B. Discussion

I. Answer the following questions.

1. What does the author mean when he says that Thomas Chadwick was a "character" in the Five Towns? 2.. How does the author describe Chadwick's appearance and manner? 3. Did these truly reflect his real nature? What was he like, really? 4. Why had he left the police force? Do you think it was true that "the •strain was beyond his strength" or was there some other reason? 5. Why was it so difficult for him to find a job after he had left the police force? 6. What jobs did he change? (Enumerate, at least, some of them.) 7. How does the author describe Chadwick's manner of performing the duties of a tram-conductor? 8. What were Chadwick's political activities? What does the word "anti- Federationist" imply in the story? Do you think it was accidental that Chadwick joined anti-Federationists or can it be easily explained by certain features of his character? 9. What did Mrs Clayton Vernon leave behind in the tram car? 10! What did Chad­wick do with the purse found in the car? What should he have done with it? Why didn't he hand over the purse to the police? 11. How did Mrs Clay ton Vernon receive him? Was it the kind of welcome he had anticipated? 12. What did she give him? Do you think it was a generous gift? How does the fact characterize the lady? 13."What kind of man was Paul Ford? Why was it that everything Chadwick said gaVe immense amusement to Paul Ford? 14. What did Chadwick answer when Paul Ford asked him how much money Mrs Clayton Vernon had given him? Why did he tell the lie? 15. How and when was his lie found out? 16. What was Chadwick's inward reaction to the ridiculous posi­tion in which he found himself? How did he behave outwardly? Why did he control his anger? 17. How does the story end?

II. Discuss the character of Thomas Chadwick.

1. Give a brief outline of Thomas Chadwick's provisional career. Point out the features of his character which made it impossible for him to retain any situation for a long time.

2. Describe Thomas Chadwick in the role of a tram-conductor. \Vas there any discrepancy between his mien and carriage, on the one hand, and his humble role, on the other? What wis the discrepancy? Did people travelling in his car notice it? Prove that they did (refer to certain episodes of the story). How did Chadwick treat his passengers? Do you think it was the proper way?

3. Speak on Chadwick's attitude to people in general and Mrs Clayton Vernon in particular. How can you explain his great admiration for the lady? Did he admire her for her personal qualities or were there any other reasons for his attitude? How does Chadwick's treatment of people of different social posi­tions characterize him?

4. Say a few words about Chadwick's political views. Es­pecially comment on the passage at p. 9 beginning with the words: "Further, he was ever a pillar and aid of the powers".

5. Speak on the author's attitude to Thomas Chadwick. Does, the author treat this character with humour, with irony, with touches of satire? Pick out from the text of the story those sentences and passages in which the author's attitude is es­pecially keenly felt.

6. Comment on the method used by the author in depicting the character of Thomas Chadwick. Is Chadwick characterized directly, through the author's descriptions, or indirectly, through his actions, behaviour and speech? (Give examples from the story.) Is the character presented statically or in development? Do you think that the author managed to create a vivid, true- to-life portrait in the character of Chadwick? Is Chadwick to be regarded as a typical figure or is he just an amusing exception?

III. Comment on the title of the story. Explain the word"heroism" in the title. Is it used ironically?

IV. Discuss the composition and language of the story.

1. Comment on the way the author opens his narration. What is the effect.achieved by beginning the story in this way? 2. Say a few words about the composition. Point, out the main parts into which the story can be divided and summarize the contents of each part in one or two sentences. 3. Say a few words about the plot of the story. Does it play an important role in this story? Outline the plot as briefly as you can. 4. Comment on the style and language of the story. Pick out at least fifteen sentences (or passages) which you consider especially, characteristic and comment on them! Does the author make a wide use of synonymy and, if so, for what purpose? (Give examples and comment on them.) Is his narration emotional? Is it humorous? (Find ex­amples.) How does he use syntax? Summarizing it all, do you like the language of the story or do you not? (Illustrate whatever you say by examples from the story.)