A Matter of Husbands Exercise Class 12 English

 

Here is the Exercise Questions Answers of A Matter of Husbands by Ferenc Molnar class 12 English!

Tittle meaning

Talks about husband

Setting

Set in a drawing room on the stage in the late afternoon time

Characters:

·        Famous Actress: She is a celebrated Hungarian actress known for her beauty and talent. She becomes the subject of suspicion when the Earnest Young Woman believes she has stolen her husband.

·        Earnest Young Woman: She is a nervous and emotional woman who visits the Famous Actress to plead for her husband's return. She is easily influenced by jealousy and suspicion.

·        Alfred: He is the husband of the Earnest Young Woman and works as a lawyer. He is described as a fair-haired man who wears spectacles and has been using a ploy to make his wife jealous.

Main plot

The play is about a young woman who visits a famous actress and asks for her husband back. The actress is confused because she didn't take the young woman's husband. They talk, and the actress explains that sometimes people pretend to like someone else to make their partner jealous. The young woman realizes her mistake and leaves happily, knowing her husband didn't really leave her.

Summary

In the play "A Matter for Husband," there is a young woman who visits a famous actress because she thinks the actress has taken her husband. The story is about trust and jealousy, and it all happens in one room.

The young woman talks to the actress and asks for her husband back. The actress is confused and says she didn't take him. She explains that sometimes people pretend to like someone else to make their partner jealous. The young woman finds a letter and flowers meant for the actress from her husband, which makes her worried. But the actress tells her it might be a trick to make her jealous.

In the end, the young woman understands that appearances can be tricky. She thanks the actress for being honest and leaves happily, knowing that her husband still loves her. The play teaches us to trust and talk to each other in relationships and not to believe everything we hear or see. It shows that sometimes people pretend things, but we should be open and talk about our feelings with the people we love.

OR

"A Matter of Husbands" is a one-act play written by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár.  This play is about a woman who suspects her husband is having an affair with a famous actress. She confronts the actress, who denies any involvement and reveals that the husband has been pretending to be in a relationship to make his wife jealous. The wife realizes the truth and leaves content, having learned to trust her husband better.

OR

The play is about a young woman who goes to meet a famous actress, thinking that the actress has taken her husband away. The actress is confused and denies it. They talk, and the actress explains that sometimes people pretend to like someone else to make their partner jealous. The young woman realizes her husband wasn't really taken by the actress. She leaves happily, knowing that her husband still loves her. The play teaches us about trust and not believing everything we hear or see.

Main theme

The main theme of the play "A Matter for Husband" is about trust and communication in relationships. It teaches us not to judge people based on appearances and not to believe everything we hear or see. The play shows that open and honest communication is important in solving misunderstandings and building strong, happy relationships.

OR

The main theme of "A Matter of Husbands" is about trust and the power of illusion. It shows how misunderstandings and jealousy can affect relationships and how people can manipulate appearances to create false impressions. Ultimately, the play teaches us the importance of communication and trusting the ones we love.

Understanding the text

"Here, I have provided 2 or 3 sample answers for each question. You may choose any of them that you find easiest. However, please remember that your answer must be at least 75 words for short-answer questions, which carry 2 marks in the exam. In your answer, include an introduction mentioning the author, main theme, and characters. Then, in the body, justify your response thoroughly. Finally, conclude your answer briefly!!

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 back her husband because she believes the actress has taken him away from her.

OR

The Earnest Young Woman asks the Famous Actress to give her back her husband. She believes that the actress has taken her husband away from her and wants him back. The young woman is desperate and emotional, hoping that the actress will understand her plea and return her husband to her. She implores the Famous Actress to do this favor for her and is willing to do anything to get her husband back. However, as the conversation unfolds, the Famous Actress helps the young woman see the truth about her husband's actions, leading to a realization that he was not actually in love with the actress.

OR

The Earnest Young Woman asks the Famous Actress to give her husband back. She thinks the actress took him away, and she wants him back desperately. The young woman is very upset and asks the actress to help her get her husband back. But as they talk, the actress explains that the husband was only pretending to be in love with her to make his wife jealous. The young woman realizes that her husband didn't really love the actress, and the actress didn't steal him.

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

The Earnest Young Woman thinks her husband is in love with the Famous Actress because he sends her flowers and writes her love letters. He also keeps a lock of the actress's hair.

OR

According to the Earnest Young Woman, there are several indications that her husband has fallen in love with the Famous Actress. She mentions that he sends the actress flowers all the time and even showed the receipts from the florist as proof. The young woman believes that her husband's love for the actress is evident from the flowers he sends. Additionally, she found a love letter he wrote to the actress, expressing his affection and apologizing for not being able to meet her. These signs, along with the husband's admiration for the actress and his efforts to look his best for her, make the Earnest Young Woman believe that her husband is in love with the Famous Actress.

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

Yes, the Earnest Young Woman becomes convinced by the argument of the Famous Actress. The actress explains that some people pretend to have a love affair to make their partners jealous and revive their interest in the relationship. The young woman realizes her husband might be doing the same, and she trusts the actress's explanation.

OR

Yes, Earnest Young Woman is convinced by the argument of the Famous Actress. She realizes that her husband was only pretending to be in love to make her jealous

OR

Yes, the Earnest Young Woman is convinced by the argument of the Famous Actress. At first, she accuses the actress of stealing her husband and being in love with him. However, the Famous Actress remains calm and explains that the husband was only pretending to be in love with her to make his wife jealous. She points out the tricks he used, like sending flowers and writing a love letter, to create this illusion. The Earnest Young Woman listens to the explanation and realizes that she was mistaken. She understands that her husband didn't really love the actress, and the actress didn't steal him. The Famous Actress's wise and patient explanation helps the young woman see the truth, and she becomes convinced that her husband was not actually in love with the actress.

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

The Earnest Young Woman's husband is not present in the room with them. He is hiding somewhere else while they talk about him.

OR

The Earnest Young Woman's husband is hiding in the boudoir (a private room) as they talk about him.

OR

In the play, the Earnest Young Woman's husband is not physically present in the scene while they are talking about him. He is hiding or not in the room during their conversation. The conversation takes place between the Earnest Young Woman and the Famous Actress, and they discuss the husband's actions and feelings in his absence. The husband's whereabouts are not mentioned in the scene, and he remains offstage throughout this particular conversation.

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

The Famous Actress shows her acting skills when she explains to the Earnest Young Woman that her husband might be pretending to be in love with her to make her jealous. She convincingly portrays how people use tricks to achieve certain outcomes.

OR

Famous Actress shows her acting skills when she calmly explains to the Earnest Young Woman that her husband was just pretending to be in love. She handles the situation with grace and wisdom.

OR

The Famous Actress shows her exceptional acting skills during her conversation with the Earnest Young Woman. She remains calm and composed, despite the accusations made against her. The way she explains the situation to the young woman with empathy and patience demonstrates her ability to portray wisdom and understanding. Her performance in convincing the Earnest Young Woman that her husband was only pretending to be in love with her is a testament to her skill in acting. The Famous Actress effectively uses her talents to resolve the misunderstanding and teach the young woman a valuable lesson about trust and love, making her truly impressive as an actress.

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

We come to know that a Famous Actress and the husband of Earnest Young Woman are in love when The Famous Actress calls Earnest Young Woman’s husband to come out of the room.

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

"A Matter for Husband" is a one-act play about an earnest young woman who visits a famous actress, thinking the actress has taken her husband. She asks the actress to give her husband back, but the actress denies any involvement. The actress explains that sometimes people pretend to have a love affair to make their partners jealous and revive their interest in the relationship. The young woman realizes her mistake and leaves happily, knowing her husband loves her. The play teaches us about trust, communication, and not believing everything we see or hear.

OR

In "A Matter of Husbands," an Earnest Young Woman confronts the Famous Actress, thinking she stole her husband. The actress calmly denies it and explains that the husband was pretending to make his wife jealous. The young woman realizes the truth and leaves happily. The play teaches about trust, jealousy, and the power of illusion in relationships.

REFERENCE TO THE TEXT;

"Mostly, long questions answer which carries 5 marks in the exam, mainly comes from "Reference to the text Questions". So ensure that your answer consists of at least three paragraphs, which should include an introduction where you can mention the author, main theme, and characters. Likewise in the body paragraph justify your answer with evidence from the text and finally, conclude your answer briefly. Remember, your response must be at least 150 words."

a. Sketch the character of Famous Actress.

The Famous Actress is a well-known and successful actress in the play. She appears confident, composed, and understanding. She is patient while dealing with the Earnest Young Woman's accusations. The actress is also clever and skilled at acting, as she explains the possible reason behind the young woman's husband's actions. She shows empathy and wisdom, guiding the young woman to understand the truth.

OR

The Famous Actress in the play is a celebrated and wise woman known for her talent in acting. She is beautiful and kind, but some people misunderstand her because of her profession. She handles the situation with grace and calmness when the Earnest Young Woman accuses her of stealing her husband. The Famous Actress explains that her husband was only pretending to be in love to make his wife jealous. She helps the young woman understand the truth and teaches her a valuable lesson about trust and love.

OR

 The Famous Actress in the play "A Matter of Husbands" is a well-known and talented woman in the world of theater. People admire her beauty and acting skills. She is calm and wise, handling the situation with grace when the Earnest Young Woman accuses her of taking her husband. Instead of getting upset, the Famous Actress patiently explains that the husband was pretending to be in love with her to make his wife jealous and revive their love. She shows empathy towards the young woman's feelings and helps her realize the truth about the situation.

Throughout the conversation, the Famous Actress remains kind and understanding. She doesn't judge the Earnest Young Woman for her mistaken belief but instead teaches her a valuable lesson about trust and love in relationships. Her guidance and wisdom help the young woman see through the illusion created by her husband's actions. The character of the Famous Actress serves as a wise and guiding figure, showing the audience the importance of communication and not jumping to conclusions based on appearances.

In conclusion, the Famous Actress is a celebrated and compassionate woman who offers valuable insights in the play. She plays a crucial role in resolving the misunderstanding and helping the Earnest Young Woman learn a valuable lesson about trust. Her calm demeanor and empathy make her a likable and influential character in the story.

OR

In the play "A Matter for Husband," we meet the Famous Actress, who is a well-known and successful actress. Let's explore her character and understand what makes her special.

The Famous Actress is a confident and understanding woman. She is famous for her acting talent and has many fans. When the Earnest Young Woman comes to her, accusing her of taking her husband, the Famous Actress remains calm and patient. She explains that sometimes people pretend to be in love to make their partners jealous. The Famous Actress is wise and uses her acting skills to help the young woman see the truth.

The Famous Actress is a talented and kind character in the play. She shows us the importance of being patient and understanding with others. By using her wisdom, she helps the Earnest Young Woman realize the truth about her husband's actions. The Famous Actress teaches us that communication and trust are essential in relationships.

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

In the play, the Earnest Young Woman believes that actresses are more alluring and dangerous than ordinary women. She thinks actresses use their looks, makeup, and acting skills to attract men. However, the Famous Actress explains that actresses, like ordinary women, are just like everyone else and have feelings. The main difference is that their profession involves performing on stage, wearing costumes, and pretending to be someone else for entertainment.

OR

In the play "A Matter of Husbands," the Famous Actress sheds light on the difference between an ordinary woman and an actress. According to her, people often assume that actresses, like herself, are glamorous and tempting, capable of easily attracting men. However, she points out that in reality, actresses are just like any other woman. They have their own lives, emotions, and struggles. Being an actress doesn't mean they are involved in affairs or trying to steal someone's husband. The Famous Actress emphasizes that it's important not to judge someone based on their profession and to treat actresses like any other person.

OR

In the play "A Matter of Husbands," the Famous Actress highlights the misconceptions and stereotypes associated with actresses compared to ordinary women. People often view actresses as glamorous and alluring, assuming they easily attract men due to their profession and beauty. However, the Famous Actress challenges this notion by explaining that actresses are just like any other woman. They have their own lives, feelings, and challenges.

The portrayal of actresses in the media and society can be misleading, creating a false impression that they are always involved in romantic entanglements. The play reminds us that actors and actresses are professionals who play roles on stage or screen, but their personal lives can be quite different.

The Famous Actress's message is about breaking down stereotypes and treating actresses with the same respect and understanding as we would with anyone else. The play emphasizes the importance of not judging people solely based on their profession or appearance. By doing so, it encourages us to see beyond appearances and to appreciate individuals for their true selves, regardless of their occupation.

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?

No, I don't agree with the Famous Actress's idea that all men in theater use actresses to make their wives jealous. People are different, and not everyone does the same things. We can't judge all men based on what a few people might do. Everyone has their own choices and behaviour. We should treat each person as an individual and not assume things about them just because they work in theater. It's essential to be fair and not make big conclusions about a whole group of people.

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

The Famous Actress makes a fool of the Earnest Young Woman by explaining that her husband was only pretending to be in love with her. The young woman thought the actress had stolen her husband, but the actress calmly denies it. She tells the young woman that her husband used flowers, love letters, and even a lock of the actress's hair to make his wife jealous. The Famous Actress helps the young woman understand the truth and teaches her not to be fooled by appearances. This makes the Earnest Young Woman feel silly for suspecting the actress and realizing her mistake.

OR

The Famous Actress doesn't make a fool of the Earnest Young Woman deliberately. Instead, she helps the young woman realize her misconception. The actress explains that the flowers, letter, and other gestures from the young woman's husband may be part of a plan to make her jealous. By guiding the young woman to see through her husband's tactic, the actress helps her understand the truth and clears the misunderstanding.

OR

In the play "A Matter of Husbands," the Famous Actress doesn't try to make a fool of the Earnest Young Woman. Instead, she helps her see the truth about her husband's actions. At first, the Earnest Young Woman accuses the actress of stealing her husband and being in love with him. But the Famous Actress remains calm and patient. She explains that the husband was pretending to be in love with her to make his wife jealous and revive their love. The actress shows empathy towards the young woman's feelings and helps her realize the truth about the situation.

The Famous Actress's explanation makes the Earnest Young Woman understand that she was mistaken. It makes her feel a bit silly for suspecting the actress. However, the actress doesn't do this to make her look foolish. Instead, she helps her see through the illusion created by her husband's actions. The Famous Actress teaches the young woman a valuable lesson about trust and love in relationships. So, in the end, the Famous Actress doesn't make the Earnest Young Woman a fool, but she helps her learn and grow from the experience.

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 the setting play in A Matter for Husband?

The theatre setting in "A Matter of Husbands" plays a significant role in the story. It serves as a metaphor for the theme of the play, which is about the power of illusion and appearances. In a theatre, actors pretend to be someone else on stage, and the audience believes the story they are telling. Similarly, in the play, the husband pretends to be in love with the Famous Actress, creating an illusion to make his wife jealous.

The theater setting also highlights the idea that people may act differently in public than in private, just like actors performing on stage. It adds depth to the play's exploration of trust, deception, and the complexities of human emotions within the context of theatrical illusion.

OR

The theatre setting is essential in the play because it represents the world of acting and illusions. The stage reflects how people often pretend to be someone else in the theatre world, just like the Earnest Young Woman's husband might be pretending to have a love affair. The theatre setting also reinforces the theme of appearances and deception, as actors use costumes and makeup to create different personas on stage.

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

The ending of the play "A Matter for Husband" offers a positive resolution to the conflict. The Earnest Young Woman realizes her mistake, and the Famous Actress helps her understand the truth about her husband's actions.

The ending emphasizes the importance of open communication and trust in relationships and delivers a valuable lesson to the audience.

OR

The ending of the play is satisfying and positive. It brings a resolution to the misunderstanding between the Earnest Young Woman and the Famous Actress. The young woman realizes the truth about her husband's actions and understands that he was not involved with the actress romantically. This revelation teaches her a valuable lesson about trust and love.

The Famous Actress's wisdom and understanding play a crucial role in resolving the situation, and she handles it with grace and empathy. The ending shows that communication and openness are essential in relationships and that jumping to conclusions based on appearances can lead to misunderstandings.

Overall, the ending leaves the audience with a sense of closure and the importance of honesty and trust in relationships.

REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT;

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

  My favourite actor

Rajesh Hamal is my favorite actor. He is a renowned Nepali film actor and television host. In the history of Nepali cinema, he is considered one of the most influential and beloved actors. People affectionately call him the "Maha Nayak" of the Nepali film industry because he was the highest-paid actor in the country during the 1990s and early 2000s. Rajesh Hamal's performances on the big screen have captivated audiences, and his acting skills are truly remarkable. He has contributed significantly to the growth and popularity of Nepali cinema and remains an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.

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?

 According to John Cassavetes, he is concerned about how women are portrayed in movies. He believes that it has become worse over time, and women are often shown as either high-class or low-class concubines, which means they are only shown in roles related to relationships with men. Cassavetes thinks that these portrayals don't reflect the dreams, uniqueness, and wonder of women.

Now, let's assess the character of the Famous Actress in "A Matter for Husband" based on Cassavetes' argument. The Famous Actress is successful and talented in the play, but her role mostly revolves around a love triangle and her interactions with men. Her character doesn't fully showcase the dreams and complexities of women beyond their relationships with others. While the play might not fully represent the depth of women's experiences, it's essential to remember that it's just one story, and women's portrayals can vary in different movies and shows. To improve the representation of women on screen, there is a need for more diverse and meaningful roles that capture the true essence and uniqueness of women.