A play in one-act By Anton Chekhov

 This play is a translation What difficulties could we come across when reading a play that was not originally written in English?  It was written in 1888 How does this change the context of the story? What was going on in the world at this time?

 Translation errors  Different meanings in different languages  Colloquial phrases

 People were different  Different customs  “old fashioned”

 the first successful U.S. electric street railway system opens in Richmond, Virginia  The premiere of the very first Romani language operetta staged in Moscow, Russia.  Wilhelm II becomes emperor of Germany  "Jack the Ripper" is on a murder streak in London  Washington Monument opens for public admittance  Thomas Edison files a patent for the Optical Phonograph (the first movie).  Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony premieres in St Petersburg

 Already assessed contextual information based on the author’s nationality and time period  What is left for us to examine prior to reading the play?  THE TITLE  The Marriage Proposal  What could the play be about?

Brainstorm some current marriage customs and fit them into the following categories: Traditional vs Contemporary / Modern

 Women were considered the property of their father therefore a man had to ask a father for his daughter’s hand in marriage  When a man and woman married the women became his property  Husbands were also paid a dowry or fee from the family of their new wife  Marriages were not always based on love but rather based on, but not limited to:  Land ownership  Wealth  Connections

A Quote from Marriage Customs of Russia published in 1897 A husband declares, I love thee as my soul, and I beat thee as my cloak.

 Physician  Author and playwright  Celebrated writer in Russia and the world  Known to:  Juxtapose pessimism & humour  Write complex characters  Examine the range of human spirit A Quote: "Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress. When I get tired of one I spend the night with the other." (letter to Alexei Suvorin, 11 September 1888.)

Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov - A landowner - Natalya’s father Natalya Stepanovna - Stepan’s daughter - Twenty five years old Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov - Large, hearty man - Landowner - Suspicious

1) Why does Chubukov refer to Lomov as “my darling or “my angel”? 2) What could be a modern day translation of this affectionate language? 3) What emotions do we get from Lomov during his speech that begins: “Well, you see, it’s like this…” ? 4) Find evidence that proves Chubukov is putting on an act for Lomov. 5) Find a simile. 6) What interesting information does the audience get in Lomov’s soliloquy?

1. Describe the “field of hay” metaphor. 2. Identify the line you find the most comical / ridiculous and explain why. 3. What would be the equivalent of this type of argument in a relationship today?

With a partner (or on your own ) choose a section of 10ish lines and “translate” the exchange into modern English. You may change the phrasing and the words. You may also change the issue they are arguing about (see Question #3 from Friday). Be prepared to share with your classmates.

1) Explain the quote from Chubukov about his daughter: “Oh, what a burden, Lord, to be the father of a grown-up daughter! I’ll cut my throat!” 2) How do you perceive Natalya’s behaviour when she find out the truth? Why is it considered comical to the audience?

1) Why are the names of the dogs Guess and Squeezer? What purpose do they serve? 2) Please complete the chart on the following slide…

LOMOVNATALYACHUBUKOV For each character, please use three quotes that you think help the audience understand what kind of person they are. With each quotation, identify the personality trait that corresponds.

Class Discussion Questions (you do NOT need to answer these in your notes) Was the play an effective comedy? Why was it comical? Did you enjoy reading the play? Why or why not? Would you be interested to read something else by Chekov?