NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 – Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

1. Who are the main characters in the play “The Proposal”?
Answer: The main characters are Ivan Lomov, a landowner, Natalya Stepanovna, the daughter of another landowner, and Stepan Stepanovich Chubukov, her father. All three are involved in a humorous conflict.

2. Why does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house?
Answer: Lomov comes to propose marriage to Natalya, but due to his nervousness and pride, he ends up quarreling with her and her father instead of proposing directly.

3. What is Chubukov’s initial reaction to Lomov’s visit?
Answer: Chubukov is excited and hopeful. He mistakenly believes Lomov has come to borrow money, but when he learns about the proposal, he becomes extremely happy and supportive.

4. How does the quarrel between Lomov and Natalya begin?
Answer: The quarrel begins over a piece of land called Oxen Meadows, which both Lomov and Natalya claim as their own. This small issue quickly escalates into a heated argument.

5. What happens after the land dispute?
Answer: After the land dispute, another argument starts over whose dog is better, Squeezer or Guess. These trivial fights delay Lomov’s marriage proposal.

6. How does Lomov behave during the argument?
Answer: Lomov becomes extremely nervous and agitated, even experiencing symptoms like a racing heart and numbness. His anxiety makes the situation more chaotic and comedic.

7. Why does Chubukov insult Lomov during the quarrel?
Answer: Chubukov, caught up in the argument, forgets about the marriage proposal and starts insulting Lomov, calling him names like “pettifogger” and accusing him of being a bad neighbor.

8. How does Natalya react when she learns about the proposal?
Answer: She becomes extremely upset and regrets arguing with Lomov. She cries and pleads with her father to bring him back, showing that she actually wants to marry him.

9. What is the final outcome of the play?
Answer: Despite all the chaos and quarrels, Lomov and Natalya finally agree to marry, but even after the proposal, they resume fighting, showing the absurdity of their relationship.

10. What is the central theme of “The Proposal”?
Answer: The play highlights the foolishness of the upper class, their obsession with wealth and property, and the absurdity of human behavior, especially in matters of marriage.

11. How does the title “The Proposal” relate to the play?
Answer: The title reflects Lomov’s main intention of proposing marriage, but ironically, the actual proposal gets repeatedly delayed due to silly arguments and misunderstandings.

12. What do the quarrels reveal about Lomov and Natalya’s personalities?
Answer: They show that both are stubborn, argumentative, and obsessive over trivial matters, which creates conflict and makes their interactions both humorous and dramatic.

13. How is humor created in the play?
Answer: Humor arises from the ridiculous arguments, overreactions, and the contrast between a serious intention (marriage) and the silly behavior of the characters.

14. Why is Lomov’s character considered comic?
Answer: Lomov is comic because of his over-the-top anxiety, tendency to argue, and inability to stay calm, especially when dealing with minor issues like dogs or land.

15. What message does the play convey about marriage?
Answer: The play suggests that many marriages are based on social convenience and property, not love. It also mocks how people treat marriage as a business deal.

16. How does Chubukov contribute to the humor in the play?
Answer: Chubukov is a comically exaggerated character who shifts between politeness and aggression. His unpredictable reactions add to the absurdity of the situation.

17. What is ironic about Lomov’s proposal?
Answer: It’s ironic that a proposal of marriage, typically a romantic moment, turns into a series of petty disputes, which overshadow the actual proposal.

18. How is the ending both funny and meaningful?
Answer: The ending is funny because the couple resumes arguing even after getting engaged. It’s meaningful as it shows how human ego often dominates even important decisions.

19. What kind of relationship do Lomov and Natalya share?
Answer: Their relationship is volatile and competitive, filled with arguments, yet there’s also a desire for companionship, which keeps them together despite the conflict.

20. What does Chubukov really care about in the proposal?
Answer: Chubukov is more interested in getting his daughter married, possibly for social and financial reasons, than in true emotional compatibility.

21. How does Lomov describe his health problems?
Answer: Lomov complains of palpitations, numbness, and insomnia. He believes he’s dying, showing his hypochondriac tendencies, which add to the humor.

22. What literary devices are used in the play?
Answer: The play uses irony, satire, and farce to present serious topics like marriage and pride in a light-hearted and entertaining way.

23. How is property shown as a reason for conflict?
Answer: Both Lomov and Natalya fiercely argue over Oxen Meadows, a small piece of land, proving that even trivial property matters can lead to unnecessary conflict.

24. What do the dog arguments signify in the play?
Answer: The dog arguments are symbolic of the pettiness in their relationship. It highlights how people often quarrel over meaningless things instead of focusing on important issues.

25. What moral does the play leave with the readers?
Answer: The play teaches that ego, pride, and materialism can ruin relationships. It also shows that humor can be used to expose social absurdities and human flaws.