layout

吉林大学远程教育学院

    >>>>   Unit One
    >>>>   Unit Two
    >>>>   Unit Three
    >>>>   Unit Four
    >>>>   Unit Five
    >>>>   Unit Six
    >>>>   Unit Seven
    >>>>   Unit Eight
    >>>>   Unit Nine
    >>>>   Unit Ten
    >>>>   Unit Eleven
    >>>>   Unit Twelve
    >>>>   Unit Thirteen
    >>>>   Unit Fourteen
    >>>>   Unit Fifteen
    >>>>   Unit Sixteen
    >>>>   Unit Seventeen
    >>>>   Unit Eighteen
    >>>>   Unit Nineteen
    >>>>   Unit Twenty
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-one
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-two
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-three
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-four
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-five
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-six
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-seven
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-eight
    >>>>   Unit Twenty-nine
    >>>>   Unit Thirty

Synopsis | Text Analysis | Summary | Questions for Consideration |

Father and Son

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# Stanley: (carefully): Clive, do you remember coming to the factory for your allowance the day you went up to Cambridge?

# Clive: Yes, I do.

# Stanley: did you have a talk to my manager while you were waiting?

# Clive: Did I ....I suppose I did.

# Stanley: Is it true you told him you thought the furniture we make was—what was it — ‘shoddy and vulgar’ ? (Pause). Well?

# Clive: I think I said it —it lacked...

# Stanley: What?

# Clive: Well, that it didn’t use materials as well as it might. Wood, for example. (He smiles hopefully.)

# Stanley: And the design was shoddy and vulgar?

# Clive: Well, yes, I suppose I gave that impression. Not all of it, of course—just some things...

# Stanley: What things?

# Clive: (plucking up a little courage): Well , those terrible oak cupboards, for example. I think you call it the Jacobean line. And those three-piece suites in mauve plush. Things like that...

# Stanley: (impassive as ever):Mr. Clark said you called them ‘grotesque’. (Clive lowers his eyes.) Is that right—grotesque?

# Clive: (rises, crosses to commode for book, takes it to chair R. of dining-table): I think they are, rather.

# Stanley: And I suppose you think that’s clever. That’s being educated, I suppose; to go up to my manager (Louise enters.) in my own factory and tell him you think the stuff I’m turning out is shoddy and vulgar... Is it?

# Louise: (crossing to the sofa): Just because you’ve got no taste, it doesn’t mean we all have to follow suit. (Stanley gives her a look which silences her, then turns again to his son. Clive continues to sit rigid at the table.)

# Stanley: Now you listen to me, my boy. You get this through your head once and for all; I’m in business to make money. I give people what they want. I mean ordinary people. Maybe they haven’t got such wonderful taste as you and your mother; perhaps they don’t read such good books—what is it?—Homes and Gardens? —but they know what they want. If they didn’t want it, they wouldn’t buy it, and I’d be out of business.
(Piano stops.)
Before you start sneering again, young man, just remember something—you’ve always had enough to eat. (The explosive opening of the Brahms Third Symphony is heard from Walter’s room.) (Looking up, dangerously.) One stops, the other starts. I’m going out.
(Stanley stands up.)

# Louise: Where to — Mr. Benton?

# Stanley: And if I am, at least I can get some peace there.

# Louise: Ssh.

# Stanley: Don’t you ssh me.

# Louise: This is the first week-end we’ve all been here together since Clive went up to Cambridge. I think the least you can do is stay home, the first evening. Why must you be so disagreeable? (She goes to the landing and calls.) Walter! Walter! ( She turns on the landing lights.)

# Walter: (coming from his room): Did you call, Mrs. Harrington ?

# Louise: Do you think you could play your records another time, dear? Mr. Harrington has got a slight headache.

# Walter: Of course, Mrs. Harrington. I’m so sorry. So very sorry. (He reaches into his room and turns off the machine.)

# Louise: That’s quite all right, dear. I hate to disturb your concentration.

# Walter: Oh, no.