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I. Find the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian:

Placidity – спокойствие, безмятежность

to make frantic scenes – создавать безумные сцены

to give sb. a look of scorn – посмотреть на кого-либо с презрением

 lavishness- щедрость, расточительность

 to know how to pull strings adroitly – искусно пускать в ход связи

 to fall out of love - разлюбить

close-cropped hair – коротко стриженные волосы

to resist an inclination – еле удержаться

weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа

coltish grace -  щенячья грация

to be on active service – быть в действующей армии

confinement -  лишение свободы

to run a theatre – руководить театром

effusive - несдержанный

virile air – неуверенный в себе

to set one's mind to smth. – сосредоточиться на чем-либо

disconcerting - замешательство

it's a knock out – выдающийся человек

amiability -  дружелюбие

affable manner- мягкая дружелюбная манера

 to exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth.- проявлять большую изберательность делая что -  либо

to be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым

shrewdness - проницательность

to grizzle – жаловаться, ворчать

it's a mere commonplace – это просто банально

exorbitant - безмерный

to be conciliatory – быть примирительным

to foster one's career – способствовать продвижению чьей-либо карьеры

acumen - сообразительность

to have one's face lifted – подтянуть кожу лица

it's no good crying over spilt milk – уже нет смысла горевать

to have little flirtations – легко флиртовать

masseuse -  массажистка

gossip column – колонка светской хроники

the world of make-believe – мир фантазий

II. Answer the following questions:

1. What did Michael and Julia do when the war broke out?

Michael enlisted at once, but with the help of his father,

one of whose old brother officers was an important personage at the

War Office, he very soon got a commission. As for Julia, she wanted to become a nurse so that she could go out to France too and at least be on the same soil as he, but he

made her understand that patriotism demanded that she should go on acting.  

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

Because he liked to be in the center of everybody’s attention.

3. Do you think love is important for a successful family life?

In my opinion, it takes only the third place after respecr and trust.

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

She realized that 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?

Finally the money was found by a rich woman who was interested in Julia. the deed of partnership had been signed between Michael and Dolly. the Siddons

Theatre

7. What kind of director was Michael?

Michael ran the the-atre with the method and thrift with which he ran his home and made every possible penny out of their successes.

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

He became disgusting for her. She didn’t want to kiss him or hug him. Everything began to irritate her in Michael, especially his vanity and stinginess.

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

Because now she did’t love Michael at all.

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

Because Michael proved to be very successful director and all plays were very famous among London citizens. Besides, he was able to cope with financial difficulties and find infamous but very talented actors.

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

Yes, she was.

“It'd only fidget me to 'ave a lot of elephant's tusks in me mouth."

“I'm young enough to dress 'er. And maid 'er”.

 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. She was naturally polite and it was, besides, 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.

·        He had a very good figure

·        He was the best- looking actor on the English stage

·        the thinness of his mouth

·        he had a gallant bearing

·        He had an easy manner and he talked like a gentleman

·        He was good-looking and kindly

·        He was eager to get on

·        His voice was a trifle thin

·        He was easy enough in ordinary dialogue

·        Very simple-minded in some ways

·        He had no fantasy and his ideas were commonplace

·        Honest

·        He devoted anxious care to his figure

·        He was prudent and all he wanted was admiration

·        He was prosy, near with his money, self-complacent

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.

V. Dramatization. Act out the dialogue between Julia and her maid, Evie (see chapter 10)

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

When the first World War broke out, Michael was sent to the army. The military uniform became him. Julia didn't  want to leave him, but he insisted on her staying in London. He was sure, that Julia shouldnt let people forget her, as an actres. She continued to play and finally she became well known as the best actress of younger generation. Her glory became so strong that it was possible for her to dare to leave the stage for some months and to give birth to a child. Shortly before the war ended she suddenly understood she had fallen in love with Michael.

After 1 World War, they inherited some money from Michael's parents and they decided to set out their own theater. The financial supporter was "the rich old woman" Dolley de Friz who had been the fan of Julias' talent since she was in Jimmy's troupe. Julia adviced Michael to be an administrator in spite of his still playing at the stage, and it turns out to be the best decision.
Remembering the past, Julia felt some kind of sadness for her love died. The only thing she had - was the art and everyday perfomances.

chapters 3-6

TASKS for Chapters 3-6

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Asset – advantage – the good characteristic of smb’s chatacter
a sumptuous supper – luxurious supper
extravagance – absurdity – something that sounds or looks strange in a particular sutuation
 thrift - economy
to remonstrate – to be against sm or smth
equanimity – composure – keep calm
at a loose end – without any job, being of not busy
to jeopardize – to take a risk
alacrity – liveliness -  promptness in response
susceptible to – to be under influence of smth
obsequious – being menial
a retainer - retaining fee

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

“neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Lord Polonius, Hamlet) – it was Michael’s credo and this feature attracted Julia. This quotation means that You should be able to mange on your own and not need to borrow. In the same vein, don't lend to others. They ought to make provision for themselves.

Nemo me impune lacessit . It means No one "cuts" (attacks) me with impunity

I could not love thee half so well, if i loved not honor more ("To Lucasta, Going to the Wars"). In the context of the story it means that there was no sexual relationships between Michael and Julia till they have got married and Michael was proud of it. This fact played important role in his life perception.


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

"she is a millstone round his neck" means that there is a responsibility that is difficult to bear and causes you trouble. Michal think that a marriage for a young actor is silly at least and as a result his or her husband or wife will be just “millstone round his neck”.

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases:

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

Such phrase characterizes Michael and his attitude toward both negative and positive reviews. He was never upset with criticism.

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

While talking with Julia, Michael’s father expressed his attitude towards his son’s profession. In fact, He didn’t approve of it, nevertheless he considered his son to be a gentleman.

- "He is going to be a flop." (Ch.5)
Jimmie and Julia are talking aboit Michael and his perspective in acting.

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

Julia was happy about Mivhael’s failure in the USA.

V. Dramatize the dialogues between:

- Julia and Michael, as he invites her to his parents' house for Holy Week;

- Julia and Colonel Gusselyn;

- Julia and Michael, as he proposes to her;

- Michael and his father discussing the proposal;

- Julia and Michael after the talk with the American manager;

- Julia and Jimmie Langton.

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

Inner speech

VII. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Jimmie Langton and what role did he play in Julia's and Michael's lives?
He was the producer. Julia developed her acting skills as well as Michael became famous with the help of Jimmie Langton.
 2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?
After the conversation between Julia and Jimmie, she joined the Middlepool theatre.
3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?
They were both actors of the Middlepool theatre under the head of the producer Jimmie Langton and they got acquainted during one of the Michael’s repetition where Julia fell in love with him.
4. What did Julia like about Michael?
In spite of the fact that Michael was very handsome, he was not vain and he never enjoyed his appearance.
 4. What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?
He didn’t care of it very much.
5. How did Julia feel about her family?
She didn’t talk much about her family. We just know that her father was a vet.
 6. What were Michael's views on marriage?
Michal think that a marriage for a young actor is silly at least and as a result his or her husband or wife will be just “millstone round his neck”.

7. Why did Michael find Julia extravagant?
She was always there for him, and thenks for her acting skills, she played many roles ntot only in theatre but in life too, and such different “Julias” made Michael considered her to be extravagant. 8. What did Michael read newspaper reviews for? Did Julia share his views?
Michael was too modest to be indignant with negative reviews and he was happy to read positive reviews where his name was mentioned.
9. Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?
Michael’s mother
10. Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?
No he didn’t. he was not so strict as he had been described by Michael.
11. What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?
They were very pleased by her visit and they really liked her, they thought that Julia perfectly matched their son.
12. Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?
Yes, it was.
13. What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?
An American manager, looking for talent and having heard of Jimmie
Langton's repertory company, came to Middlepool and was greatly
taken by Michael. He offered a good part, a boy's part, nine-teen. Eight or ten weeks in New York and then on the road.
14. What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?
She pretended to be happy for him but in fact when shesat in a great leather armchair willing with all her might the American manager to offer a part that Michael would refuse or a sa-lary that he felt it would be beneath his dignity to accept.
 15. Was Michael a success in America?
No he wasn’t because the manager discovered soon that Michael was very handsome but that was all. He didn’t have talent in acting.
16. Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?
He wrote many letters to him which were full of love.
17. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?
Yes she was eager to meet Michael as the station.
 18. What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?
He was upset but not too much. He believed that his fail was connected with the fact that he was a typical Englishman.
19. What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?
He was going to stay in London and tale Julia with him. And before their departiure, they were going to marry.

VIII. Summarize the events of chapters 3-6.

Meanwhile with the help of Jimmie Langton Julia developed her acting skills as well as Michael became famous in narrow circle. Soon, Julia joined the Middlepool theatre. both  Julia and Michael were actors of the Middlepool theatre under the head of the producer Jimmie Langton and they got acquainted during one of the Michael’s repetition where Julia fell in love with him. Their relationships began to develop but it was obvious that Julia was much more interested in this relationships. She dreamt about marriage but Michael thought that a marriage for a young actor is silly at least and as a result his or her husband or wife will be just “millstone round his neck”. Soon Michael’s mother invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week where he made Julia proposal which she happily accepted. When they had been engaged for rather more than a year an American manager, looking for talent and having heard of Jimmie
Langton's repertory company, came to Middlepool and was greatly
taken by Michael. However, he wasn’t success in America because the manager discovered soon that Michael was very handsome but that was all. He didn’t have talent in acting. Chapter 6 ends with Michaelwas going to stay in London and tale Julia with him. And before their departiure, they were going to marry.