Character of Lomov in The Proposal

Character of Lomov in The Proposal 

Lomov is a character in Anton Chekhov’s play “The Proposal.” He is a nervous and easily excitable young man who is interested in marrying Natalya, the daughter of his wealthy neighbor, Stepan Stepanovich Chubukov.

Lomov is portrayed as being very formal and polite, but also somewhat awkward and bumbling. He is prone to getting flustered and confused, especially when he is put under pressure. Despite his nervousness, however, Lomov is determined to marry Natalya and he is convinced that she is the perfect wife for him.

Throughout the play, Lomov is involved in a series of arguments with Natalya, mostly about trivial matters such as the ownership of a piece of land. These arguments often escalate into shouting matches, and Lomov becomes increasingly agitated and desperate as he tries to win Natalya’s hand in marriage.

Overall, Lomov is portrayed as a sympathetic but somewhat comical character, whose nerves and awkwardness make him an unlikely hero. Despite his flaws, however, he is ultimately successful in his quest to marry Natalya, and the play ends with the two of them happily engaged.

Textual References: (in points)

In Anton Chekhov’s play The Proposal, Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov is the central character of the play. He is a young unmarried man of thirty five years old. He also suffers from a number of ailments the visitations of which holds up his character in a comic light. He is presented in a various way – prententious, proud, impetuous, hysterical, argumentative, hypochondriac, comic.

A. Central Figure : Lomov is the main character of the play. His role in the play makes him the central person in The Proposal. His marriage proposal to Natalya is the main theme of the play.

B. Comic Character: Lomov is very argumentative and very nervous. He suffers from a number of ailments that make him a funny character.

C. Young Unmarried Man : Lomov is a man of 35 years old. He is unmarried with a critical age. He wants to marry his neighbor Natalya not because he loves her but he have to marry her to lead a family life.

D. Principle of Ownership: Lomov is obsessed with concern for his principle of ownership. He is a responsible landowner. He is very much conscious of his rights.

E. Volatile Emotions: Lomov’s character in the play registers volatile emotions. He is obsessed with property argument and ownership.

[ You can elaborate your answer by adding the following characteristics below ]

F. Pretentious :

G. Argumentative :

H. Hypochondriac:

■ Role of Lomov : He is a stock character. He is a hypochondriac who is obsessed with his imaginary illness and spends sleepless nights. It is through him that Chekhov satirizes the attitude of the Russian upper-middle-class society towards marriage. Lomov chooses “a quiet and regular life” instead of searching for ideal or real love. His character represents no-romantic nature of marriage. He holds up the mirror to the artificial resolution of conflict through a perfunctory proposal of marriage.