Question 1

What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

Accepted Answer

Chubukov first suspects Lomov has come to borrow money. His later declaration is not fully sincere: before learning of the proposal he is guarded, and during the quarrels he calls Lomov a fool, villain and intriguer. His affection appears when the marriage benefits his daughter and disappears whenever property or dogs are disputed.

Question 2

Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Accepted Answer

Natalya clearly wants the match: when she learns Lomov came to propose, she becomes hysterical and orders her father to bring him back at once. Yet while he is present she quarrels fiercely over Oxen Meadows and the dogs. She is therefore eager to marry him but too proud and argumentative to behave like a conventional romantic lover.

Question 3

(i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”) (ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play. (iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Accepted Answer

(i) Their language swings from ‘my angel’, ‘my darling’, ‘excellent housekeeper’ and ‘well-educated’ to ‘grabber’, ‘guzzling gambler’, ‘malicious, doublefaced intriguer’, ‘blind hen’, ‘turnip-ghost’, ‘old rat’, ‘Jesuit’, ‘boy’, ‘pup’ and ‘milksop’. (ii) Lomov is nervous, calculating, hypochondriacal, proud and quarrelsome; Natalya is strong-willed, practical, possessive, impulsive and argumentative; Chubukov is theatrical, opportunistic, short-tempered, manipulative and comic. (iii) A model next quarrel could concern the wedding arrangements or which family has better horses, because each turns minor status questions into contests.