Chapter 9 — The Proposal

Ivan Lomov comes to Stepan Chubukov's house to propose marriage to Natalya. Before completing the proposal, all three characters quarrel over Oxen Meadows (a small piece of land) and then over their hunting dogs (Squeezer and Guess). The disputes escalate so badly that Lomov collapses. After he leaves, Natalya desperately wants him back. He returns, and they become engaged—yet still quarrel about the dogs.

Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov—a suspicious, nervous 35-year-old landowner; Natalya Stepanovna—Chubukov's 25-year-old daughter, quarrelsome and well-educated; and Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov—a wealthy landowner and Natalya's father who is eager for the profitable marriage alliance.

Lomov comes to ask for Natalya's hand in marriage. He justifies this by referencing the long-standing friendly relations between the two families and his need to settle down due to his age (35) and various health issues, including palpitations and sleep problems.

When Lomov mentions that his Oxen Meadows touch Chubukov's birchwoods, Natalya interrupts and claims the meadows belong to her family, not his. This sparks a heated dispute about property ownership that dominates the first half of the play. Chubukov joins in, and all three argue about deeds, peasants, and historical claims.

Lomov mentions his hunting dog Guess has gone lame. Natalya boasts that her father's dog Squeezer is superior. Lomov argues that Squeezer is overshot (shorter lower jaw) and thus a poor hunter, while Guess is a first-rate dog. The argument escalates into another bitter quarrel, with both sides refusing to concede.

Throughout the play, Lomov complains of palpitations, trembling lips, twitching eyebrows, foot going to sleep, and pulling sensations in his side. These symptoms worsen during arguments. He repeatedly drinks water to calm himself. The play satirizes his hypochondria as he nearly collapses under emotional stress.

The play satirizes the tendency of wealthy families to pursue marriages for economic gain rather than love. It mocks the superficiality of wealth-driven unions and shows how petty quarrels over land and property can dominate human relationships, even at the moment of proposing marriage.

After Chubukov tells Natalya that Lomov came to propose, she realizes she has lost a marriage opportunity. Despite their quarrels, economic logic dictates she should marry him. She becomes hysterical, demanding her father bring him back, recognizing that his wealth and the union make practical sense.

Lomov returns (brought back by Chubukov). After a brief moment of reconciliation with Natalya, they embrace and kiss. However, Natalya immediately resumes arguing about the dogs, insisting Squeezer is better than Guess. The play ends with the couple engaged and about to be married while still quarrelling, emphasizing the comic absurdity of their union.

Chekhov uses exaggeration and physical comedy (Lomov's repeated collapses and complaints), verbal irony (characters claim property issues don't matter while fighting fiercely), role reversal (Natalya and Chubukov reject Lomov, then desperately want him back), and repetition (the couple endlessly repeating "Mine!" and "Ours!" about the meadows, then "Better!" and "Worse!" about the dogs).

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