Unit IX (p. P. 272 - 303) Part I First Reading

A. Thinking about the Chapters

What were Michael's spirits during his stay in his native town? What do you think about the new characters? Why do you think these events are given in retrospection?

B. Understanding the Plot

1. Where did Michael arrive? Who met him? How did Joan look?

(p. p. 272 — 274). Where did she take him to?

2. Describe Joan's house. Who were her lodgers? Was Joan proud of having Michael as her guest? Why? (p. p. 274 — 275)

3. What was their talk about when four of them, Joan, Michael and the two lodgers sat down to supper together? (p. p. 275 — 276) What did Graham think about Michael's book?

4. What took place the next day? (p. p. 278 — 279) What was Joan's work? (p. 279)

5. What film did Graham show to Michael? What was Michael mainly interested in? In the film? (p. p. 279 — 283)

6. What did Michael find in Joan's room? What was his state of mind after reading the story? (p. p. 283 — 287)

7. What did he find in Phoebe's room? What were his thoughts about Phoebe's picture? (p. p. 287 — 289)

8. What did Phoebe think about Joan? (p. p. 290 — 293)

9. What did Michael learn about the Winshaws from Graham and Phoebe? (p. 292)

10. What can you tell about the picnic? (p. p. 295 — 297)

11. What caused Graham's laugh after his talk with Michael about Michael's review? (p. p. 297 — 300)

12. What were they doing after supper? (p. p. 300 — 302)

Part II Second Reading

A. Exploring Themes

1. Translate: (p. 272) 'As we left Derby … austere beauty. What do you feel about this landscape?'

2. How did Michael feel in his town? What's the difference between this town and London? (p. 273) What does 'the spirit of the place' mean?

3. What events are connected with the Memorial to which Joan and Michael went on his first day in town?

A commentary — p. 13, p. 61

4. Explain: (p. 274) 'I felt like a stranger in a foreign land'.

5. Why didn't Michael like the book by the author mentioned by Graham? (p. p. 276 — 278) How can you explain the word 'brio'?

6. Comment on Michael's words: (p. 280) ' … used to spend money on books', and on Graham words: 'This video is the medium of the future'.

7. Explain: (p. 281) … not is this the truth? But whose truth is it anyway?

8. What effect did Phoebe's picture produce on Michael? (p. 288)

9. What's the difference between British and American teenagers? (p. 287)

10. What is the significance of the paragraph on pages 302 — 303? 'As soon as I … ever happen to me?'

B. Judging for Yourself

1. Do you think Phoebe's picture was a usual one? What can it tell us about her inner world?

2. Do you think Michael loved Joan?

3. What do you think about the games they played?

Read commentary on p. 63

C. Making Connections

1. Do you think people always feel themselves as strangers in their native places after many years of being away?

2. What do you think about the role of video technique in our modern world?

3. What did Michael write about the silence? Do you enjoy silence?

4. Do you think as Joan said people really care for what you say about them? (p. 297)