THEATRE by W. S. Maugham (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?

They were both acting when the war broke out. But later Michael volunteered for the army (but with the help of his father), and Julia had to go on acting.

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

I think Michael enjoyed the war because he was popular in the regimental mess, and the officers accepted him almost at once, even though he was an actor, as one of themselves. It was as though the family of soldiers from which he was born had set a seal on him so that he fell instinctively into the manner and way of thinking of the professional soldier.

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 believe that love is important not even for successful family life. But if we are speaking about successful family life, yes, love is important because the partners inspire each other. Moreover, love in the family gives the emotional support that helps overcome many other hurdles in life, and helps children to grow as individuals.

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

Julia fell in love with Michael from the first sight, as she was attracted by his beauty. She did her best to conquer him, but the man was so imperturbable that the woman, when they got married, lost interest in him. And as her passion went out, Julia started to notice defects in her husband’s appearance: he wasn’t so beautiful as earlier; he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like 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?

At the end of the war there was an epidemic of influenza, and Michael’s parents died. He inherited nearly four thousand pounds, and this with his own savings and Julia's brought up their joint capital to seven thousand. But the rent of theatres had gone up enormously, the salaries of actors and the wages of stagehands had increased, so that the expense of running a theatre was very much greater than it had been before the war. Then they found a rich woman, not so old, who was interested not in the man but in Julia.

Mrs. de Vries was a widow. She was a short stout woman with a fine Jewish nose and fine Jewish eyes, a great deal of energy, a manner at once effusive and timid, and a somewhat virile air. She had a passion for the stage.

The theatre was then called the Siddons Theatre.

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

Julia was against her husband’s taking up directing because she doubted in his success: Michael had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. She was not sure that he would have authority over the cast.

7. What kind of director was Michael?

Michael was thorough and worked hard. He was getting more out of Julia than any other director had done, because he knew what she was capable of, and was familiar with her every inflection, every glance of her eyes, every graceful movement. With the cast he was conciliatory and exacting at the same time. When tempers were frayed his good humor, his real kindliness smoothed things over.

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

Michael’s thrift, which in the early days had seemed an amusing, rather touching trait, now revolted her. Moreover, he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. Besides, as a youth he had taken his beauty for granted, but that time he began to pay more attention to it and spared no pains to keep what was left of it. It became an obsession. He devoted anxious care to his figure. He never ate a fattening thing and never forgot his exercises.

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

It made Julia a little sad to think how much she had loved him. Because her love had died she felt that life had cheated her.

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

When Julia fell out of love with Michael, she no longer made any demands on him. Moreover, the man thought with satisfaction that the birth of the baby had calmed his wife down; she was much easier to get on with, she never made scenes any more. At the same time, Michael was happier when he founded his own theatre, where plays were crowned with success.

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

Cockney speech characterized by colloquial pronunciation and grammatical errors: For the little I eat I've got all the teeth I want. It'd only fidget me to 'ave a lot of elephant's tusks in me mouth.

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

It was Mr. Thomas Fennell. Julia wrote a thank you note, because she was naturally polite and, besides, it was a principle with her to answer all fan letters. That was how she kept in touch with her public.

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

Michael:

- had a very good figure, a great mass of curling chestnut hair and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears

- was the most handsome actor on the English stage

- took his beauty for granted

- was six foot tall and he had a gallant bearing

- had an easy manner and he talked like a gentleman

- was kind, friendly, honest, unselfish, bit shy on stage

- had a trifle thin voice

- didn’t much like spending money

- had no imagination

- devoted anxious care to his figure

- was prudent and all he wanted was admiration.

So I sympathized Michael from the very beginning of the book, though he was a bit shy, I think. Michael was a pedant, stern, and meticulously thorough in fulfilling all the formal requirements. The man adored his wife, Julia, her skills and ability to play on stage. When he was young his playing was poor, though he grew popular with the company. The man was good-humoured and kindly; he would take any amount of trouble to do anyone a service. However, Michael didn’t like spending money, neither he never gave on credit. When he returned from the war, he changed, as, firstly, he no longer smelt like a youth, he smelt like a man. Besides, as a youth the man had taken his beauty for granted, but that time he began to pay more attention to it and spared no pains to keep what was left of it. It became an obsession. He devoted anxious care to his figure. He never ate a fattening thing and never forgot his exercises. And secondly, when their first play succeed, it became clear that Michael was better in directing than acting on stage. He was thorough; he worked hard. Julia, strangely enough, felt that he was getting more out of her than any other director had done. He knew what she was capable of, and, familiar with her every inflection, every glance of her wonderful eyes, every graceful movement of her body, he was able to give her suggestions out of which she managed to build up the best performance of her career. With the cast he was at once conciliatory and exacting. When tempers were frayed his good humour, his real kindliness, smoothed things over.

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.

Roger's parents were actors, quite successful ones, that's why they had an opportunity to send their child to Iton. Besides, there are several conditions on which the child can be accepted: first of all - money; and secondly - the child's abilities. 

Eton College, often informally referred to as Eton, is a British independent boarding school located in Eton, near Windsor in England. It educates over 1,300 pupils, aged between 13 and 18 years and was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. Eton is one of nine English independent schools, commonly referred to as "public schools", included in the original Public Schools Act 1868. Following the public school tradition, Eton is a full boarding school, which means all pupils live at the school, and is one of four such remaining single-sex boys' public schools in the United Kingdom (the others being Winchester College, Harrow School and Radley College) to continue this practice. It has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers and generations of aristocracy, and has been referred to as the chief nurse of England's statesmen.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 7-10. (in written form)

The first year of their marriage would have been stormy, except for Michael’s temper. He was so calm, that Julia even was jealous and made rows. But when the war began, Michael volunteered, and though his wife wanted to rush for him, he forbade her. So Julia continued acting and soon was named as the best actress of younger generation and that time she was able to leave the scene for a few months to give a birth. After the war both of them changed, as Julia fell out of love with Michael, and together with anguish she felt solemnity, as if in revenge for her pain. At the same time Michael became more prudent, especially when he eventually founded his own theatre with the support of a rich woman, Dolly de Frieze. Since that time the man became involved in administrative work and directing, what he did much better than acting on stage. He was happier than had been earlier, while his wife was sad as life deceived her and her love died. But later at the end of the play Julia received flowers from unknown Tomas Fennel.

THEATRE by W. S. Maugham (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 quality

a sumptuous supper – splendor suggesting great expense – lavish

extravagance – Immoderate expense – prodigality

thrift – wise economy in the management of money – frugality

to remonstrate – to say objection – affirm

equanimity – the quality of being calm – imperturbability

at a loose end – a minor unresolved problem or difficulty, especially a final detail preceding the completion of something – on the mooch

to jeopardize – to expose to loss or injury – to run chances

alacrity – cheerful willingness – eagerness

susceptible to – easily influenced or affected – pliable

obsequious – full of or exhibiting servile compliance – menial

a retainer – a servant or an attendant, especially one in the household of a person of high rank – man.

II. Find quotations in the text. State their meaning and their function.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be," Polonius. I think, this quote characterizes one of Michael's qualities – his thrift. It was his principle. I think it's right, as, firstly, all loans spoil relations. Secondly, there is no certainty that the debt will be returned.

"I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honour more," Richard Lovelace (Tell Me Not, Sweet).  I think, this quote characterizes one of Michael's qualities – his decency. He was  decent and high-bred to take advantage of Julia before the wedding. Moreover, this quote tells us that for Michael his career and reputation were foremost.

 "Lord, what fools these mortals be," Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream). Jimmy said so, accompanied Julia, who was meeting Michael from New York. Jimmy didn't understand what attracted the woman's attention in Michael (except his appearance), he thought she  much too good for Michael.

III. Explain the metaphor "she is a millstone round his neck." Who does it refer to?

This metaphor belongs to Michael and refers to actors, as the man was speaking about his attitude to marriage with an actress just in the beginning of her career. The man thought an actor should marry only when both of them became staid, made a fortune. Otherwise she became a burden to him.

“I think an actor's a perfect fool to marry young. There are so many cases in which it absolutely ruins a chap's career. Especially if he marries an actress. He becomes a star and then she's a millstone round his neck. She insists on playing with him, and if he's in management he has to give her leading parts, and if he engages someone else there are most frightful scenes. And of course, for an actress it's insane. There's always the chance of her having a baby and she may have to refuse a damned good part. She's out of the public eye for months, and you know what the public is, unless they see you all the time they forget that you ever existed.”

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases:

- "He was too modest to resent an unfavourable criticism." (Ch.3)

Yes, Michael was modest to resent something, but at the same time he knew he was not able to play better than he played. The man understood that he was still in the troupe only due to his appearance, but to achieve his goal he was ready for everything.

- "... after all he was born a gentleman." (Ch.4)

This phrase belongs to Michael's mother, who thought (together with her husband), that the profession of the actor wasn't the most appropriate for their son. They hoped he would follow the footsteps of relatives and become a military. The profession of the actor, in their opinion, was not appropriate for such an educated, well-bred man.

- "He is going to be a flop." (Ch.5)

This phrase belongs to Jimmie, the head of the troupe, who knew what Michael was capable of, when he proposed his candidacy to another theatre. Michael was handsome, but he was no actor. Therefore and because his contract with the man ended, Jimmie was glad to get rid of Michael.

- "'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.'" (Ch.6)

This phrase belongs to Julia, for whom Michael’s departure in America was a real tragedy: she was concerned that he would forget her. When she dot to know that Michael wasn’t prolonged the contract (due to his lack of acting skills), and he had to return, she was really happy, though she knew to some extent that feeling was wrong.

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

To make the reader see the events through Julia’s eyes, Maugham used the following techniques:

Julia used metaphors (like poor lamb, poor little thing, silly little fool, angel, sweet) with the men that were objects of pity for her. For example she used poor lamb, while speaking about the clerk, who was trying to find a job; in entire monologues, while speaking about Michael. So all these metaphors are employed to convey the woman’s feelings to men: sympathy and pity. Moreover, such metaphors like ‘her heart melted within her’, ‘take courage in both her hands’ describe Julia’s passion to Michael. But the author also used metaphors to transmit Julia’s negative emotions: filthy pig, beast, devil, brute, rotten old eunuch. Especially they (negative emotions) are expressed when the main character came to Jimmie to blow him up that he allowed another theatre take Michael. We can see another metaphor: She stretched out her lily white hand for the trembling steward to kiss (as a baby he had often dandled her on his knee), and when he pressed it with his pallid lips she felt something fall upon it. A tear. Here a tear was compared to Julia’s state – her loneliness in life.

Besides, using allusions, Maugham made it clear that there is a parallel between the main character of the novel and the character that she played on the stage. The main reason to think so is the fact that for Julia theatre was not only the stage, but also her life. For example, ‘She felt instinctively that she must conceal the actress, and without effort, without deliberation, merely because she felt it would please, she played the part of the simple, modest, ingenuous girl who had lived a quiet country life’. Here epithets, like simple, modest, ingenuous didn’t refer to a real Julia, she just wanted to seem such a girl.

VII. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Jimmie Langton and what role did he play in Julia's and Michael's lives?

James Langton was running a repertory theatre at Middlepool that was attracting a good deal of attention.

He was a fat, bald-headed, rubicund man of forty-five; an eccentric, arrogant, exuberant, vain and charming fellow. He had a passion for the theatre and loved acting, but his appearance prevented him from playing any but a few parts.

And although Jimmie was no actor, he worked his company hard. Due to him Julia and Michael met: both of them were in his troupe. Jimmy knew at once from whom he could turn into a true actor (Julie), and whom not (Michael). He didn’t understand what the woman found in Michael, he even hinted that he wasn’t a good match for her. But everything was in vain.

2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?

In Middlepool there was a repertory theatre, attracted a good deal of attention; and after Michael had been with another theatre for three years, when the company was going to Middlepool on its annual visit, he wrote to Langton and asked whether he would see him. The result of the interview was that Michael got an engagement.

Julia was on tour in a melodrama that had been successful in London, when Jimmie was taking a short holiday which he spent in going every night to the theatre in one town after another. At the end of the piece he went round to see Julia. After their conversation the woman accepted Jimmie’s offer.

3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?

Jimmie put on Ghosts, where Michael played the boy and Julia played Regina. They heard one another their parts and after rehearsals lunched together to talk of them. Soon they were inseparable.

4. What did Julia like about Michael?

Michael was very handsome (and he knew that, but wasn’t glorious), had an easy manner and he talked like a gentleman, friendly and kind, honest, purposeful, and wasn’t prodigal (he didn’t much like spending money).

5. What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?

He thought that anyone could be good-looking, but not everyone can belong to a decent family. So the family status played greater importance for him than a man’s appearance.

6. How did Julia feel about her family?

She was shy neither with her family, nor her father’s status and profession.

7. What were Michael's views on marriage?

Michael thought an actor should marry only when both of them (he and the actress) became staid, made a fortune. Otherwise she became a burden to him.

9. What did Michael read newspaper reviews for? Did Julia share his views?

Michael read newspapers just for the reviews to find out what remarks the critics made about him, but reviews with Julia he read summarily, without paying much attention.

10. Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?

The woman received a letter from Mrs. Gosselyn, Michael's mother, who said that it would give the Colonel and herself so much pleasure if she would come with Michael to spend the week at Cheltenham.

11. Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?

According to Michael’s words his father was rather old-fashioned, and there were some things he couldn’t understand. However, the woman found the Colonel not so alarming person than she had expected: he was civil, but reserved, generous. He was neither irritable nor oppressive. He read The Times, went to church on Sunday and accompanied his wife to tea-parties.

12. What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?

Michael’s parents were delighted with Julia: she was well-mannered, educated, and was able to support any conversation. From one side, the woman was herself (the same sociable), but on the other hand, she wanted to hide an actress in herself and tried to be a simple, modest, and artless girl.

13. Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?

Yes, the proposal was expected by Michael’s parents, like their whole trip. Moreover, just in the beginning Julia remarked that his parents estimate and examined her. And when Michael called them to announce Julia’s agreement, their faces expressed happy expectancy. It was a put-up job.

14. What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?

Michael was offered a lucrative contract in America, and Jimmie, the head of the troupe, facilitated that, as he said them they could have anyone in the company they liked with the exception of Michael Gosselyn. Jimmie knew what Michael was capable of, when he proposed his candidacy to another theatre. Michael was handsome, but he was no actor. Therefore and because his contract with the man ended, Jimmie was glad to get rid of Michael.

15. What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?

When Julia knew the date of Michael’s sailing she made Jimmie arrange his programme that she might go and meet him at Liverpool. She took a couple of rooms at the Adelphi, so that they could have a real talk.

16. Was Michael a success in America?

No, Michael was an awful flop in America. When that company was in London, they saw him only in one play, where his appearance obscured his acting skills. But later in America they saw he was rotten, walked out the contract and refused to work with him any more.

17. Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?

Julia regularly wrote to Michael with pages and pages of love and gossip, while he answered once a week, four pages exactly in a neat, precise hand. He always ended up by sending her his best love and signing himself hers very affectionately, but the rest of his letter was more informative than passionate.

18. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?

Yes, Julia was eager to meet Michael, she even made Jimmie arrange his programme that she might go and meet him at Liverpool. But the woman didn’t let him know about that, so her appearance was a real happiness for Michael.

19. What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?

Michael was deeply mortified. After two weeks of rehearsals, Michael was thrown out of the part and for three or four weeks was left till something else could be found for him. He participated in a play that wasn’t popular in New York. After another wait he was given a part in a costume play where his appearance obscured his indifferent acting and in this he finished the season. So being in America he had to put up with a good deal of unpleasantness, had to deal with people, in comparison with whom Jimmie Langton was a great gentleman.

20. What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?

Michael wanted to open his own theatre, but before together with Julia they had to play in front of the public (to play several parts in different theatres of London), and then to find a sponsor.

VIII. Summarize the events of chapters 3-6.

Playing in Jimmy’s troupe, Julia met Michael and fell in love with him at first sight. However, it became rather difficult for her to achieve reciprocity, as for the man she was just a very good friend, but he admired her acting skills. Some time later Julia received a letter from Mrs. Gosselyn, Michael's mother, who said that it would give the Colonel and herself so much pleasure if she would come with Michael to spend the week at Cheltenham. The woman knew that Michael’s parents were against his acting career, that’s why she did her best not to seem vulgar actress, but a woman whom his parents would like. And she played her part so perfectly, that the parents were delighted with her, and Michael proposed to her. However, after their wedding nothing changed: the man still didn’t love her. Moreover, Michael was offered a lucrative contract in America, and Julia was beside herself with rage and scare, that he could forget her. Soon the man returned with money and without illusions about his acting skills. And after that they decided to move to London.