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.