Anton Chekhov, the master of capturing everyday life with all its quiet tragedies and loud absurdities, gives us a play that's over almost as soon as it begins, but leaves you chuckling and shaking your head. 'A Marriage Proposal' is a one-act farce that packs a lifetime of bickering into one very tense living room visit.

The Story

Ivan Lomov, a nervous landowner, arrives at his neighbor's house with a mission: to propose to Natalya, his neighbor's daughter. He's jittery, convinced his heart is acting up, and just wants to get the question out. But before he can, Natalya's father mentions a patch of land, and Lomov can't help but correct him—it's his land, he insists. When Natalya enters, cheerful and unaware of his intent, they immediately dive into a heated argument about who really owns that strip of grass. The proposal is forgotten. Then, they start fighting about whose hunting dog is better. Lomov gets so worked up he feels faint and has to leave. Only after he's gone does Natalya find out why he came. She panics, sends her father to fetch him back, and when Lomov returns... they immediately start arguing about the dogs again! Somehow, amidst the shouting and complaints about palpitations, the marriage is hastily agreed upon, and the play ends with them still squabbling.

Why You Should Read It

What's amazing is how modern this feels. Chekhov isn't just writing about 19th-century Russian landowners; he's writing about human nature. Lomov and Natalya aren't villains—they're just stubborn, proud, and hilariously bad at communication. Their fight isn't really about the land or the dogs; it's about being right, about status, and about the weird, combative foundation some relationships are built on. The comedy comes from how recognizable it all is. You read it and think, 'I know these people.' Chekhov has this gentle way of laughing at his characters without being cruel. He shows us how silly our petty battles are, especially when they get in the way of what we actually want.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect bite-sized piece for anyone who thinks classic literature has to be long and serious. It's for readers who love sharp dialogue, for theater fans, and for anyone who's ever gotten into a ridiculous argument with someone they care about. If you enjoy shows or books about family dynamics and social mishaps, you'll find Chekhov's humor fresh and timeless. It's a brilliant, quick read that proves a whole world of conflict can exist between a couch and a doorway.