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.