains nervous. A hypochondriac, Lomov thinks he is cold, and believes he has
a roaring in his ears. Further, he complains of a weak heart, insomnia, strange
aches, and other ailments.
When he does speak to Natalia, he does not ask her to marry him; instead, he becomes disputatious soon after bringing up the...
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land between their properties. He and Natalia begin shouting, and Lomov threatens to take the Tschubukovs to court. Complaining of his heart, Lomov collapses. When her father complains about Lomov's audacity to propose marriage, Natalia begs her father to bring him back, so Lomov returns, but begins to argue with Natalia about their dogs. This prompts more spasms and aches until the father intervenes so that they will marry.
- Natalia Stepanovna
With her father's saying that "a dealer has come to buy something," Natalia
enters the front room to find there Ivan Vassiliyitch Lomov. She greets him
affably. However, it is not long before she argues with Lomov about the
meadows, not realizing that he has come to propose marriage. Instead, she
speaks vehemently of the injustice of his accusations: "Say what you will, I
can't bear injustice."
When Lomov tries to smooth over the situation, Natalia argues that he can
explain all he wants, but the meadows still belong to her family. And, when the
father enters, the argument continues. Natalia is tenacious; she adamantly
insists that the meadows are theirs.
After Lomov leaves, Natalia calls him a "good-for-nothing," and her father adds
other words such as "Loafer! Scarecrow! Monster!"
However, soon her father reveals to Natalia that Lomov came to offer her a
proposal of marriage. She shouts, "Bring him back! Bring him back!" Soon, too,
she begins to argue with Lomov about his dogs.
- Stephan Stepanovitch Tschubukov
Natalia's father, Tschubukov has a little fun with his daughter as he tells her that a dealer has come when Lomov comes to propose. But, when his daughter and Lomov argue, he, too, becomes hysterical, shouting names at Lomov and complaining,
Oh, I know you, you are only waiting to find an excuse to go to the law! You're an intriguer, that what you are! Your whole family were always looking for quarrels. The whole lot!
Then, after his daughter begs him to bring Lomov back, Tschubukov threatens that he will cut his own throat, but he does not. Later, when Lomov collapses, Tschubukov says he should have cut his own throat, after all.