2.8 Correction questions chap 5

 

Ch 5

 

1)  Explain the epigraph. To what extent does it apply to the novel?

We can use the lessons of the past to guess what will happen next.

-      First the motives are to be found in the past

-      The past of the different characters is relevant…

 

2)  How would YOU write this sentence in English:

Blair: “ I’ve got mair to dae with ma time. Typed out your report frae the dentist?”

“I’ve got more to do with my time. Have you typed out the report for (about) the dentist?" (to check Paul's alibi)

 

Why is it written like that in the novel?

It corresponds to the way he speaks…

 

3)  True or false? Justify.

 

a)   Macbeth was offered a lot of money for his dog.

it's false: “If they had any sense I’m sure they would have given money…”…

 

So it was a lie.

 

b)  There was arsenic in the curry.

 It's false.

There was poison indeed, but not in the curry.

 

4)  Focus on the seer:

-      Why does he first refuse to speak to Macbeth?

He won’t speak unless he gets some whisky first.

 

-      Pick out a sentence showing he’s a crook.

He thought he had a gift when he was young but “the gift had never come back”.

“he had found it easy to impress the locals as he knew all about them… and listened to every piece of gossip…”

So he listens to what people say and pretends he can foretell everything…

-      Why did he refuse to drink the whisky?

And yet… he saw death in the bottle…

 

 

5)  Culture:

 

a)   “The wind howled like a banshee”

 

Which literary device is used? Why? What is a banshee?                                                                                         

A banshee is a spirit in (Irish) folklore that is said to be creepy (and usually foretells death)…

However it is just a comparison…

 

b)  What was the “Prohibition” in the USA? Why does Priscilla give that example to Angela?

 

It was a period when alcoholic beverages ( = drinks) were forbidden in the USA (twenties;thirties)

There is such a reference because Angela wants to ban alcohol…

6)  Who does Macbeth call in Greenwich? What does he learn?

Macbeth calls Carl Steinberger who stayed at Trixie’s…

Carl and his wife didn’t like Trixie as she made them feel ill-at -ease: she was a good cook but prevented Paul from eating…

 

7)  Why does he ask Priscilla to make Parker visit her castle?

He wants to have a look at his last book…

He first had the impression that Parker was trying to hide something…

 

8)  What happens at the Macleans?

They fight! They both believe that the other killed Trixie with rat poison!