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Thinking about the Text

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.

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.

3.

(I)   Fin d 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 adjective l expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Answer:

1.    At first, Chubukov assumed that Lomov had come to borrow money. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son. He was certain that he would not give any money to him if he would come to borrow from him. If he really meant what he had said, then he would not have thought of not giving him money. He said so only because Lomov had come with the offer to marry his daughter.

2.    Chubukov thought that Lomov was a good wedding prospect for his daughter. He was waiting for this proposal. When Lomov expressed his disbelief regarding Natalya' s consent to the proposal, Chubukov instantly told him that she was in love with him. But, this was actually not true. Natalya did not seem to be in love with Lomov at any point in the play. It looked as if she was more close to her land, meadows and dogs than to Lomov. Rather, the way they kept on arguing about slight matters suggests that neither Lomov nor Natalya was in love with each other.

3.

(I) several words and expressions have been used by the characters to describe each other. Some

Of them are as follows:

Chubukov calls Lomov: Pettifogger, drunkard, lunatic, guzzling, gambler, villain, backbiter, turnip­ ghost, blind hen, sniffed sausage and wizen -faced.

Lomov calls Chubukov and his family: hump-back, grabber, etc.

(ii)  Some of the adjectives can be thought as proud, industrious, treasure, darling, love, decent, well ­ educated, sensible, lovable, etc.

(iii) Really the matter has now no legs. Natalya, the daughter of Chubukov has got the hand of Lomov. Both embrace and kiss each other. Chubukov blesses them to start a family bliss. But like a lie, a quarrel can be done on any issue. In realty matter finishes.