TASKS for Chapters 22-24

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

to make a clean breast of sth – чистосердечно признаться

to tear sb limb from limb -

to give sb a peep at your feet of clay- обнаружить своё слабое место

a sleeping-draught – снотворное

to and fro – взад-вперёд

curtain calls – вызов на сцену

pull oneself together – взять себя в руки

magnanimous – великодушие

to cramp one's style – помешать кому-л

contrition- раскаяние

a succinct account of sth – краткое содержание

a bereavement – тяжелая утрата

an austere and snug little town – строгий и уютный маленький городок

to adhere to sth.- придерживаться чего-либо

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.

TASKS for Chapters 19-21

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

an understudy - дублер

perfidy -измена

wanton temperament – своенравный темперамент

to cut the date – отменить встречу

an American conjurer – американский иллюзионист

to make a stab at acting in America – попытаться сделать актерскую карьеру в Америке

off the nail – быть навеселе

the R.A.D.A. – Королевская академия драмы

in point of fact – в действительности

insipid - безвкусный

hard as nails – в форме

for toffee – ни за что

be a sport – будь человеком

to beat about the bush – ходить вокруг да около

to feel all in – чувствовать себя в порядке

to give the air – не принять во внимание

to put one's foot down – занять твердую позицию

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 подать виду)

 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.

TASKS for Chapters 15-18

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

condescending letter – снисходительное письмо

pearl studs – жемчужные запонки

peevish – раздраженный

make head or tail of it – ничего не понимать

fatuous irony – глупая ирония

to get back on sb – отделаться от кого-то

song and dance – скандал, постоянные объяснения

to spend a lot on green fees – тратиться на аренду поля для гольфа

despicable – презренный

to give sb a treat – доставить удовольствие кому-то

to wheedle sb into – впутывать кого-то во что-то

prudishness – ханжество

to take liberties with sb – быть непозволительно фамильярным с кем-то

to grudge sb – завидовать

conspicuous – очевидный

to take the rough with the smooth – стойко переносить превратности судьбы

to have a joke up your sleeve – держать шутку наготове

to mortify sb – усмирять, укрощать кого-то

disconcerted – смущенный

II. Explain the following metaphors. Who do they refer to?

It won't hurt him to discover that I'm not all milk and honey.

This metaphor suggests comfort, sweetness, and peace. It is a cultural reference, meaning a version of paradise. It refers to Tom because Julia wanted to show her character and her resentment.

I'm not the woman to desert a sinking ship.

This metaphor alludes to rats, which leave a vessel when it founders in a storm or runs aground so as to escape drowning. It was transferred to human behavior by about 1600.

It refers to Dolly who can’t abandon her friend Julia who stopped to care about her reputation.

III. Give a character sketch of Dolly de Vries. Pay special attention to the description of her appearance: "Dolly de Vries was now a woman of sixty. …and a slight cockney accent revealed itself." Dwell on her relationship with Michael and Julia. How did she feel about Tom?

Dolly de Vries was now a woman of sixty. She was very fat, and her face, with its large nose and heavy red lips, seemed larger than life. There was a slightly masculine touch in her black satin dress, but she wore a double string of pearls round her neck, a diamond brooch at her waist and another in her hat. Her short hair was dyed a rich copper. Her lips and her finger-nails were bright red. Her voice was loud and deep, but when she got excited the words were apt to tumble over one another and a slight cockney accent revealed itself. She adored Julia, but didn’t like Michael as well as she didn’t like Tom, because he grabbed all Julia’s attention.

IV. Speak on Julia's reputation and talent. Do you agree that no one expects an actress to be a pattern of propriety?

No one expects it because actress plays lots of roles, she can every emotion and feeling. Julia was a pattern of propriety as a perfect wife, but  the critics called her talent genius, that was a very grand word, her gift, if you like, was not really herself, not even part of her, but something outside that used her, Julia Lambert the woman, in order to express itself. It was a strange, immaterial personality that seemed to descend upon her and it did things through her that she did not know she was capable of doing. She was an ordinary, prettyish, ageing woman. Her gift had neither age nor form. It was a spirit that played on her body as the violinist plays on his violin.

Actress can do what they want because people don’t know when she shows her real personality and when it’s the mask on her face.

V. Answer the questions:

1. Why did Julia offer Tom the money for servants' tips? Do you think she made the right decision?

Julia wanted Tom to feel aggrieved as he didn’t have money to pay for himself and even he couldn’t give tips for servants. I think, it wasn’t a perfect decision because it only showed her as a selfishe and rude person.

2. Did Julia manage to induce Tom to see her again after that?

Julia made Tom believe that he understood her erroneous and that she didn’t understand what had happened with him and their relationships.

3. Did Dolly believe that Julia didn't have a lover? Why?

No, Dolly didn’t believe that Julia didn’t have a lover, because people were saying rather disagreeable things about her.

4. Whom did Dolly finally decide to talk to about Julia's cheating?

Dolly was a little frightened of Julia. There was something about her that prevented you from taking liberties with her. This woman came to the conclusion that Michael had to speak to his wife. She had never liked Michael, but after all he was Julia's husband and it was her duty to make him put a stop to whatever was going on.

5. Why did Dolly not confess to Michael that she suspected Julia of having a love affair?

Dolly had an intuition that she could not mistrust. The woman couldn’t give Julia away. Her husband might go and tell her and Julia would never speak to her again. He might have Julia watched and catch her out.

6. Why did Michael suggest buying Dolly's share out?

If Julia's gadding about all night it must tell on her performances. “I know Julia well enough to know that she wouldn't put up with any interference with her liberty of action. I'm her husband and I've got to put up with it. But you're in a different position altogether. I shouldn't blame you if you wanted to get out while the going was good.”

7. What was the reason for Dolly's desperate jealousy?

Dolly knew how much money meant to him and she had a hope that what she had said would rankle. She helped Julia at the very beginning of her career and loved her, she couldn’t allow her to loose anything.

8. How did Dolly try to convince Julia that Tom was not very discreet?

Dolly knew that Tom’s father bought him a share in the firm and he became a junior partner. Then it seems a little strange that on that the young man should be able to have a flat, dress the way he does and take people to night clubs, as if his father bought him a partnership he wasn’t making him an allowance as well.

9. Why couldn't Julia fall asleep after the lunch with Dolly?

The strange thing was that when she looked into her heart it was not Julia Lambert the woman who resented the affront, she didn't care for herself, it was the affront to Julia Lambert the actress that stung her. She had often felt that her talent, genius the critics called it, but that was a very grand word, her gift, not even part of her, but something outside that used her.

VI. Summarize the events of chapters 15-18.

Julia decided to take revenge on Tom. Knowing how to hurt his feelings, she reminded him to leave the maid tips, leaving the money in the envelope. The next day Tom returned all her presents, because this woman managed to hurt him. After a little conversation Tom remained with her. Julia even bought him a flat, that was near to her, furnished it. Several times a week together they appeared in restaurants and night clubs. Gossip had so nearly reached the truth about them. Julia got to know about that from Michael, who knew that from possessed with jealousy Dolly de Vries. Julia tried to find out from Dolly, who gossiped about her, and during the conversation she knew that Tom promised some Evis Crichton the role in the play. It was the moment when the woman understood that the young man didn’t love her.

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 was really in love with him, she felt a strange passion to him. This woman knew that Tom wasn’t in love with her. He was too young, he was not so interested in her.

2. How old was Tom? What did he do? Why was he a success with women?

Tom was twenty-two and he was five years elder Julia’s son. He was a highly-sexed young man. Julia discovered that since he was seventeen he had had a great many women. He loved the act rather than the person. He looked upon it as the greatest lark in the world. And she could understand why he had so much success. There was something appealing in his slightness, his body was just skin and bone, that was why his clothes sat on him so well, and something charming in his clean freshness. His shyness and his effrontery combined to make him irresistible.

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 a nice-looking boy, with reddish hair and blue eyes. He was seventeen. He had neither his mother's vivacity and changing expression nor his father's beauty of feature. As a child Roger was rather stolid and he had a serious look. His only good features were his teeth and his hair, but his figure was rather lumpy. Roger 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. As for his future, this young man didn’t know what he wanted to be but at the same time he didn’t want to go on the stage.

4. How did Tom and Roger get on together?

Tom and Roger were at the same age and they spent all the time together.

5. Was Julia as successful in the movies as in the theatre? Did she envy the film-stars?

Julia was not successful in the movies. 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. Julia did not envy the film-stars because they came and went but she could stay.

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.

7. How did Julia revenge herself on Tom?

Julia decided to revenge on him by reminding 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. Tom seemed a nice little thing, a useful escort for Julia when Michael was busy, but perfectly insignificant. Moreover, the young man was proud to be Julia’s lover, as it gave him confidence in himself.

I think the author used the repetition of the phrase “a young man” to emphasize the disparity in age between Julia and Tom, as his attention was flattering and their love was so passionate that Julia found herself looking and feeling 20 years younger.

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”. (This quote is the evidence of Julia’s passion and love to Tom. However, after the time they spent in Taplow, her attitude towards him changed, as he didn’t notice her and spent all his time with Roger, Julia’s son. After that “she’d get even with him. Yes, and she knew how she could do it. She knew where he was most sensitive and how she could most cruelly wound him. That would get him on the raw. She felt a faint sensation of relief as she turned the scheme over in her mind”.

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

Julia : she was exhilarated; looked very pretty and young; Julia was irritated; Julia, radiant, sank back into a chair;

Similes: she lapped them up as a kitten laps up milk.; She read his mind like an open book.

Michael: so damned good-natured about it; Michael was prosy, near with his money, self-complacent, but how extraordinarily kind he was and how unselfish! He was devoid of envy.

Julia and Michael are a binary opposition. The author uses these epithets and similes to demonstrate their strange and different nature which each of them have.

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?

There were vulgar words: “The blasted fool, why does he talk all that rot?”, “Gosh, I’m going down like a barrel of oysters”. The author used them in Julia’s internal monologues to show that in reality she was not a person of high society. She only seemed to be intelligent with other people.

VI. Give a summary of chapter 14. (in written form)

Julia realized and confessed to herself that she fell in love with that young man, as her relationships with Tom were getting closer and closer.They spent all their free tome together, going to the luxurious restaurants and so on. The actress knows he is a snob, so she lets him enter the high society. Tom is really poor, that’s why she showers him with expensive gifts and pays off his debts. Michael, invited Tom to spend their holiday together, with their son, Roger. At first, Julia was happy to be so close to her lover, but later she felt that he preferred Roger to her – because the most important thing two men had in common was their youth. That’s why Julia decided to revenge on Tom, but later, she felt she couldn’t lose him and did her best to make it up.

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?

“Charles Tamerley’s  father, the Marquess of Dennorant, had married an heiress and he had inherited a considerable fortune. Julia often went to the luncheon parties he was fond of giving at his house in Hill Street. There she got acquainted with Lord Tamerly. Julia wasn’t his mistress. He loved her but she didn’t.

“In those days Julia did not think it necessary to go to bed in the afternoons, she was as strong as a horse and never tired, so he used often to take her for walks in the Park. She felt that he wanted her to be a child of nature. That suited her very well. It was no effort for her to be ingenuous, frank and girlishly delighted with everything. He took her to the National Gallery, and the Tate, and the British Museum, and she really enjoyed it almost as much as she said. He liked to impart information and she was glad to receive it. She had a retentive memory and learnt a great deal from him. If later she was able to talk about Proust and Cezanne with the best of them, so that you were surprised and pleased to find so much culture in an actress, it was to him she owed it.”

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

“Then Julia did a disgraceful thing. She sat down and for a minute looked silently at the miniature. Timing it perfectly, she raised her eyes till they met Charles's. She could cry almost at will, it was one of her most telling accomplishments, and now without a sound, without a sob, the tears poured down her cheeks. 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.”

Julia felt exhilarated. She is an actress and she only plays her role, she is an actress even in life.

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

He was so young and she saw and imagined herself as a young. It was rather delicious for her that this young man tried to create an impression on her. His name was Tom. She didn’t know his name.

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

Firstly, he was shy.”He seemed shy, much shyer than he had seemed over the telephone “ .But then he wasn’t.

5. How did he show his admiration for Julia?

He phoned her and offered her tea with a biscuit. Then he began to kiss her. “He put his arm round her waist and kissed her full on the lips. No woman was ever more surprised in her life. She was so taken aback that she never thought of doing anything. His lips were soft and there was a perfume of youth about him which was really rather delightful.” He was emphatically (настойчтв).

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?

She was extremely happy, it was a new adventure for her. Her eyes shone brightly and wonderfully. "I feel like a two-year-old.“

“Julia acted as though it was the first time. Her performance was brilliant. She got laughs that she had never got before. She always had magnetism, but on this occasion it seemed to flow over the house in a great radiance." She was 40 year old.

Your surrounding always reflects on you. She can’t refuse to Tom. She remembered her previous life and how happy she was. Her husband didn’t give her that passion and love that Tom gave. But she is older him and it is wrong to my mind to have an affair with him.

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?

The trains south were so crowded that she had not been able to get a sleeper. One man, Spaniard, offers her his place. She agreed. They had a conversation, but that man didn’t want to leave her. When they began to say goodbye, the man kissed Julie and they had an affair. She didn’t want to sleep with him. But his beard attracted her.

-"He can hardly expect me to ask him to come and sleep in here," Julia said to herself. "I'm beginning to think this was all a put-up job. Nothing doing, my lad." And then aloud. "Romantic, of course, but uncomfortable."   Her thoughts are right at first. She understands how she mustn’t act. But her actions are so different from her thoughts. She yielded to temptation.

-"If you think that because you've given up your compartment to me I'm going to let you sleep with me, you're mistaken."

"Just as you say, of course. But why not?"

"I'm not that sort of terribly attractive woman."

"What sort of woman are you then?"

"A faithful wife and a devoted mother."

He gave a little sigh.

"Very well. Then I'll say good night to you."  She quietly told about the man’s wish, she understood that many men wanted her. But she couldn’t think that she could sleep with a stranger.

"But as time passed Julia's indignation was mitigated, and she had often thought of the adventure since with a good deal of pleasure. After all it had been fun.”  She perceived all this as an adventure. As she didn’t make something terrible. On the one hand, she had the right because her husband didn’t give her passion. He loved only himself. On the other hand, she is married. She must save her condition. I think she was wrong. It isn’t proper to sleep with a stranger, especially she is married. Moreover, she thought bad about such women, but anyway slept with that man.

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

Tom called her and they agreed upon to meet in the theater

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

“But when she saw him, so slight, with his hectic flush and his blue eyes, so charmingly boyish, she felt a sudden pang.” He was about 18. As her son Roger was seventeen . “she  was old enough to be his mother.”

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

They were so bright, beautiful and famous. They can do everything. He wants to be like they.

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

I disapprove her actions. It is ridiculous to my mind at her age to meet with so young man.

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.

- Young, fresh and ingenuous.

- Sweet with his blue eyes and pale brown hair.

- His lips were soft and there was a perfume of youth about him which was really rather delightful.

- There was something charming in his clean freshness.

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

- 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.

All these phrases show Julia’s attitude to Thomas Fennel. She realized, she fall in love with Tom but she knew it was wrong to date 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.

Dame Ellen Terry was an English stage actress who became the leading Shakespearean actress in Britain. Born into a family of actors, Terry began acting as a child in Shakespeare plays and continued as a teen, in London and on tour. She was considered the leading Shakespearean and comic actress in Britain. Two of her most famous roles were Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.

 George Farquhar (1677– 29 April 1707) was an Irish dramatist. He is noted for his contributions to late Restoration comedy, particularly for his plays The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707).

The Way of the World is a play written by English playwright William Congreve. It premiered in 1700 in the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. It is widely regarded as one of the best Restoration comedies and is still occasionally performed. The play is based around the two lovers, Mirabell and Millamant(originally played by John Verbruggen and Anne Bracegirdle). In order for the two to get married and receive Millamant's full dowry, Mirabell must receive the blessing of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort. Unfortunately, she is a very bitter lady, who despises Mirabell and wants her own nephew, Sir Wilfull, to wed Millamant.

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".

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.

“Julia tore off her clothes, and flung them with ample gestures all over the room. Then, stark naked, she skipped on to the bed, stood up on it for a moment, like Venus rising from the waves, and then throwing herself down stretched herself out.”

Venus is the second planet from the Sun. The planet is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky.  Julie is full of love and beauty. Tom makes her to feel younger than she is.

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.

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?

Michael and Julia were acting when the war broke out.

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

Michael’s father and his grandfather were military men and Michael could not but participate it. He also was a patriot.

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’m absolutely sure that love is one of the most important things for a successful family life, it’s the basic element of any family. Surely, everyone has their own point of view.

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

She fell out of love with him before the end of the war, she realized that he was no longer young, he was already a 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?

They had a plan, they wanted to find a rich man, who fell in love with Julia or a rich old woman, who fell in love with Michael and ask this person for money. Finally they find a woman who was interested in Julia. Mrs. de Vries was in the partnership with them. The theatre was called “The Siddons theatre”.

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

Julia thought he had no talent for it, she said that he had no fantasy.

7. What kind of director was Michael?

He was a good director, Julia didn’t expect it from him. “He was thorough; he worked hard. Julia, strangely enough, felt that he was getting more out of her than any other director had done”.

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

“His thrift, which in the early days had seemed an amusing, rather touching trait, now revolted her. When people were in trouble, and on the stage they too often are, they got sympathy and kind friendly words from Michael, but very little cash. He looked upon himself as devilish generous when he parted with a guinea, and a five‑pound note was to him the extreme of lavishness. He had soon discovered that Julia ran the house extravagantly, and insisting that he wanted to save her trouble took the matter in his own hands. After that nothing was wasted. Every penny was accounted for. Julia wondered why servants stayed with them”.

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

Julia fell out of love with Michael, she had never thought that such thing could happen with her, Michael’s manners; everything in his behavior irritated her.

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

Julia became more complaisant than she’d been before, she stopped make scenes, Michael liked it, he didn’t know that she fell out of love with him, he just thought that Julia changed her behavior for the better.

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

“Evie was Julia's dresser and maid. She had come to her first at Middlepool and had accompanied her to London. She was a cockney, a thin, raddled, angular woman, with red hair which was always untidy and looked as if it much needed washing, two of her front teeth were missing but, notwithstanding Julia's offer, repeated for years, to provide her with new ones she would not have them replaced.”

Cockney dialect characterized by colloquial pronunciation and grammatical errors: "if he saw you now 'e wouldn't, not if I know anything about men"

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

Lord Charles Tamerley sent flowers to Julia, he “was the oldest and the most constant of Julia's admirers”. Julia answered to all letters from her fans, she was polite with them.

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

- a good‑humoured smile on his handsome face

- the handsomest man in England

- a tailor's dummy

- the ordinary normal Englishman

- with his gentlemanly push, with his breezy good‑nature

- his thriftiness

- He had tact and a pleasant manner

- He showed himself possessed of considerable organizing capacity

- He came, looking wonderfully handsome in his well‑cut uniform, with the red tabs and the crown on his shoulder‑straps. He had filled out a good deal as the result of the hardships of G.H.Q. and his skin was tanned. With his close‑cropped hair, breezy manner and military carriage he looked every inch a soldier.

- he was only thirty‑six, but he was not a boy any more; with his close‑cropped hair and weather‑beaten skin, little lines beginning to mark the smoothness of his forehead and to show under his eyes, he was definitely a man. He had lost his coltish grace and his movements were set. He was a middle‑aged man.

- He was a well set‑up, normal, high‑spirited fellow, with a ready smile and a hearty laugh. He was well suited to drawing‑room comedy. His light voice gave a peculiar effect to a flippant line, and though he never managed to make love convincingly he could carry off a chaffing love scene, making a proposal as if it were rather a joke, or a declaration as though he were laughing at himself.

To my mind, Michael was the perfect man to run a theatre. He was pedant and stern. Michael didn’t spend much money, neither had he ever given on credit. Such kind of men could be successful in this business. Also I think, he was an ideal husband because this man was so devoted to his wife.

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. Only chi;dren from rich families can an opportunity to study there. So does Roger. His parents live luxirous live and  of course their son should study i such a prestigious school.

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. Why? 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. Logical, isn't it? 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.

Until very recently public schools were either all-boys or all-girls. Public schools can be full boarding (pupils live there all academic year except for holidays), normal (pupils go home every day) and mixed (some pupils go home every weekend and some stay).

Well, the first thing you need to have is money as some public schools charge up to £20,000 a year. There are some grants for bright pupils as well but the places are few and the competition is very strong. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that only six percent of the people in the UK can afford it. The other important criterion is that you have to belong to the right class as the class system in Britain is still very important. Mostly, public education is a privilege of the upper middle and upper classes.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 7-10.

Michael and Julia had a happy family life, they both were acting when the war broke out. Michael volunteered and Julia continued to act on the stage. Julia took hard their parting, but when he returned, she realized that she fell out of love with him, he was still handsome, but now he was a men, not a young boy, she loved. They respected each other and they had an aim – to open their own theatre. Mrs. de Vries was their partnership and Michael became a director of the theatre. Julia became one of the most famous actresses and had lots of fans, one of them was Tomas Fennel.

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 or valuable thing (Michael’s beauty)

a sumptuous supper - luxurious meal, banquet

 extravagance - a thing on which too much money has been spent (gold cigarette for Michael)

 thrift - the quality of using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully

 to remonstrate - make a forcefully reproachful protest (Julia at restaurants)

 equanimity - calmness

 at a loose end - without purpose or occupation

 to jeopardize - put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure

 alacrity - brisk and cheerful readiness

 susceptible to - easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive (Michael was susceptible to flattery)

 obsequious - obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

 a retainer - a servant, especially one who has worked for a person or family for a long time

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?

"She is a millstone round his neck" refers to Julia and Michael. He became a star and she insisted on playing with him. If he was in management he had to give her leading parts and if he engaged someone else there were most frightful scenes.

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases:

- "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.

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

The author used inner speech (the stream of consciousness)  to show us Julia’s attitude and feelings: “of course, he likes me”, “he likes me better than anyone, he even admires me..”, “gosh, I’m going down like a barrel of oysters”,  “by God, it was a put-up job”.

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.

Julia became famous and successful actress. A year later she met Michael and fell in love with him. She made a lot to be with him. At Easter holiday Michael introduced Julia to his parents. At the same time he offered his hand to Julia and she agreed. Coming back home, Michael signed contract with an American interpreter. Michael got a flop and returned home. He had some money to open a theatre.