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.