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Debut on stage

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1 Debut on Stage by Chaplin
2 Self Assessment Click on the correct answer, and get your result Let’s answer Question Your answer Correct answer Next You have secured {{SCORE_CORRECT}} out of {{SCORE_TOTAL}} Your Answers
2.1 About the text
2.2 Summary
2.3 Short Type Questions
2.4 Long Answer Type Questions
2.5 Word meaning from Debut on Stage:

 

 Debut on Stage by Chaplin

Self Assessment

Click on the correct answer, and get your result

Debut on stage min

 

About the text

  • ‘Debut on Stage’ is extracted from Charlie Chaplin’s ‘My Autobiography’ which was published in 1914.It is an autobiographical extract which describes Charlie Chaplin’s childhood days, introduces us with all the members of his family, and inspires us by portraying his first stage performance on stage.

  • The author writes this extract with subjective approach and uses first person narrative to express all of his feelings and emotions during his childhood days.

 Summary

Charlie Chaplin was born on 16th April. 1889 in East Lane , Lambeth. Later his family shifted to West Square, St. George Road, Lambeth. It was the time of happiness when his family lived in three rooms with well-decorated furniture. His mother used to play the role of a comic character on various stage. She was small and delicate in her late twenties, with fair complexion, violet-blue eyes & long light-brown hair. She was attractive and  had compelling charm.

She tucked Charlie and Sydney up in a comfortable bed and left them in the care of housemaid before she went to theatre. One day Charlie imitated Sydney , his elder brother in performing a magical trick in swallowing a coin , as a result his mother had to call a doctor for treating him.

The author’s mother Charlie Chaplin  lived in the Westminster Bridge Road during his mother’s prosperous days. During the author’s childhood days, the atmosphere of London was friendly and sedate including the horse-drawn tram-cars along the Westminster Bridge, which had attractive shops, restaurants and music halls. The fruit-shop on the corner facing the Bridge was a galaxy of colour, with its fine arrangement of variety of fruits like oranges, pears and bananas.

There were many objects in Charlie Chaplin’s sitting room .Those objects are his mother’s life-size painting of Nell Gwyn, a type of beer bottle with a long and fairly thin neck, a small round music box with its enamelled surface and the author’s sixpenny toy chair. The sixpenny toy chair was bought from the gypsies . It gave an inordinate sense of possession to the author, so it was the most favourite of all the things the author possessed in his childhood.

According to the author, his father had never stayed with them. His father too was a vaudevillian with dark eyes and was considered a very fine artist with a considerable earning of forty pounds a week. His appearance resembled a Napoleon according to the author’s mother. His high intake of alcohol was the only reason for his separation with them and eventually he died very early at the age of thirty-seven.

He recalled that his mother was the eldest daughter of Charles Hill who was an Irish cobbler. His grandmother was half gypsy. He recalled Aunt Kate, who was the younger sister of the author’s mother, was also a soubrette with a pretty look. She never had a congenial relationship with the author’s mother and her occasional visits to his house eventually ended with acrimony at something his mother had said or done. During his childhood days his mother would take him with her to the theatre, where he would stand in the wings listening to her and the other actors.

Once Charlie Chaplin’s mother was singing on the stage at the Canteen in Aldershot, her voice cracked and turned into a whisper. So the audience started  laughing , singing falsetto and making catcalls .In this way they made an uncontrollable noise and Charlie Chaplin’s mother was compelled step out the stage. Having seen Chaplin perform before his mother’s friends ,the stage manager talked to his mother to be replaced by her son.

The author remembered that after a brief introduction to the audience, the stage manager left him on the stage alone before a glare of footlights and indistinct faces. The author started to sing accompanied by the orchestra and a little while a shower of money poured on to the stage. Being a child, he immediately paused and started picking up the money, which caused much laughter. The author talked to the audience, danced on the stage, did several imitations including his mother’s cracking voice.

The author’s mother remarked  to the author ,“You’ll finish up in the gutter like your father.”  The author’s mother had seen the gradual decaying of her husband in terms of health and money and the hardships she herself confronted in bringing up the sons. She tried to warn the author not to do such things with the help of this remark so that he might not lead a life of adversity like his father.

The author regretted that her mother’s vocal condition never regained and their adversity was gradually going to be increased. Although his mother saved a little money, yet they soon disappeared along with all her possessions. So they were compelled to shift into one room from three comfortable rooms.

The author’s mother turned to religion with a belief that it would restore her voice, and for that she regularly used to attend Christ Church in the Westminster Bridge Road. He recalled that he had to sit through Bach’s organ music every Sunday. He recalled Holy communion on one hot summer’s day ,and the cool silver cup containing delicious grape juice .When he drank too much of the delicious grape juice, his mother stopped him to take it. He felt relief when the priest of the church closed the Bible ,and the author realized that the sermon would end very soon and there would be the final hymn after their prayers.

Short Type Questions

1.What was one of the early recollections of the author ?

Ans: One of the early recollections of the author was that  he and Sydney were tucked up in a comfortable bed and left in the housemaid’s care each night before his mother went to the theatre

2.Why was the author’s mother obliged to send for a doctor ?

Ans: The author observed Sydney while he performing a magical trick of swallowing a coin, and imitated him by  swallowing a halfpenny.  The author’s  imitation obliged his mother to send for a doctor.

3.What did the author’s mother do after returning from the theatre ?

Ans: When the author’s mother used to come home from the theatre every night, it was like a custom for her to leave either a slice of Neapolitan cake or candies for the author and Sydney so that they must not make a noise in the morning as their mother usually slept late at night.

4.Who was Chaplin’s mother by profession ? How did she look like ?

 Ans: His mother was a soubrette, a female comedy character on the stage by profession.

The author’s mother looked small and delicate in her late twenties. She had  fair complexion, violet-blue eyes and long light-brown hair. She was attractive ,and had compelling charm.

5. Where did the author live during his mother’s prosperous days ?

Ans: The author lived in the Westminster Bridge Road.

6.What was the most favourite of all things  the author possessed in his childhood ?

Ans: The sixpenny toy chair which was brought from the gypsies was the most favourite of all  things the author possessed in his childhood.

7.Who was Charles Hill ?

Ans: Charles Hill was an Irish cobbler, and the father of the author’s mother.

8.Why did the author’s mother turn to religion and where did she go regularly after turning herself to religion?

Ans: The author’s mother turned to religion because she believed that she would get back her voice after turning  to religion.

She regularly used to go Christ Church in the Westminster Bridge Road.

9.Why did Chaplin swallow a half penny? What was the result?

 Ans: Sydney was four years elder to Chaplin, and could perform legerdemain. He could swallow a coin and make it come out through the back of his head. Chaplin imitated his elder brother ,and attempted to do the same. So he swallowed a halfpenny.

As a result Chaplin’s mother was obliged to send for a doctor.

10.How would his mother dress up her two sons for Sunday excursions?

Ans: She took pride in dressing the boys up for Sunday excursions, Sydney in an Eton suit with long trousers and Charlie in blue velvet one with blue gloves to match. Such occasions were orgies of smugness, as they walked along the Kennington Road.

11. How  Charlie went to the theatre?

Ans: Charlie’s mother did not want to leave the young Charlie in rented rooms, and brought him to the theatre.

12.What sideshows did Charlie Chaplin watch with his mother in the Royal Aquarium?

Ans:  Charlie Chaplin with his mother in the Royal Aquarium watched the live head of a lady smiling  in flames.

13.What was the maiden name of Charlie Chaplin’s grandmother?

Ans: Smith was the maiden name of Charlie Chaplin’s grandmother.

14.What is meant by ‘mignonne’?

Ans: The word ‘mignonne’ is used to describe how small and delicate a person is. It is a French word.

15.When did  Charlie Chaplin expect the end of the sermon? How did you feel then?

Ans: When the Reverend closed the Bible, Charlie Chaplin expected the end of the sermon. Then he felt happy.

16.What do you mean by ’boutonniere’?

Ans: The word ’boutonniere’ is a French word referring to a flower garland worn by men.

17.When did Chaplin’s mother take pride in dressing her sons up?

Ans: Chaplin’s mother took pride in dressing her sons up for Sunday excursions.

18.Where did Charlie Chaplin’s grandfather belong to?

Ans: Charlie Chaplin’s grandfather belonged  to Ireland.

Long Answer Type Questions

1.Name the theatre where Charlie Chaplin’s mother used to work. Where was that theatre situated? What kind of theatre it was? Describe the author’s first appearance on the stage.

Ans: Charlie Chaplin’s mother used to work in the ‘Canteen’ theatre.

The theatre ‘Canteen’ was situated in Aldershot.

It was a dirty and mean theatre catering mostly to drunk, boisterous soldiers who wanted little excuse to make fun of others.

The author remembered that after a brief introduction to the audience, the stage manager left him on the stage alone before a glare of footlights and indistinct faces. The author started to sing accompanied by the orchestra and a little while a shower of money poured on to the stage. Being a child, he immediately paused and started picking up the money, which caused much laughter. The author talked to the audience, danced on the stage, did several imitations including his mother’s cracking voice.

2.Justify the title ‘Debut on Stage’.

Ans: ‘Debut on Stage’ is an autobiographical extract which depicts how Charlie Chaplin was introduced to the audience in the Canteen theatre at Aldershot by the manager. The entire text describes all the circumstances and challenges which made Charlie Chaplin able to make an amazing debut on the stage at the age of five by singing a popular song called ‘Jack Jones’ which prompted the audience to shower him with coins ,and how he won the heart of every audience. This extract also illuminates  Chaplin’s outstanding performance which enriched every audience with incomparable pleasure and laughter, so the audience talked to him with curiosity and enthusiasm and Chaplin sang ‘Riley ,Riley’ and imitated his mother’s voice cracking. This extract also informs the reader about Chaplin’s life before he made a debut on the stage, and how he discovered himself as a star performer after he made a debut on the stage.

The title ” Debut on Stage” emphasizes one event during Chaplin’s childhood days, which revolves around Chaplin’s first appearance on the stage and his feelings while performing. So, the title ‘Debut on Stage’ is appropriate.

3.Discuss the relationship that Charlie Chaplin had with his mother.

Ans: Charlie Chaplin and his mother had a very strong bond with each other. They always stood by each other in need. When Chaplin swallowed a half penny , his mother was to call to a doctor. Again, When his mother had a worse condition of her throat, Chaplin replaced his mother on the stage of the theatre and earned money for his family.

They were always together to enjoy Sunday excursions , and view side-shows in the Royal Aquarium. As a mother Chaplin’s mother guided him by scolding and saying, 

“you’ll finish up in gutter like your father”, and stopped him when Chaplin drank too much of delicious grape Juice. As a son Chaplin felt embarrassed when he would catch his mother quietly wiping away a tear in Christ church. In this way both Charlie Chaplin and his mother Shared a congenial relationship with each other.

4.Who was Aunt Kate ?How  did Charlie Chaplin describe the relationship between Chaplin’s mother and Aunt Kate?

Ans: Aunt Kate was a soubrette with a pretty look, and the younger sister of Chaplin’s mother. She  did not have a congenial relationship with the author’s mother ,and her occasional visits to his house eventually used to be ended with acrimony at something his mother had said or done.

Charlie Chaplin told that Aunt Kate was the younger sister of the author’s mother, was also a soubrette with a pretty look. She never had a congenial relationship with the author’s mother and her occasional visits to his house eventually ended with acrimony at something his mother had said or done.

5.What obliged the author to make his first appearance on the stage at the age of five ?What was the name of the song which the author first sang on the stage ?

Ans: The author’s mother was affected by laryngitis, and had a worse condition of the throat. She could not sing on the stage , so the audience laughed at her, and made catcalls. In this way  the author was obliged to make his first appearance on the stage at the age of five.

The author first sang a well-known song called Jack Jones.

6.What did Charlie Chaplin tell about his father?

Ans: Charlie Chaplin told about his father that he did not remember his father having lived with them. His father too was a vaudevillian with dark eyes and was considered a very fine artist with a considerable earning of forty pounds a week. His appearance resembled a Napoleon according to the author’s mother. His high intake of alcohol was the only reason for his separation with them and eventually he died very early at the age of thirty-seven.

 

Extract Based Questions

1.”From such trivia I believe my soul was born.”– Which were known as ‘trivia’?

Ans: Charlie Chaplin recalled his Childhood memories which made him feel, and he became aware of his surrounding. He recalled when he went to ride on top of a horse-bus with his mother, he tried to touch passing lilac- trees; many coloured bus tickets such as orange, blue, pink and green coloured tickets were scattered on the pavement where the tram and buses stopped. He thought of rubicund flower-girls at the corner of Westminster Bridge, and how they manipulated thin and quivering fern while making boutonnieres and how the humid odour of freshly watered roses affected him with a vague sadness that he thought of melancholy Sundays and pale – faced parents and their children with toy windmills and coloured balloons over Westminster bridge. He also remembered maternal penny steamers that softly lowered their funnels as they moved under the Westminster bridge. During Charlie Chaplin’s childhood days he experienced all of these things which built his soul were known as ‘ trivia’.

2.“ You’ll finish up in the gutter like your father.” Who said this to whom ? Why ?Give a brief account of the author’s father.

Ans: The author’s mother said this to the author. The author’s mother had seen the gradual decaying of her husband regarding his health and money, and  she faced hardships in bringing up her sons. With the help of this remark she warned the author not to do such things so that he might not lead a life of adversity like his father.

While narrating this story, the author remarked that he did not remember his father having lived with them. He too was a vaudevillian with dark eyes & was considered a very fine artist with a considerable earning of forty pounds a week. His appearance resembled a Napoleon according to the author’s mother. His high intake of alcohol was the only reason for his separation with them and eventually he died very early at the age of thirty-seven.

3.“Such occasions were orgies of smugness”- What do the speaker want to say by ‘such occasions ? What do you mean by orgies of smugness? Give a brief sketch of London during the author’s childhood days.

Ans: After getting success as a stage performer Charlie Chaplin’s mother used to take her sons for excursions on Sunday when they walked along the Kennington Road. These excursions which Charlie Chaplin enjoyed with his mother and Sydney were referred to as ‘such occasions’.

Here the word ‘orgies’ mean many actions and the word ‘smugness’ means excessive pride in one’s achievements after being satisfied. So the phrase ‘orgies of smugness’ means many actions of expressing pride of achievements.

 During the author’s childhood days, the atmosphere of London was friendly and sedate. The horse-drawn tram-cars along the Westminster Bridge went at a sedate speed and turned quietly on a revolving table at the end near the bridge. When Chaplin lived the Westminster Bridge during his mother’s prosperous days , there were attractive shops, restaurants and music halls. The fruit-shop on the corner facing the Bridge was a galaxy of colours, with its fine arrangement of variety of fruits like oranges, pears and bananas. The grey houses of parliament was opposite to the Westminster Bridge directly across the Thames river.

4.“Now it is night and I am wrapped in a travelling rug”- What did Chaplin recall about that night? Describe Charlie Chaplin’s memories of epic moments .

Ans: Chaplin recalled that he was covered in a travelling rug on top of a four-in-hand coach , driving with Mother and her theatrical friends along the Kennington Road in the night.  When his mother and her theatrical friends were engulfed in their cheerfulness and laughter, they talked with  clear boastfulness  that they seemed to be their trumpeter. As they moved on the way, their vehicle pointed to the rhythmic and light ringing sound of harness along with the beat of horses’ hoofs.

Charlie Chaplin recalled a few fascinating memories which were epic moments of his life . When Chaplin was a child, he went to visit Royal Aquarium and viewed its side-shows with his mother. He watched there how the live head of a lady was smiling in flames . He also remembered the six penny lucky dip when his mother lifted him up to a large sawdust barrel to pick a surprise packet which contained a candy whistle which would not blow and a boy ruby brooch. Then he had a visit to the Canterbury Music Hall where he sat on a red plush seat and watched his father’s performance.

5.“As autumn turns to winter, so our circumstances turned from bad to worse.”- Explain.

Ans: The author  regrets with sorrow and recalls that his mother did not get back her voice ,so their adversity gradually increased. Though his mother saved a little money, they were soon vanished along with all her possessions. So they were compelled to shift into a one room from three comfortable rooms.

6. “That night was my first appearance on the stage and Mother’s last” — Describe the events that led to this statement.

or,

Why did Charlie’s mother walk off the stage? How did Charlie make his debut on stage? How did the audience respond?

Ans:  When Charlie Chaplin’s mother was singing on the stage at the Canteen in Aldershot, her voice cracked and turned into a whisper. So the audience started  laughing , singing falsetto and making catcalls .In this way they made an uncontrollable noise and Charlie Chaplin’s mother was compelled step out the stage. Having seen Chaplin perform before his mother’s friends ,the stage manager talked to his mother to be replaced by her son.

Coming on the stage he sang a famous song Jack Jones, and the rowdy soldiers who were  the audience threw coins to the stage. Then Chaplin stopped singing instantly and declared he would pick up the coins first and sing later. The manager came on with a handkerchief to help him collect the coins, but Charlie followed the manager when he walked off with it until he handed it to his mother. Then Charlie talked to the audience, danced, did several imitations ,sang ‘Riley ,Riley’ and at the end he imitated his mother’s voice cracking in repeating the chorus .It was the time when  the audience burst out in laughter and cheers and threw more coins to the stage, and Chaplin was surprised at the impact it had on the audience. That night was Chaplin’s first appearance on the stage and his mother’s last appearance.

 Exercise

A. Answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence :

a)Who was Smith?

b)Who went to Christ Church every day?

c)How did Charlie Chaplin get an inordinate sense of possession?

d)Why did Charlie Chaplin’s mother argue with the stage manager?

e) Why was Chaplin’s mother obliged to send for a doctor?

f)How did Charlie Chaplin’s father die?

g) What did Chaplin say about the fruit shops on the corner facing the Westminster Bridge?

h)What was in the surprise packet of the sixpenny lucky dip for Charlie Chaplin?

i) Why was Chaplin hardly aware of a father?

j)When did Charlie Chaplin receive Knighthood ?

k) How did Chaplin describe his grandfather?

l)Who was Sydney?

m) What made Chaplin appear on stage only at the age of five?

n)Who was Charles Hill?

o)How did Charlie Chaplin’s mother look?

p)What legerdemain Sydney could perform?

q)Why did Charlie Chaplin love his sixpenny toy chair?

r)What objects did Charlie Chaplin have in his sitting room?

s) What did Charlie Chaplin remember about the Holy Communion?
t) What does Charlie Chaplin say about Aunt Kate?
u) What delicacies would Charlie Chaplin’s mother leave on the table every night?
v) Why would little Charlie Chaplin be happy when the Reverend closed the Bible?
w) Which act of Chaplin made his mother call for the doctor?

B. Answer the following in 100 words:

1.Who was Charlie Chaplin’s father? How did he look? Why did he take separation from his wife?

2.What memories of epic moments did Chaplin mention about?

3.Why did the audience begin to laugh at Charlie Chaplin’s mother? What did Charlie Chaplin’s mother do at that time?

4.Describe Charlie Chaplin’s  first appearance on the stage.

5.Why was Chaplin’s mother obliged to walk off stage at Aldershot? Why did the manager suggest Chaplin to go on stage in her place? What made Chaplin stop singing abruptly at Aldershot and when did he resume performance?

6.How was the London of Charlie Chaplin’s childhood days?

7.What did Chaplin mention about his visits to the church every Sunday with his mother?

8.Describe the night which was Charlie Chaplin’s first appearance on the stage.

9 “London was sedate in those days”-What days are being talked about here? How does Charlie Chaplin describe London of those days?

C. Do as directed:

1.Our circumstances were moderately comfortable. We lived in three tastefully furnished rooms. (Transform into a complex sentence)

2.The stage manager came on with a handkerchief. He helped me to gather it up.

3. When she came into the wings ,she was very upset and argued with the stage manager.(Split into two simple sentences)

4. London was sedate in these days. (Correct the errors)

5.I remember her as a bright old lady. She always greeted me effusively with baby talk. (Transform into a complex sentence)

6.Autumn turns into winter. Our circumstances turned from bad to worse in the same manner. (Transform into a complex sentence)

7. Mother have been having trouble to her voice. (Correct the errors)

8. After a performer’s act he was expected to go to the theatre bar and drink with the customers. Some theatres made more profit from the bar than from the box office. (Transform into a complex sentence)

9. I remember standing in the wings when Mother’s voice cracked and went into a whisper. (Split into two simple sentences)

10.Mother does not stayed long in Africa. (Correct the errors)

 

Word meaning from Debut on Stage:

Debut-Performance in public for the first time, ♦Walworth-Name of a district in London ,♦tastefully furnished -well-decorated with furniture as per one’s wish, ♦recollections-remembrance, ♦tucked up-safely placed , ♦legerdemain-magical trick, ♦swallow-taking through the mouth, ♦halfpenny-a former British coin ,♦send for-call, ♦delicacies-cooked item ,♦Neapolitan cake-a cake which is prepared by mixing vanilla , chocolate and strawberry, ♦Soubrette-female comic character ,♦mignonne-small and delicate ,♦candies-small piece of sweet food ,♦adored- loved extremely ,♦divine- pious, ♦excursions- trip by a group of people, ♦Eton suit- Man’s suit which consists of an Eton jacket with trousers, and a waistcoat, ♦Gloves- It is a cover for the hands, ♦Orgies- many actions of wild gathering ,♦smugness-excessive pride in one’s achievement after being satisfied ,♦ambled -walked slowly, ♦sedate-quiet, ♦tempo-speed of activities, ♦pace-speed , ♦turned sedately on a revolving table-turned in a circle around central point quietly, ♦prosperous -favourable, ♦gay- happy, ♦a galaxy of colours- a group of colours, ♦pyramids of oranges, apples, pears and bananas- all the fruits are arranged in such a way that looked like pyramids , ♦terminal-end, ♦in contrast to -opposite, ♦solemn-serious, ♦across- on the opposite side of , ♦moods- feelings, ♦awakenings- coming into awareness, ♦Lambeth- city in London, ♦trivial- small and insignificant, ♦bestrewed- scattered, ♦pavement-footpath , ♦rubicund flower girls- The red-faced females who sell flowers in the market or carry flowers to many occasions, ♦gay boutonnieres-a nice circular decoration made from flowers, ♦Westminster bridge-It is a bridge which is situated in London over the Thames river, ♦adroit- skillful, ♦manipulating-handling, ♦tinsel and quivering fern- thin and trembling fern, ♦odor-scent, ♦vague-unclear, ♦melancholy- sad, ♦pale-faced parents- white faced parents of London , ♦escorting-accompanying, ♦windmill- machine operated by wind, ♦penny streamer-small boat or ship powered by stream, ♦funnels- large pipe on a ship, ♦glided- moved with a continuous motion, ♦trivia-unimportant details, ♦life-size-same size as the person is, ♦Nell Gwyn- an English actress who was the lover of king Charles II,♦ long-necked decanters- beer bottle with long and fairly thin neck, ♦sideboard- a furniture with drawer for holding articles, ♦enameled – a glassy substance , usually opaque, applied by fusion to the surface of metal, ♦Lambeth- city of London, ♦baffled- puzzled , ♦gypsies-They are members of a tribe of people who do not have permanent home, ♦inordinate-excessive, ♦possession- ownership, ♦epic moments- great moments, ♦Royal Aquarium-place of amusement in London, ♦side-shows-a small event which is a part of entertainment, ♦flames- fire, ♦lucky dip- a game in which you pay to pick up prizes, ♦barrel- container, ♦ruby brooch- gemstone , ♦Canterbury Music Hall- music hall in London, ♦plush- soft fabric, ♦wrapped – covered, ♦travelling rug- blanket used for travelling, ♦a four-in-hand coach- It is a carriage which is drawn by four horses, ♦theatrical friends- those friends who work in theatre as colleagues, ♦cosseted- careful, ♦gaiety- cheerfulness, ♦trumpeter- any person who proclaims , ♦clarion- loud and clear, ♦braggadocio- boastfulness, ♦herald- indicate, ♦jingle – a light sound , ♦harness- a set of straps for fastening something to a person’s body, ♦vaudevillian- stage performer, ♦brooding man- a man who thinks in an unhappy way, ♦bar-pub, ♦ruined- destroyed, a shock of white hair- bushy mass of white hair on a person’s head, ♦Carlyle- Scottish actor, ♦baritone- tow pitch voice, ♦rheumatic gout- a disease in which body becomes large and fat due to swelling, ♦uprising- revolt,♦ damp-Slightly wet, ♦skeleton in our family cupboard-having an unpleasant secret about something happened in the history of Charlie Chaplin’s family, ♦nevertheless-in spite of, ♦bragged-boasted, ♦ground-rent-the monthly fee a homeowner pays to the holder of the leasehold property, ♦effusively-emotionally, ♦domestic triangle- a relationship of three people, ♦gauge-calculate, ♦commonplace standards-ordinary grade, ♦erroneous-wrong, ♦genetic attributes-hereditary qualities, ♦pretty- beautiful, ♦gravitated-to be attracted to, ♦wove-moved, ♦sporadically-irregularly, ♦abruptly- suddenly and unexpectedly, ♦acrimony-bitter emotions, ♦reproach-criticize, ♦cautions-alert, ♦suspect-doubt, ♦objectives-based on facts, ♦account of him-description of him, ♦violence-brutality, ♦ruefully-with sorrow and pity, ♦temperamental-a person whose mood changes frequently, ♦slightest-small in degree, ♦laryngitis-infection of throat, ♦obliged-morally bounded, ♦rely on-depended on, ♦crack-split, ♦booing-making fun, ♦impaired-disabled, ♦nervous wreck-suffering from stress, ♦fell off-decline, ♦owing to her vocal condition-because of her vocal condition, ♦in preference to-rather than, ♦Canteen-name of theatre, ♦Aldershot- a town in England, ♦grubby-dirty, ♦mean-unfair, ♦catering-serving, ♦a rowdy lot-a large number of noisy people, ♦deride-make fun, ♦ridicule-moke, ♦a week of terror-a period of violence and fear, ♦wings-sides of a stage which can not be seen by audience, ♦falsetto-an artificially high voice, ♦catcalls-a shrill whistle made at a public meeting or performance, ♦turmoil-confusion, ♦leading-guiding, ♦explanatory words-words which explain something, ♦glare-bright and strong, ♦footlight-spotlights along the front of a stage at the level of the actor’s foot, ♦orchestra-a group of instrumentalists, ♦fiddled about-act dishonestly in order to get something for yourself, ♦key-secret, ♦round about-on all sides in all direction, ♦yer-non-standard spelling of you, ♦bullion-gold or silver, ♦left-remaining with, ♦pals-friends, ♦contented with-satisfied, ♦came into-accompany, shower-light fall of rain, ♦poured- flow rapidly, ♦conveyed-carried forward, ♦march-walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread,♦ beguile-to deceive, ♦ye-you, ♦trim-shaped, ♦gallant-brave, ♦chorus-a part of a song which is repeated after each verse, ♦organ music-pattern of sounds produced by people playing instruments, ♦cheers-shout to encourage, ♦evoked -created, ♦tremendous-extraordinarily great in size, ♦applause-praise, ♦heed- pay attention ,♦fate-divinely plan, possessions-belongings, ♦pawned-giving something for money, ♦all the while- during the entire time, ♦dwindling-decreasing, ♦progressively-steadily, ♦drabber-dull, ♦sit through-to stay until the end of a long and boring event, ♦aching-painful, ♦Reverend-a title for a priest of a christian church, ♦fervent-intense, ♦nave -central part of the church, ♦shuffling-moving, ♦orations-formal speech, ♦appealing-attractive, ♦wiping away-erase, ♦embarrassed-to make somebody irritated, ♦Holy communion-important religious service in the christian church, in which people share bread and wine as a symbol of the last supper and the death of Christ, ♦congregation-gathering, ♦restraining-controlling, ♦sermon-speech about a moral or religious subject usually given by religious leader, ♦hymn-a religious song written for prayer , ♦Bach’s organ music-instrumental composition of Sebastian Bach