W.S. Maugham "Theater"

TASKS for 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? Because Charles did not want 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. She needed it to find out whether she had sex appeal or not.

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 started, for in a moment he passed her again, he had retraced his steps, and this time he gave her a stare. 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 pretended to be absorbed in the goods that were displayed, but just before she moved on gave him a quick flash of her faintly smiling eyes.

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 did not meet Julia’s expectations, for the man only wanted to take an autograph for his wife.

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. The man used cockney in his speech, and behaved in a way as though Julia was obliged to him (tried to insist on letting his wife meet with Julia in her dressing room).

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 felt herself old and devoid of sex appeal.

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 was a great mimic and did it only to prove herself that sex appeal is not everything and that she did not need it to be a great actress.

8. What was the name of the play Michael was putting on? The play was a modern version of The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, but with the change of manners of this generation it had been treated from the standpoint of comedy.

9. How did Julia feel before the rehearsals? Though Julia had been on the stage so long she had never lost the thrill she got out of rehearsing, and 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? 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? Michael had realized from the beginning that Avice’s scene was effective and important. 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. So he talked it over with Julia.

12. What motifs did Julia have to praise the mediocre Avice Crichton and keep her in the cast? Julia had her reasons for wishing to keep Avice 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. No, no, she must stay. She must play the part, and fail; and Tom must see with his own eyes what a bad actress she was. They both of them thought the play would make her. Fools. It would kill her.

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 wanted Roger to be proud of her, and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her summer frock as she strolled up and down the platform. You would have thought, but wrongly, that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted. Roger, after a month in the sun, was very brown, but he was still rather spotty and he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year. She hugged him with exuberant affection.

14. What did Michael ask Julia to discuss with Roger? There was indeed a subject that Michael had invited her to discuss with Roger when the opportunity arose. 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 could hardly believe her ears. She had a feeling of acute discomfort. They talk about their relationships and of her affair with Tom.

16. During their conversation, Julia notices some new traits in her son's character and behavior. What are they? She listened to him attentively, with a certain anxiety, for he was so serious that 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? He does not approve of her affair with Tom. I agree with him, for Tom was much younger than she and wanted only her money and position.

 18. What were Julia's arguments to support her point of view about acting? Do you feel they are ground and serious? Why? She said that acting isn't nature; it's art, and art is something you create. Real grief is ugly; the business of the actor is to represent it not only with truth but with beauty. I agree with her.

19. How did their talk end? Michal came to them and their conversation thus was over.

20. What was the thing Roger said that bothered Julia most? His suggestion of her affair with Tom.