Question

What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

Answer 1

At first, Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He is not sincere when he tells Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son. He had decided that he would not give Lomov any money, if he tried borrowing from him. If he truly meant what he had said, then he would not have thought of not giving him money. He said so only because Lomov had come with the proposal to marry his daughter.