The Proposal

Setting: A drawing-room in Chubukov's house where three wealthy landowners engage in a comical proposal that turns into a series of arguments.

The Complete Play in Seven Parts:

1. The Proposal (Opening Scene)

Ivan Lomov, a wealthy neighbour, arrives at Chubukov's house dressed formally in evening clothes and white gloves to propose marriage to Natalya, Chubukov's twenty-five-year-old daughter. Chubukov initially suspects Lomov wants to borrow money, but when he learns the real purpose, he is overjoyed and immediately agrees to the match, calling Natalya "a lovesick cat" who will surely consent. He exits to call his daughter.

2. Lomov's Soliloquy

While waiting, Lomov reveals his nervousness and detailed reasons for wanting to marry: he's 35 years old (a "critical age"), suffers from palpitations, excitability, and severe sleep problems with pulling sensations in his left side. He convinces himself that Natalya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated, and that marriage will help him lead a quiet, regular life.

3. Natalya's Entrance and Initial Conversation

Natalya enters thinking Lomov is a merchant. She's wearing an apron and neglige, having been shelling peas for drying. They discuss the weather, hay stacking, and she questions why he's dressed so formally. When Lomov tries to make his proposal, he nervously mentions his Oxen Meadows touch Chubukov's birchwoods, which immediately triggers the first argument.

4. The Oxen Meadows Argument

This becomes a heated dispute over land ownership with detailed historical claims: Lomov claims his aunt's grandmother gave temporary use to Chubukov's grandfather's peasants for 40 years in return for brick-making, while Natalya claims her family has owned the land for 300 years extending to Burnt Marsh. The Meadows are worth only 5 dessiatins (about 300 roubles), but both characters become extremely stubborn and argumentative.

5. Escalation and Personal Insults

Chubukov joins the argument, and all three characters start calling each other names and bringing up family history: "landgrabber," "intriguer," "pettifogger," "lunatic," "drunkard," "hump-backed," "guzzling gambler," and accusations about ancestors. The argument becomes so heated that Lomov is eventually driven out of the house.

6. The Realization and Panic

Only after Lomov is driven out does Natalya learn he came to propose marriage. She panics and demands he be brought back immediately. Chubukov runs to fetch him, and when Lomov returns, they both apologize for their behavior and agree that the Oxen Meadows are indeed his. They try to move on to other topics.

7. The Dog Argument and Marriage Agreement

Natalya tries to change the subject by asking about hunting, which leads to a new argument about whose dog is better: Lomov's Guess (cost 125 roubles, old but experienced) vs. Natalya's Squeezer (cost 85 roubles, young thoroughbred but "overshot"). The argument escalates with technical discussions about dog breeding, hunting abilities, and more personal insults. Eventually, Lomov becomes so upset that he faints. Natalya and Chubukov panic, thinking he's dead, and in their desperation, they quickly agree to the marriage. However, even after agreeing to marry, they continue arguing about the dogs as Chubukov tries to celebrate with champagne.

• Initial Meeting: Lomov arrives formally dressed, Chubukov suspects he wants to borrow money
• The Proposal: Lomov asks for Natalya's hand, Chubukov immediately agrees and calls her "a lovesick cat"
• Lomov's Soliloquy: Reveals his health problems, age concerns, and reasons for wanting marriage
• Natalya's Entrance: She's working (shelling peas) and questions his formal dress
• First Argument: Dispute over ownership of Oxen Meadows with detailed historical claims
• Escalation: Personal insults, family history, and threats about court and mowers
• Lomov Driven Out: After heated argument with personal attacks
• Realization: Natalya learns the real purpose of his visit and panics
• Reconciliation: They apologize and agree the Meadows are his
• New Argument: Immediate transition to arguing about dogs
• Final Climax: Lomov faints, others think he's dead
• Marriage Agreement: Made in panic and desperation
• Conclusion: Still arguing about dogs even after marriage agreement

• Marriage for Economic Gain: Wealthy families seeking advantageous matches
• Human Pettiness: Arguments over trivial matters (300-rouble land, dog breeding)
• Pride and Stubbornness: Characters unable to compromise or see beyond their own interests
• Social Satire: Mocking Russian landed gentry values and priorities
• Absurdity: The proposal succeeds through panic, not courtship
• Character Consistency: Even after reconciliation, they immediately find new things to argue about