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?

Julia was doubtful about her beauty and sex appeal, as Charles guarded against temptation, he didn’t desire her.

2. How did she put her looks to the test? Why did she need it?

That afternoon, when she had had her sleep, she got up, made up a little more than usual, and without calling Evie put on a dress that was neither plain nor obviously expensive and a red straw hat with a wide brim. The woman made it as she needed to know that she was still attractive and had her sex appeal, and  wanted to be accosted by a man.

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. She shot him a glance and then modestly lowered her eyes. He fell back and she was conscious that he was following her. It was all right. She stopped to look into a shop window and he stopped too. She knew how to behave now. She was excited and pleased; it was a weight off her mind. Her heart began to beat wildly.

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, as she thought his request to give him her autograph was an excuse for speaking to her. When they'd had tea he'd probably suggest going to the pictures. However, in the café the woman got to know that the man really 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.

There was a sort of impudence in his manner that Julia did not much like, but then, as she sensibly reflected, you could hardly expect the modesty of the violet in a young man who picked you up in the Edgware Road. (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.)

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.

Having come, the woman began speaking to herself, asking rhetorical questions, what shows her emotionality and acting skills as if she was on stage at that moment: Old, old, old. There are no two ways about it; I'm entirely devoid of sex appeal. You wouldn't believe it, would you? You'd say it was preposterous. What other explanation is there? I walk from one end of the Edgware Road to the other and God knows I'd dressed the part perfectly, and not a man pays the smallest attention to me except a bloody little shop-assistant who wants my autograph for his young lady. It's absurd. A lot of sexless bastards. I don't know what's coming to the English. The British Empire! (The last words she said with a scorn that would have withered a whole front bench of cabinet ministers.) It's ridiculous to suppose that I could have got to my position if I hadn't got sex appeal. What do people come to see an actress for? Because they want to go to bed with her. Do you mean to tell me that I could fill a theatre for three months with a rotten play if I hadn't got sex appeal? What is sex appeal anyway?

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?

If Julia didn’t have sex appeal, then she could act it. It was a cruel caricature that Julia gave. It was quite ruthless. It amused her so much that she burst out laughing. All that showed what a great actress the woman was, as she could act evering. But at the same time it proved the fact that Julia always acted, the whole life was theatre for her.

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?

The first rehearsal still made her almost sick with excitement. It was the beginning of a new adventure. She did not feel like a leading lady then, she felt as gay and eager as if she were a girl playing her first small part. But at the same time she had a delicious sense of her own powers. Once more she had the chance to exercise them.

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, now a very old man, appeared in the second act. He was now a retired brigadier-general who played golf and deplored the decline of the British Empire.

11. Why did Michael need Julia's advice about Avice's acting?

Avice's cold, matter-of-fact prettiness had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling in the circumstances. But after half a dozen rehearsals he began to think that that was all she had to give.

12. What motifs did Julia have to praise the mediocre Avice Crichton and keep her in the cast?

She 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. He might even think that Julia had put this affront on her in revenge for his desertion.

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?

Though he was her own son she did not feel quite at home with him.

14. What did Michael ask Julia to discuss with Roger?

That time Roger was going to Cambridge so soon he ought to make up his mind what he wanted to do. 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 had a feeling of acute discomfort.

16. During their conversation, Julia notices some new traits in her son's character and behavior. What are they?

He seemed a trifle apathetic; he had none of her sparkling vitality. He listened with his slow, quiet smile; but she had an uneasy feeling that he did not think it quite so funny as she did. She sighed in her heart. Poor lamb, he could have no sense of humour.

17. Roger sounds reproachful to Julia. What doesn't he approve of? Do you agree with him?

They had done everything they could for Roger. Unfortunately for him they had taken away his belief in everything. The young man now thought that everything what his mother did was just her acting, pretence.

18. What were Julia's arguments to support her point of view about acting?

She said: “If an actress felt the emotions she represented she'd tear herself to pieces”.

19. How did their talk end?

Their talk ended with conversation about Tom and Julia. The scene was intolerable. But later they heard a car drive up. That was Michael.

20. What was the thing Roger said that bothered Julia most?

Julia had a sickening fear that Roger knew that Tom had been her lover. It was impossible, it was only her guilty conscience that made her think so; at Taplow there had been nothing; it was incredible that any of the horrid gossip had reached his ears; and yet there was something in his expression that made her certain that he knew. She was ashamed.