What does the excerpt from Anton Chekhov's The Proposal indicate about the Lomov and Chubukov families?
LOMOV: I shall try to be brief. You must know, honoured Natalya Stepanovna, that I have long, since my childhood, in fact, had the privilege of knowing your family. My late aunt and her husband, from whom, as you know, I inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. And, as you know, my land is a near neighbour of yours. You will remember that my Oxen Meadows touch your birchwoods.
A.
They are among the richest families in their area.
B.
They used to share a positive relationship with each other.
C.
They have always been jealous of each other's estate.
D.
They maintain a healthy bond for strictly business reasons.
Answers
Answer:
CHUBUKOV: A) And that blind hen, yes, that turnip-ghost has the confounded cheek to make a proposal, and so on! What? A proposal!
NATALYA STEPANOVNA: What proposal?
CHUBUKOV: Why, he came here so as to propose to you.
NATALYA STEPANOVNA: To propose? To me? Why didn't you tell me so before?
CHUBUKOV: B) So he dresses up in evening clothes. The stuffed sausage! The wizen-faced frump!
NATALYA STEPANOVNA: To propose to me? Ah! [Falls into an easy-chair and wails] Bring him back! Back! Ah! Bring him here.
CHUBUKOV: Bring whom here?
NATALYA STEPANOVNA: Quick, quick! I'm ill! Fetch him! [Hysterics.]
CHUBUKOV: C) What's that? What's the matter with you? [Clutches at his head] Oh, unhappy man that I am! I'll shoot myself! I'll hang myself! We've done for her!
NATALYA STEPANOVNA: I'm dying! Fetch him!
CHUBUKOV: D) Tfoo! At once.