DISCUSSION OF THE TEXT. 1. Define the extract and say whether it is a description, a psycho­logical portrayal of personages

1. Define the extract and say whether it is a description, a psycho­logical portrayal of personages, a piece of dramatic prose, a nar­ration, a dialogue. If you find several components, name all of them.

2. Give a brief summary of the text.

3. Divide the text into logically complete parts and give a brief summary of each.

4. Choose a key sentence in each part.

5. What is the mood prevalent in each of the three parts? Prove your statement.

6. What do we get to know about Forsytes as "pillars" of British bourgeois society from the author's passing remark about them? In what connection are they mentioned here?

7. Whose feelings are in the focus of the writer's attention? Is it Jon's or Fleur's feelings that are described at length in the above selection?

8. What are Jon's feelings concerning his reunion with Fleur? What literary devices are used by Galsworthy to make the description of Jon's blissful state more vivid? Comment on the peculiarities of Gal­sworthy's use of metaphor, metonymy and simile in creating an atmos­phere of fairy-tale-like happiness.

9. Which of the two young people is more composed? Speak about the shock Jon received coming unexpectedly on his mother. What made him feel ashamed? How does the writer succeed in conveying the inner state, of his characters? Comment on the use of represented speech as a device revealing Jon's inner state. Was Fleur consumed with shame too? Account for her behaviour. Compare the two characters.

10. What can you say about Irene's and Jolyon's reaction to Fleur's appearance at Robin Hill? Did she gain their favour that way?

What does the expression "breach of breeding" imply?

Was it only Jon who could be accused of "breach of breeding" or it might be said that Fleur's behaviour was not faultless either? Speak on the subject.

11. Give a summary of your comments on the text.

 

WORDS AND COMBINATIONS TO BE MEMORIZWED

Splendid (a)

Generation (n)

Various (a)

Dignity (n)

Defiantly (adv.)

Startle (v)

Impersonal (a)

Utter (v)

Breeding (n)

Self-possessed (a)

Faint (a) [96]

To stay with somebody

To hold each one’s hands

To come on somebody

To receive a shock

To become conscious that

To do an indelicate thing

To be confused with a shame

To meet somebody by accident

To be self-possessed

To enjoy seeing somebody

To cast somebody level with the ground

To lead on

To take somebody in

To catch a train

To arrange a meeting

EXERCISES

I. Explain and expand on the following:

1. He became suddenly conscious that he was doing an indelicate "thing.

2. Fleur was smiling, a little defiantly; his mother's startled face was changing quickly to the impersonal and gracious.

3. The expression of his mother's eyes, resting on him for a moment, cast Jon down level with the ground—a true worm.

4. He could see his father sitting under the oak-tree; and suf­fered' in" advance all the loss of caste he must go through in the eyes of that tranquil figure...

5. Now he would not see Fleur alone again — not for a minute, and they had arranged no further meeting!

II. Paraphrase the following sentences from the text:

1. When they were installed, Fleur asked suddenly, "Are you going back to" Robin Hill?"

2. For Jon — sure of her now, and without separation before him — it was a miraculous dawdle, more wonderful than those on the Downs, or along, the river Thames.

3. They turned in among the larches, and suddenly, at the winding of the path, came on Irene, sitting on an old log seat. - 4. But to sneak her in like this!

5. It was she who uttered the first words.

6. "I just wanted Fleur to see where I lived."

7. "Won't you come up and have tea?"

8. "... We thought it would be rather jolly just to see his home."

9. My husband will enjoy seeing you.

10. He watched the fencing of their eyes, taking each other in— the two beings he loved most in the world.

11. ...She led on, and Fleur followed her! [97]

12. He felt like a child, trailing after those two.

13. To leave her alone with them was strange, and yet, as no doubt his mother had foreseen, the least of evils at the moment...

III. Paraphrase the following sentences using the vocabulary of the text:

1. I'm curious to see your house.

2. They were sitting in the train silent and enraptured with each other, their hands entwined.

3. At the station they did not see anyone but porters.

4. They went along the lane which had the odour of dust and honey­suckle.

5. Jon did not want to go with her as far as the farm-yard.

6. He suddenly realized that he was behaving improperly.

7. "We didn't intend to enter the house," Jon burst out.

8. I ran into Jon accidentally and we agreed that it would be delight­ful to see where he lived.

9. How calm she was!

IV. Give definitions of the following words using an English-English dictionary:

Afterthought, dignity, breeding, accident, to sneak in, to blurt out, to aggravate gracious, defiant, tranquil

V. Express the following more concisely using the vocabulary of the text.

Model: Good manners and behaviour —breeding.

(a) That which is owned.

(b) A violent blow, a sudden and violent disturbance of the feelings, the mind or the nervous system

(c) Something that happens unexpectedly, usually something un­fortunate.

VI. Give Russian equivalents of the following:

moral sensibility; an indelicate thing; breach of breeding; a true worm; the loss of caste

VII. Give English equivalents of the following word combinations. Use them in sentences of your own.

собственное достоинство; наименьшее зло; удивленное лицо; поворот тропинки

VIII. Translate the following word combinations into Russian:

breach of promise; breach of the peace; breach of faith; breach of justice; breach of duty [98]

IX. Use words and word combinations from the text to express these notions:

to settle oneself in a place; to return; delighted; wonderful; blow; to realize; to be overpowered with; powerful; to make worse; calm

X. Make up situations round the following expressions:

to get back; to watch the fencing of somebody's eyes; to catch a train; to telephone for a car; to arrange a meeting

XI. Make the following sentences more emphatic by introducing an emphatic "it".

Model: She uttered the first words.

It was she who uttered the first words.

1. They ...came on Irene, sitting on an old log seat. 2. Fleur was smiling, a little defiantly... 3. He could see his father sitting under the oak-tree... 4. Jon received a shock to his personal dignity. 5. I ... wanted Fleur to see where I lived.

XII. State the meaning of "would" and translate the sentences into Russian. Say what other uses of "would" you know.

1. I wouldn't come to«the house, of course. 2. ...it would be rather jolly just to see his home. 3. ...already he could feel the faint irony which would come into his voice and smile. 4. Now he would not see Fleur alone again...

XIII. Finish the following sentences using appropriate verb forms:

I. I wouldn't do this unless... 2. They would complete their work if... 3. It would be nice to... 4. We would have done it earlier if... 5. Had he warned her, she would... 6. It would be pleasant... 7. I was afraid you would... 8. I would... if you had warned me. 9. He thought it would... 10. I wouldn't ever...

XIV, Recast the following sentences using the Objective Infinitive or the Objective Participle Construction instead of object clauses.

Model: He heard how Fleur answered 'Thanks very much". He heard Fleur answer (answering) "Thanks very much".

1. They saw how Irene got up from a log seat. 2. Jon thought that Fleur was wonderful. 3. The boy suspected that his father would be ironical. 4. They saw that Jolyon was sitting under the oak-tree. 5. Irene and Jolyon noticed that Fleur was smiling defiantly. 6. It was strange to hear how Fleur and Irene easily talked of Spain and other things. 7. Irene wanted that Jon should telephone for a car. 8. Jon watched how Fleur and Irene were walking along the path. 9. Jon's parents did not ever expect that he could manifest any breach of breeding. 10. Fleur saw that Jon was suffering. [99]

XV. Pick out all sentences containing "but" which appear, in the text and translate them. Say what other uses of "but" you know.

XVI. Construct sentences with "I should like to" suiting the situations presented and keep the conversation going.

Model: Jon tells Fleur that he admires Robin Hill. She expresses her wish to visit it. — I should like to see where you live, for I have heard a lot about Robin Hill. They say it's lovely.

1. The sales-lady says that they have got new TV sets. The customer expresses a wish to have a look at them.

2. Mary's friend informs her about a new film starring her favour­ite singer. Mary expresses her wish to see it as soon as possible.

3. Fred tells his class-mate that they could join the school dramatic society. The latter expresses his desire to find out who they would work under before giving his consent.

4. The patient is very anxious about his health. He asks the doctor to take his blood pressure.

5. The fresher is somewhat nervous before his first examination and begs the professor to ask him first.

XVII. Make up several two-line dialogues, patterned on those given below:

1. — Won't you come up and have tea?

—Thanks very much; I have to get back to dinner. So I must hurry.

2. — Won't you join us?

— I should love to. But I'm afraid I can't leave my sick sister.

XVIII. Recast the following sentences, substituting the parts of speech indicated in brackets for the italicized words. Make necessary changes.

Model: Jon gazed at her enraptured, (noun). Jon gazed at her with rapture.

1. Fleur and Jon travelled in silence, (adv.). 2. Fleur was smiling defiantly, (noun). 3. Irene's face was gracious, (noun). 4. The girl was self-possessed, (noun). 5. No doubt Jon's mother understood his feel­ings (adv., verb). 6. Though very old, Jolyon looked elegant, (noun). 7. There was no awkwardness about them. (Adj.). 8. It was miraculous that she didn't get her reward, (noun). 9. They met by sheer accident. (Adv.). 10. The face of the old man bore an air of quiet and tranquility. (Adj.).

XIX. Translate the following into English:

(A) 1. Флер и Джон шли в блаженном молчании, держась за руки. 2. Они никого не встретили, кроме садовника. 3. Встречи бы­вают разные. Эта была совершенно необыкновенной. 4. У нее [100] такой испуганный вид! А мне всегда казалось, что она так хорошо владеет собой. 5. Это было явным нарушением хорошего тона. 6. В, данной ситуации оставить его одного будет наименьшим злом. 7. Мы ее встретили совершенно случайно. 8. Я буду очень рада видеть вас у себя. 9. Чтобы успеть условиться о встрече, нам надо попасть на ближайший поезд. 10. Отец был потрясен, узнав о вы­зывающем поведении сына.

(В) 1. Я бы не стала этого делать, если бы вы меня вовремя предупредили. 2. Мы видели, как она встала из-за стола, подошла к окну и что-то крикнула. 3. Он почувствовал, что только услож­нил дело. 4. Это она заставила нас вызвать такси.

XX. Insert prepositions or adverbs where necessary:

1. I can tell you __ advance that her debut will be a failure. 2. Are you going __ your college after the summer vacation? 3. There is a plane __ 3³⁰. 4. The path was leading __ the hothouse the hill. 5. A note __ irony came __ his voice when he addressed himself to the newcomer. 6. The man is quite unknown __ me. 7. Though she is a mature person she has done it __ afterthought. 8. She seems to be too sure __ him. 9. "It's me who is to blame!" the girl blurted __. 10. "I wouldn't be such a prig as to call it a breach __ breeding." 11. When he reappeared __ cover of night nobody recognized him. 12. None of us suspected the young man was suffering, for he kept all his emotions __ himself. 13. This was the kind __ shock she couldn't survive. 14. Quite__ accident they came __ if their old friends. 15. Won't you come__ my room and change? 16. Could you show me the way __ the station? But of course, it's there __the trees. 17. I'm afraid I won't be __ any use __ you. You'll have to go __ it yourself. 18. It was kind __you to help me. 19. Her room smelled __ flowers and perfume.

XXI. Insert articles where necessary:

Jon [...] sat awake at his window with __bit of paper and—pencil, writing his first "real poem" by __ light of __ candle because there was not enough moon to see by, only enough to make__ night seem fluttery and as if engraved on—silver. Just __ a night for Fleur walk, and turn her eyes, and lead on over __ chills and far away. And Jon, deeply fur­rowed in his ingenuous brow, made marks on __ paper and rubbed them out and wrote them in again, and did all that was necessary for __ completion of __ work of __ art; and he had a feeling such as __ winds of spring must have, trying their first songs among __ coming blossom. Jon was one of those boys (not many) in whom __ home-trained love of beauty had survived __school life. He had had to keep it to himself, of course, so that not even __ drawing-master knew of it; but it was there, fastidious and clean within him. And his poem seemed to him as lame and stilted as __ night was winged. But he kept it, all __ same. It was __ "beast", but better than nothing as __ expression of __ inexpressible.

(From "To Let" by J. Galsworthy. Abridged.) [101]

XXII. Retell the extract, keeping close to the text.

XXIII. Render the contents of the story as told by Fleur (by Irene).

XXIV. Dramatize the scene under the oak-tree.

XXV. Write a brief summary of the extract.

XXVI. Write an essay using the following proverb as a title: "If we can't as we would, we must do as we can". [102]

Lesson 8

THE MOON AND SIXPENCE