Class IX: Villa for Sale Notes

Villa for Sale

Questions – Answers

1.    Why does Jeanne want to buy a villa?

Ans: Jeanne wants to buy a villa for her parents so that they can come every year and stay there from the beginning of April until the end of September along with Jeanne’s sister’s children.

2.    Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning?

Ans: Gaston is not interested in buying the villa in the beginning because he knows that Jeanne wants to buy the villa for her parents who he doesn’t like quietly. Also, the villa is not big and good enough to be bought for two hundred thousand francs. The villa has a very small garden and small salon which Gaston doesn’t like.

3.    Mrs. Al Smith makes many statements about the French. Pick out any two and explain them.

Ans:

Statement no. 1

“You French people have a cute way of doing business!”

Here, Mrs. Al Smith trying is not happy with the way sign board was displayed i.e. without the mention of the price. She comments on French people saying that French people are bad at business. She comments that French people negotiate.

Statement no. 2

“Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on.”

Here, Mrs. Al Smith comments on the way French people do the business of buying and selling. She says that French people are not decisive. They are confused with their decisions. They take a long time for taking decision.

4.    Juliette says "................... now I have only one thought that is to get the wretched place off my hands. I would sacrifice it at any price", Does she stick to her words? Why / Why not?

Ans: No. Juliette does not stick to her words. When she notices Jeanne taking interest in buying the villa, she raises the price of her villa. Also, she shows her house to Jeanne only to lure her. When Gaston asks her the final price, she avoids answering him and takes his wife to the first floor.

5.    Who is better in business - Juliette or Gaston? Why?

Ans: Gaston is better in business. Here, he makes money very easily. When he understands the urgent need of Mrs. Al Smith, he buys the villa immediately and thus, makes the profit of one hundred thousand francs. He sells Juliette’s house without any effort and earns a good amount.

6.    Do you like/dislike Gaston? Give your reasons.

Ans: Yes, I like Gaston because he is a practical person. He is aware of Jeanne’s intention of buying the villa (that she wants to purchase the villa for her parents). He is smart enough to not to tell Mrs. Al Smith the price of the villa when she insists. He tells her higher price which she pays immediately. Thus, he does a good deal without taking efforts. He is smart businessmen and a witty character.

7.    Write the character sketch of Juliette.

Juliette is a smart lady who knows what to sell and how to sell. She deliberately writes SALE instead of SELL in order to attract more customers. She is an intelligent person who knows her needs of the hour and who takes a big decision of selling her villa. She is a self-esteemed person. She, though suffering from financial problems, doesn’t give a thought about her maid’s advice of working as a cook in the movie. She is a smart business woman who tries her best in convincing the customer with her words. She knows that her villa is not so good but she always present her villa as if it the best villa in the world. She is a person who understand other people, that is the reason she, when realizes that Gaston in not actually interested in buying the villa, takes Jeanne upstairs so that Jeanne can make her mind. She is a woman with positive attitude and never to give up attitude.

8.    Write the character analysis of Gaston.

Gaston is the one who brings more fun and laughs in the play. He is the husband of Jeanne who knows his wife’s intentions of buying the villa for her parents. That is the reason; he is less interested in purchasing the villa. He is a person who, though respect his in-laws, but doesn’t like the in-laws staying with him half the time of the year. He is a good bargain. He is practical. He understands the actual price of the villa and doesn’t fall prey to Juliette’s praise of the house. He is a comical person who keeps on taunting about the villa and its size. He is a smart businessman. He listens to each and every comment made by Mrs Al Smith about French people, but at the same time, he knows that she will buy the villa. He manages to sell the villa for the price for more than the actual price and makes benefit of one hundred francs. He is a smart person who plays with words and knows when to take decision of selling and buying.

Extra Questions:

·         Who were Gaston and Jeanne?

Gaston and Jeanne were the husband and the wife who came to see the villa with intention of buying it.

·         Who was Mrs. Al Smith and where was she living?

Mrs. Al Smith was a film star. She was from America.

·         Why did the maid ask for a leave of three hours?

Maid asked for a leave of three hours because she wanted to go for shooting of a film where she was offered the role of a maid and for that she was paid one hundred francs.

Writing Skills

Imagine yourself as Juliette. Write a diary entry about selling your villa at a good price.

Friday

16^th July, 2014

Dear Diary,

It was a wonderful day. I still can’t believe that my villa has been sold for a whooping and unexpected amount. To be honest, I was actually fed up of this villa, and was not able to sell it. I was worried about it. This morning itself, I told my maid that I would give this villa even for one hundred francs. But I got much more than my expectations.

The couple who bought my villa was very nice. They are from good background. While Jeanne is kind, her husband Gaston is a practical person. But finally, I convinced them to purchase the villa, and now I am feeling like the happiest person on earth. I was in urgent need of money. Now, I can go to London and spend some time with my freedom.

I hope that Jeanne and Gaston will have lots of fun and they will live a fruitful life there.

Juliette