воскресенье, 23 марта 2014 г.

'Theatre' by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 7-10

Task I

Placidity-спокойствие

To make frantic scenes-закатывать безумные сцены
To give sb. a look of scorn- смотреть на кого-либо с презрением
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 стриженые волосы
To resist an inclination- удержаться от чего-то
Weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа
Coltish grace-щенячья грация
To be on active service – находиться в действующей армии
Confinement - роды
To run a theatre – открыть театр
Effusive - несдержанный
To set one's mind to smth - стремиться к чему-либо,сосредоточиться на чем-либо
Disconcerting - сбивать с толку
It's a knockout - бесподобно
Amiability- дружелюбие
Affable manner- дружелюбные манеры
To exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth. – проявить необыкновенную изобретательность в чем-то;
To be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым
Shrewdness - проницательность
To grizzle – ворчать
It's a mere commonplace- это банально
Exorbitant - безмерный
To be conciliatory – быть примирителем
To foster one's career – способствовать продвижению чьей-либо карьеры
Acumen - сообразительность
To have one's face lifted – подтянуть кожу лица
It's no good crying over spilt milk – после драки кулаками не машут
To have little flirtations – флиртовать,заводить небольшие интриги
Masseuse - массажистка
Gossip column – колонка светской хроники
The world of make-believe – мир притворства

Task II

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

When the war broke out Julia and Michael were acting.

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

Michael enjoyed the war because he was liked in the army, despite the fact that he was an actor.

3. Do you think love is important for a successful family life?

I'm pretty sure, that without love there couldn't be a successful family life, because it's love which makes people take care about each other and think about other person's desires and needs.

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

One day Julia realized that he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. he didn't attract her in sexual way. She found many defects in his behavior and habits.

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?

After the death of Michael's parents he inherited nearly four thousand pounds, and together with Julia's savings they had seven thousand. But the rent of theatres had gone up enormous. Finally the money was found by a rich woman who was interested in Julia. The theatre was called the Siddons Theatre. His partner was Dolly.

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

Michael had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. She was not sure that he would have authority over the cast.

7. What kind of director was Michael?

He was a very fair and hard-working. He paid Julia more than any other director had done, because he knew what she was capable of, and was familiar with her every inflection, every glance of her eyes, every graceful movement. He was too gentle to be director.
8. What irritated Julia in Michael more and more? How did he change in Julia's eyes?

His straight thin-lipped mouth irritated her. Moreover, he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. Michael’s thrift, which in the early days had seemed an amusing, rather touching trait, now revolted her.

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

Julia was sad about her married life because her dreams didn't coincide with reality. Her love had died she felt that life had cheated her.

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

Julia never made scenes any more. Michael was happier when he founded his own theatre.

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

“It'd only fidget me to 'ave a lot of elephant's tusks in me mouth."
“I'm young enough to dress 'er. And maid 'er”.

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

It was Mr. Thomas Fennell. She wrote a note,because she was very polite and it was her principle to keep in touch with the public in order they would come to the theatre.

 Task III

- handsome
- the best-looking actor on the English stage
- a faithful husband
- friendly, good-humoured and kind
- he had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace
- he took his beauty for granted
- prudent and all he wanted was admiration
- honest
- miserly

I like Michael for his honesty, prudence. He really knew his defects, and also he knew his best sides and made these things to work on him, like his allure. Also I liked his purposefulness, as he knew what he wanted and reached it.

Task IV
 
Julia and Michael were successful and rich enough to give his son the best education.
The public schools form the backbone of the independent sector. Such schools depend almost on the fees paid by their pupil’s parents. They are mostly boarding schools, where the pupils live as well as study. Ten public schools have produced one in eight of the professional elite who effectively run the country. The most famous public schools have a long history and tradition. It is often necessary to put a child's name on a waiting list at birth to be sure he or she gets a place. Children of wealthy or aristocratic families often go to the same public school as their parents and their grandparents. Eton is the best known of these schools.Eton College, often informally referred to as Eton, is a British independent boarding school located in Eton. It educates over 1,300 pupils, aged between 13 and 18 years and was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI.

Task V Summary

When the war broke down, Julia and Michael were acting. Michael volunteered while Julia wanted to be with him even at war, but she had to stay on the stage. She was the best actress in her generation and soon she became very rich. When Michael returned from the war Julia realized that she fell out of love with her husband because he changed so much. Soon Julia gave birth to their son Roger. And Michael decided to open his own theatre with a support of very rich old woman Mrs. de Vries. Being a director he was happier than had been earlier, while his wife was sad her love to her husband died. Later at the end of the play Julia received flowers from unknown Tomas Fennel.

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