Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Mabel: A prosecution? Prison? Oh, go! Don’t wait a minute! Go!
Dancy: Blast them!
Mabel: Oh, Ronny! Please! Please! Think what you’ll want. I’ll
pack. Quick! No! Don’t wait to take things. Have you got money?
(i) Where is this scene set? What had Dancy just confessed to Mabel?
(ii) What had Dancy’s lawyer suggested he should do? Why had he made this
suggestion?
(iii) How does Mabel express her loyalty to Dancy soon after he had made the confession? Who knocks at the door at this point?
(iv) Who else enters the house? What sound do they all hear? Why does Mabel faint?
(v) What message did Dancy’s letter contain? What is your opinion of Dancy at the end of the play?
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(i)
- The Dancy’s sitting room/ flat Dancy’s
- He had confessed that he had stolen the money.
He had also confessed that, he had given a thousand pounds to a woman – who was
blackmailing him –– It was a debt of honour that he had to pay.
(ii)
- His lawyer wanted him to run away to Morocco, and join the army there/There was a war
- going on in Morocco
- Lawyer felt he was a fine soldier / he could start over again.
- If Dancy remained in England he would be arrested by police/ Him cannot save his wife’s peace of mind/His case has collapsed/ his honour is gone
(iii)
- Mabel promises to keep loving him /to be by his side, always. [She will stick with him/ I don’t care what you did, I’m just the same/ Later she will join him]
- If he were imprisoned, she would wait for him.
- Inspector Dede / a young constable knocks at the door.
(iv)
- Margaret Orme / Major Colford.
- They hear the sound of a pistol shot (in the bedroom).
- Mabel faints when she enters the bedroom and finds her husband (Dancy) had shot himself.
(v)
- Dancy’s letter said – This (suicide) was the only decent thing he could do. The situation was unfair to Mabel (his wife). The only way he could keep faith was by using his pistol. Asks Colford to look after Mabel.
- Personal response (e.g. Dancy did love Mabel in his own way etc.) [reckless, foolish, egoistic, selfish].