NCERT Class 10 English First Flight: Chapter 9 — BEFORE YOU READ
This chapter introduces Anton Chekhov's one-act play, 'The Proposal,' originally titled 'A Marriage Proposal.' The play, written in 1888-89, is a farce exploring the tendency of wealthy families to form alliances through marriage for economic gain. It centers around Ivan Lomov, a wealthy neighbor, who visits Stepan Chubukov to ask for the hand of his daughter, Natalya. Despite all three characters being prone to petty quarrels, the underlying economic motivations ensure the proposal is eventually made, though the bickering may persist. The chapter also includes a section on Russian wedding customs, detailing preparations, ceremonies like the procession and toasts, and playful traditions such as the 'stealing' of the bride and her shoe, contrasting them with potential Indian wedding customs.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | First Flight |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — BEFORE YOU READ |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 615 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the theme of marriage for economic gain in 'The Proposal.'
- Analyze the characters' quarrelsome nature and its impact on the proposal.
- Identify and compare Russian wedding customs with those of other cultures.
- Appreciate Anton Chekhov's style of writing a farce.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| proposal | an offer of marriage or a suggested plan |
| farce | a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations |
| dramatist | a person who writes plays |
| estates | large areas of land in the country, usually with one large house, owned by one person or family |
| petty | unimportant or trivial |
| ceremony | a formal event or occasion |
| reception | a formal party or gathering, especially one to welcome someone |
| procession | a formal group of people or vehicles moving along in an orderly, often ceremonial, way |
| riddles | puzzles or questions that are amusingly tricky |
| custom | a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time |
| toasts | speeches made to wish someone well, typically accompanied by drinking |
| tussles | struggles or disputes |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the original title of Anton Chekhov's play? Answer: A Marriage Proposal
- What is the main theme explored in 'The Proposal'? Answer: The tendency of wealthy families to seek marriage alliances for economic gain.
- Name the three main characters in the play. Answer: Ivan Lomov, Stepan Chubukov, and Natalya.
- Describe one custom of a Russian wedding mentioned in the text. Answer: The groom has to climb stairs and answer questions at each landing to reach the bride, or the bride's shoe might be 'stolen' and the groom has to pay for it.
- What is a wedding toast? Answer: A custom where a friend or relative wishes the couple well, and everyone drinks wine together.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the play 'The Proposal'?
The play 'The Proposal' was written by the Russian short story writer and dramatist Anton Chekhov.
What is the main subject of the play 'The Proposal'?
The play is about the tendency of wealthy families to seek marriage alliances with other wealthy families to increase their estates and make good economic sense.
What are some preparations for a Russian wedding mentioned?
Preparations include arranging for rings, the bride's dress, cars, and a reception. Families usually share expenses.
What happens when the groom arrives to fetch the bride in a Russian wedding?
The groom has to fight to get her, often by climbing stairs and answering difficult questions or riddles posed by the bride's friends.
What is the custom of 'stealing' the bride in a Russian wedding?
The bride disappears, and the groom is asked to pay a fee, often to his friends who 'stole' her. The bride's shoe may also be stolen, requiring the groom to pay for it.
What is a wedding toast?
A wedding toast is a custom where a close friend or relative wishes the couple well, and everyone raises their glass of wine and drinks it at the same moment.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 English — First Flight — Chapter 9 — English Proposal First Flight. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.