среда, 12 марта 2014 г.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 3-6

Task I

Asset- a major benefit,a useful quality;
A sumptuous supper- impressive, expensive,elegant;
Extravagance-the practice of spending a lot of money, especially more than you should,wastefulness;
Thrift- wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality
To remonstrate- criticize someone about something;
Equanimity- a calm mental state when you deal with a difficult situation;
At a loose end - in an uncertain or unsettled situation or positionon;
To jeopardize- to risk damaging or destroying something important;
Alacrity-cheerful readiness;
Susceptible to -someone whose emotions are easy to influence;
Obsequious -too keen to please someone, in a way that does not seem sincere;
A retainer -a servant, especially one who has worked for someone from a high social class for a long time

Task II

 Lord, what fools these mortals be (W. Shakespeare 'A Midsummer Night's Dream')
 ‘I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honour more,’ he (Michael) quoted.
These quotes prove that the life of actors is full of their work. They have to learn a lot by heart, that's why many their thoughts they express with the help of quotations.


Task III

This metaphor refers to Michael's attitude to early marriage between the actors. To his mind, it can ruin their careers.

Task IV

'He was too modest to resent an unfavourable criticism.' -  Michael understood that he wasn't a good actor, he was in troupe because of his appearance.

'... after all he was born a gentleman.'  - Michael's parents wanted him to become a military man not an actor. That's why they were glad that he was brought up properly.

'He is going to be a flop' - Michael was going to America in order to earn money,but Jimmie was sure that he would get a failure.

'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.' - Julia's phrase. She was glad that Michael came back from America, but feeling bad about her happiness, because he failured.

Task VI

Interior monologue and 'the stream of consience' are employed in order the reader see the events through Julia's eyes.

Task VII



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

Jimmie Langton was the head of the troupe in the theatre at Middlepool. He helped Julia to develop her talent and to become a good actress.also it was Jimmy who invited both of them in his theatre, and where Julia and Michael met.

2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?
They joined the theatre in different time. First it was Julia who was invited and a year later Michael joined to this theatre.

3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?
Michael played the boy and Julia played Regina. They heard one another their parts and after rehearsals lunched together to talk of them. Soon they were inseparable.

4. What did Julia like about Michael?
Michael was very handsome and had a good sense of humour. She liked him because he behaved like a gentleman.

5.What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?
The family status played greater importance for him than a man’s appearance.

6.How did Julia feel about her family?
She liked her family,she was proud of her father's profession.

7.What were Michael's views on marriage?
“I think an actor's a perfect fool to marry young. There are so many cases in which it absolutely ruins a chap's career. Especially if he marries an actress. He becomes a star and then she's a millstone round his neck”.

8.What did Michael read newspaper reviews for? Did Julia share his views?
He read all the articles in order to find out the information about him. He didn't pay attention to Julia's reviews.

9.Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?
It was Michael’s mother, Mrs. Gosselyn. But Michael asked to do it.

10.Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?
Julia found the Colonel not so alarming person than she had expected: he was civil, but reserved, generous. He was neither irritable nor oppressive. He read The Times, went to church on Sunday and accompanied his wife to tea-parties.According to Michael’s words his father was rather old-fashioned, and there were some things he couldn’t understand.

11.What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?
They liked Julia, as she acted a timid girl. That's why they liked her.

12.Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?
Yes, his parents expected that.

13.What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?
She asked Jimmie not to let Michael go.

14.What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?
Michael was offered a lucrative contract in America, and Jimmie, the head of the troupe, facilitated it.

15.Was Michael a success in America?
No, he failed in America.

16.Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?
Yes,she wrote constantly a lot of passionate letters to him,while he answered once a week, four pages exactly in a neat, precise hand.

17. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?
She decided to meet him and booked two rooms in a hotel.

18.What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?
Michael was deeply mortified and depressed. He wasn't satisfied by his work in America.

19.What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?
He saved money in America and he dreamed to open the theater, where Julia would play.

Task VIII
Summary:
 Julia remembered her youth,when she played in  Jimmie’s troupe. It was the place, where she met Michael and fell in love with him . They spent a lot of time together, but he he didn't take as a potential wife. But still they were very close. One day, Julia received a letter from Michael's mother, where she was invited to their house. During this visit Michael proposed to Julia. All the troupe got to know about it. Some time later  Michael went to America, but failed there and returned home. Julia was very happy, she met him and together they decided to go to London in search of fame and recognition.

Комментариев нет:

Отправить комментарий