English: Class 10 (Words and Expressions) — Chapter 9: The Proposal

The chapter introduces Russian wedding customs to contrast or compare with Indian ones:

• Preparations: Simple arrangements including rings, dresses, cars, and a shared-expense reception.
• The Groom's Challenge: The groom must "fight" to reach the bride by answering difficult questions or riddles at each apartment landing, paying cash if he guesses wrong.
• The Celebration: Includes city tours, toasts, and playful customs like "stealing" the bride or her shoe, requiring the groom to pay a ransom.

• A long-time neighbor of Chubukov.
• A large, hearty, but extremely suspicious landowner.
• Highly hypochondriac; suffers from palpitations, excitability, twitching, and sleep disturbances.
• Seeks marriage primarily for practical reasons (he is 35, a "critical age," and wants a quiet, regular life).

• Stepan Chubukov's 25-year-old daughter.
• Described by Lomov as an "excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated."
• Extremely proud, possessive, and argumentative, especially regarding property and status.

• A wealthy landowner.
• Hypocritical and superficial; initially suspects Lomov of wanting to borrow money, but becomes overly affectionate when he learns of the proposal.
• Easily dragged into petty arguments despite his desire to see his daughter married.

Lomov arrives at Chubukov's house in formal evening dress. Chubukov is surprised by his attire. Lomov nervously reveals his intention to propose to Natalya. Chubukov is overjoyed, embraces Lomov, and goes to call Natalya, assuring Lomov that she will consent.

When Natalya enters, Lomov tries to lead up to the proposal by mentioning his family's historical ties to the Chubukovs. He mentions "my Oxen Meadows." Natalya immediately objects, claiming the meadows belong to her family. A fierce argument ensues over historical ownership, involving documents, aunts, and grandfathers. Chubukov joins in, siding with his daughter. Lomov, suffering from severe palpitations, leaves in a rage after being insulted as a "landgrabber."

After Lomov's departure, Chubukov mentions that Lomov came to propose marriage. Natalya is shocked and falls into hysterics, demanding that her father bring Lomov back immediately. Chubukov laments the burden of being the father of a grown-up daughter.

Lomov returns, exhausted. Natalya tries to steer the conversation away from the meadows, conceding that they belong to him. However, Lomov mentions his dog, Guess, has gone lame. Natalya asserts that her dog, Squeezer, is far superior. This sparks an even more intense argument about the dogs' pedigree, physical defects (Squeezer being "overshot"), and hunting abilities. Chubukov joins the fray, and they exchange personal insults until Lomov collapses from his physical ailments.

Believing Lomov is dead, Natalya and Chubukov panic. When Lomov stirs and shows signs of life, Chubukov quickly forces them to accept each other, declaring them married and demanding they kiss. Lomov, still dazed, agrees. However, even as they celebrate with champagne, Natalya and Lomov immediately resume their argument over whose dog is better.

• Reporting Questions: Use the reporting verb asked or enquired.
• Reporting Statements: Use reporting verbs like said, declared, or replied.
• Adverbs of Place/Time:
  • here changes to there
  • today changes to that day
  • now changes to then
• Tense Changes:
  • Present Simple changes to Past Simple.
  • Present Continuous changes to Past Continuous (e.g., am getting becomes was getting).
• Pronoun Changes: First-person pronouns (I, me, our, mine) change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb (e.g., to he, she, they, his, her, their).