English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Natalya and Chubukov both reveal themselves as greedy, quarrelsome, and hypocritical characters driven by self-interest.

Chubukov initially suspects Lomov has come to borrow money and tries to send him away, but the moment Lomov mentions marriage, he becomes overly affectionate, claiming he has "always loved" Lomov like a son. This sudden change exposes his insincerity — he values the proposal only for economic and social gain.

Natalya is equally quarrelsome and stubborn. She quarrels fiercely over the Oxen Meadows, calling Lomov an intriguer, but the moment she learns he came to propose, she bursts into hysterics and desperately demands he be brought back. This "turnaround" reveals she is eager to marry — as Chubukov says, "like a lovesick cat" — but is too proud to show it.

Both characters are self-centred, hot-tempered, and materialistic, interested in the proposal mainly to secure a financially advantageous match.

Source: The Proposal, Chapter 9

---

• The question asks for a character assessment of both Natalya and Chubukov, focused on their "turnaround" after the proposal is revealed.
• Examiners look for: textual evidence (Chubukov's greed, his sudden warmth; Natalya's hysterics after learning of the proposal), and a brief judgement of their character traits.
• Key terms to use: hypocritical, quarrelsome, materialistic, self-interested.
• Don't write a plot summary — give character judgements backed by specific moments from the play.