"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 28-29

I. Answer the following questions:

1. What seemed the most scaring for Julia in the talk with her son on the first day of his arrival?
It was his suggestion that sometimes when he came into an empty room and Julia opened the door, nobody were there.
2. How did Julia prepare for the play?
Julia learned her part. She didn’t deliberately create the character she was going to act by observation, she had a knack of getting into the shoes of the woman she had to portray so that she thought with her mind and felt with her senses. Julia wanted to show the courageous yet uneasy breeziness of the Mrs. Marten who played golf and could talk to a man like one good chap to another and yet, essentially a respectable, middle-class woman, hankered for the security of the marriage state.
3. How did she act at the dress-rehearsal? Why?
Julia spared herself. She had no intention of giving all she had to give till the first night.
4. What advice did Julia give Michael about Avice Crichton? Why did she need it? Was that carefully planned?
Julia gave advice towards Avice to Michael but he was not still sure in her. Julia decided to train her role individually. It was planned to take revenge for her. “You can never really tell how a performance is going to pan out till you've got an audience”.
5. Who did Julia talk to about her conversation with Roger? Why? What did she need to get from the conversation?
She talked to Charles and she expected him to be sympathetic
6. Describe the state Julia was in before a first night? Compare her attitude towards first-night acting with the bygone years?
Julia was very nervous. She had felt slightly sick all day and as the hours passed got into such a state that she almost thought she would have to leave the stage. But by now she had acquired a certain nonchalance. Throughout the early part of the day she felt only happy and mildly excited; it was not till late in the afternoon that she began to feel ill at ease. She grew silent and wanted to be left alone. She also grew irritable. Her hands and feet got cold and by the time she reached the theatre they were like lumps of ice.
7. Who did she meet while wandering the streets of London at noon, 6 hours before the first night? Where did they go?
Julia met Tom, who offered her to have tea with him.
8. What thoughts accompanied Julia when she visited Tom's place?
Julia looked round the room. Nothing was changed. Her photograph stood in its old place, but on the chimney piece was a large photograph also of Avice Crichton. The room might have been a set in which she had once acted; it was vaguely familiar, but no longer meant anything to her.
9. Why did Julia change her attitude to Tom? What phrase does Julia pronounce to herself at the end of chapter 28? Comment on it.
Julia didn’t love him anymore. She was free. "I dare say there's something in what Roger said. Love isn't worth all the fuss they make about it" .
10. Was the first night a success for Julia? For Avice? Why?
As for Julia, it was the success while for Avice it was a catastrophe. Julia literally outshined her.
11. What was Tom's attitude towards Avice's acting? How does the scene in Julia's dressing-room characterize him?
Tom found Avice’s acting a rotten one. It characterized him as a person who only wanted to be with people who could introduce him to the high society.
12. Why do you think Julia refused to supper with Tom that night?
Julia refused to supper with Tom that night, because it was the end with him, she didn’t love him anymore.
13. How did Julia spend that night? Was it typical of her? Why did she prefer this?
Julia wanted to be alone and it wasn’t typical for her. This woman understood that she would never have another moment like this in her life.
14. What was peculiar about Julia's appearance and order at the Berkeley? Do you feel that night was somehow significant to her? Why?
Julia was without any make up because it was so unusual moment when she didn’t care about her appearance. She looked at herself at the mirror and thought about her life.
15. How does she reflect about the day passed? Does she feel satisfied? Why? Prove your point of view.
Julia was satisfied with her meetings with Tom because she realized her indifference towards him. "It was an amusing experience."
16. Describe the place in a restaurant where Julia was having supper? What was special about it? Why had she chosen to be seated there?
The room in which she sat was connected by three archways with the big dining-room where they supped and danced; amid the crowd doubtless were a certain number who had been to the play. How surprised they would be if they knew that the quiet little woman in the corner of the adjoining room, her face half hidden by a felt hat, was Julia Lambert. It gave her a pleasant sense of independence to sit there unknown and unnoticed. They were acting a play for her and she was the audience.
17. What conclusion did Julia come to while sitting at the Berkeley and "throwing prudence to the winds?"
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. A stage - is a reality, all else is an illusion.

"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 25-27

III. Answer the following questions:
1. Why was Julia doubtful about her beauty and sex appeal the night after her adventure with Charles?
She was nervous about her appearence and sex appeal the night after her adventure with Charles, because he didn’t love her.
2. How did she put her looks to the test? Why did she need it?
Julia  put on a dress that was neither plain nor obviously expensive and a red straw hat with a wide brim. She knew, she was attractive and was sure in her skills.
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. She had caught a young man's eye and she was sure that there was a gleam in it. He passed, and she had all she could do not to turn round. She shot him a glance and then modestly lowered her eyes. He fell back and she was conscious that he was following her. She stopped to look into a shop window and he stopped too.
4. Did the date meet Julia's expectations? What were the man's real intentions towards having a cup of tea with Julia?
The date didn’t meet Julia's expectations, because she thought his request to give him her autograph was an excuse for speaking to her. In reality the man only wanted to get her autograph for his young lady.
5. The young man didn't seem to be very polite and well-bred. Prove it using the text and comment on the techniques the author employs to create a desirable effect upon the reader.
“Before we go any further let's 'ave this autograph, eh? Do it now, that's my motto. Let me bring my young lady to see you in your dressing-room one day. Just shake 'ands with her, see? It would mean a rare lot to her. Why, she'd go on talking about it the rest of her life.” There was some impudence in his manner that Julia did not like.
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.
She had been intolerably nervous before a first night. She even had felt slightly sick all day. But by now, after having passed through the ordeal so many times, she had acquired a certain nonchalance. Throughout the early part of the day she felt only happy and mildly excited; it was not till late in the afternoon that she began to feel ill at ease. She grew silent and wanted to be left alone. She also grew irritable, and Michael, having learnt from experience, took care to keep out of her way. Her hands and feet got cold and by the time she reached the theatre they were like lumps of ice. But still the apprehension that filled her was not unpleasant.
7. Why did Julia begin to do an imitation of Lydia Mayne? What affect did this acting have on her? How does that characterize Julia as professional and personality?
Julia did it only to prove it herself.
8. What was the name of the play Michael was putting on?
Michael was putting on Nowadays.
9. How did Julia feel before the rehearsals?
Julia felt as if she were a girl playing her first small part. However at the same time she had a delicious sense of her own powers.
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?
Some of the old characters were introduced, and Aubrey Tanqueray appeared in the second act. The change of manners of this generation it had been treated from the standpoint of comedy.
11. Why did Michael need Julia's advice about Avice's acting?
Tom found Avice’s acting a rotten one. The scene in Julia’s dressing-room characterizes him as a man who is ready to give up a person if he/she is not successful.
12. What motifs did Julia have to praise the mediocre Avice Crichton and keep her in the cast?
Julia knew her well enough to be sure that if she were dismissed she would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her. He loved her and would believe anything she said. “She must play the part, and fail; and Tom must see with his own eyes what a bad actress she was”.
13. What pains did Julia take to make herself look nice to meet Roger? How does that characterize her as an actress and a mother?
She tended to look very young and pretty. She strolled up and down the platform. You would have thought, but wrongly, that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted.
14. What did Michael ask Julia to discuss with Roger?
Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon he ought to make up his mind what he wanted to do. Michael was afraid that he would drift through his time there and then go into a broker's office or even on the stage. Thinking that Julia had more tact than he, and more influence with the boy, he had urged her to put before him 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 felt discomfort.
16. During their conversation, Julia notices some new traits in her son's character and behavior. What are they?
Julia listened to him attentively, because she felt he was expressing something that had burdened him for years. She had never in his whole life heard him talk so much.
17. Roger sounds reproachful to Julia. What doesn't he approve of? Do you agree with him?
Roger doesn’t approve of her affair with Tom. I agree with him, because Tom was much younger than she and he needed only her money.
18. What were Julia's arguments to support her point of view about acting? Do you feel they are ground and serious? Why?
Julia said that acting is an art. Real grief is ugly; the business of the actor is to represent it not only with truth but with beauty.
19. How did their talk end?
Their talk ended with conversation about Tom and Julia. Then they heard a car drive up. It was Michael.
20. What was the thing Roger said that bothered Julia most?Julia had a fear that Roger knew that Tom had been her lover.

"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. 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-л

VII. Answer the questions:

1.      Because she thought that it would upset Charles, as he was devoted to her for 20 years, but she fell in love with a silly young boy, who did not love her. And she did not want to confess to Delly, as she did not wish to fill that it was Tom who broke up.

2.       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.      Yes, Michael was absolutely right, as Julia lived through her role in the play, she did not act like actress should do, but splashed out her real emotions.

4.      Firstly, Julia was shocked and shouted at Michael that he was an old fool and so on, but then she calmed down and paid attention to his words.

5.      I think that she started to love them more than before, and she really appreciated all what they had done for her.

6.      Because she wanted to have a rest and completely cut herself off for a time from her old life

7.      They lived in a very quick little town and all their day were practically the same.

8.      They were caring for her, as she had a bad state of health, but when they got her acquaintance with the others, they asked not to tell them that she was an actress.

9.      She thought that he passionately loved her for 20 years, and was so devoted to her and she was the only woman in the world whom he fully loved and that he still waited for her.

10.   Because she returned to a luxurious life and  in this life people admired her mostly, sent her flowers, letters and so on. It was grand to see a well-dressed woman again, decently make-up and tanned men dressed in dinner jackets.

1.      Very adroitly. She just turned it into her own advantage, and said that she was glad that they didn’t spoil their friendship.

2.      She persuaded herself that there were two possible ways – if he was homosexual or impotent and she thought that the second variant was correct.

"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. Chapters 19-21

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

an understudy – дублёр(-ша) в театре [about Tom and Julia]

Perfidy – - измена, предательство [Julia`s thoughts about Tom`s lie, betrayal]

- Wanton temperament –распутный, развратный темперамент

- to cut the date – отменить встречу, свидание

an American conjurer – ['kʌnʤ(ə)rə] фокусник [about Tom and Julia, their first date after a long period]

- to make a stab at acting in America – попробовать, попытаться сделать что-н чтобы играть в Америке, попробовать завоевать Америку. [ Julia and Tom`s conversation about her plans in New York]

Off the nail – распродажа по сниженным ценам [about Julia`s thought of Joan Denver]

you're twenty-two if you're a day – тебе все 22 [about Julia`s thought of Joan Denver meeting]

the R.A.D.A. – от Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Королевская академия драматического искусства

- in point of fact - фактически, на самом деле, в действительности; по сути, в сущности; на поверку

Insipid – [ɪn'sɪpɪd]/ 1) безвкусный, пресный [Julias thoughts about Avice Crichton acting]

hard as nails – 1) выносливый, закалённый 2) жестокий (of a person) very tough; completely callous or unfeeling

[Julias thoughts about Avice Crichton when they`ve come with Tom into dressing room]

for toffee- совершенно не уметь играть [Julias thoughts about Avice Crichton acting]

be a sport – [Tom asked Julia to go into dressing room in order to cheer up Avice Crichton]

to beat about the bush – играть в прядки [Julia`s last conversation with Tom]

to feel all in – Быть без сил, руки отваливаются about Julia when Tom has gone

to give the air – to reject or dismiss (someone)

to put one's foot down- проявлять твёрдость, стойкость

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. 

"Theatre" by W. S. Maugham. Chapter 15-18

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

condescending letter – снисходительное письмо

pearl studs – жемчужные запонки

peevish - капризный, раздражительный,

make head or tail of it - продвигаться вперёд

fatuous irony – глупая ирония

to get back on sb – обратиться к к-л

to have sb off your hands – с рук долой

song and dance – песня и танец

to spend a lot on green fees – тратить много на денежный взнос для игр в гольф

despicable  - презренный, жалкий

to give sb a treat - баловать

to wheedle sb into - прельщать, втягивать лестью

prudishness – строгость, чопорность

to take liberties with sb - быть (чересчур) фамильярным

to grudge sb - испытывать неприязнь; завидовать; выражать недовольство

conspicuous - видный, заметный, бросающийся в глаза

to take the rough with the smooth - спокойно встречать невзгоды, стойко переносить превратности судьбы

to have a joke up your sleeve – иметь шутку про запас

to mortify sb - обижать, унижать, оскорблять

disconcerted - смущённый; обескураженный; в замешательстве

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 hr 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.

Dolly saw no reason to sell out an investment that seemed sound, and her half share in the partnership kept her in close touch with Julia.

One thing was evident, Julia couldn’t know what was being said about her, and someone must tell her. Not she; she hadn’t the courage Even after all these years she was a little frightened of Julia. Julia was a very good-tempered woman, and though her language was often brusque it was hard to ruffle her; but there was something about her that prevented you from taking liberties with her. Dolly she tried to put her own wounded feelings aside and look at it only from the point of view of Julia’s career. She felt old, lonely, unhappy, and desperately jealous.

With Michael: Michael liked Dolly as little as she liked him, though for other reasons, and when he heard that she wanted to see him he swore. He was annoyed that he had never been able to induce her to sell out her shares in the management. When Dolly said Machael about the gossips he did not believe. Her eyes were anguished. She understood that that situation can ruin Julia’s career. Michael thought that Dolly cared about her money and he offered her to buy out. But Dolly thought about Julia’s career first of all. 

With Julia: Julia accepted the flowers with which Dolly de Vries filled her flat and her dressing-room, she was properly delighted with the presents she gave her, bags, vanity cases, brooches; but Dolly’s generosity was due to anything but admiration for her talent.

About Tom: She had never paid any attention to him. He seemed a nice little thing, a useful escort for Julia when Michael was busy, but perfectly insignificant. He was one of those persons who everywhere pass unnoticed, and even after you had met him you could not remember what he was like. He was the extra man you invited to dinner to make an odd number even.

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. It wasn’t a perfect decision as it showed her as ignorant, rude and selfish person.

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

She made him 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?

At Julia's request she had invited Tom to parties and once or twice had him down for a week-end in the country, but she had never paid any attention to him. He seemed a nice little thing, a useful escort for Julia when Michael was busy, but perfectly insignificant. He was one of those persons who everywhere pass unnoticed, and even after you had met him you could not remember what he was like. He was the extra man you invited to dinner to make an odd number even. Julia talked of him gaily as "me boy friend" or as "my young man"; she could hardly have been so cool about it, so open, if there were anything in it. Besides, Dolly knew very well that the only two men there had ever been in Julia's life were Michael and Charles Tamerley.

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

Dolly came to the conclusion that Michael must speak to Julia. She had never liked Michael, but after all he was Julia's husband and it was her duty to tell him at least enough 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?

She looked him in the face. Her eyes were anguished. For though at first she had only laughed at what was being said about Julia she had not been able altogether to suppress the doubts that soon assailed her; she remembered a dozen little incidents that at the time had escaped her notice, but when considered in cold blood looked terribly suspicious. She had suffered such torture as she had never thought it possible to endure. Proof? She had no proof; she only had an intuition that she could not mistrust; she wanted to say yes, the impulse to do so was almost uncontrollable; she controlled it. She could not give Julia away. The fool might go and tell her and Julia would never speak to her again. He might have Julia watched and catch her out. No one could tell what might happen if she told the truth.

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?

She 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?

She said "You know how malicious people are. You've always led such a quiet, regular life. You've gone out so little, and then only with Michael or Charles Tamerley. He's different; of course everyone knows he's adored you for ages. It seems so funny that all of a sudden you should run around all over the place with a clerk in the firm that does your accounts." She tryied to explain that poor young tom couldn’t attract her attention as he didn’t have anything that’s why people spread a rumours.

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

She had acquired the reputation of a perfectly virtuous woman, whom the tongue of scandal could not touch, and now it looked as though her reputation was a prison that she had built round herself. She had to be perfect. She had often felt that her talent, genius the critics called it, but 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. It was the slight to that that galled her.

VI. Summarize the events of chapters 15-18.

Tom gave back Julia money and her gifts and she felt nervous as she could loose him. They talked on the phone and later he came to her. He couldn’t look at her suffering and continued the relationships with her. That was a new turn between them. They began to get on in the world (выходить в люди) and didn’t care about anything. Dolly de Vries heard rumors about this couple and tried to stop it, speaking about it with Julia’s husband Michael. He didn’t believe her, but let Julia know about rumors. Julia invited Dolly for a talk. She tried to convince her that she loved Tom as her son’s good friend.  She didn't care for herself, it was the affront to Julia Lambert the actress that stung her.