воскресенье, 22 июня 2014 г.

"Theatre" by Maugham (Chapters 25-27)

Answer the following questions:

1. Why was Julia doubtful about her beauty and sex appeal the night after her adventure with Charles? She didn't manage to charm him.

2. How did she put her looks to the test? Why did she need it? That afternoon, when she had had her sleep, she got up, 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 did it to check if she was still attractive.

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 (metaphor). She had caught a young man's eye and she was sure that there was a gleam in it. She shot him a glance (phraseol. unit) and then modestly lowered her eyes. He fell back and she was conscious that he was following her. It was all right. She stopped to look into a shop window and he stopped too. She knew how to behave now. She was excited and pleased; it was a weight off her mind (metaphor). Her heart began to beat wildly (hyperbole)."

There are a lot of stylistic devices. all of them show how proud she was of her appearence and manners.

4. Did the date meet Julia's expectations? What were the man's real intentions towards having a cup of tea with Julia? No they didn't because the man wanted to take an autograph for his wife.

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.
"...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? I walk from one end of the Edgware Road to the other and God knows I'd dressed the part perfectly, and not a man pays the smallest attention to me except a bloody little shop-assistant who wants my autograph for his young lady. It's absurd. A lot of sexless bastards. I don't know what's coming to the English. The British Empire!..."
There are a lot of rithorical questions and exclamations that show her indignation and despire.

8. What was the name of the play Michael was putting on? -  Nowadays.

9. How did Julia feel before the rehearsals? She was excited. It was the beginning of a new adventure. She did not feel like a leading lady then, she felt as gay and eager as if she were a girl playing her first small part. But at the same time she had a delicious sense of her own powers. Once more she had the chance to exercise them.

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? He made it the comedy.

11. Why did Michael need Julia's advice about Avice's acting? He needed advice from a professional. He asked her for advice as a successful actress, not as his wife.

12. What motifs did Julia have to praise the mediocre Evice Crichton and keep her in the cast?
She didn't want to show him that she wants to take revenge. She wanted to prove Tom that she was above her love to him, that she didn't suffer without him.

14. What did Michael ask Julia to discuss with Roger?
He asked Julia to put before Roger 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? Julia was shocked as they talked about their relationships and her affair with Tom.

16. During their conversation, Julia notices some new traits in her son's character and behavior. What are they? apathy, lack of sparkling vitality and sense of humour.

17. Roger sounds reproachful to Julia. What doesn't he approve of? Do you agree with him? He believed that everything what his mother did for him was just her pretence. I think, it is partly true. All Julia's life was pay. and even her relationships with family were affected.

18. What were Julia's arguments to support her point of view about acting? Acting is a real life.

19. How did their talk end?
20. What was the thing Roger said that bothered Julia most? He said that he knew about her love to Tom.

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