Theatre Part X (Final)

Tasks for Chapters 28-29

I. Answer the following questions:

1. What seemed the most scaring for Julia in the talk with her son on the first day of his arrival?

This was his suggestion that if she went into an empty room and someone suddenly opened the door there would be nobody there.

2. How did Julia prepare for the play?

She studied her part. Julia did not deliberately create the character she was going to act by observation; she had a knack of getting into the shoes of the woman she had to portray so that she thought with her mind and felt with her senses. Her intuition suggested to her a hundred small touches that afterwards amazed people by their verisimilitude; but when they asked her where she had got them she could not say.

3. How did she act at the dress-rehearsal? Why?

 Julia spared herself. She had no intention of giving all she had to give till the first night.

5. Who did Julia talk to about her conversation with Roger? Why? What did she need to get from the conversation?

 She talked to Charles and she expected him to be sympathetic 

6. Describe the state Julia was in before a first night? Compare her attitude towards first-night acting with the bygone years?

In bygone years she had been intolerably nervous before a first night. She had felt slightly sick all day and as the hours passed got into such a state that she almost thought she would have to leave the stage. But by now she had acquired a certain nonchalance. Throughout the early part of the day she felt only happy and mildly excited; it was not till late in the afternoon that she began to feel ill at ease. She grew silent and wanted to be left alone. She also grew irritable. Her hands and feet got cold and by the time she reached the theatre they were like lumps of ice. But still the apprehension that filled her was not unpleasant.

7. Who did she meet while wandering the streets of London at noon, 6 hours before the first night? Where did they go?

Julia met Tom, who offered her to have tea with him.

8. What thoughts accompanied Julia when she visited Tom's place?

The love that had consumed her then, the jealousy she had stifled, the ecstasy of surrender, it had no more reality than one of the innumerable parts she had played in the past. She relished her indifference.

9. Why did Julia change her attitude to Tom? What phrase does Julia pronounce to herself at the end of chapter 28? Comment on it.

Julia understood that she no longer cared two straws for him she.

“Love isn't worth all the fuss they make about it”. I think, sometimes people too dramatize whole speaking and thinking about love in the momets (and with people) where it’s impossible, where it doesn’t exist.

10. Was the first night a success for Julia? For Avice? Why?

The first night was success for Julia, as she deliberately killed Avice’s performance.

11. What was Tom's attitude towards Avice's acting? How does the scene in Julia's dressing-room characterize him?

Tom found Avice’s acting a rotten one. It characterized him as a person who only wanted to be with people who could introduce him to the high society.

12. Why do you think Julia refused to supper with Tom that night?

Julia refused to supper with Tom that night, because it was the end with him, she didn’t love him anymore.

13. How did Julia spend that night? Was it typical of her? Why did she prefer this?

Julia wanted to be alone and it wasn’t typical for her. This woman understood that she would never have another moment like this in her life.

14. What was peculiar about Julia's appearance and order at the Berkeley? Do you feel that night was somehow significant to her? Why?

Julia was without any make up because it was so unusual moment when she didn’t care about her appearance. She looked at herself at the mirror and thought about her life.

15. How does she reflect about the day passed? Does she feel satisfied? Why? Prove your point of view.

Julia was satisfied with her meetings with Tom because she realized her indifference towards him. "It was an amusing experience."

16. Describe the place in a restaurant where Julia was having supper? What was special about it? Why had she chosen to be seated there?

The room in which she sat was connected by three archways with the big dining-room where they supped and danced; amid the crowd doubtless were a certain number who had been to the play. How surprised they would be if they knew that the quiet little woman in the corner of the adjoining room, her face half hidden by a felt hat, was Julia Lambert. It gave her a pleasant sense of independence to sit there unknown and unnoticed. They were acting a play for her and she was the audience.

17. What conclusion did Julia come to while sitting at the Berkeley and "throwing prudence to the winds?"

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. But there's the illusion, through that archway; it's we, the actors, who are the reality.

 

Theatre Part IX

Tasks for Chapters 25-27

III. Answer the following questions:

 

1. Why was Julia doubtful about her beauty and sex appeal the night after her adventure with Charles?

Julia was doubtful about her beauty and sex appeal the night after her adventure with Charles, because he didn’t desire her.

2. How did she put her looks to the test? Why did she need it?

Julia made up a little more than usual, and without calling Evie put on a dress that was neither plain nor obviously expensive and a red straw hat with a wide brim. She needed it to know whether she was attractive or not.

3. Describe Julia's feelings when she had caught a young man's eye in the street? Rely on the lines starting with, "Suddenly her heart gave an exultant leap..." (Ch.25) and use your stylistic and linguistic knowledge while commenting.

Suddenly her heart gave an exultant leap. She had caught a young man's eye and she was sure that there was a gleam in it. He passed, and she had all she could do not to turn round. She shot him a glance and then modestly lowered her eyes. He fell back and she was conscious that he was following her. She stopped to look into a shop window and he stopped too.

4. Did the date meet Julia's expectations? What were the man's real intentions towards having a cup of tea with Julia?

The date didn’t meet Julia's expectations, because she thought his request to give him her autograph was an excuse for speaking to her. In reality the man only wanted to get her autograph for his young lady.

5. The young man didn't seem to be very polite and well-bred. Prove it using the text and comment on the techniques the author employs to create a desirable effect upon the reader.

“Before we go any further let's 'ave this autograph, eh? Do it now, that's my motto. Let me bring my young lady to see you in your dressing-room one day. Just shake 'ands with her, see? It would mean a rare lot to her. Why, she'd go on talking about it the rest of her life.” There was some impudence in his manner that Julia did not like.

6. After the stroll, what thoughts occurred to Julia when she got back home and started reflecting over herself? Rely on the lines starting with, "When she got home she went upstairs to her room..." (Ch.25) and use your stylistic and linguistic knowledge while commenting.

At first the woman began speaking to herself, asking rhetorical questions, what shows her emotionality and acting skills as if she was on stage at that moment: Old, old, old. There are no two ways about it; I'm entirely devoid of sex appeal. You wouldn't believe it, would you? You'd say it was preposterous. What other explanation is there? She felt herself old and devoid of sex appeal.

7. Why did Julia begin to do an imitation of Lydia Mayne? What affect did this acting have on her? How does that characterize Julia as professional and personality?

Julia was a great mimic and did it only to prove herself.

8. What was the name of the play Michael was putting on?

Michael was putting on Nowadays.

9. How did Julia feel before the rehearsals?

Julia felt as if she were a girl playing her first small part. However at the same time she had a delicious sense of her own powers.

10. The play Michael was staging was a modern version of The Second Mrs. Tanqueray by Arthur Pinero (1855-1934), an English playwright. What changes did Michael introduce to the original?

Some of the old characters were introduced, and Aubrey Tanqueray appeared in the second act. The change of manners of this generation it had been treated from the standpoint of comedy.

11. Why did Michael need Julia's advice about Avice's acting?

Avice's cold, matter-of-fact prettiness had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling in the circumstances. But after half a dozen rehearsals he began to think that that was all she had to give.

12. What motifs did Julia have to praise the mediocre Avice Crichton and keep her in the cast?

She knew her well enough to be sure that if she were dismissed she would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her. He loved her and would believe anything she said. He might even think that Julia had put this affront on her in revenge for his desertion. No, no, she must stay. She must play the part, and fail; and Tom must see with his own eyes what a bad actress she was. They both of them thought the play would make her. Fools. It would kill her.

13. What pains did Julia take to make herself look nice to meet Roger? How does that characterize her as an actress and a mother?

She wanted Roger to be proud of her, and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her summer frock as she strolled up and down the platform. You would have thought, but wrongly, that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted. Roger, after a month in the sun, was very brown, but he was still rather spotty and he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year. She hugged him with exuberant affection.

14. What did Michael ask Julia to discuss with Roger?

Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon he ought to make up his mind what he wanted to do. Michael was afraid that he would drift through his time there and then go into a broker's office or even on the stage. Thinking that Julia had more tact than he, and more influence with the boy, he had urged her to put before him the advantages of the Foreign Office and the brilliant possibilities of the Bar.

 15. How did Julia react on Roger's reflection about his future? What did they eventually talk about?

 She had a feeling of acute discomfort.

16. During their conversation, Julia notices some new traits in her son's character and behavior. What are they?

He seemed a trifle apathetic; he had none of her sparkling vitality. He listened with his slow, quiet smile; but she had an uneasy feeling that he did not think it quite so funny as she did. She sighed in her heart. Poor lamb, he could have no sense of humour.

17. Roger sounds reproachful to Julia. What doesn't he approve of? Do you agree with him?

They had done everything they could for Roger. Unfortunately for him they had taken away his belief in everything. The young man now thought that everything what his mother did was just her acting, pretence.

18. What were Julia's arguments to support her point of view about acting?

She said: “If an actress felt the emotions she represented she'd tear herself to pieces”.

19. How did their talk end?

Their talk ended with conversation about Tom and Julia. The scene was intolerable. But later they heard a car drive up. That was Michael.

20. What was the thing Roger said that bothered Julia most?

Julia had a sickening fear that Roger knew that Tom had been her lover. It was impossible, it was only her guilty conscience that made her think so; at Taplow there had been nothing; it was incredible that any of the horrid gossip had reached his ears; and yet there was something in his expression that made her certain that he knew. She was ashamed.

Theatre Part VIII

Tasks for Chapters 22 - 24

I. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases:
 
to make a clean breast of sth – чистосердечно признаться в чем-то
to tear sb limb from limb — перетирать кому-то кости
to give sb a peep at your feet of clay — обнаруживать перед кем-то свое слабое мето
a sleeping-draught — снотворное
to and fro — ворочаться
curtain calls — выход на поклон
pull oneself together — взять себя в руки
magnanimous — благородный
to cramp one's style — мешать кому-то
contrition — раскаяние
a succinct account of sth — краткое изложение чего-то
a bereavement — тяжелая утрата
an austere and snug little town — суровый и уютный город
to adhere to sth — сдерживать/выполнять что-то.

VII. Answer the questions:

 

1. Why couldn't Julie take her troubles to Charles or Dolly as usual?

Julie couldn’t take her troubles to Charles as usual because she thought it would be cruel to tell Charles that she had given to a very ordinary young man what he would gladly have sacrificed ten years of his life for. As for Dolly, she was shocked and jealous when Julia made a clean breast of it.

2. How different was Charles's circle from that of Tom's?

It was like heaven and earth, because Charles spoke about politics, aids, books and Julia wondered how she could exchange it all for a circle in which Tom was.

3. Was Michael right when criticizing Julie's acting?

I think yes. To my mind, Michael was absolutely right, because Julia lived through her role in the play, she didn’t act like actress should do, but splashed out her real emotions.

4. How did Julie react to her husband's criticism?

At first she was furious, but then understood that he was right.

5. How did the breakup with Tom influence Julie's attitude to Michael and Charles?

Julia began to love them more than before. This woman really appreciated all what they had done for her.

6. Why did Julie decide to spend the summer with her mother and aunt?

Julie decided to spend the summer with her mother and aunt to have a rest and completely cut herself off for a time from her old life.

7. What kind of lifestyle did Aunt Carrie and Mrs Lambert have?

Aunt Carrie and Mrs. Lambert were very devout. They went to Mass every morning and to High Mass on Sundays.

8. How did the old ladies treat Julie? How did they feel about her occupation?

The old ladies treated Julia with cordiality, but thought her profession to be indecent.

9. How did Julie imagine Charles's love for her?

As for Julia, she thought that Charles passionately loved her for 20 years, and that she was the only woman in the world whom he fully loved.

10. When in Paris, what did Julie mean when saying, "I feel like a queen returning from an exile?"

Julia was very happy to feel herself again famous and leading an eventful life.

11. How did Julie slip out from the awkward situation with Charles?

Julia turned it into her own advantage. She said that she was glad that they didn’t spoil their friendship.

12. How did Julie explain to herself the fact that her amorous advances had been declined by Charles?

Julia believed that Charles was impotent and used his devotion to her to distract attention from his real inclinations.

Theatre Part VII

Tasks for Chapters 19-21

  I. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases:

 

an understudy - дублер

perfidy -измена

wanton temperament – своенравный темперамент

to cut the date – отменить встречу

an American conjurer – американский иллюзионист

to make a stab at acting in America – попытаться сделать актерскую карьеру в Америке

off the nail – быть навеселе

the R.A.D.A. – Королевская академия драмы

in point of fact – в действительности

insipid - безвкусный

hard as nails – в форме

for toffee – ни за что

be a sport – будь человеком

to beat about the bush – ходить вокруг да около

to feel all in – чувствовать себя в порядке

to give the air – не принять во внимание

to put one's foot down – занять твердую позицию

 

IV. Answer the questions:

 

1. Under what circumstances did Roger get acquainted with Joan Denver? What kind of favour did he ask of Julie?

Tom Fennel acquainted Roger with Joan Denver. After the show boys invited Jill and Joan to Tom`s flat and spent the night together. As we can see, Joan Denver wanted to take part at new play of Siddons theatre, so she asked Roger to put in a good word for her in front of Julia Lambert.

2. Why did Julie feel she had lost Roger?

Julia’s life had always been so full and so exciting that she had never had the time to busy herself much with Roger. She got in a state, when he had whooping-cough or measles, but he was for the most part in robust health, and then he occupied a pleasant place in the background of her consciousness. However she had always felt that he was there to be attended to when she was inclined and she had often thought it would be nice when he was old enough really to share her interests. It came to her as a shock now to realize that she had lost him.

3. How did Tom react to Julie's plans to take her play to New York?

He thought it would be a great chance for her to make an effort in America.

4. What kind of new acquaintances and connections did Tom make through Julie?

It had spread around among Julia's grander friends that Tom was very clever at helping one with one's income-tax returns. The Dennorants had asked him down to the country for a week-end, so he had met a number of persons who were glad to take advantage of his technical knowledge. He began to get invitations from people whom Julia didn’t know.

5. How did Julie receive Joan Denver?

Julia received Joan Denver at the moment when she had taken her last call. Julia could in the twinkling of an eye leap from her part into private life, but now she continued to play the imperious, stately and well-bred woman of the play.

6. How did Michael hear about Avice Crichton?

Michael heared about Avice Crichton from Tom.

7. Why does Maugham describe Julie's appearance at the Sunday night show as "beautifully timed?"

Maugham described Julie's appearance at the Sunday night show as "beautifully timed" to show how Julia was famous.

8. What impression did Avice Crichton and her acting produce on Julie?

Avice Crichton was very pretty, with lovely golden hair, fine blue eyes and a little straight nose. Julia watched her performance for a few minutes. At first she watched intently, then she leant back in her stall with a little sigh.

9. Why did it irk Tom to have to come back with Julie after the Sunday night show?

Tom wanted to be at the party with Avice.

10. What kind of relationship did Tom and Avice have?

As for Tom, he loved her, but Avice only used him.

Theatre Part VI

Tasks for Chapters 15-18 

I. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases:
 
condescending letter – снисходительное письмо
pearl studs – жемчужные запонки,
peevish – возбужденный,
make head or tail of it – ничего не понимать,
fatuous irony – глупая ирония
to get back on sb – отделаться откого-то
song and dance – сцена, скандал,
to spend a lot on green fees – тратиться на аренду поля для гольфа,
despicable – презренный,
to give sb a treat – доставить кому либо удовольствие ,
to wheedle sb into –впутывать кого-то во что-то,
prudishness – высокомерие
to take liberties with sb – вести себя развязно с кем-то,
to grudge sb – завидовать,
conspicuous – очевидный,
to take the rough with the smooth – стойко переносить превратности судьбы,
to have a joke up your sleeve – держать шутку наготове,
to mortify sb – усмирять,
disconcerted –смущенный

II. Explain the following metaphors. Who do they refer to?

It won't hurt him to discover that I'm not all milk and honey. – These were Julia’s words when she thought that she had gon too far to humiliate Tom by sending him money.

I'm not the woman to desert a sinking ship. – These are  Dolly’s words. She didn’t want to ruin Julia’s reputation by spreading rumors about her love affair with a young boy.

 

III. Give a character sketch of Dolly de Vries. Pay special attention to the description of her appearance: "Dolly de Vries was now a woman of sixty. …and a slight cockney accent revealed itself." Dwell on her relationship with Michael and Julia. How did she feel about Tom?

Dolly de Vries was now a woman of sixty. She was very fat, and her face, with its large nose and heavy red lips, seemed larger than life. There was a slightly masculine touch in her black satin dress, but she wore a double string of pearls round her neck, a diamond brooch at her waist and another in her hat. Her short hair was dyed a rich copper. Her lips and her finger-nails were bright red. Her voice was loud and deep, but when she got excited the words were apt to tumble over one another and a slight cockney accent revealed itself. She adored Julia, but didn’t like Michael as well as she didn’t like Tom, because he grabbed all Julia’s attention.

IV. Speak on Julia's reputation and talent. Do you agree that no one expects an actress to be a pattern of propriety?

Being a really great actress of her time, Julia didn’t find any difficulty for her to think over every detail, every scene of her life, not only on the stage: the way she was dressed, the way she turned her head and what she sayed. The woman was not aware that she deliberately observed people, but when she came to study a new part vague recollections surged up in her from she knew not where, and she found that she knew things about the character she was to represent that she had had no inkling of. It helped her to think of someone she knew or even someone she had seen in the street or at a party; she combined with this recollection her own personality, and thus built up a character founded on fact but enriched with her experience, her knowledge of technique and her amazing magnetism. People thought that she only acted during the two or three hours she was on the stage; they did not know that the character she was playing dwelt in the back of her mind all day long, when she was talking to others with all the appearance of attention, or in whatever business she was engaged.

V. Answer the questions:

1. Why did Julia offer Tom the money for servants' tips? Do you think she made the right decision?

It was her revenge on Tom because he didn’t pay attention on her while they were in Taplow. She understood well enough that it was very painful for Tom such remaidance about money, attitude to him as a servant.  

2. Did Julia manage to induce Tom to see her again after that?

Yes, Julia managed to induce Tom to see her again saying that they had been too much to one another to part like that.

3. Did Dolly believe that Julia didn't have a lover? Why?

No, Dolly didn’t believe that Julia didn’t have a lover.

4. Whom did Dolly finally decide to talk to about Julia's cheating?

Even after all these years Dolly was a little frightened of Julia, as there was something about her that prevented you from taking liberties with her. The woman at last came to the conclusion that Michael had to speak to his wife. She had never liked Michael, but after all he was Julia's husband and it was her duty to tell him at least enough to make him put a stop to whatever was going on.

5. Why did Dolly not confess to Michael that she suspected Julia of having a love affair?
Dolly had no proof; she only had an intuition that she could not mistrust; she wanted to say yes, but she controlled it. The woman couldn’t give Julia away. Her husband might go and tell her and Julia would never speak to her again. He might have Julia watched and catch her out. No one could tell what might happen if she told the truth.

6. Why did Michael suggest buying Dolly's share out?

He thought the woman could suffer from Julia’s broken reputation.

7. What was the reason for Dolly's desperate jealousy?

When Dolly got into her magnificent and very expensive car and drove back to Montagu Square she could not hold back the heavy, painful tears that filled her eyes. She felt old, lonely, unhappy, and desperately jealous, because there was somebody else who loved and wanted to help Julia, her husband Michael.

8. How did Dolly try to convince Julia that Tom was not very discreet?
She said "You know how malicious people are. You've always led such a quiet, regular life. You've gone out so little, and then only with Michael or Charles Tamerley. He's different; of course everyone knows he's adored you for ages. It seems so funny that all of a sudden you should run around all over the place with a clerk in the firm that does your accounts." She tryied to explain that poor young tom couldn’t attract her attention as he didn’t have anything that’s why people spread a rumours.

9. Why couldn't Julia fall asleep after the lunch with Dolly?

Because so many gossipis about her and Tom and their possible love affairs.  

VI. Summarize the events of chapters 15-18

On vocation Julia wanted to spent plenty of time with Tom, but he preferred to communicate with Julia's son Roger, as they were at the same age and have common topics to be discussed. Julia was so jealous and his actions make her disappointed so much. The actress knows he is a snob, so she let's him enter the high society. Tom is realy poor, thats why she showeres him with expensive gifts and pays off debts. The man gave her money back and Julia realized that she made a mistake. She loved Tom and wanted him to return. Julia met Dolly who told her the gossips about the actress and Nom but Julia tried to make Dolly sure that was not true. However Julia did not believe her and told Michael that.

Theatre Part V

TASKS for Chapter 14

I. Find in the text the following words and phrases and translate them into Russian:

on one excuse and another – одно за другим оправдания

to confess to oneself – признаваться кому либо

that was all to the good – это было к лучшему

shrewd - проницательный

vanity - тщеславие

to have an affair with sb. - иметь дело с кем-либо

sallow - ива

to feel compassion for sb. - чувствовать сострадание к кому-либо

eminent persons - видные деятели

to lay no claims on sb. - не иметь никаких претензий к кому-либо

to use all her arts of cajolery – использовать всё искусство льстить

stale food - несвежая пища

to overcome one's scruples - преодолеть чьи-либо угрызения совести

to find someone a trifle dull – считать кого-то мелким

to have no inclination – не иметь расположения

a man of the world - человек мира

she was modest about herself – она была скромной по отношению к себе

a smack in the face - прямо в лицо

sulkily - надувшись

Julia's heart was wrung - сердце Джулии сжалось

chivalrous courtesy – любезно по рыцарски

a vile disposition - подлый нрав

alacrity - готовность

wistful - задумчивый

to act with great naturalness - играть с большой естественностью

to make a scene – закатывать сцену

she was in a black rage – она была в чёрной ярости

she'd get even with him - она поквиталась с ним

to rack one's brains – ломать чью-либо голову

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Was Julia really in love with Tom Fennell?

She was in that position, when you really don’t know whether your feelings are right or wrong. But sometimes later she thought that she had a pure love to Tom.

And he?

He was not in love with the woman. He was fully interested in her, but he didn’t love her at all. He enjoyed his status as a lover.

2. How old was Tom?

Tom was 26 years old.

What did he do?

He was an economist in the office. His hobby was economy.

Why was he a success with women?

Because he was young and clever.

3. How can you characterize Roger?

Roger, a son of Julia and Michael, was a very young boy, with that age interests such as golf, parties and young girls. He was opposed to his parents. I can’t feel so emotions through his appearance, like Julia and Michael produced for me.

Where was he educated?

He was educated in Eaton.

What were his relations like with his parents?

Their relations were inappropriate for me. He didn’t ask them any question about their lives, the same did they.

Did he know what he wanted to be?

He didn’t know yet.

Did he want to go on the stage?

He would never do it.

4. How did Tom and Roger get on together?

They got on very friendly. They became friends.

5. Was Julia as successful in the movies as in the theatre?

No she was not. She could give such emotions like in the theatre. The screen didn’t help her in her business.

Did she envy the film-stars?

No she didn’t even think about them. She supposed herself the best one.

6. Describe in detail how Julia managed to play different characters on the stage.

She had talent.

What thrilled her?

Nothing thrilled her, except the first appearance.

Why did she sometimes fell like God?

Because she could find anyone equal for her.

7. How did Julia revenge herself on Tom?

She sent him back money for his living.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases describing Tom Fennell. Comment on the repetition of "a young man" in the text.

This repetition serves in the text to emphasize that he was much younger then the actress.

First "he was a blushing young man" for Julia. Did her attitude change when she was better acquainted with him?

She changed her attitude towards him – she started loving him.

Prove it by giving examples from the text.

IV. Find in the text epithets and similes which characterize Julia and Michael and say what effect the author achieves by using them.

V. What stylistic device did Maugham employ at large to characterize Julia? Illustrate your answer with the examples from the text. Comment on the lexicon used by Julia. To what stylistic layer of the vocabulary does it belong?

It belongs to colloquial layer of the vocabulary, because of her past life.

How does it characterize Julia?

It characterized her as a person of low background.

VI. Give a summary of chapter 14. (in written form)

Julia wanted to organize a small party for Tom. Actually her son, Roger, had a holiday too. He decided to visit his parents. He was studying at Eaton Colleague that time. He was a young man, a bit younger that Tom. But it didn’t make barriers between them. Two young men became true friends. They started to spend time together each day. It was out of Julia’s plan. Her aim was to do her best to be near Tom, but she could influence him anyway, as it may attract smb’s attention to them. Tom was renting a house in Michael’s apartments. At the end of holidays Julia decided to get even with Tom. She was sure that his point was money. She sent him some of them for housekeepers. Her deed was because of Tom’s wasting the time with Roger, playing golf, tennis. But the boiling point for her was their visit to night dancing party.

Theatre Part IV

TASKS for Chapters 11-13

I. Find the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian:

a profound contempt - глубокое презрение

to have first nights – провести первые ночи

to be exemplary – быть образцовым

a pattern of conjugal fidelity - образец супружеской верности

to separate - отделить

be ingenuous - быть простодушным

to cry almost at will – плакать по желанию

common sense - здравый смысл

to elope with sb. - бежать с кем-то

preposterous - нелепый

curtain calls – вызов актёра

prudish - ханжеский

in for a penny – за пенни

in for a pound – за футы

this was all a put-up job – всё это было подстроено

indecent - неприличный

in a flash - в один миг

to take liberties with sb. – вольно обращаться с кем-либо

a matinee – дневной спектакль

amiably - дружески

well-chosen words - хорошо подобранные слова

to have no sequel - не иметь продолжение

to erase the episode from her memory - стереть этот эпизод из её памяти

pleasant reveries sauntered through her mind – приятные грёзы в ёё сознании

hectic flush - лихорадочный румянец

to see in the flesh – увидеть воплоти

to hurt one's pride - болеть самолюбием

to have an inkling - иметь подозрение

to pawn – отдавать в залог

II. Answer the following questions:

1. How did Julia and Lord Tamerly get acquainted?

They got acquainted in a train on their way to Paris.

Was Julia his mistress?

Definitely she was, for a couple of hours.

What did Julia owe to Charles Tamerly?

She owed to him to visit his home.

2. Describe Julia's acting when Lord Tamerly declared his love to her.

She behaved as usual, she had hectic flush on her face. She hurt herself pride.

How can you prove that it was only make-believe?

Her thoughts proved this fact.

3. Why do you think Julia agreed to have tea with the young man?

She wanted to feel something new for her.

What was his name?

His name was Tom.

Did Julia know it or not?

She didn’t know it.

4. Was the young man as shy as he seemed to be?

Yes, he was, but at the same time his demands are high.

5. How did he show his admiration for Julia?

He felt a great passion.

6. What feelings did Julia experience after the date with the young man?

She couldn’t believe in herself, that she may feel so.

How did she act after that?

She was in a corner.

How old was Julia at that time?

She was about 45 years old.

What's your opinion of Julia's behavior?

From my point of view she aimed to find interesting ways to spend her free time. She needed a fresh air in her life.

7. Describe the episode of Julia's adventure on the train to Cannes.

Julia was on her way to France, Cannes. Her neighbor was an old man. She was nice from his point of view. He stayed for a night with the woman.

What was Julia's attitude towards this accident?

She didn’t feel herself blamed.

What do you think of this adventure?

I think this episode was like a scene in a play.

8. When did Julia see Tom Fennell again?

She saw him again in a hotel.

Under what circumstances?

There was an assembly.

9. What do you think attracted Julia to Tom?

His youth attracted her.

How old was he?

He was about 25 years old.

10. Why do you think Tom was interested in grand people?

They were his hobbies.

11. Do you approve or disapprove of Julia's love affair with Tom Fennell?

I am not her father/mother, I can’t judge her.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases which the author uses to show Julia's attitude towards Tom Fennell. Comment on their semantics and stylistic value.

He opened pleasant reveries sauntered through her mind.

She absolutely forgot about a pattern of conjugal fidelity.

Tom doesn’t take liberties with Julia.

All these and other phrases are stylistically neutral.

IV. The author uses a number of theatrical allusions. Find them in the text and say what you know about them. (Consult the Oxford Guide to British and American Culture or any other culture dictionary).

Johann Zoffany - was a German neoclassical painter, active mainly in England. (artistic)

Samuel De Wilde (1751–1832), born and died in London, was a portrait painter and etcher of Dutch descent famous for his theatrical paintings. (artistic)

Sarah Siddons (5 July 1755 – 8 June 1831) was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. (artistic)

Benoît-Constant Coquelin (23 January 1841 – 27 January 1909), known as Coquelin aîné ("Coquelin the Eldest"), was a French actor, "one of the greatest theatrical figures of the age." (artistic)

The Comédie-Française or Théâtre-Français  is one of the few state theatres in France. It is the only state theatre to have its own troupe of actors. (artistic)

William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. (artistic)

Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage and early film actress, and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known". (artistic)

Henrik Johan Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet.

George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950) was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics.

John Galsworthy was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga (1906–1921) and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932.

The Doll's House is a 1922 short story by Katherine Mansfield.

Man and Superman is a four-act drama, written by George Bernard Shaw in 1903.

Candida, a comedy by playwright George Bernard Shaw, was written in 1894 and first published in 1898, as part of his Plays Pleasant.

V. In chapter 11 you can find the following phrase: "... like Venus rising from the waves." What is the source of this allusion?

This allusion serves here to emphasize Julia’s appearances and her mood towards the world.

Comment on it and its stylistic effect.

That’s why we see such a stylistic effect.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 11-13. (in written form)

On her way to France the woman met an old man after 50. His name was Lord Tamerly, the neighbor in a train. They had first nights together. Julia believed it had been only passion. After Cannes she returned home where the actress started to go dating with Tom, her secret beloved. She stayed at his apartment and the man often visited her too. It was a relax for the woman to have such a young friend. Charlie didn’t have any suspicious about this fact. At the same time, Julia didn’t feel anything towards her husband, neither love or passion nor shame. Tome managed to make her happy, but at the same time she realized that he was not whom she may stay. The young fellow found a common language with Julia’s son and this fact made him a friend of a family.