Blithe Spirit - reading and vocabulary guide

BLITHE SPIRIT -  by Noel Coward

 

Think of the following as you read each act:

Act 1:

• What do we learn about Charles & his relationship with Ruth?
• What’s the main reason for inviting Mme Arcati over?
• What’s the outcome of the seánce?

 

Act 2

• Why is Mme Arcati invited again?
• Describe Ruth’s feelings.
• What do we learn about Charles and his relationship with Elvira?
• Comment on the different mishaps and accidents

 

Act 3

• Why does Mme Arcati appear once again?
• Comment on her findings
• How does the relationship between Elvira and Ruth develop through the story?

 

After reading the play, think of :

Setting / plot / theme / characters / genre / tone / structure

 

VOCABULARY:

 

As you read, highlight all vocabulary related to the Supernatural and look up the following words or phrases:

 

Act 1:

Page	Word/phrase
Title	Blithe
1	To make giant strides
2	To undermine / verbs with the prefix UNDER vs OVER
2	To take sb by surprise
3	Dead (adv) vs dead / deadly (adj)
3	To come in handy
6	To strain every nerve / to strain
9	As good as gold
10	Mark my words
10	To get the knack of
11	(not) to have the heart to do sth
12	To be staggered /staggering
17	To take sth to heart
19	To rack one’s brains
20	To change horses in midstream
20	Have it your own way
23	As fit as a fiddle
24	To put one’s back into sth
24	it serves sb right
24	As mad as a hatter
28	To drink sb under the table
28	To hell with…

 

              Act 2

Page	Word/phrase
33	Downright (adv)
35	Not to give a hoot
35	Once and for all
35	Into the bargain
36	To be on the rocks
39	Beastly
39	To goad sb into
40	Until one is blue in the face
41	To soothe
43	… my foot!
47	Mumbo-jumbo
48	To look on the bright side
49	To cut sb dead
49	Sb needs taking down a bit / a peg
49	To blow oneself out / to blow one’s own trumpet
49	A snake in the grass
59	High and dry
59	A flick of an eyelid

 

              Act 3

64	To throw up the sponge
64	To throw down the gauntlet
65	To pluck one’s heart
65	To be/get on one’s high horse
67	To rub it in
68	To go through the roof
69	Once and for all
72	Bored stiff / to bore sb stiff
74	To have a whale of a time
76	A red herring
78	As hungry as a hunter
79	To be barking up the wrong tree
81	To beat about the bush