Final answer:
The second argument between Ivan and Natalya in Chekhov's play "The Proposal" is about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. This debate comes up as Ivan attempts to discuss marriage and inadvertently claims his family's ownership of the meadows, which Natalya contests, leading to a contentious dispute.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second thing that Ivan and Natalya argue about in the play "The Proposal" by Anton Chekhov, after Stephan brings Ivan back into the house, is the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. The disagreement arises when Ivan presents the idea to Natalya that he wishes to propose to her, and casually mentions that his family owns the Oxen Meadows, which Natalya disputes. This leads to a heated debate about who the true owner is, with both Ivan and Natalya claiming their respective families have rights to the property.
The argument escalates as each character brings forward evidence and argument to support their claim. This dispute over the Oxen Meadows is the second major argument between Ivan and Natalya, the first being over the superior quality of their respective families' hunting dogs.
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