W.S. Maugham "Theatre"

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, person, or thing; an advantage or resource. Syn. plus

a sumptuous supper – splendor of a great expense. Syn. lavish

extravagance - a thing on which too much money has been spent or which has used up too many resources. Syn. luxury

thrift - careful use of money so that it is not wasted. Syn. frugality

to remonstrate - to present and urge reasons in opposition. Syn. expostulate

equanimity - calm emotions when dealing with problems or pressure. Syn. aplomb

at a loose end - to have nothing to do

to jeopardize - to put in danger. Syn. to risk

alacrity - a quick and cheerful readiness to do something. Syn. amenability

susceptible to - easily influenced or affected. Syn. suggestible

obsequious - marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness. Syn. cringing

a retainer - one that retains, as a device, frame, or groove that restrains or guides. Syn. worker

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

"Lord, what fools these mortals be," Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream) – by quoting Shakespeare, Jimmie shows his attitude toward Michael and Julia’s relations; in his opinion, Michael is undeserving of Julia’s love.  

"I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honour more," Richard Lovelace (Tell Me Not, Sweet) - it shows Michael traits and values in life.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be," Polonius – by quoting Polonius Michael shows his own attitude to money, this quotation explains Michael’s thrift. 

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

This metaphor refers to the world of actors and means that it is very difficult to become famous being a young married actor. Marriage is a very serious thing for it may carry many burdens (esp. for women), e.g. pregnancy. And being a successful actor is to fully give yourself to work.

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases:

- "He was too modest to resent an unfavourable criticism." (Ch.3) – shows Michael realization of his inability to act well, and his own beauty that helped him to perform on stage.

- "... after all he was born a gentleman." (Ch.4) – Michael’s parents did not approve of his acting career, thinking of him as a military. But at the same time they could not do anything with it and consoled themselves with the thought of Michael’s own accomplishments and perfect education.

- "He is going to be a flop." (Ch.5) – in order to console Julia that Michael would return from America Jimmie said this phrase for he knew that Michael was not a good actor and his only “talent” was his beauty.

- "'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.'" (Ch.6) – Julia was happy to see Michael again for she was madly in love with him, but at the same time she was feeling guilty, for it was not good to be glad of someone’s failure. 

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

Epithets and emotional words - poor little thing, silly little fool, angel, brute, rotten old eunuch.

Inner speech monologues - "The blasted fool, why does he talk all that rot? Doesn't he know I'm crazy to marry him? Why doesn't he kiss me, kiss me, kiss me? I wonder if I dare tell him I'm absolutely sick with love for him.”

VII. Answer the questions:

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

Jimmie Langton run a repertory theatre at Middlepool. 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. Julia and Michael both performed at Jimmie’s theater.

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

Michael performed at a different theatre for three years when he wrote to Jimmie asking for a place at his theater. As for Julia, she performed at a theater in London when Jimmie first saw her and offered her a place at his theater.    

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

They performed at the same play and rehearsed together.

4.      What did Julia like about Michael?

She liked his beauty, easy manners, good humor, and prodigy.

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

Decency of a family was the most important thing for him, for not everyone could belong to such a family. As for good looks, a lot of people were good looking and it wasn’t for him something special.

6.      How did Julia feel about her family?

 She was feeling good about it.

7.      What were Michael's views on marriage?

Michael thought that actors should marry only when they are already famous otherwise it would a burden.

8.      Why did Michael find Julia extravagant?

She was a very talented actress, her performance made him cry.

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

He red reviews only to find out what theater critics thought of him.

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

Mrs. Gosselyn – Michael’s mother.

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

Julia found the Colonel a much less alarming person than she had expected. He was thin and rather small, with a lined face and close-cropped white hair. His features had a worn distinction. He reminded you of a head on an old coin that had been in circulation too long. He was civil, but reserved. He was neither peppery nor tyrannical as Julia, from her knowledge of the stage, expected a colonel to be. She could not imagine him shouting out words of command in that courteous, rather cold voice.

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

She produced an impression of a lady: sensible and well-bred.

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

Yes, for they bore a look of happy expectancy

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 theater, facilitated that, because his contract with the man ended, and he needed to get rid of Michael.

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

She made Jimmie arrange his programme in such a way so 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, for he could not conceal his incapability of acting well.

 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.

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

Yes, but she didn’t say anything about it to Michael, so it was a happy surprise to him.

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

After a fortnight of rehearsals, Michael was thrown out of the part for which he had been engaged, and for three or four weeks was left to kick his heels about till something else could be found for him. He opened in due course in a play that ran less than a month in New York. It was sent on the road; but languished and was withdrawn. After another wait he was given a part in a costume play where his good looks shone to such advantage that his indifferent acting was little noticed, and in this he finished the season. There was no talk of renewing his contract”. 

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

He wanted to open his own theater, where Julia could play the leading parts. 

VIII. Summarize the events of chapters 3-6.

Julia met Michael in Jimmy's troupe. He seemed to her divinely beautiful. Julia fell in love with him at first sight and in the beginning it was one-sided love but she was determined to make him love her too. Michael was absolutely deprived of temperament both at the stage, and in life. He was the son of a colonel, he had graduated from Cambridge, and his family wanted him to take after his father. When they learnt he had chosen the theatrical career they were shocked. One day Michael invited Julia to his house and she understood that it was a kind of meeting with his parents. Finally, Michael proposed her. When Michael was offered the favorable contract in America, Julia was about to lose her temper. Nevertheless, he returned back with money and without any illusions about his acting talent. Finally, they got married and moved to London.