Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
DE LEVIS: Social Blackmail? H’m !
CANYNGE: Not at all – simple warning. If you consider it
necessary in your interests to start this scandal – no
matter how, we shall consider it necessary in ours to
dissociate ourselves completely from one who so
recklessly disregards the unwritten code.
(i) Where are the speakers at present? What is referred to as Social Blackmail?
(ii) Who is Canynge? What scandal is being referred to? Why will it be a scandal?
(iii) Which race does De Levis mention later? What is his opinion about society?
(iv) What does Canynge do soon after and what does he find? What was his reaction? What does the discovery prove?
(v) What is De Levis going through at this point of time? What light does it throw upon his character? What change do we see in his character later in the play? Give a reason to justify your answer?
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(i)
- In De Levis’ bedroom [room] /at Meldon Court.
- Social Blackmailing–when De Levis accuses Dancy of stealing the money, Canynge says De Levis will be ostracized by the aristrocratic circles/ De Levis will lose memberships from all the clubs that he is member of./ he will be avoided by people in society/ he will not become a member of another club
(ii)
- General in the army, interested in horse-racing/ ex-army man/ a good friend of Windsor/ influential member of the jockey club
- Dancy being accused / by De Levis of stealing the money
- Dancy has been a Defence officer in the army and a gentleman/ filing a case of theft against him at a respectable country house of Winsor will create a scandal./ Dancy’s reputation will be ruined/ Windsor’s reputation was at stake.
(iii)
- The race of Jews
- Society can’t add injury to insult and have my money as well/De Levis does not care for society/ he doesn’t approve of society as it condemns him for being a Jew / he thinks society tolerates him only for his money.
(iv)
- Canynge puts his hand on Dancy’s arm OR finds Dancy’s coat wet / Dancy’s sleeve was damp.
- surprised/ shocked/ he does not react/ he puts his hands up to his face.
- the discovery proves that Dancy was out in the rain when the theft took place/ he was not in the hall writing letters./ Dancy could be the thief/ Dancy could have been out of doors/ Dancy had been lying about being out of doors.
(v)
- upset/ faces class prejudice that exists in English society [racial discrimination]/ faces insults./ feels Christians are against him
- bold to face the insults/ demands justice/ patient/ sensitive / proud/ vengeful/ not ready to forgive
- large-hearted/ generous/ charitable/ kind/ helpful
- personal response .[He warns Dancy that a warrant has been issued, / he was not responsible for it/ he does not want his money/ asks money to be given to a charity.]