Question

What does this excerpt from Anton Chekhov's The Proposal reveal about Lomov's character?

LOMOV: It's cold... I'm trembling all over, just as if I'd got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If give myself time to think, to hesitate to talk a lot to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I'll never get married. ... Brr... It's cold! Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.... What more do I want? But I'm getting a noise in my ears from excitement. [Drinks] And it's impossible for me not to marry.... In the first place, I'm already 35-a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, 1 ought to lead a quiet and regular life....
a) Lomov needs someone to take care of him.
b) Lomov wants to have his own family someday.
c) Lomov feels that marriage will make his life more exciting.
d) Lomov views marriage as a necessity.
e) Lomov is uncomfortable discussing marriage.

Answer 1

Lomov in Chekhov's 'The Proposal' sees marriage as a necessity and approaches it with a pragmatic rather than romantic outlook. He is anxious about the proposal and is driven by the desire for a stable life influenced by societal expectations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The provided excerpt from Anton Chekhov's The Proposal portrays Lomov as a character who sees marriage pragmatically rather than romantically. Lomov's mention of his trembling, excitement, and the noise in his ears indicates he feels anxious about his proposal, yet he's compelled by a sense of urgency stemming from his age and the desire for a quiet, regular life.

His practical listing of Natalya Stepanovna's qualities—being an excellent housekeeper, well-educated, and decent-looking—suggests he is more concerned with the benefits of marriage rather than love or compatibility.

Lomov's recognition of marriage as a 'necessity' highlights his consideration of societal expectations and personal milestones over the romantic aspects of marriage. Thus, it is evident that Lomov views marriage as a necessity fueled by societal pressures and personal concerns, rather than a romantic union.