The Dreamer by H.H. Munro (SAKI)(Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

Once upon a time, in a grand town known for its magical sales, stood the august establishment of Walpurgis and Nettlepink. This enchanted store had lowered its prices for an entire week, much like an Arch-duchess might catch a mild spell of influenza simply because it was the talk of the town.

In this town lived a woman named Adela Chemping, who considered herself above the ordinary temptations of bargain sales. However, when the reduction week at Walpurgis and Nettlepink's arrived, she couldn’t resist. “I’m not a bargain hunter,” she declared, “but I like to go where bargains are.” This revealed that even Adela had a gentle undercurrent of human weakness beneath her strong character.

Wanting a companion for her shopping quest, Mrs. Chemping invited her youngest nephew, Cyprian, to join her. To entice him further, she promised a visit to a magic lantern show and a delightful feast of light refreshments. Cyprian, not yet eighteen, had a dreamy look in his eyes – the eyes of one who sees beyond the ordinary, much like a poet or a wizard.

“Meet me just outside the floral department,” she wrote to him, “and don’t be a moment later than eleven.”

On the appointed day, Cyprian arrived without a hat. His hair was as smooth as ribbon seaweed, parted in a narrow furrow. His aunt, upon seeing him, was slightly scandalized.

“Where is your hat?” she asked.

“I didn’t bring one,” Cyprian replied. “It’s such a nuisance when one is shopping. If one meets someone they know, they have to take their hat off while holding parcels. Without a hat, there’s no such trouble.”

Adela sighed in relief, fearing he might be turning into a Nut, a fanciful being of extravagance who detests carrying parcels. With her fears eased, she led him to the table-linen counter. “We will go first to the table-linen counter,” she said, “I should like to look at some napkins.”

Cyprian, the dreamer, followed his aunt, wondering why anyone would find pleasure in looking at napkins they didn’t intend to buy. His aunt soon diverted to the glassware department, explaining that her friend Millicent needed a couple of decanters, and she herself wanted a salad bowl. After much deliberation, she bought seven chrysanthemum vases.

“These will do for presents next Christmas,” she informed Cyprian. She also added two sunshades to her purchases, intended for Ruth Colson, who was moving to the Malay States.

“Do you think Ruth will like blue or gray writing paper?” she asked Cyprian.

“Grey,” he replied, though he had never met Ruth.

After a light lunch of a fish cake, a mince pie, and a small cup of coffee, Adela suggested buying a hat for Cyprian from the men’s headwear section, which was having a sale. “I’ve got as many hats as I need at home,” he said. “And besides, trying them on ruffles one’s hair.”

Adela was slightly appeased but insisted on leaving their parcels in the cloak-room for convenience. “We shall be getting more parcels,” Cyprian reasoned, “so we need not collect these until we’re finished.”

Returning to the ground floor, Adela decided to re-examine the napkins, leaving Cyprian to meet her in the cutlery department. However, he was nowhere to be found. Later, she spotted him in the leather goods section, separated from her by a wall of suitcases. A determined lady, mistaking him for a shop assistant due to his bare head, asked the price of a handbag.

Cyprian, unflustered, read the price tag aloud, “Black seal, thirty-four shillings, marked down to twenty-eight. Actually, we’re clearing them out at twenty-six shillings. They’re going fast.”

“I’ll take it,” the lady said, handing over the money.

Several kind strangers helped Adela into the open air. “It’s the crush and the heat,” one sympathizer said, “enough to turn anyone giddy.”

When Adela next saw Cyprian, he was in the book department, the dreamy look in his eyes deeper than ever. He had just sold two books of devotion to an elderly Canon. Adela couldn’t help but smile, realizing that her dreamy nephew had a knack for navigating both the magical and mundane worlds with ease.

And so, they continued their enchanted shopping adventure, blending the boundaries of dreams and reality, in the whimsical world of Walpurgis and Nettlepink.

Even in the most ordinary of activities, such as shopping, the magic of dreams and imagination can transform our experiences. Embracing both the mundane and the magical aspects of life can lead to unexpected joy and fulfillment.

 

 

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/917165521/the-dreamer-by-hh-munro-saki-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

 

august (adj) - respected and impressive

concession (n) - something given up or yielded

observances (n) - practices or ceremonies that are carried out regularly

allurements (n) - attractions or charms

bargain hunter (n) - a person who looks for good deals

undercurrent (n) - an underlying feeling or influence

escort (n) - a person who accompanies someone

light refreshment (phrase) - small amounts of food and drink

early adolescence (phrase) - the early stage of teenage years

sartorial (adj) - related to clothing or style of dress

scandalised (adj) - shocked or horrified by a perceived wrongdoing

orthodox (adj) - conforming to established standards or beliefs

chrysanthemum (n) - a type of flowering plant

extravagance (n) - lack of restraint in spending money or resources

parcel-carrying (n) - the act of carrying packages

mundane (adj) - lacking interest or excitement; dull

apprehension (n) - anxiety or fear about the future

unflustered (adj) - calm and composed

giddy (adj) - feeling dizzy or lightheaded

crush (n) - a crowd of people pressed closely together

rendezvous (n) - a meeting at an agreed time and place

adorn (v) - to decorate or add beauty to

adequate (adj) - sufficient or acceptable in quality or quantity

orthodox (adj) - following or conforming to traditional or generally accepted rules or beliefs

disquieting (adj) - inducing feelings of anxiety or worry

pervasive (adj) - spreading widely throughout an area or group of people

unorthodox (adj) - contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted

spellbound (adj) - holding complete attention as if by magic

portmanteau (n) - a large suitcase

empathetic (adj) - showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Questions

1. What was the name of the renowned store in the grand kingdom?

 

a) Walpurgis and Nettlepink

b) Magic and Wonders

c) The Grand Emporium

d) King's Bazaar

 

2. What did Lady Chemping buy for next Christmas?

 

a) Seven chrysanthemum vases

b) Three silver decanters

c) A set of table-linen

d) Four sunshades

 

3. Why did Lady Chemping invite Cyprian to go shopping with her?

 

a) She wanted his opinion on what to buy

b) She thought he would enjoy the sales

c) She promised him a visit to a magical theater and some refreshments

d) She needed help carrying her parcels

 

4. How did Cyprian end up selling a handbag?

 

a) He wanted to help the store

b) He was mistaken for a shop assistant because he was bare-headed

c) He was looking for a gift for his aunt

d) He decided to earn some extra money

 

5. What does Cyprian’s bare-headed appearance symbolize in the story?

 

a) His rebellious nature

b) His desire to stand out

c) His practicality and dreamy personality

d) His lack of concern for fashion

 

5. What lesson does Adela Chemping learn by the end of the story?

 

a) Bargain hunting is enjoyable

b) Shopping is tiring without parcels

c) She too has simple human weaknesses and can enjoy small pleasures

d) It’s important to always wear a hat

 

AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. Analyze the character development of Adela Chemping throughout the story. How does her attitude towards simple pleasures change, and what does this reveal about her personality? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Discuss the significance of Cyprian’s dreamy nature in the story. How does his unique perspective influence the events of the day, and what does it suggest about the role of imagination and individuality in everyday life? Provide evidence from the text to support your response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Examine the theme of societal expectations versus individuality as depicted in the story. How do the characters navigate the tension between conforming to societal norms and expressing their individuality? What message does the story convey about the value of being true to oneself? Use examples from the text to illustrate your points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer Keys

a) Walpurgis and Nettlepink

a) Seven chrysanthemum vases

c) She promised him a visit to a magical theater and some refreshments

b) He was mistaken for a shop assistant because he was bare-headed

c) His practicality and dreamy personality

c) She too has simple human weaknesses and can enjoy small pllity

 

 

Sample AP-Test Style Writing Responses

1. In the story, Adela Chemping begins as a character who considers herself above the common excitement of bargain sales, showcasing a sense of superiority. Her initial proclamation, "I'm not a bargain hunter, but I like to go where bargains are," highlights her attempt to maintain an image of dignity while still indulging in the pleasures of shopping. However, as the story progresses, her actions reveal a more complex personality. Despite her strong exterior, Adela finds joy in the simple act of shopping, which is evident when she meticulously examines napkins and eagerly purchases discounted items. This shift indicates that beneath her composed and seemingly aloof demeanor lies a person who delights in ordinary activities. Her interaction with Cyprian further underscores this transformation. Initially, she is concerned about societal appearances, questioning Cyprian about his lack of a hat and fearing he might be perceived as a "Nut." Yet, as she immerses herself in the shopping experience, these concerns fade. The thrill she experiences from purchasing items, especially those for future gifts, reflects her underlying appreciation for simple pleasures. By the end of the story, Adela’s character development reveals her vulnerability and the realization that she too enjoys the small, human joys she initially deemed trivial. This journey from self-imposed superiority to embracing ordinary delights highlights the universal truth that everyone, regardless of their status, finds happiness in simple moments. Through Adela's evolution, the story conveys a message about the importance of acknowledging and cherishing these everyday pleasures.

2. Cyprian’s dreamy nature is central to the story, setting him apart from the more pragmatic characters like Adela Chemping. His unique perspective, described as having the "eyes of a poet or a magician," allows him to see the world differently, infusing the mundane with a sense of wonder. This imaginative outlook influences the events of the day by adding an element of unexpectedness and creativity. For instance, Cyprian's decision to leave his hat behind, which he finds to be a nuisance, reflects his practicality but also his disregard for societal conventions. This choice leads to a pivotal moment where he is mistaken for a shop assistant, a situation he handles with remarkable composure and ingenuity. By selling the handbag to the demanding lady, Cyprian demonstrates his ability to adapt and thrive in unplanned circumstances, showcasing the power of imagination to navigate everyday challenges.

Cyprian’s individuality also highlights the theme of non-conformity. His refusal to conform to the expectation of wearing a hat, despite his aunt’s initial disapproval, symbolizes his commitment to personal comfort and practicality over societal norms. This act of individuality is further emphasized when he confidently provides the sales information for the handbag, illustrating his ease in taking on an unconventional role. Through Cyprian’s actions, the story suggests that imagination and individuality are not just traits to be admired but essential qualities that enrich everyday life. They allow individuals to see beyond the ordinary, find creative solutions, and embrace their unique identities. Cyprian's dreamy perspective, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing one's imagination and staying true to oneself, even in the face of societal pressures.

3. The theme of societal expectations versus individuality is vividly depicted through the characters of Adela Chemping and Cyprian. Adela, who prides herself on her social standing, initially navigates the tension by adhering to societal norms. Her concern about Cyprian being perceived as a "Nut" without a hat highlights her preoccupation with appearances and social conformity. However, as the story progresses, Adela’s actions reveal a more nuanced approach to this tension. Despite her initial resistance, she indulges in the pleasures of bargain hunting, a simple joy that contradicts her proclaimed superiority. This internal conflict illustrates the struggle between maintaining societal appearances and embracing personal desires.

Cyprian, on the other hand, embodies individuality. His dreamy nature and refusal to wear a hat symbolize his rejection of societal expectations. When mistaken for a shop assistant, he seamlessly adapts, using his imagination and practicality to navigate the situation. This incident underscores the value of individuality, as Cyprian’s unique perspective allows him to handle the unexpected with ease and creativity. His actions demonstrate that staying true to oneself can lead to success and personal fulfillment, even in conventional settings.

The story conveys a powerful message about the value of being true to oneself. Through Adela’s eventual acceptance of her enjoyment in simple pleasures and Cyprian’s consistent individuality, the narrative suggests that genuine happiness and fulfillment come from embracing one’s true nature rather than conforming to external expectations. The interactions between the characters highlight that societal norms often mask the simple joys of life, and by valuing individuality, one can find deeper satisfaction. Ultimately, the story encourages readers to cherish their unique traits and perspectives, as these are what truly enrich everyday experiences and lead to a more authentic and joyful life.

 

All rights reserved by 비투게더 

 

SAT, ACT, TOEFL, MAP, AP, IB, SSAT 과외는 과외의 모든 것

비투게더(www.betogether.co.kr.)에서! 지금 유명 강사진을 꼭 확인하세요!

 

Do you want to study more with teachers? 

Click the email link and ask me anything you want. then I will give you more information and help you find a good-fit teacher. 

 

charmingnr.0213@gmail.com