"THEATRE" TASKS for Chapter 14

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

on one excuse and another – то с одной,то с другой отговоркой

to confess to oneself – признаться кому-либо

that was all to the good – все что не делается-все к лучшему

shrewd - проницательный, vanity - тщеславие

to have an affair with sb. – иметь с кем либо интрижку

sallow - болезненный

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

eminent persons – выдающиеся люди

to lay no claims on sb. – ничего не предъявлять 

to use all her arts of cajolery – использовать все свое умение льстить

stale food – несвежая еда

to overcome one's scruples – преодолеть сомнения

to find someone a trifle dull – находить кого либо немного скучным

to have no inclination – не иметь склонностей

a man of the world – человек с опытом

she was modest about herself – она была скромного мнения о себе

a smack in the face - пощечина

sulkily - сердито

Julia's heart was wrung – сердце Джулии екнуло

chivalrous courtesy – рыцарская учтивость

a vile disposition – отвратительный нрав

alacrity - готовность, wistful - тоскливый 

to act with great naturalness – играть очень естественно

to make a scene – закатывать сцену

she was in a black rage – она была в праведном гневе

she'd get even with him – расплатиться с ним 

to rack one's brains – думать над чем либо

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Was Julia really in love with Tom Fennell? And he?
Julia loved Tom, she felt a strange compassion for him. Though he laughed when Julia said a funny thing he never said one himself. She found his dullness restful. However, the woman knew that Tom was’t in love with her. To have an affair with her flattered his vanity.

2. How old was Tom? What did he do? Why was he a success with women?
Tom was only 22 years old. Although he was not rich at all and can not afford many things due to his small income, he had a great success with woman and the main reasom is his youith and high sexapility. All women with whom he had relationshios (only sexual in fact ), were attracted by his charming youth.

3. How can you characterize Roger? Where was he educated? What were his relations like with his parents? Did he know what he wanted to be? Did he want to go on the stage?
Roger was seventeen. He was a nice-looking boy, with reddish hair and blue eyes, but that was the best you could say of him. He had neither his mother's vivacity and changing expression nor his father's beauty of feature. Julia was somewhat disappointed in him. As a child when she had been so constantly photographed with him he was lovely. He was rather stolid and he had a serious look. His only good features were his teeth and his hair, while his figure was rather lumpy. Roger led his own life. Thus once he told Julia that he desired to leave Eton at Christmas, he thought he had got everything out of it that he could, and he wanted to go to Vienna for a few months and learn German before going up to Cambridge. And speaking about his future, the young man didn’t know what he wanted to be (though his mother worried about it, as she thought he would be a priest), but he definitely didn’t want to go on the stage.

4. How did Tom and Roger get on together?
Once the family decided to spend their weekend in Taplow, where Michael had taken a house, and Julia invited Tom just to be near him. And there Tom became close friends with her seventeen year old son, Roger, as they spent all their time together

5. Was Julia as successful in the movies as in the theatre? Did she envy the film-stars?
She had not the world-wide notoriety of the film-stars; she had tried her luck on the pictures, but had achieved no success; her face on the stage so mobile and expressive for some reason lost on the screen, and after one trial she had with Michael's approval refused to accept any of the offers that were from time to time made her. She had got a good deal of useful publicity out of her dignified attitude. But Julia did not envy the film-stars; they came and went; she stayed.

6. Describe in detail how Julia managed to play different characters on the stage. What thrilled her? Why did she sometimes fell like God?
Julia 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. It often seemed to her that she was two persons, the actress, the popular favourite, the best-dressed woman in London, and that was a shadow; and the woman she was playing at night, and that was the substance. It was not the popularity, the celebrity if you like, that she cared for, nor the hold she had over audiences, the real love they bore her, it was certainly not the money this had brought her; it was the power she felt in herself, her mastery over the medium, that thrilled her. She could step into a part, not a very good one perhaps, with silly words to say, and by her personality, by the dexterity which she had at her finger-tips, infuse it with life. There was no one who could do what she could with a part. Sometimes she felt like God.

7. How did Julia revenge herself on Tom?
The young man didn’t notice Julia as his lover, what hurt her, and for what she decided to take revenge on him. Her revenge was refined: knowing how to hurt his feelings, she reminded him to leave the maid tips, leaving the money in the envelope.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases describing Tom Fennell. Comment on the repetition of "a young man" in the text. First "he was a blushing young man" for Julia. Did her attitude change when she was better aquainted with him? Prove it by giving examples from the text.

Tom was sweet with his blue charmingly boyish eyes and pale brown hair; he had a white skin and rather a high colour; his lips were soft and there was a perfume of youth about him which was really rather delightful. He was pleasant and unassuming, very well-dressed, and with a fresh, clean look that was engaging.
To my mind, the repetition of the phrase “a young man” shows a big difference in the age. Tom was only “a young man”, and Julia was a wealthy woman. It is

At first Julia, not opening her fillings, tried to attach Tom to her giving him expensive gifts, paying his debts, and leading him into the high life. “She felt a strange compassion for him. He had the high spirits of youth, and she lapped them up as a kitten laps up milk. But he was not amusing. Though he laughed when Julia said a funny thing he never said one himself. She did not mind. She found his dullness restful”.

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

Sometimes she felt like God – Julia realize how powerful and important she was
She read his mind like an open book –There was no unpredictable in his mind and behavior.

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? How does it characterize Julia?
Julia’s life and actions are reflected through 3d person narration and internal monologues of hers (“The blasted fool, why does he talk all that rot?”, “Gosh, I’m going down like a barrel of oysters.”). Julia is naturally polite to all the people but still very often she uses vulgar words in her thoughts ("Damned if I know what genius is," she said to herself; "Bloody fool, bloody fool")

VI. Give a summary of chapter 14.

Time was getting on, but Julia fell in love with Tom stronger and stronger. In order to show her love, she presented very expensive gifts to him, she introduced him to solvency people. She was afraid to lose him. And one day, when Tom was invited to the country by her husband, Julia realized that even his communication with her son Roger hurt her. She was jealousy of Tom to everybody. But in order to be with him all the time, she kept to herself and waited for the moment to be alone with him.

"THEATRE" TASKS for Chapters 11-13

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- премьеры

to be exemplary-быть образцовым

a pattern оf conjugal fidelity-образец супружеской верности

to separate-расставаться

be ingenuous-быть искренним

to cry almost at will-плакать по собственному желанию

common sense-здравый смысл

to elope with smb-сбежать тайком, для женитьбы

preposterous-абсурдный,нелепый

curtain calls-поклоны

prudish-излищне щепитильный

in for a penny in for a pound-взялся за гуж не говори что не дюж

this was all a put-up job-сфабрикованное дело

indecent-недостойный

in a flash-мгновенно

to take liberties with smb-распускать руки

a matinée- дневной спектакль

amiably-любезно

well-chosen words-хорошо-подобранные слова

to have no sequel-не иметь будущего

to erase the episode from the memory-стирать эпизод из памяти

pleasant reveries sauntered through her mind-приятные воспоминания мелькали в ее памяти

hectic flush- лихорадочный румянец

to see in the flesh-увидеть собственной персоной

to hurt one's pride-задеть самолюбие

to have an inkling-осторожный намек

to pawn-заложить

II. Answer the following questions:

1. How did Julia and Lord Tamerly get acquainted? Was Julia his mistress? What did Julia owe to Charles Tamerly?

Julia and Lord Tamerly got  acquainted at a luncheon party. In spite of the fact that Lord Tamerly was madly fall in love with Julia, she wasn't his mistress.

2. Describe Julia's acting when Lord Tamerly declared his love to her. How can you prove that it was only make-believe?

As for Julia’s acting when Lord Tamerly declared his love to her, she found it rather comic. S said that he was a nice middle-aged man, but she didn’t love him. She sat down and for a minute looked silently at the miniature. Julia raised her eyes till they met Charles's. With her mouth slightly open, with the look in her eyes of a child that has been deeply hurt and does not know why, the effect was unbearably pathetic. She cried and nodded.

3. Why do you think Julia agreed to have tea with the young man? What was his name? Did Julia know it or not?

To my mind, she agreed to have tea with them out of curiosity. His name was Tom Fennel and Julia did not know it. It might be a new admirer.

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

The young man seemed shy but one moment he put his arm round her waist and kissed her full on the lips. At that moment this young man wasn’t so shy.

5. How did he show his admiration for Julia?

He had seen her in every play she had acted. He also said that when he was fourteen he had stood outside the stage door after a matinee and had asked her to sign her name in his autograph-book.

6. What feelings did Julia experience after the date with the young man? How did she act after that? How old was Julia at that time? What's your opinion of Julia's behaviour?

Julia found herself enamored with a young man. At that time Julia was fourty but she found herself looking and feeling 20 years younger. Everybody in the theatre noticed how she had changed. She acted with a passion and emotions. As for my opinion, I don’t appreciate her behavior, because I think the woman shouldn’t get out of line.

7. Describe the episode of Julia's adventure on the train to Cannes. What was Julia's attitude towards this accident? Give quotations from the text and comment on them. What do you think of this adventure?

During her trip to Cannes, Julia acquainted with the man who told her that he was an attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Paris and was going down to Cannes for

Easter. They spent the night together, and after a while it turned out that he had a family. Next morning she couldn’t believe that it had happened with her, but at the same time she did care more about the safety of her jewelry. I think her behavior was immoral.

8. When did Julia see Tom Fennell again? Under what circumstances?

Several days later Tom called her and ask for one more meeting. Julia tried to refuse him, but finally agreed to meet with Tom in her dressing-room.

9. What do you think attracted Julia to Tom? How old was he?

His youth attracted Julia. As for Tom, he was no more than 20. His lips were soft and there was a perfume of youth about him which was really rather delightful, blue eyes were so charmingly boyish. He was smth new for her.

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

I think Tom wanted to become rich and famous like they.

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

I disapprove of Julia’s love affair with Tom. I think any woman shouldn’t get out of line.

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.

-“I am a fool, I am a bloody fool. I can't have fallen in love with him”.

-She could have taken him in her arms then and there and kissed his blue eyes.

-She adored him.

-She found his slight awkwardness rather charming.

-She had been as excited all the evening as a girl going to her first ball. She could not help thinking how absurd she was.

-“What the devil's the matter with me? God, I can hardly breathe”.

With the help of all these phrases we realize that she really fell in love with him. She looked like a kid: on the one hand, she understood that it was her worst act in her life to love such a boy, but on the other hand, she coqueted and flirted with him. 

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).

  Alfred Louis Charles de Musset-Pathay  (11 December 1810 – 2 May 1857) was a French dramatist, poet, and novelist. Along with his poetry, he is known for writing La Confession d'un enfant du siècle (The Confession of a Child of the Century, autobiographical) from 1836.

  Oliver Goldsmith (10 November 1730 – 4 April 1774) was an Irish novelist, playwright and poet, who is best known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), his pastoral poem The Deserted Village (1770), and his plays The Good-Natur'd Man (1768) and She Stoops to Conquer (1771, first performed in 1773). He also wrote An History of the Earth and Animated Nature. He is thought to have written the classic children's tale The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes, the source of the phrase "goody two-shoes".

   Mlle Clairon was a leading actress of the Comédie-Française who created many parts in the plays of Voltaire, Jean-François Marmontel, Bernard-Joseph Saurin, and others.She began her career as a soubrette but made her debut at the Comédie-Française in 1743 as Phèdre in the tragedy by Racine. She also portrayed Corneille’s heroines, who combined nobility of soul, pride, and intelligence. In 1753 Marmontel influenced her to simplify her declamatory style. Prompted by Diderot, she introduced touches of character and of ethnic realism into her roles.

 

V. In chapter 11 you can find the following phrase: "... like Venus rising from the waves." What is the source of this allusion? Comment on it and its stylistic effect.

It is an artistic allusion. It is related to the 1486 painting by Sandro Botticelli “The Birth of Venus”. It depicts the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a fully grown woman, arriving at the sea-shore (which is related to the Venus Anadyomene motif). It represents the birth of love. The birth of Julia’s love to Tom.

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

Some time later there was a date of Thomas Fennel and Julia. In his apartment she noticed that he lived very decently. It looked like her dwelling at the beginning of her theatrical career.  
All of a sudden the young man kissed her and she didn't resist. They had an affair. During her trip she had another sexual affair with an unknown man.  After it Julia and Thomas went to the restaurant. She knew that it was one of the most expensive places. And later, in order to pay for their supper, he had to pawn his watch. It was unexpected for her. It prepossessed her. After that they drove back to his bed-sitting room in Tavistock Square.

"THEATRE' Tasks for Chapters 7-10

TASKS for Chapters 7-10

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

Placidity – спокойный; 

to make frantic scenes – закатывать безумные сцены; 

to give sb. a look of scorn – бросить презрительный взгляд на кого-либо;

lavishness – щедрость;

to know how to pull strings adroitly – знать, как пустить в ход связи; 

to fall out of love – разлюбить; 

close-cropped hair – коротко стриженный; 

to resist an inclination – удержаться от чего-то; 

weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа; 

coltish grace – щенячья грация; 

to be on active service – быть в действующей армии; 

confinement – роды; 

to run a theatre – открыть театр; 

effusive – экспансивный, несдержанный; 

to set one's mind to smth. – стремиться к чему-либо; 

disconcerting – смущающий, приводящий в замешательство; 

it's a knock out – сногсшибательно; 

amiability – добродушие; 

affable manner – дружеское обращение;

to exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth. – проявить великую изобретательность в чем-то; 

to be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым; 

shrewdness – проницательность; 

to grizzle – возмущаться, раздражать;

it's a mere commonplace – это банально; 

exorbitant – непомерный; 

to be conciliatory – примирительный, дружелюбный; 

to foster one's career – способствовать чьей-то карьере; 

prosiness – прозаичность; 

acumen – проницательность; 

to have one's face lifted – подтянуть кожу лица; 

it's no good crying over spilt milk – потерянного не воротишь; 

to have little flirtations – заводить небольшие интриги; 

masseuse – массажистка; 

gossip column – колонка светской хроники; 

the world of make-believe – мир притворства.

II. Answer the following questions:

1.      What did Michael and Julia do when the war broke out?

They decided to open their own theatre.

2.      Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

I think, Michael enjoyed the war because exactly at that moment he was the commander – in – chief and he was known as significant and respected. He lacked such an attitude to his person in the sphere of the theatre.

3.      Do you think love is important for a successful family life? Would you share your point of view on this problem with your fellow students?

I think love is important for a successful family life because it helps loving people to be not only successful but also harmonious.

4.      How did it happen that Julia fell out of love with Michael?

When Michael returned back from the front, he stopped to be a handsome fellow with naïve thoughts and ideas. He became a grown-up, serious man. He had lost his youth. He became only an adult man.

5.      How did Michael manage to find the money to rent a theatre? What was the theatre called? Who was in the partnership with him?

Michael wanted Dolly de Vries, a widow, to finance the opening of their theatre. And she was in the partnership with him. Their theatre was called “The Siddons Theatre”.

6.      Why was Julia against Michael's taking up directing?

Julia was doubtful. Michael had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. She was not sure that he would have authority over the cast. But at the same time they had not got any opportunity to find professional directors. That’s why he became a director of “The Siddons Theatre”.

7.      What kind of director was Michael?

He was thorough; he worked hard.

8.      What irritated Julia in Michael more and more? How did he change in Julia's eyes?

As Julia fell out of love with Michael, he himself irritated her more and more: his smell, his appearance, his tender character.

9.      Why was Julia sad when she thought of her married life?

Her love had died, she felt that life had cheated her.

10.  Why was Michael happier than he had been before?

He stopped to be an usual actor, he became a successful director. He became a father. His theatre flourished. Everything changed for the better.

11.  Julia's dresser and maid was a Cockney, wasn't she? Please prove it using the examples from the text.

Cockney speech characterized by colloquial pronunciation and sinking of the letter h. I’ve got me ‘ealth and strength; to dress ‘er; to ‘ave.

12.  Who was the unknown man who sent flowers to Julia? Why did she write him a thank you note?

Mr Thomas Fennell.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases describing Michael's appearance and character. Say what you think of him.

- a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears, (negative feature: thin mouth)

- the best- looking actor on the English stage
- very handsome
- good-looking and kind
- his voice was a trifle thin
- he didn’t like spending money
- friendly, good-humoured
- very simple-minded in some ways
- he had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace (about theatre)
- honest
- a perfect husband
- take his beauty for granted
- to devote anxious care to his figure

On the one hand, Michael is a devoted husband. He is kind, careful and loving. That’s why I liked him as a good husband. But as a real man he is good-for-nothing. He is only a shade of his wife. And I don’t wonder that Julia loved him only when he was young and handsome. And when he became a man without his youth she fell out of love with him.

IV. Comment on the phrase from chapter 9: "Roger had been entered for Eton within a week of his birth." Comment on it. Give a short presentation on public schools in Britain.

Eton is a public school in Britain. As any public school, it demands money, prestige, and a high social status. Roger was a child of rich parents. They lived in the comfort and luxury. They could allow it.

There are two types of schools in the UK: state schools where education is free and private schools where you have to pay. The only thing is that private schools in Britain are called ... public. A long time ago when education was a privilege of the rich, the only schools where poor people could go were funded by charities (organisations that collect money for people in need). As it was public money, the schools for the poor were called public schools. However, in the course of history many public schools became very successful and turned into expensive private schools but the conservative British continued to call them public schools.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 7-10.

Julia continued to recollect her past. When Michael had returned back from the front, he decided to open his own theatre. With the help of a rich widow Dolly de Vries he had opened it and had become a director there. “The Siddons Theatre” flourished. But in some time Julia realized that she had fallen out of love with Michael. And now, she was Julia was one of the most successful actresses all over the world. At the end of a play Julia received flowers from an unknown fan Tomas Fennel.

'THEATRE' TASKS for Chapters 3-6

TASKS for Chapters 3-6

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Asset - a useful and desirable thing or quality

a sumptuous supper - splendor suggesting great expense – lavish

extravagance - excessive or unnecessary expenditure or outlay of money

thrift - wise economy in the management of money and other resources – frugality

to remonstrate - to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval

at a loose end - in an uncertain or unsettled situation 

to jeopardize - to put in risk - to run chances

alacrity - cheerful willingness; eagerness

susceptible to - admitting or capable of some specified treatment

obsequious - servilely compliant or deferential

a retainer - a servant or attendant who has served a family for many years

II. Find quotations in the text. State their meaning and their function.

"Lord, what fools these mortals be," Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream). This quotation was used by Jimmy. Julia met Michael from New York and Jimmy didn’t understand why he attracted her attention. In spite of his handsome face, he was undistinguished. Jimmy was sure that he was not worthy of her. That’s why he said so.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be," Polonius. This quotation was used by Michael. And it was his credo that referred his attitude to money. He was thrifty and preferred not to lend his earned money.

"I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honour more," Richard Lovelace (Tell Me Not, Sweet) – This quotation was used by Michael. It showed his attitude to life, love, marriage, wedding and Julia herself.

III. Explain the metaphor "she is a millstone round his neck." Who does it refer to?

This metaphor belongs to the main character Michael. It refers to men who decide to marry young actresses. He believed that both actor and actress should marry only after the formation of a successful career because it’s impossible to be prominent in the marriage. According to Michael’s words, if one of the married couple (actress) doesn’t achieve anything, she will become a millstone for him. Such a union is doomed to misfortune.

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases

- "He was too modest to resent an unfavourable criticism." (Ch.3)

I think Michael understood that he was in the theatre only because of his beauty, his appearance. He was talented but I order to be a prominent actor he had to work more and more. That’s why he of course couldn’t  resent an unfavourable criticism.

- "... after all he was born a gentleman." (Ch.4)

Michael’s mother Mrs. Gosselyn believed that all actors were dishonest and vulgar men. But her son was not the sort of man. I think she was afraid of his reputation as in order to be famous he was able to do everything. Therefore, she was not tired to repeat again and again that her son was born a gentleman.

- "He is going to be a flop." (Ch.5)

This Jimmie’s phrase proves again that Michael was only a handsome man with low theatre potential. And he was not able to be a world-wild, outstanding actor.  

- "'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.'" (Ch.6)

My feelings are contradictory. On the one hand, Julia loved Michael and wanted him to return home. On the other hand, any actor or actress are selfish and crazy in their profession, and maybe she was glade to be more successful and more famous than her beloved man. It’s difficult for me to say with the confidence.

VI. What techniques are employed by the author to make the reader see the events through Julia's eyes?

Through description, dialogues, metaphors and her personal thoughts readers see the events. And these events are revealed with the help of Julia.

Through Julia's eyes we see and feel her negative and positive emotions. E.G. filthy pig, beast, devil, brute, rotten old eunuch; poor lamb, poor little thing, silly little fool, angel, sweet.

The author uses so called direct communication with the reader. Julia’s thoughts and feelings, expressed by her monologues, help me, as the reader, to see the surroundings through Julia’s eyes, through her emotions, through her attitude to the events. It’s rather important for readers.

VII. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Jimmie Langton and what role did he play in Julia's and Michael's lives?

Jimmie Langton was the director of the troupe where Julia and Michael played. He was the first who discovered their talent and helped out.

2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?

Julia had been playing in a small theatre. Michael had been playing in the theatre for three year. Both of them were noticed by Jimmie Langton, who offered a deserved salary in his theatre, the Middlepool Theatre Company.

3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?

They played in the same theatre, in the same play. After some time they became good friends.

4. What did Julia like about Michael?

Julia noted that Michael was a handsome, attractive man.

4. What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?

His family was on the first place. If the family is decent, good looks are unimportant.

5. How did Julia feel about her family?

Julia loved her parents. Especially she was proud of her father. But at the same time she was ready to lie about his profession. In order to be pleased by Michael’s parents, she told that her father was a doctor (he was a vet). It astonished me deeply.

6. What were Michael's views on marriage?

He believed that both actor and actress should marry only after the formation of a successful career because it’s impossible to be prominent in the marriage. According to Michael’s words, if one of the married couple (actress) doesn’t achieve anything, she will become a millstone for him. Such a union is doomed to misfortune.

7. Why did Michael find Julia extravagant?

Maybe he believed that any actress was extravagant and Julia was no exception.

8. What did Michael read newspaper reviews for? Did Julia share his views?

He liked to read reviews about his playing and about himself as the actor. Julia wanted him to read about her.

9. Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?

Mrs. Gosselyn, Michael’s mother invited Julia to their house for the Holy Week.

10. Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?

She had expected to meet a serious, rude man. But he was kind and noble-minded.

11. What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?

His parents had expected to meet a vulgar, extravagant woman. They thought that all actresses were the same. But indeed, they liked Julia because of her modesty and openness. I’d like to quote ."You've made a tremendous success with my people. They've taken an enormous fancy to you. Father told me you were very ladylike, and not a bit like an actress, and mother says you're so sensible."

12. Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?

Yes, it was.

13. What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?

He was offered to go to America for two years. It was the contract with the American theatre. Jimmie facilitated this.

14. What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?

She tried not to let him to go to America.

15. Was Michael a success in America?

No, he wasn’t.

16. Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?

Yes, he wrote letters about his career.

17. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?

Yes, she was. She missed Michael and wanted to see him.

18. What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?

He believed that his roles were awful. He was disappointed by his experience in
America.

19. What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?

He was going to open his own theatre. He suggested it to Julia and they decided to make a realty of it in 2-3 years.

VIII. Summarize the events of chapters 3-6.

Skipping through her photos, Julia began to recollect her personal life. She remembered her first plays in the theatre of Jimmie Langton. She made the acquaintance of Michael there. In some time, he proposed marriage to Julia. Besides, at the same time, he was offered to go to America for two years. Having returned back, Julia was waiting for him at the station.

"THEATRE" Tasks For Chapters 1-2

 

“THEATRE” BY W. S. MAUGHAM

TASKS for Chapters 1-2

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Complacency - the feeling you have got when you are satisfied with yourself; self-satisfied

Three times running – to take place three times;

Filthy - very dirty and unpleasant;

Supercilious - disapproving behavior towards other people as if you think you are better than they are; arrogant

Military bearing – the high, professional stage/level in the military sphere;

Natural flamboyance – brightness on the stage;

Stupendous - extremely large or impressive, especially greater or better than you expect;

Staggered – to be amazed by something peculiar;

Natural homage – respectful attitude;

Entanglement - a difficult or complicated relationship with e.g. another person or country;

Concubinage - extramarital relationships between men and women;

Languorous – an apathic feeling;

Flippant rejoinder – a light-headed response;

To risk smth – to do everything in order to achieve smth in spite of risks and dangers; to venture

A quick study – to have a phenomenal memory for learning by heart;

II. Search for the allusions in the text. Define their type (literary, artistic, historical and others) and functions; explain their meaning.

Literary.

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

Hamlet- is Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature, with a story capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others. It is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1602.

On the first pages, the reader is confronted with such a great name as W. Shakespeare. It helps us to realize that the whole novel is devoted to the art in all its demonstrations.  

Artistic.

Benoît-Constant Coquelin – was a famous French actor.

Eleanor Duse – was a famous Italian actress. She was famous for her talent of the impersonation into different figures.

Sara Siddons - was a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was most famous for her portrayal of the Shakespearean character, Lady Macbeth. She was very, very talented and prominent that’s why she was an example to follow for Julia Lambert.

John Philip Kemble - was an English actor. He was born into a theatrical family as the eldest son of Roger Kemble, actor-manager of a touring troupe  His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame with him on the stage of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He played a huge number of parts, including a large number of Shakespearean characters.

As for artistic allusions, they personify the theatrical world, talented people and such a feeling when you are ready to give up everything (a personal life, beloved people, friends) for the sake of the theatre and a backstage life.

III. Using direct and indirect evidence from the text give character sketches of Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn.

Julia Lambert was a forty six-year woman, with an attractive and bright appearance. Let me quote: “She was a woman with big brown eyes and very nice delightful warm, ready smile. She wasn’t a brilliant conversationalist, but her eyes were so bright, her manner so intelligent". Her clothes were from Paris. Her Aunt, the former actress, taught her how to behave herself among people. So, we can say with the confidence that the career of the actress was predefined to Julia from the early age. Besides, she was elegant, womanly and too excessively talented. Twenty six years of toil lied behind her. Julia was bossy and independent (the most important qualities for real actresses). On the one hand, she was not only a favorite of the audience but also a good, care wife. On the other hand, there was nothing but her theatre, stage, success, admiration and recognition. her life was an ordinary performance for her. Her gestures, phrases, mimicry, postures only proved it. All the time she tried on different masks and roles. When she was speaking with someone, she was acting; when she was solving problems, she was acting again. It was her credo – to act all the time.

Michael Gosselyn was 52 years old. The author writes: “He had a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears’. At 25 years old he decided to be an actor. In spite of his beauty, he didn’t have any success. Michael started his career with Shakespeare. He played Romeo at Cambridge. But then, having accepted to the same theatre as Julia, his talent was discovered. He adored his wife, her acting and manners of behavior. His marriage was firm for the sake of their mutual interests. But, from the first pages we understand that he was a shade of his wife in spite of his social position. His wife was a great star, and he was the husband of great Julia Lambert.

IV. Give a summary of the first two chapters.

A highly successful and extremely popular theatre actress Julia Lambert and a stage director Michael Gosselyn, Julia’s husband, were the owners of their theatre called “Siddons Theatre”. They had a nineteen-year son Roger but for Julia there was only her theatre, only her wonderful career, and only her stunning success. One day Michael introduced Julia to Tom Fennel, who worked as an accountant in the same theatre. They decided to invite a fellow for lunch. There they got to know that Tom admired Julia’s acting, he was a fan of her creation.