Russian society emerges as an important character – Evaluate

The Proposal Long Question Class 10 English

(beyond text and across texts)

Though the play revolves around three people, Russian society emerges as an important character through the ongoings of the play and the thoughts and interactions of its characters. Imagine yourself to be a historian who has been invited to speak about nineteenth-century upper-class Russian society. Based on your reading of the play, how might you describe it? Support your evaluation with instances from the text.

In “A Proposal” by Anton Chekhov, while the play revolves around three people, Russian society emerges as an important character through the ongoings of the play and the thoughts and interactions of its characters. From the play, we get a glimpse of nineteenth-century upper-class Russian society.

Character Sketch of Lomov
The Proposal Word Meaning, Sentences in Hindi
LOMOV’S TONE, WHEN HE SAYS “WHAT MORE DO I WANT?”,
Sample Paper 2023-24 with Solutions (Code 184)

Firstly, we can observe that the society of the time placed great importance on wealth and social status. Lomov, the protagonist, is a wealthy landowner who is desperate to marry into a family of equal or greater social standing. This is evident when he states, “I am a large landowner, and I’m well off. And I need a wife, you know, to look after the house, and to be my companion when I’m bored.” Lomov’s desire to marry into a wealthy family is further emphasized when he tries to convince Natalya to accept his proposal by citing the financial benefits of their union.

Secondly, we can see that society was highly patriarchal, with women being expected to conform to certain ideals and expectations. Natalya is portrayed as a headstrong, independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. However, her behaviour is also restricted by societal norms and expectations. For example, her father insists that she marry Lomov, and while she initially resists, she ultimately gives in to his demands. Additionally, her behaviour towards Lomov is influenced by the expectation that she should be a demure and submissive wife, as she repeatedly tells him to “be quiet” and “stop shouting.”

In conclusion, “A Proposal” provides us with a window into the society of nineteenth-century upper-class Russia. Through the characters’ attitudes and behaviours, we can see that the society was highly focused on wealth and social status, patriarchal in its expectations of women, and characterized by a rigid class structure.

The Proposal Full Lesson Question Bank

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