A Matter for Husband

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What favour does Earnest Young Woman ask from The Famous Actress?

The Earnest Young Woman asks the Famous Actress to give her back her husband.

b. What, according to The Earnest Young Woman, are the indications that her husband has fallen in love with Famous Actress?

According to the Earnest Young Woman, the indications that her husband has fallen in love with the Famous Actress are that he sends her flowers regularly, charges them to his account, and also wrote a letter to the Famous Actress apologizing for not being able to meet her and expressing affection with kisses.

c. Is Earnest Young Woman convinced by the argument of Famous Actress? How?

Yes, the Earnest Young Woman is convinced by the argument of the Famous Actress. She realizes that her husband has been playing a little comedy to make her jealous and revive her interest in him. The Famous Actress explains that it is a common tactic used by men to invent a love affair with an actress to regain their wife's affections.

d. Where is the Earnest Young Woman’s husband hiding himself as they are talking about him?

The Earnest Young Woman's husband is hiding himself in the boudoir of the Famous Actress as they are talking about him. He is waiting there until the conversation between his wife and the Famous Actress concludes.

e. When do you feel that Famous Actress is really good at acting?

I can feel that the Famous Actress is really good at acting when she calmly and convincingly explains to the Earnest Young Woman the common occurrence of such situations in the theater world and how actresses are used as a tool to revive the interest of wives or sweethearts. Her explanation is delivered with grace and a touch of humor, showing her experience and understanding of the situation.

f. How do we come to know that Famous Actress and the husband of Earnest Young Woman are in love?

In the end of the play, we find out that the famous actress and the husband of the earnest young woman are in love with each other. Alfred, the husband, is asked to come out of the actress's boudoir, which clearly shows that the earnest young woman has been tricked and that they are in a romantic relationship.

g. Write down the plot of the play in a paragraph.

The plot of the play revolves around the Earnest Young Woman seeking the help of the Famous Actress to retrieve her husband, who she believes has fallen in love with the actress. The Famous Actress, with her experience, explains to the Earnest Young Woman that it is a common tactic used by men to make their partners jealous and revive their interest. She reveals that the husband has been playing a little comedy and inventing a love affair to regain his wife's affections. The Earnest Young Woman is convinced by the Famous Actress's explanation and realizes her mistake. The play ends with the Earnest Young Woman expressing gratitude and happiness, while the Famous Actress reassures her not to be fooled again. The husband, who had been hiding in the boudoir, remains unseen throughout the conversation.

Reference to the context

a. Sketch the character of Famous Actress.

The Famous Actress is a captivating and confident character who exudes elegance and charm. From the moment she enters the scene, her presence commands attention, leaving a lasting impression. With her sharp perception and astute observations, she quickly assesses the situation at hand and engages in a thoughtful conversation with the Earnest Young Woman.

Throughout their interaction, the Famous Actress remains composed and calm, even when faced with potential confrontation. She listens attentively to the Earnest Young Woman's concerns and responds with a blend of understanding and gentle amusement. Drawing upon her own experiences as an actress, she offers valuable guidance and advice, showcasing both wisdom and empathy. Through her guidance, the Famous Actress helps the Earnest Young Woman uncover the truth and gain a deeper understanding of her husband's actions.

In summary, the Famous Actress captivates audiences with her poise and confidence. Her perceptive nature and composed demeanor enable her to navigate challenging situations with ease. By offering guidance and shedding light on the truth, she plays a crucial role in the Earnest Young Woman's journey of self-discovery and understanding.

b. Shed light on the difference between an ordinary woman and an actress.

In the play "A Matter for Husband", the contrast between an ordinary woman and an actress is evident through the characters of the Earnest Young Woman and the Famous Actress. The ordinary woman, the Earnest Young Woman, represents a typical individual who leads a conventional life. She is bound by societal expectations and adheres to traditional roles and responsibilities. Her emotions are more predictable and grounded in everyday experiences. She lacks the ability to step outside of her comfort zone and explore the depths of her own emotions.

On the other hand, the Famous Actress embodies the essence of an actress. She possesses a captivating aura and exudes confidence. As an actress, she embraces the art of storytelling and character portrayal, effortlessly assuming different personas and delving into the complexities of human emotions. The Famous Actress is not confined by societal norms and is willing to take risks to fulfill her artistic ambitions. She thrives in unpredictable situations and is comfortable with vulnerability, allowing her to connect with others on a deeper level.

Through their contrasting characteristics, the play highlights the stark difference between an ordinary woman and an actress. While the ordinary woman remains within the confines of a conventional life, the actress embodies the spirit of exploration, self-expression, and emotional depth that comes with her craft.

c. According to Famous Actress, men associated with theatre use the theatre actresses to make their estranged wives jealous so as to woo them back. Do you agree with her argument? Why? Why not?

I agree with the argument put forth by the Famous Actress that men associated with theatre might use actresses to make their estranged wives jealous in an attempt to win them back. This strategy can be seen as a calculated move to ignite feelings of jealousy and desire in the estranged wives, ultimately hoping to rekindle their affection. The involvement of an actress in this scenario adds a sense of drama and intrigue, as well as the perception of desirability.

Using theatre actresses to make estranged wives jealous can be seen as a tactic rooted in the power of illusion and perception. The Famous Actress suggests that men understand the allure of actresses and how their involvement can create an air of excitement and competition, which may reignite the passion and interest of their estranged wives. By manipulating these emotions, the men hope to evoke a sense of longing and create an opportunity for reconciliation.

d. How does Famous Actress make a fool of Earnest Young Woman?

In the play A Matter for Husband, the Famous Actress makes a fool of the Earnest Young Woman by orchestrating a situation that leads her to believe that the Famous Actress's relationship with her husband is purely professional and not romantic. The Famous Actress manipulates the circumstances to create a facade of innocence and deceive the Earnest Young Woman.

Firstly, the Famous Actress engages in a conversation with the Earnest Young Woman, discussing her husband in a casual and friendly manner. She downplays any romantic involvement and presents herself as a professional colleague, diverting the Earnest Young Woman's suspicions.

Additionally, the Famous Actress calls the husband out of her boudoir when the Earnest Young Woman is present, giving the impression that there is nothing inappropriate happening behind closed doors. This calculated move adds to the illusion that their interaction is purely professional and innocent.

By creating this carefully constructed narrative and manipulating the Earnest Young Woman's perception, the Famous Actress successfully fools her into believing that there is no romantic involvement between herself and the Earnest Young Woman's husband. This deception makes the Earnest Young Woman appear foolish and unaware of the true nature of the relationship, ultimately adding to the dramatic tension and irony of the play.

e. The conversation between the two women takes place on the stage of the theatre. What role does the theatre house as a part of setting play in A Matter for Husband?

TThe theater house plays an important role in the conversation between the two women in the play. It helps set the scene and adds to the dramatic tension of the situation.

Firstly, the theater represents a place where people perform and pretend. It reflects the idea that life itself can be like a show, with people pretending to be someone they're not. This connects to the conversation between the Famous Actress and the Earnest Young Woman, where there is a lot of deception and secrets.

Additionally, the theater creates a sense of closeness and intensity. The small space makes the conversation feel more personal and allows the audience to feel the tension between the characters. It also reminds us that what we're watching is a play within a play, where the characters are acting out different roles. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and makes us question what is real and what is just a performance.

In summary, the theater house in the play adds to the drama and symbolism of the conversation between the two women. It represents a world of acting and pretense and creates a sense of intimacy and mystery.

f. What do you think about the ending of the play?

The ending of the play seems to reveal that the Famous Actress and the husband of the Earnest Young Woman are in love. This revelation occurs when Alfred, the husband, is called out of the Famous Actress's boudoir, suggesting that they were involved in a romantic encounter. The Earnest Young Woman is then left feeling fooled and betrayed.

The ending appears to be a twist that adds complexity to the story and creates a sense of drama. It introduces a conflict between the two women and raises questions about trust and deceit. It also adds an element of suspense and leaves the audience with a desire to know what will happen next.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write a paragraph describing your favourite actor/actress.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig is a famous British actor who is best known for playing James Bond. He was born on March 2, 1968, and is loved by many people for his amazing acting skills. Daniel can act in all kinds of movies, like serious ones, exciting ones, and action-packed ones. He is very talented and can make you feel all sorts of emotions when you watch him on screen. People really like him because he is handsome, works hard, and brings his characters to life. Daniel has won many awards and is considered one of the best actors of his time. He is loved by fans all over the world and has made a big impact on movies.

b. John Cassavetes says, “I’m very worried about the depiction of women on the screen. It’s gotten worse than ever and it’s related to their being either high- or low-class concubines . . . . There’s nothing to do with the dreams of women, or of woman as the dream, nothing to do with the quirky part of her, the wonder of her.” How do you assess Famous Actress in the light of Cassavetes’ argument about the portrayal of women?

In light of John Cassavetes' argument about the portrayal of women on screen, Famous Actress can be assessed as a character who falls into the category of a high-class concubine. Cassavetes expresses concern about the limited and often demeaning roles given to women in films, where they are reduced to objects of desire rather than complex individuals with their own dreams and quirks.

Famous Actress in the play aligns with Cassavetes' critique by embodying a character who is admired and desired for her beauty and allure. She is depicted as a seductive figure, luring the attention and affections of the Earnest Young Woman's husband. This portrayal of Famous Actress reinforces the notion that women on screen are often objectified and reduced to their physical appearance or romantic relationships.

Cassavetes' argument highlights the need for more diverse and authentic representations of women in film, showcasing their dreams, complexities, and unique qualities. By focusing on the character of Famous Actress, it becomes evident that her depiction perpetuates the narrow stereotypes and limited perspectives that Cassavetes criticizes.