QnA
What was the maid’s suggestion to Juliette in the play ‘A Villa For Sale’?
As Juliette’s business was hitting an all time low, her maid suggested her to play the part of a cook in a movie so as to earn some money she also offered to teach her cooking.
What is your impression about Mrs. Al Smith?
Mrs. Al. Smith is a rich American lady who is engaged in making films. She is a self-opinionated, over-confident and a brusque lady. She is prejudiced against the French people and has a high opinion of Americans. In the end, she is outsmarted by Gaston, who is a Frenchman.
What were the expectations of Juliette after putting the ‘Villa for Sale’ sign?
Juliette was facing hard time as her business was running very low. She decided to sell off her villa. Since it was near Joinville, the French Hollywood, she was expecting to find a buyer soon who would be willing to buy it for a good price.
Why is Mrs. Al Smith in a hurry?
Mrs. Al Smith was a film maker. She did not waste time as she always had a lot of work to do. She did not have time for petty things. Hence, she was always in a hurry.
Why was Mrs. Al Smith not interested in going over the house?
Mrs. Al Smith, an American lady, wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films so she wanted to bring the villa down and raise a new building convenient for her So she was not interested in going over the house.
How did Jeanne react to Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa?
Jeanne was extremely surprised at Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa. She was taken aback by her husband’s views and his sudden change of plans.
Explain “the whole thing was going to be much more of a sell than a sale.”
Juliette had put her villa for sale expecting a healthy deal but even after a period of one month, she could not strike a good deal as there were hardly any buyers. This set her thinking that the task of selling the villa may not be a profitable proposal. Rather it may prove to be a great disappointment.
Why did Mrs. Al Smith want to buy the Villa?
Mrs. Al Smith was an American lady who worked in films. She wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films as it would be quite convenient for her.
Does Sacha Guitry’s ‘ A Villa For Sale’ define human behaviour through the character of Gaston? Give reasons.
Yes, the playwright, devised Gaston’s character to satirize the vices that exist in man owing to competition for material acquisitions. Gaston is selfish and makes every attempt not for his wife.
Why did Gaston quote three hundred thousand francs for the villa?
Gaston did not want to spend money on a villa that would later be utilized more by his wife’s parents and her sister’s children. He quoted only three thousand francs for the villa with an expectation that the owner would refuse to sell off the villa at such a low price and he then would not be forced by his wife any longer
What were the flaws pointed out by Gaston in the villa put up for sale by Juliette?
Gaston pointed out that the garden was merely a yard with a patch of grass in the middle. The salon was impossible and the one existing could not be called a salon. He felt that the 25 yards of cretonne and a desk of paint was no special offer at all.
Give any two personality traits of Jeanne. Support your answer with examples.
Two personality traits of Jeanne are as follows:
(i) Jeanne is easily impressed. Juliette’s praise of her impresses her and she Feels flattered.
(ii) She is docile. She takes her criticism lightly.
Why does Juliette call her house ‘a wretched place’?
The sign ‘For Sale’ had been put up for one month by Juliette. She was expecting a healthy deal, but could not get any prospective buyers. This set her calling her house ‘a wretched place’
Why was Jeanne so desperate to buy a villa in the play, ‘A Villa for Sale’?
Jeanne was desperate to buy a villa for her parents so that they could come and stay with Jeanne for a month or so every year. She also wanted to make a modern kind of study.
“On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school.” Explain this comment contextually.
Gaston made this comment in response to Juliette’s observation that even though the garden of the villa was very small yet it made no difference as it was surrounded by other gardens. In harmony with this line of thought, people who don’t have children of their own but like children, ran go and live near a school
Why did the maid agree to act in the film?
Her mistress gave her a fixed salary and she would earn much more by acting daily for one hour only. So, the maid agreed to act in films to add spice to her salary.
Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning?
Gaston was reluctant to buy the villa because he thought his wife was buying it for her parents, who would bring her sister’s children with them.
How does Gaston eventually prove himself better in business than Juliette?
Gaston was a better businessman as he outsmarts Juliette in making a deal. Juliette waits for one month before, Gaston sells it within seconds, without even buying it, and that too at a much higher price.
In what way did Juliette flatter Jeanne?
Juliette flattered Jeanne by saying that the villa would suit her as she suited it and also by saying that there was no other graceful house for the elegant lady Jeanne.
Gaston was indeed a clever businessman. Explain.
Gaston really proved to be a clever businessman. Very cleverly he sold Juliette’s Villa, pretending to be its real owner, for three hundred thousand francs. He then bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs, thus making a cool hundred thousand francs profit for himself.