Giles: (Calling) Mollie? Mollie? Mollie? Where are you?

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Giles: (Calling) Mollie? Mollie? Mollie? Where are you?
(Mollie enters from the arch Left.)

Mollie: (Cheerfully) Doing all the work you brute. (She crosses to Giles).

Giles: Oh, there you are – leave it all to me. Shall I stoke the Aga?

Mollie: Done.

(i) Where does the opening scene of the play take place? What song is played at the beginning of Act I? Who is the first character to appear on the scene?

(ii) What is the ‘partnership’ that Mollie speaks of later in this scene? Whose idea was it?

(iii) Who is Mrs. Barlow? Why is Giles annoyed with her? 

(iv) Who is the first guest to arrive at Monkswell Manor? Describe this person. 

(v) What were this person’s expectations when he arrived at the Manor? To what extent were they fulfilled?

Answer

(i)

  • Monkswell Manor / the great hall / hall
  • Three Blind Mice
  • Mollie / Mrs. Ralston / Mrs. Giles

(ii)

  • The plan to convert (run) the place, Monkswell Manor / which she had inherited from her aunt / into a Guest house instead of selling it / Giles will help her
  • Mollie’s

(iii)

  • Mrs. Barlow - the daily woman / who helped Mollie with housework / maid / local woman
  • She has left early / because of the bad weather / this left all the work on Mollie’s shoulders / left the work for Mollie.

(iv)

  • Christopher / Wren
  • Young / wild-looking man / neurotic / long or untidy hair / wears a woven artistic tie / trusting(confiding) / childish manner / love to cook.

(v) He had been expecting

  • Mollie to be the wife of a retired General / (Indian Army) - terribly serious (grim) / Memsahibish / haughty / widow of an Army personnel / not as he had pictured her
  • That the place would be full of Benaras brass utensils / are there any birds of paradise / if there were any wax flowers.
  • Delighted / found the place heavenly / lovely proportions / appreciates the furniture (the table was genuine) / he was going to love that place.
  • Calls it ‘Absolutely perfect / Real bedrock respectability.
  • Exam Year: 2020