Class XI Com English Drama 4

Greetings !

Today we wish to go through the the two introductory paragraphs of Act 2 of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man

Before we do that, let's think back on Act 1

• In which month and in which year was did Act 1 take place ?
• Where was the scene located ?
• Where were we told that the Petkoff's house was located ?
• Which characters did we meet in Act 1 ?
• What has been the action of the play so far ? 
• Which themes has the play dealt with thus far ?

We now read through the first introductory paragraph of Act 2

• Shaw first informs us that four to five months have passed since the events in Act 1
• We are also told that we are still at the Petkoff's home, but we have moved Raina's room to the garden.
• We look at the view - Shaw has a very keen artist's sense - he describes the scene in detail - why ? - do remember that when putting up a play, one has to prepare the backdrop of the scene and arrange the 'properties' - I hope you remember those words from when we begun the play.
• meanings : you will find many of the meanings in the dictionary, but you are encouraged to visualise the scene and certain elements, you may want to use your internet to help you visualise some of them e.g.
• paling : a picket fence - made of strips of wood and low size 
• Turkish coffee pot : a coffee pot with a long straight handle
• meanings : 
• the Balkan mountains rise and shut in the landscape : shut in : block out further view
• a flight of steps : mind the collective noun : flight - for many steps
• stable yard : yard : an open space
• washing : clothes which have been washed
• table...laid for breakfast : laid : set, arranged

We now read the second introductory paragraph which describes Nicola

• You might wish to use the internet again to help you visualise : Bulgarian costume, knickerbocker, gaiters
• meanings : 
• lecturing : advising in a corrective manner at some length.
• cool temperament : not generally moved to strong emotions or the show of them.
• keen intelligence : keen : alert
• calculator : a person who carefully judges what advantage he gains from any event

Assignment 

1. You would need to learn the description of Nicola.
2. I suggest that you check the meanings of the following words and then makes sentences of your own with them: encroaches; disdain; temperament; complacency; imperturbable; illusion;