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Act One
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ASSIGNMENTS
I. Learn the pronunciation:
A. John Worthing /ˌ dʒ ɔ n 'wɜ: ð ɪ ŋ /
Algernon (Algy) Moncrieff /ˌ æ lʤ ə nə n (ˌ æ lʤ ɪ) mə n´ krɪ: f/
Lady Bracknell /ˌ leɪ dɪ 'bræ knə l/
Aunt Augusta/ˌ ɑ: nt ɔ: 'gʌ stə /
Gwendolen /'gwendə lə n/
Cecily Cardew /ˌ sesɪ lɪ 'kɑ: dju: /
Miss Prism/ˌ mɪ s 'prɪ zm/
Canon Chasuble /ˌ kə nə n 'ʧ æ zju: bl/
B. Bachelor, champagne, absurd, romance, consent(n, v), cigarette case, inscription, vulgar, guardian, ward, confirmed, invaluable, governess, admirable, to christen, eligible, commerce, forte, luxuriously, wicked, nuisance, hereditary, extravagance.
II. Learn the following words and word-combinations in situations from the text of the play:
| to be luxuriously furnished – | быть прекрасно обставленным, иметь роскошную обстановку |
| (confirmed)bachelor – | (закоренелый)холостяк |
| to be hard up – | сильно нуждаться (в деньгах) |
| to put up with smb – | терпеть кого-либо, мириться с кем-либо |
| to invent smth – | 1)изобретать, делать открытие |
| 2)выдумывать, фабриковать, сочинять | |
| to get rid of smb – | отделываться, избавляться от кого-либо |
| to get (smb) into a scrape/scrapes – | попасть (поставить кого-либо) в затруднительное положение, переделку/переделки |
| to talk(speak) nonsense – | говорить глупости, нести чушь |
| to amuse smb – | забавлять, развлекать |
| to amuse oneself – | коротать время, заниматься чем-либо |
| to be in love (with) – | быть влюбленным (в) |
| to propose to smb – | делать предложение (о браке) |
| to give (one’s) consent to smth – | давать согласие на что-либо |
| to clear smth up – | выяснять, распутывать (о деле) |
| (to clear up the question of …) | прояснить какой-либо вопрос |
| to keep smth as a proof of smth – | (со)хранить что-либо в качестве доказательства чего-либо |
| earnest – | серьёзный |
| (an earnest looking person) – | человек, который выглядит серьёзно |
| to adopt smb – | усыновить, удочерить кого-либо |
| to adopt a (very) high moral tone – | взять высоконравственный стиль поведения за основу |
| a guardian – | опекун, попечитель |
| to make smb guardian to smb – | сделать кого-либо чьим-то опекуном |
| a ward – | опекаемый, подопечный |
| to live under the charge of smb – | жить на чьём-либо попечении |
| to pay (no) attention to smth – | (не) обращать на внимание на что-либо |
| to be/get christened – | креститься, получать имя при крещении |
| christening – | крещение |
| to accept smb/smb’s proposal – | принимать чьё-либо предложение (о браке) |
| Ant to reject a proposal – | отклонять чьё-либо предложение |
| to be engaged to smb – | быть помолвленным с кем-либо |
| to leave no room for smth (development) – | не оставлять возможности для чего-либо (для чьего-либо развития) |
| to be destined to do smth – | быть предназначенным судьбой для того, чтобы сделать что-то |
| to suit smb – | подходить кому-либо |
| to make inquiries – | наводить справки |
| to inspire confidence – | Внушать доверие |
| an eligible young man – | подходящий жених |
| an occupation – | род занятий, профессия |
| (to have an occupation) – | заниматься чем-либо (в том числе и профессионально) |
| an income – | (периодический, обычно годовой) доход |
| (What is your income?) – | (Каков ваш годовой доход?) |
| to be living – | быть в живых |
| (Are your parents living?) – | (Живы ли ваши родители?) |
| to lose one’s parents – | Потерять родителей |
| to marry into a family – (to marry into “a cloak-room”) | стать членом какого-либо семейства через брак («породниться» с камерой хранения) |
| (un)fashionable – | (не)модный, (не)престижный |
III. Write out the following words with the minimal linguistic context. Supply their transcription and Russian equivalents and learn them.
| Nouns | Adjectives | Adverbs, adverbial phrases | ||
| divorce | romantic | capital(appetite) | in public | |
| shilly-shallying | vulgar | wicked | in private | |
| ignorance | unspoilt | admirable | luxuriously | |
| violence | refined | hereditary | excessively (pretty) | |
| devotion | divine | invaluable | ||
| nuisance | absurd | |||
| champagne | disgraceful | |||
| refreshment(s) | cynical | |||
IV. Look up in the dictionary the following terms: paradox, witty saying, pun (play on words).Be ready to explain these phenomena in English, write out and collect as many examples of those from Act One, continue with this work reading Acts Two and Three.
V. Look up in the dictionary the set expressions below. What use does O. Wilde make of these phrases? Name the device he uses.
Marriages are made in heaven.
…(to) wash one’s dirty linen in public.
Two is company but three is none (two is company three’s a crowd)
VI. Interpret, paraphrase or explain:
1. I don’t play accurately…but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte.
2. That does not account for the fact that your small Aunt Cecily…calls you her dear Uncle. Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once.
3. …I have always suspected you of being a confirmed and secret Bunburyist.
4. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance.
5. Fortunately in England…education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.
6. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a handbag…seems to display a contempt for ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution.
7. It’s sort of thing that runs in the families.
VII. Answer the following questions. Preserve the style and the humour of the play where possible.
1. Why did Mr. Worthing usually come to London? Why did he come this time?
2. How did the inscription on the cigarette case reveal Mr. Worthing’s secret?
3. Why did Algernon call Mr. Worthing a Bunburyist?
4. How did Mr. Worthing come about making a proposal? Was he experienced in proposing?
5. How did Gwendolen explain the reason why Mr. Worthing had an ‘irresistible fascination’ for her?
6. What was Lady Bracknell’s idea of an eligible young man?
7. What does Lady Bracknell’s speech about ‘lists of eligible young men’ tell us about marriages among the upper classes in those days?
8. How were engagements arranged in those times? Was a girl allowed to arrange an engagement herself? What do you think of this practice?
9. Lady Bracknell describes smoking as an occupation. What does this tell us about the occupations of a typical member of the upper classes?
10. What were Lady Bracknell’s views on education and knowledge?
11. What can we learn about the dictate of fashion among the upper classes?
12. Why was Mr. Worthing‘s proposal not accepted? Why did Lady Bracknell suggest that Mr.Worthing was born out of wedlock and thus wasn’t entitled to a position in good society?
13. How would you characterize Algernon? How does O. Wilde reveal that Algernon is a confirmed bachelor? Would you consider Algernon an eligible young man?
VIII. Do the assignments below [1]:
1. Find information about the destinations mentioned in the text, namely (in London) Belgrave Square, Grosvenor Square /ˌ grə uvnə 'skweə /, the Albany, Victoria Station; (in the county of Kent) Tunbridge Wells. In what way does this information contribute to a deeper understanding of the characters and dialogue?
2. Find information about the Tory party. Has it survived up to the present day? What are the main political parties in today’s Britain?
3. Speak on the French Revolution. What effect did the mention of the French Revolution have on the British aristocrats? Compare it with the views of Princess Tougouchovskaya, a character in Griboyedov’s celebrated “Woe from Wit (Горе от ума)” who remarks about Chatsky, ‘Я думаю он просто якобинец, ваш Чацкий!!! ’
What is the connection between the French Revolution and education? How are the ideas of Enlightenment associated with the French Revolution?
Act Two [2]
I. Learn the pronunciation:
Anxiety, novel, manuscript, headache, pagan, severe, snare, hypocrisy, woe, calamity, susceptible, draught, christening, apprehensions, immersion, canonic, to sow, to reap, charity, circumstance, extravagance, sincere, condolence, trials, disguise, ridiculous, grotesque, scoundrel, todisown, learned(adj), enthusiastic, reconciliation, quixotic, to endure, celibacy, astray, matrimony, extravagance, candid, gross, conduct(n), wretched.
II. Learn the following words and word-combinations in situations from the text of the play:
Part I
(from the beginning up to ‘ Miss Prism: This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious kind’.)
| becoming (of a hat, dress, colour; “a becoming language”) (not)becoming to smb | – идущий к лицу (о шляпке, платье, цвете), приличествующий, подобающий (не) идущий кому-либо |
| to look plain (of a woman) | – выглядеть некрасивой, непривлекательной |
| horrid (German/Geography) | – (разг.) ужасный, противный, мерзкий (отталкивающая) немецкий/ география |
| to have a good influence over smb | – оказывать хорошее (благотворное) влияние на кого-либо |
| to reform smb/oneself | – исправлять кого-либо/ исправляться (о людях) |
| to deceive smb | – обманывать кого-либо |
| to lead a double/new/better life | – вести двойную жизнь/ начать вести новую/лучшую жизнь |
| to pretend to do smth(to be wicked) | – прикидываться, притворяться, делать вид, что ты (нехороший, безнравственный, испорченный) |
| hypocrisy | – лицемерие, притворство |
| hypocrite | – лицемер, ханжа |
| charge to take charge of smb to be in charge of smb – | – забота, попечение, надзор – опекать кого-либо |
| to improve oneself in smth (in every way) | – улучшаться, совершенствоваться в чем-либо (всячески, во всех отношениях) |
| to have a sense of duty and responsibility | – обладать чувством долга и ответственности |
| As a man sows, so shall he reap (as you sow, so shall you reap / you reap what you sow) | – (библ.) что посеешь, то и пожнешь |
| to speak slightingly of smth/smb | – неуважительно, пренебрежительно говорить о ком-либо/ о чем-либо |
| to end (un)happily | – иметь (не)счастливый конец, окончиться (не)благополучно |
| an unfortunate young man | – несчастный/ злосчастный молодой человек |
| to be in (deep) mourning for smb | – быть в (глубоком) трауре по кому-либо |
| to be dressed in deep mourning | – носить траур по кому-либо, быть в трауре |
| to be a lesson to/for smb | – послужить уроком кому-либо |
| to offer/present one’s sincere condolence(s) | – выражать свое соболезнование (свои соболезнования) |
| a blessing in disguise | – скрытое благо (не было бы счастья, да несчастье помогло; нет худа без добра) |
| to be a generous and forgiving brother | – быть щедрым и снисходительным (всепрощающим) братом |
| christening, baptism – | крещение |
| to be christened | – быть крещеным, получить имя при крещении |
| to have grave doubts about smth (on the subject) – | иметь большие сомнения по поводу чего-либо, очень сомневаться |
| to be childish – | быть несерьезным, ребяческим |
Part II
(From after ‘ Miss Prism: This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious kind’ up to the end.)
| to do a beautiful action – | совершить прекрасный поступок, поступить красиво | |||
| to give smb trouble – | причинить беспокойство кому-либо | |||
| to be in trouble | быть в беде, иметь неприятности | |||
| to shake hands with smb – | пожать кому-либо руку в знак приветствия, согласия, примирения, удовлетворения, а также на прощание | |||
| to change / to change one’s clothes | – переодеваться | |||
| to be overdressed – | быть слишком нарядно одетым, быть разодетым | |||
| to make up for smth – | возмещать, компенсировать (наверстывать) | |||
| to be a (great) success – | иметь (большой) успех, быть успешным | |||
| to console smb – | утешать кого-либо | |||
| (to be) a topic of conversation – | (быть) предметом/темой разговора, беседы | |||
| Syn to be talked of – | ||||
| to be in love with smb – | быть влюбленным в кого-либо | |||
| to fall in love with smb – | влюбиться в кого-либо | |||
| proposal – | предложение (также и о замужестве) | |||
| to break off an engagement – | разорвать помолвку | |||
| to give smb undivided attention | –уделить кому-либо очень большое внимание | |||
| to object to/(formal) against smth(the name) – | возражать против чего-либо (против имени), протестовать | |||
| to keep a diary – | вести дневник | |||
| to enter/copy smth(a proposal) into a diary – | записать что-либо (предложение о браке) в дневник | |||
| sweet, simple, innocent (girl) – | милая, простодушная, неискушенная (девушка) | |||
| to be great friends – | быть большими друзьями | |||
| to call smb sister – | назвать кого-либо сестрой | |||
| to lift a load from smb’s mind – | снять тяжесть с души у кого-либо | |||
| (a load off one’s mind) – | словно камень с души, гора с плеч | |||
| to speak one’s mind – | говорить откровенно | |||
| to deceive – | обмануть | |||
| deception – | обман | |||
| to be deceived in smth/smb – | обмануться в чем-либо/ком-либо | |||
| a misunderstanding – | недоразумение, размолвка | |||
| to deny smth/doing smth – | отрицать что-либо/что что-либо сделано | |||
| to speak/tell the truth – | говорить правду | |||
| to call a spade a spade – | называть вещи своими именами, говорить откровенно | |||
| to go to any length(s) to do smth | –идти на все (ни перед чем не останавливаться), чтобы сделать что-либо | |||
| to go to some/considerable/great /extreme/all lengths to do smth | –идти на что-то/многое/все, чтобы сделать что-либо | |||
| to be inexperienced in doing smth | не иметь опыта в какой-либо области | |||
III. Write out the following words with the minimal linguistic context. Supply their transcription and Russian equivalents and learn them.
| Nouns | Adjectives | Verbs |
| reconciliation | Innocent | to endure |
| charity | Brilliant | to neglect |
| matrimony | ridiculous | to part from |
| scoundrel | Candid | to spell |
| circumstance | unbearable | |
| apprehensions | domestic | |
| snare | wholesale | |
| extravagance | ||
| parting | ||
| announcement |
IV. Interpret, paraphrase or explain:
1. Your guardian enjoys the best of health.
2. I am not in favour of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment’s notice.
3. It is rather Quixotic of you.
4. …celibacy leads weaker vessels astray.
5. I trust this garb of woe does not betoken some terrible calamity.
6. …Charity. None of us are perfect. I myself am particularly susceptible to draughts.
7. The sprinkling and…the immersion of adults is a perfectly canonic practice.
…You need have no apprehensions. Sprinkling is all that is necessary…
8. What seem to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.
9. You couldn’t be so heatless as to disown him.
10. Of course I admit that all the faults are on my side.
V. Answer the following questions:
Part I
1. How would you characterize Cecily judging from her opinions and actions?
2. How did Jack Worthing describe his ward (see Act One)? In Jack’s opinion Cecily was ‘not a silly romantic girl’. Do you agree with him?
3. What was Cecily’s chief interest at the moment?
4. Would you call Miss Prism an admirable governess?
5. What sad news did Jack bring to his family and friends? How did Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism react to the news? Does their reaction seem natural to you?
6. Why does Jack’s reaction to the arrival of his ‘younger brother’ produce such a humorous effect? How can his words “I haven’t got a brother” be interpreted?
7. How was reconciliation between the ‘brothers’ made possible?
8. Why was it urgent for Jack to get christened as soon as possible? How did he convince Dr. Chasuble that it was necessary? Why did Jack object to being christened along with babies?
Part II
1. Why did Algernon want to see Cecily before leaving?
2. How did Cecily explain her interest in Jack’s younger brother? Give at least four reasons for her interest?
3. How did the engagement between Cecily and Algernon come about? How did the imaginary engagement turn into a real one? What proof of their prior engagement was Cecily ready to produce? Does the day of their engagement (February 14) have any special meaning?
4. Do you agree with Jack’s remark that Algernon’s Bunburying was not a success?
5. What does Gwendolen’s visit to Jack’s house tell us about her?
6. How did the girls get along at first? Why did they quarrel later?
7. How do the girls behave in a crisis? How does their behaviour characterize them?
8. What was the dreadful effect of Algernon’s Bunburying on the two girls’ prospects of marriage?
9. Why do Gwendolen’s words “a gross deception has been practiced on us” produce a humorous effect?
10. How did the girls’ common misfortune affect their relationship?
11. Comment on Algernon’s remark that women call each other sister only when they have called each other a lot of other things.
12. What new aspects of Algernon’s character are revealed in Act Two (note his attitude to food and clothes, his behaviour in a crisis)?
VI. Do the following assignments:
1. What do you know about the Church of England? Try to find out more. How does it differ from other Christian denominations? What is it called in Russian?
2. What is a twopence? Find some basic facts about the British monetary system (in O. Wilde’s time and at present).
3. Speak on the place of tea in British culture. Is it a drink, a meal or a social activity? What is an afternoon tea? When was the tradition introduced? Is it still kept? Using Acts One and Two as a guide say what refreshments were served at an afternoon tea.