“Three American Plays”, M., 1972, 380p.
Long Day’s Journey into Night Acts 1,2
What can you say about the time and the place of the action?
What do you know about the writers and philosophers whose books were on a small bookcase between the doorways?
What is the difference between a weaker arm-chair and a rocker?
Give the portrait of Mary Tyrone.
Describe James Tyrone’s and his sons’ appearances.
How does the great tension inside each person reveal itself in their words and behavior (the 2nd part of Scene II, act II).
How will you translate “down in the mouth” p. 18?
Find an unusual attribute on p. 27. How can you define it?
What does it mean “to be friend from college”?
Why is the word “stung” so often repeated?
Describe the spirits of each person at the beginning of scene II, act II (pp.52-53).
How is Mary’s attitude towards her husband and Dr. Hardy expressed in her monologues (pp. 54-55)?
What new and interesting impressions have you come across? What are their meanings?
Do you feel pity for the heroes and their sufferings? What makes you sympathize with them?
Do you know the impressions “to look spic and span” (p.65) and “to shake a leg” (p. 66)?
Individual tasks
Relate the anecdote about Shaughnessy as if you were Edmund.
In what 3 parts can we divide the conversation between Tyrone and Jamie (pp. 26-32). Reproduce it in the form of a dialogue.
Dramatize the talk between Mary and Edmund (cat I, the 2nd part).
Give the outline of Act I.
Retell the beginning of Act II (pp.40-44) in indirect speech.
How does Mary characterize her husband (pp. 46-47)?
Reproduce the dialogue between Jamie and Tyrone (pp. 56-59).
Reproduce the dialogue between Mary and Tyrone (pp. 60-64).
Retell pp. 65-68 in indirect speech.
Give the summery of Act II.
Acts III, IV
Describe the scene and the appearance of Mary Edmund, Jamie and Tyrone.
How would you explain Mary’s stubborn blankness when the question of drugstore was mentioned (p.74)?
Explain the meaning of the expressions “the impudence of him” (p.74) and the “pick up something at a bargain” (p. 83).
Explain the meaning of “to take smb’s memories with a grain of salt” (p.98).
“To take allowances” – what does it mean?
What are your impressions of the play?
When would you accuse of all the tragedies in the family?
Individual tasks
Translate Baudelaire’s poem in prose (p.95) in good and literary Russian.
Relate the monologues of Mr. Tyrone, Mary, Edmund as if you were one of them (as a kind of self-confession and self-approval).
Dramatize the scene between Mary and Edmund (act III).
Retell the end of Act III in indirect speech.
Reproduce Mary’s monologue about her youth, her wedding-day and her love (the beginning of act III).
Give the summery of act IV.
New and interesting expressions you’ve come across. Tell about their meanings.
“Three American Plays”, M., 1972, 380p.
The Autumn Garden. Acts 1, 2.
What does “topsy-turvy” mean?
Find a pun on p.136, analyze in what way it produces humorous effect.
The word “accurate” (p.137) is the one of those words which is so called a false friend of a translator. Ho will you translate this word: adequately?
In what meaning is the word “way” (p. 138) used?
What is the meaning of “to be pulled about”? Give your own sentences with them.
“To be sort of ” (p. 148) – what does it mean?
Do you know the difference in meanings between “serious” and “earnest” (p.160)?
Give your commentary on Crossman’s words “lonely people are the only people who can’t afford to cry”.
Translate into Russian “for we’ll be in for one of your long farewells and long returns” (p.170).
Give the meaning of “to face out” (p.172), to rule out (p.178), and your examples with these exercises.
What do you know about Mozart and Haydn?
How do you understand Sophie’s words “I was comfortable with myself”. Paraphrase it, explain its meaning. (p.185).