"THEATRE" TASKS FOR CHAPTERS 28-29

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 thebygone 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 didthey 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" TASKS FOR CHAPTERS 25-27

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" TASKS FOR CHAPTERS 22-24

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" TASKS FOR CHAPTERS 19-21

"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 19-21

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

an understudy – дублёр в театре 

Perfidy – - измена, предательство

- Wanton temperament –распутный, развратный темперамент

- to cut the date – отменить встречу, свидание

an American conjurer –фокусник 

- to make a stab at acting in America – попробовать, попытаться сделать что-н чтобы играть в Америке, попробовать завоевать Америку. 

 Off the nail – распродажа по сниженным ценам 

you're twenty-two if you're a day – тебе все 22

the R.A.D.A. – от Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Королевская академия драматического искусства

- in point of fact - фактически, на самом деле, в действительности; по сути, в сущности; на поверку

Insipid –безвкусный, пресный

hard as nails – выносливый, закалённый 

for toffee- совершенно не уметь играть 

to beat about the bush – играть в прядки 

to feel all in – Быть без сил

to give the air – to reject or dismiss

to put one's foot down- проявлять твёрдость, стойкость

IV. Answer the questions:

1. Under what circumstances did Roger get acquainted with Joan Denver? What kind of favour (польза; услуга; одолжение) did he ask of Julie? – that was Tom Fennel`s ide to acquaint Roger with Joan Denver. After the show boys Invited Jill and Joan to Tom`s flat and spent the night together. As Joan Denver wanted to take part at new play of Siddons theatre, 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? – when Roger had shared his impression of new love experience with his mother, Julia suddenly understood that Roger grew older.

3. How did Tom react to Julie's plans to take her play to New York? – Tom was extremely glad about Julia`s plans in New York, and insisted that Julia should not reject such favorable offer.

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, and here 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 did not know. Acquaintances would mention him to her.

5. How did Julie receive Joan Denver? - She received Joan Denver the moment she had taken her last call. In spite of the play ending, Julia continued to play the imperious, aloof, stately and well-bred woman of the play. In a glance she had taken in the young girl who entered her dressing-room. "Very second-rate." – thought Julia. Inwardly Julia slung mud at Joan but outwardly, she carried it off (не податьвиду)

 6. How did Michael hear about Avice Crichton? – Tom Fennel told Michael about Avice Crichton.

7. Why does Maugham describe Julie's appearance at the Sunday night show as "beautifully timed?" He described Julia’s appearance at the Sunday night show as “beautifully timed” because she arrived a few minutes before the play started and people were clapping for her, even when she disturbed them to take her place.

8. What impression did Avice Crichton and her acting produce on Julie? - . Avice Crichton was very pretty, no one could deny that, with lovely golden hair, fine blue eyes and a little straight nose; but it was a type that Julia did not care for.

Julia watched her performance for a few minutes. She watched intently, then she leant back in her stall with a little sigh. - "She can't act for toffee,"* she decided

9. Why did it irk Tom to have to come back with Julie after the Sunday night show? –  He was silent in the car and she knew that it irked him to have to come back with her. She guessed that someone was giving a supper party to which Avice Crichton was going and he wanted to be there.

10. What kind of relationship did Tom and Avice have? – Tom was in love with Avice, but that was not mutually, because Avice used Tom`s connection with Julia Lambert for her purpose to play on a stage.