Help! My Father-In-Law Wants Me To Write An Essay On Why I Want To Marry His Daughter

Help! I'm confused. I visited my soon-to-be father-in-law to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage and I got a shocking response.

Rather than giving me his blessing, he asked me to write an essay about myself and why I intend to marry his daughter.

I don't get it? where is that done and why do I have to write an essay instead of him just giving me a chance to give my reasons?

What should I do? Should I just go ahead and write the essay or not?