📝Page 157

Thinking about the Play

Q1. 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.
Answer: At first, Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He is not sincere when he says, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.” This is a classic example of his dramatic and over-the-top nature. He’s only saying this because he is happy that his daughter is getting a marriage proposal from a wealthy neighbour. His insincerity is shown later when he gets into a heated argument with Lomov and calls him names like “malicious, doublefaced intriguer” and “scarecrow,” even after knowing he is a suitor.

Q2. 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.
Answer: No, I would not agree with Chubukov. Natalya does not seem to be in love with Lomov at all. She is more concerned with the financial and land-related aspects of their relationship. Her initial reaction to Lomov’s visit is casual, and she quickly gets into a furious argument with him over the Oxen Meadows. When she finds out he came to propose, her hysterics are a mix of frustration at missing the opportunity and anxiety over whether he will still propose. This shows her interest is more in marriage for economic security than for love.

Q3. (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.”)
Answer:
Lomov about Natalya: “an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”
Chubukov about Lomov: “my darling,” “my angel,” “my treasure,” “my beauty,” “my precious one,” “pettifogger,” “lunatic,” “old rat,” “fool,” “milksop,” “rascal,” “villain,” “scarecrow,” “monster,” “turnip-ghost,” “stuffed sausage,” “wizen-faced frump,” “malicious, doublefaced intriguer.”
Lomov about Chubukov: “landgrabber,” “intriguer,” “Jesuit.”
Natalya about Lomov: “landgrabber,” “rascal,” “villain,” “scarecrow,” “monster,” “intriguer.”
Chubukov about Natalya: “lovesick cat,” “What a burden, Lord, to be the father of a grown-up daughter!”

(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.
Answer:
Lomov: Anxious, hypocritical, quarrelsome, nervous, desperate.
Natalya: Aggressive, greedy, stubborn, hysterical, practical.
Chubukov: Dramatic, opportunistic, hot-tempered, hypocritical, self-serving.

(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?
Answer: It is very easy to imagine them quarrelling again. They will probably argue about a variety of new things, like the superiority of their other possessions, their family histories, who will pay for what in the wedding, or even how they should manage the household. Their personalities are so argumentative that they will likely never have a peaceful moment together.

Thinking about Language 

I. 1. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play?
Answer: The expressions “my darling,” “my angel,” “my treasure,” and “my beauty” used by Chubukov to address Lomov are not typical of contemporary English usage between adult men. They sound more formal or theatrical, possibly a remnant of older Russian-to-English translation styles. The habit of calling someone by their full name and patronymic (e.g., “Ivan Vassilevitch,” “Stepan Stepanovitch,” “Natalya Stepanovna”) is also a distinct Russian custom.

Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.
Answer:
Expressions not used in contemporary English: “I’ve come only to see you, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch,” “I’ll give it to them in the neck,” “what a misfortune I’ve had!,” “be hanged to your Squeezer!,” “he’s a blind or a fool.”

Idiomatic modern English expressions: “What’s the matter?,” “It’s a secret,” “just on the look-out for a chance,” “you’re just a malicious, doublefaced intriguer.”

2. Look up the following words in a dictionary and find out how to pronounce them. Pay attention to how many syllables there are in each word, and find out which syllable is stressed, or said more forcefully.
Answer:
● palpitations: (pal-pi-TA-tions) – 4 syllables, stress on the third.
● interfere: (in-ter-FERE) – 3 syllables, stress on the third.
● implore: (im-PLORE) – 2 syllables, stress on the second.
● thoroughbred: (THO-ro-bred) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.
● pedigree: (PE-di-gree) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.
● principle: (PRIN-si-ple) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.
● evidence: (E-vi-dence) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.
● misfortune: (mis-FOR-tune) – 3 syllables, stress on the second.
● malicious: (ma-LI-cious) – 3 syllables, stress on the second.
● embezzlement: (em-BEZZ-le-ment) – 4 syllables, stress on the second.
● architect: (AR-chi-tect) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.
● neighbours: (NEIGH-bours) – 2 syllables, stress on the first.
● accustomed: (a-CUS-tomed) – 3 syllables, stress on the second.
● temporary: (TEM-po-ra-ry) – 4 syllables, stress on the first.
● behaviour: (be-HA-viour) – 3 syllables, stress on the second.
● documents: (DO-cu-ments) – 3 syllables, stress on the first.

3. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and then use each in a sentence of your own.
Answer:
● (i) You may take it that
○ Meaning: You can be certain that… or you can assume that…
○ Sentence: You may take it that the project will be finished on time if we all work together.

● (ii) He seems to be coming round
○ Meaning: He appears to be recovering from an illness or a fainting spell. It can also mean he is starting to agree with a point of view.
○ Sentence: The patient was unconscious for a while, but now he seems to be coming round.

● (iii) My foot’s gone to sleep
○ Meaning: A tingling, numb sensation in one’s foot due to lack of blood flow, often from sitting in an awkward position for too long.
○ Sentence: I was sitting cross-legged for so long that my foot’s gone to sleep.

II. Reported Speech

In the following sentences fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. One has been done for you.
Answer:

1. To report a question, we use the reporting verb asked (as in Sentence Set 1).
2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb said.
3. The adverb of place here changes to there.
4. When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the past tense (as in Sentence Set 3).
5. If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to past continuous tense. For example, am getting changes to was getting.
6. When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the adverb respectfully in the reporting clause (as in Sentence Set 1).
7. The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as he, his, she, her, they, or their in reported speech.

III. Here is an excerpt from an article from the Times of India dated 27 August 2006. Rewrite it, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech. Leave the other sentences unchanged.
Answer:
A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema’s most famous character actors, laughed and asked why we wanted to know his age. He added that if people knew he was so old, he would not get work. For his age, he was rather energetic. We asked him what the secret was. He replied that his intake of everything was in small quantities and that he walked a lot. He said that he had joined the industry when people retired and that he was in his 40s. So, he did not miss being called a star. He said that he was still respected and given work, when actors of his age were living in poverty and without work. He added that he did not have any complaints, but that he had always been underpaid. Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He regretted that no doubt he was content today, but money was important, and he had been a fool not to understand the value of money earlier.

Speaking and Writing 

Q1. Anger Management: As adults, one important thing to learn is how to manage our temper. Some of us tend to get angry quickly, while others remain calm. Can you think of three ill effects that result from anger? Note them down. Suggest ways to avoid losing your temper in such situations. Are there any benefits from anger?
Answer:
● Ill effects of anger:
○ Anger can harm relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, as people may not want to be around someone who is always angry.
○ It can cause health problems like high blood pressure, headaches, and a weakened immune system.
○ It can lead to impulsive decisions and actions that we may regret later, such as saying hurtful things or doing something dangerous.

● Ways to avoid losing your temper:
○ Count to ten before you respond to a situation that makes you angry.
○ Try to take a few deep breaths to calm your body and mind.
○ Walk away from the situation for a few minutes to give yourself space to think.
○ Think about the reason for your anger and try to find a calm solution instead of lashing out.

● Benefits from anger:
○ Anger can motivate you to take action and change things that are unfair or unjust.
○ It can help you set boundaries and let others know when they have crossed a line.
○ It can be a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.

Q2. In pairs, prepare a script based on the given excerpt from The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore. You may write five exchanges between the characters with other directions such as movements on stage and way of speaking, etc.
Answer: This is a collaborative writing task and will vary between students. Here is a sample script based on the text provided:

Script for “The Home and the World”
(SCENE START)
(The stage is a room with papers and books scattered on a desk. NIKHIL, 40s, is looking at some documents. The messenger has just left. BIMALA, 30s, enters, looking elegant and flushed. She stands for a moment, toying with her bangles. The room feels a little dusty and neglected.)

NIKHIL
(Looking up from his papers, surprised)
What is it? You sent for me? It’s been a long time.

BIMALA
(Abruptly, with a hint of accusation in her voice)
Look here! Is it right that our market should be the only one in all of Bengal which allows foreign goods?

NIKHIL
(Calmly, a bit tired)
What, then, would be the right thing to do?

BIMALA
(Firmly, moving closer)
Order them to be cleared out! It’s our duty.

NIKHIL
(Shaking his head, sighing softly)
But the goods are not mine, Bimala. I cannot do that.

BIMALA
(Almost whispering, with a passionate intensity)
Is not the market yours? You are the master!

NIKHIL
(Turning back to his desk, dismissing the topic)
I am very busy this afternoon and cannot stop to argue it out. But I must refuse to tyrannise.

(Bimala’s shoulders slump a little. She looks frustrated. Nikhil picks up a paper, not looking at her. The silence is tense. He has refused to engage.)

(SCENE END)

Q3. In groups, discuss the qualities one should look for in a marriage partner. You might consider the following points.
Answer: This is a discussion-based question. A good group discussion would cover the following points:
● Personal qualities: Kindness, honesty, loyalty, sense of humor, intelligence, ambition.
● Appearance or looks: While people may have a preference, it’s often agreed that inner beauty and a personality you can connect with are more important.
● Attitudes and beliefs: Shared values, a similar outlook on life, and mutual respect for differences.
● Value system: What is important to them? Family, career, helping others, etc.
● Compassion and kindness: How they treat others and animals, and how they react to difficult situations.
● Tolerance, ambition: Are they open-minded? Do they have goals?
● Attitude to money and wealth: Are they responsible with money? Do they have similar financial goals?
● Education and professional background: While not the most important, having similar levels of education can lead to a deeper connection.

Q4. Are there parts of the play that remind you of film scenes from romantic comedies? Discuss this in groups, and recount to the rest of the class episodes similar to those in the play.
Answer: This is a discussion-based question. Many romantic comedies feature scenes where a couple argues over a minor, silly issue before admitting their true feelings. The scene in The Proposal where Lomov and Natalya argue hysterically over the dogs’ quality is very similar to a scene in a romantic comedy. For example, in many films, a couple might argue over something like a pizza topping or a TV show, only to realize they are in love and want to be together. The fast-paced, absurd arguments and sudden shifts in tone from anger to affection are common tropes in this genre.