Nicola : I know things about Raina..........Well, take my advice....."
(a) : What things did Nicola know about Raina that would break off her match with Sergius ? (2)
The things which Nicola knew that could cause Sergius to break off the match with Raina were the facts that Raina had did an enemy soldier in her room; a soldier from the very regiment that Sergius had attacked and defeated. Raina had protected the enemy soldier from the pursuing Bulgarian soldiers and their Russian officer who had come to check her room. Raina and her mother had allowed the enemy soldier to rest in Raina;'s bed and had ensured that he would not be caught, by disguising him the Paul Petkoff's old coat when he went off the following morning.
(b) : Explain, in the context, "turning on him". (1)
The phrase "turning on him" does not only mean to literally turn towards the other person, but to speak to the other person in an agressive or angry manner. Thus, Louka, thinking that only she knew what had happened the night the enemy soldier was given refuge in Raina's room, speaks to Nicola in surprise and shock as she had thought that she alone knew about this matter.
(c) : What advice did Nicola give Louka ? (2)
Nicla advised Louka to "mend" her :"manners" and always be respectful in her speech to their master and mistresses. He further told her that as servants in the household it was expected that family confidences were always to be kept and that their employers should have no doubt whatsoever their family confidences would be safe with their servants. Thus she was told to "hold your tongue and serve the family faithfully".
(d) : Why, according to Nicola, was his advice practicable ? (2)
According to Nicola the "secret of success in service" and making the "most out of" the people they serve was to be respectful and to be faithful to their masters. Thus Nicola was faithful and hoped that when he had enough money and opened a shop in Sofia, his present master and mistresses would not only patronise the establishment but would also encourage their wealthy friends to also do so, making him successful.
(e) : Did Louka agree with Nicola ? Why ? (2)
No, Louka did not agree with Nicola because as later, even Nicola acknowledges that Louka has "a soul above her station" - that is, she believes that her work does not make her inferior to those she serves. Louka is thus, "defiant" and "almost insolent" to Raina and even with Catherine "goes as far as her dares". Louka has been bold enough to compete with Raina for the hand of Sergius in marriage. Louka is a strong character and struggles against the odds to achieve her dreams.
(f) : What does this interaction tell you about the relationship between Nicola and Louka ? (1)
The interaction in this opening scene in Act 2, tells us that Louka and Nicola are hardly a compatible couple. Louka scorns Nicola accusing him of having the "soul of a servant". Louka on the other hand by determining to continue with her disrespectful behaviour "I do defy her. I will defy her" would probably ruin Nicola's plans.
(a) : What things did Nicola know about Raina that would break off her match with Sergius ? (2)
The things which Nicola knew that could cause Sergius to break off the match with Raina were the facts that Raina had did an enemy soldier in her room; a soldier from the very regiment that Sergius had attacked and defeated. Raina had protected the enemy soldier from the pursuing Bulgarian soldiers and their Russian officer who had come to check her room. Raina and her mother had allowed the enemy soldier to rest in Raina;'s bed and had ensured that he would not be caught, by disguising him the Paul Petkoff's old coat when he went off the following morning.
(b) : Explain, in the context, "turning on him". (1)
The phrase "turning on him" does not only mean to literally turn towards the other person, but to speak to the other person in an agressive or angry manner. Thus, Louka, thinking that only she knew what had happened the night the enemy soldier was given refuge in Raina's room, speaks to Nicola in surprise and shock as she had thought that she alone knew about this matter.
(c) : What advice did Nicola give Louka ? (2)
Nicla advised Louka to "mend" her :"manners" and always be respectful in her speech to their master and mistresses. He further told her that as servants in the household it was expected that family confidences were always to be kept and that their employers should have no doubt whatsoever their family confidences would be safe with their servants. Thus she was told to "hold your tongue and serve the family faithfully".
(d) : Why, according to Nicola, was his advice practicable ? (2)
According to Nicola the "secret of success in service" and making the "most out of" the people they serve was to be respectful and to be faithful to their masters. Thus Nicola was faithful and hoped that when he had enough money and opened a shop in Sofia, his present master and mistresses would not only patronise the establishment but would also encourage their wealthy friends to also do so, making him successful.
(e) : Did Louka agree with Nicola ? Why ? (2)
No, Louka did not agree with Nicola because as later, even Nicola acknowledges that Louka has "a soul above her station" - that is, she believes that her work does not make her inferior to those she serves. Louka is thus, "defiant" and "almost insolent" to Raina and even with Catherine "goes as far as her dares". Louka has been bold enough to compete with Raina for the hand of Sergius in marriage. Louka is a strong character and struggles against the odds to achieve her dreams.
(f) : What does this interaction tell you about the relationship between Nicola and Louka ? (1)
The interaction in this opening scene in Act 2, tells us that Louka and Nicola are hardly a compatible couple. Louka scorns Nicola accusing him of having the "soul of a servant". Louka on the other hand by determining to continue with her disrespectful behaviour "I do defy her. I will defy her" would probably ruin Nicola's plans.
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