The Proposal Review
Anton Chekhov is renowned for his nuanced exploration of the human condition, but in his 1888 one-act play, The Proposal (originally titled A Marriage Proposal ), he trades subtle tragedy for sharp, unrelenting farce. In just a few pages of rapid-fire dialogue, Chekhov dissects the absurdity of aristocratic courtship, proving that love is often the last thing on the minds of those seeking a spouse. The Plot: From Neighborly Visit to Full-Blown War The play is deceptively simple. Ivan Lomov, a hypochondriacal landowner in his thirties, dresses in his finest suit and visits the home of his neighbor, Stepan Chubukov. Lomov has a singular, calculated goal: to propose marriage to Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya.
However, the moment Lomov and Natalya are alone, the proposal derails spectacularly. Before Lomov can utter the words “Will you marry me?”, they begin arguing over the ownership of a trivial piece of land called Oxen Meadows. Lomov claims it as his; Natalya insists it is her family’s. The dispute escalates from polite contradiction to hysterical shouting, complete with insults about each other’s families, physical health, and mental stability. Lomov, already prone to palpitations and numb legs, collapses from the stress.
Lomov’s constant references to his “palpitations,” “twitching leg,” and “wandering rheumatism” are not just comic relief. They represent a nervous, insecure aristocracy unable to handle real emotional or social pressure. He is physically undone not by hard labor, but by a conversation. The Proposal
When Chubukov rushes in, he takes his daughter’s side, calling Lomov a “fool” and a “scarecrow.” Lomov flees in a rage. Only then does Chubukov reveal Lomov’s true purpose. Natalya is instantly horrified: “Bring him back! Bring him back! Ah, bring him back!” She begs her father to drag Lomov back immediately, demanding, “I’m done for… bring him back!”
The play is also a dream for actors. It requires breakneck pacing, overlapping dialogue, and physical comedy—from Lomov’s fainting spells to Chubukov’s exasperated lunges. It is a staple of high school drama clubs and professional theaters alike because it is both simple to stage and devilishly difficult to master. By the final curtain, the proposal has technically succeeded. But Chekhov leaves no doubt about the “happy couple’s” future. They will spend a lifetime screaming over meadows and dead dogs. The Proposal is not a love story; it is a warning. It asks us to look at our own trivial battles and wonder: Are we arguing over principle, or are we just afraid to say “I do” to peace? Anton Chekhov is renowned for his nuanced exploration
Chubukov, the elder, sets the tone. He switches from praising Lomov as a “dear friend” to calling him a “pigsnout” in seconds. Natalya learns this behavior perfectly. The play implies that these petty, explosive conflicts are not anomalies but the daily rhythm of this household. Why It Still Resonates Written over 130 years ago, The Proposal feels startlingly contemporary. In an age of online dating, performative arguments, and social anxiety, Chekhov’s satire of how pride and pettiness sabotage intimacy is timeless. Anyone who has witnessed a family gathering derail over a forgotten birthday or a misremembered fact will recognize the Lomovs and Chubukovs.
Upon hearing the news, Chubukov is overjoyed—not out of paternal affection, but because Lomov is a “respectable” landowner with valuable property adjacent to his own. He blesses the match before even telling his daughter. Ivan Lomov, a hypochondriacal landowner in his thirties,
Lomov returns, but before the proposal can be completed, a new argument erupts—this time over whose hunting dog is superior, Lomov’s Ugadi or Natalya’s Leap. The shouting reaches a fever pitch until Lomov collapses again. Believing him dead, Natalya wails in despair. But when Lomov stirs, Chubukov frantically shoves their hands together, declaring, “He’s alive! He’s asking for your hand! … Bless you, and the devil take you!” The play ends with the three figures locked in a chaotic, semi-conscious embrace—the proposal accepted, yet everyone utterly miserable. 1. The Commodification of Marriage Chekhov strips away any romantic illusion. For Chubukov, a daughter is an asset to be traded for land. For Lomov, marriage is a business decision to bring stability to his estate. Love is never mentioned; property and dogs are the real objects of affection.
The genius of the play lies in its escalation over nothing. Oxen Meadows is a tiny, worthless plot that neither family actually uses. The hunting dogs are almost identical. Yet these minor points become life-or-death battles for pride. Chekhov suggests that humans are wired for conflict, even when cooperation is overwhelmingly in their interest.
