HomeStd XII ProseThe New Dress

The New Dress

The New DressVirginia Woolf

1.5 The New Dress – Std. XII

Characters

1) Mrs. Barnet

Mrs. Barnet is a maidservant in the Dalloway household. Her behavior in greeting Mabel Waring and taking her coat seem unremarkable to the reader but sets off great waves of insecurity in the party guest about her appearance and social role.

श्रीमती बार्नेट या दालोवे घरातील मोलकरीण आहेत. मेबेल वारिंगला अभिवादन करताना आणि तिचा कोट घेऊन जाण्याची तिची वागणूक वाचकांना वेगळो वाटते, परंतु तिच्या दिसण्याबद्दल आणि सामाजिक भूमिकेबद्दल पार्टीतील पाहुण्यांमध्ये असुरक्षिततेच्या निर्माण होते.

2) Mrs. Dalloway or Clarissa Dalloway

Clarissa Dalloway is the hostess of the party that Mabel attends. Clarissa is affable and courteous to her guests, and her presence lingers, though the reader only hears her speak once in the story—to encourage Mabel not to leave the party early.

क्लॅरिसा डॅलोवे ही मेबेल ज्या पार्टीला हजेरी लावते त्या पार्टीची होस्टेस आहे. क्लॅरिसा तिच्या पाहुण्यांशी प्रेमळ आणि विनम्रपणे  वागते. तिची उपस्थिती वाचकांच्या जाणवते. वाचक तिचे बोलणे कथेत फक्त एकदाच ऐकतात. ती मेबेलला लवकर पार्टी सोडू नये म्हणून प्रोत्साहित करण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करतात.

3) Mabel Waring

Mabel Waring is a middle-aged woman. She had two children. She reflects constantly and, some might say, obsessively, about her alienation (separation) from the members of the elevated level of society she wants to join.

When she is invited to a party given by the wealthy and socially prominent Clarissa Dalloway, she is overwhelmed with worry about her inability to dress fashionably because of the cost.

She has an old-fashioned dress made from a book of dress patterns that had belonged to her mother, then spends much of her time at the party fearing over its inappropriateness and drawing the attention of other partygoers to it.

She also engages in perfunctory conversations that provide further evidence of her dissociation from these strata of society.

मेबेल वारिंग ही एक मध्यमवयीन महिला आहे जी सतत विचार करत राहते. असे जाणवते की कदाचित तिला ज्या समाजाच्या उच्च स्तरावरील सदस्यांपासून दूर राहायचे आहे त्या समुहातच तिला सामील ही  व्हायचे आहे.

जेव्हा तिला श्रीमंत आणि सामाजिकदृष्ट्या प्रख्यात क्लेरिसा डॅलोवे यांनी दिलेल्या पार्टीसाठी आमंत्रित केले जाते, तेव्हा ती जादा किंमतीमुळे फॅशनेबल कपडे घालण्यास असमर्थ असल्याबद्दल चिंताग्रस्त होऊन जाते.

तिच्याकडे तिच्या आईच्या ड्रेस पॅटर्नच्या पुस्तकातून बनवलेला एक जुना-शैलीचा पोशाख घालून पार्टीत जाते. त्यानंतर ती पार्टीमध्ये तिचा बराचसा वेळ ड्रेसच्या योग्य – अयोग्यतेबद्दल चिंता करत घालवते आणि इतर मंडळींचे लक्ष त्याकडे लक्ष वेधून घेते.

ती असंबंध संभाषणांमध्ये देखील गुंतलेली असते. त्यातून समाजाच्या या स्तरांपासून तिच्या विभक्ततेचा आणखी पुरावा देते. येथे ती कथा नायिका म्हणून समोर येते. तिच्या मनातील विविध भावनांचे प्रकटीकरण दिसते.

4) Rose Shaw

Rose Shaw is a guest at Clarissa Dalloway’s party. Mabel Waring characterizes her as being dressed “in the height of fashion, precisely like everybody else, always.” Rose compliments Mabel on her new dress, but Mabel is convinced that she is being subtly mocked.

रोझ शॉ क्लेरिसा डेलोवेच्या पार्टीत पाहुणे असते. मेबेल वारिंगला वाटते की तिने फॅशनच्या नावाने इतर सर्वांप्रमाणेच कपडे घातले आहे. रोझ तिच्या नवीन ड्रेसबद्दल मेबेलचे कौतुक करते, परंतु मेबेलला खात्री आहे की तिची थट्टा केली जात आहे.

5) Robert Haydon

He is one of the party guests. He met Mabel at the party where she was staying in the corner. He tries to cheer up Mabel by saying polite words.

Mabel thinks that because of her strange behavior Robert have to say words to cheer her up. She thinks that everything he said was a lie.

तो पार्टीत आलेल्या पाहुण्यांपैकी एक आहे. तो पार्टीत कोपऱ्यात बसलेल्या मेबेलला भेटतो. विनम्र शब्द बोलून तो माबेलला खुश करण्याचा प्रयत्न करतो.

मेबेलला वाटते की तिच्या विचित्र वागण्यामुळे रॉबर्टने तिला आनंद देण्यासाठी असे शब्द बोलला आहे. तो जे काही बोलला ते खोटे आहे असे तिला वाटते.

6) Miss Milan

She is the dressmaker of Mabel’s yellow dress. She is a very warm and caring lady. She makes all the effort to make Mabel’s dress the best.

Though she is a poor lady, she takes pride in her tailoring work. She earns enough to keep a pet bird.

मिस मिलान मेबेलच्या पिवळ्या ड्रेसची ड्रेसमेकर आहे. ती एक अतिशय प्रेमळ आणि काळजी घेणारी महिला आहे. मेबेलचा ड्रेस सर्वोत्तम बनवण्यासाठी ती सर्व प्रयत्न करते.

ती गरीब महिला असली तरी तिला तिच्या टेलरिंग कामाचा अभिमान आहे. पाळीव पक्षी पाळण्याइतपत ती कमाई करते.

7) Charles Butt

He is a guest in the party. He is unkind and impolite towards Mable and her dress. He teases her by sarcastically saying, “Mabel’s got a new dress!” Mabel feels more negative and awkward because of his words.

चार्ल्स बट पार्टीत आलेला एक पाहुणा आहे. तो मेबल आणि तिच्या ड्रेसबद्दल उद्धटपणा दाखवतो. तो तिला उपहासाने म्हणतो, “मेबेलला नवीन ड्रेस मिळाला आहे!” मेबेलला त्याच्या शब्दांमुळे अधिक न्युनगंड जाणवतो.

8) Mrs.Holman

She is a guest in the party. She is filled with her own family problems. She meets to Mabel in the party and shares her problems. She desires to get sympathy from her.

As Mabel is buried in her own thoughts of negativity, the words of Mrs. Holman make her more anxious. She still tries to pretend that she is a part of Mrs. Holman’s conversation.

श्रीमती होल्मन पार्टीत आलेली अतिथी आहे. ती तिच्या स्वतःच्या कौटुंबिक समस्यांनी ग्रासलेली आहे. ती मेबेलला पार्टीत भेटते आणि तिच्या समस्या सांगते. तिच्याकडून सहानुभूती मिळवण्याची तिला इच्छा असते.

मेबेल स्वतःच्या नकारात्मक विचारांमध्ये दबलेली असताना, मिसेस होल्मनचे शब्द तिला अधिकच अस्वस्थ करतात. ती मात्र मिसेस होल्मनच्या संभाषणाचा मनापासून ऐकत असल्याचे भासवण्याचा प्रयत्न करते.

Glossary

suspicion -doubtmarkedly -clearly
springing -jumpingconviction -belief
looking-glass-mirrormisery -depression/unhappiness
profound -deep/intenserelentlessly -continuously
remorselessly -ruthlessly/mercilessly  intensity-power/strength
beat off -overcomeBorrow or Scott- British writers
fright -terrorhideous -ugly
flickering -playingappalling -terrible
inadequacy -lacking/ shortfallcowardice -weakness
mean -unkindwater-sprinkled blood -weak thoughts
depressed- disappointedsordid -dishonest/wrong
repulsive- disgustshabby -untidy
puffed up- arrogantvanity -excessive pride
show off -boast/bragunutterably -cannot even describe
paltry -worthlessprovincial -local
exploded -shatteredabsurd -silly/stupid
guineas -shilling/moneyDignified
pluming herself -feeling proudmodest -humble
an orgy -celebrationchastised -corrected
rigged -dressed upsatirical – mocking/sarcastic
pucker -foldprecisely -exactly
spell -magic incantationto annul -end
agony-sufferingendurable -manageable
over often -repeatedlystrained and strained -over stressed/nervous
hoist -lift/raisemeager -small
insignificant -unimportanttoiling -laboring
dragged -pulleddowdy -dull/unfashionable
decrepit – worn out/weakhorribly-extremely
dingy -dirtyto reassure -comfort/encourage
furbishing up-giving a fresh look/renovatea poor weak-kneed- weak/less encouraging
detached -disconnectedwitty -funny
insincere -dishonestin a flash -quickly
terribly -badlystuffy -airless
sordid -very poorbliss -happiness
Suffused -filledsprang -jumped
existence -realityRid -free
scrolloping -with heavy floral ornamentsmahogany -dark reddish wood
mysteriously – strangethe core-center
vanity-pridepuckering  -creasing   
wits -reasonsfonder -loving
bulging -swollenendurance -strength
content-happymiserable-dejected
scanty-lesssordid- poor
vanished -disappearedconvictions -belief
weevils -insectspecked – bite
fierce -angrysimpered -smiled
slouched – roam/movemongrel -cross breed dog
malice-meanmean-selfish
paltry-unimportantfeeble-minded-weak
shoved -pusheddrown -sink
veneer -coating/surfacepertly – bold
temper-angryruffled -messy
odious-hatefulvacillating -wavering
conchology -study of shellsetymology-study of origin of words
botany-study of plantsarcheology-study of ancient human
fructify -growbore down -came quickly towards
beneath – unimportanttumbling downstairs – falling down
the scarlet fever -disease causing fever and rashesElm Thorpe -name of a town
unutterably -unspeakablyfurious -angry
grasp -holdtadpoles -baby frogs
self-loathing -hating selfodder -strange
leaning -inclinedstrained -injured by overexertion
detached -disconnectedgesticulating -gesturing
solitary -lonelyself-centered -selfish
suspiciously -doubtfullygrudgingly -complainingly
creaking -squeakingclamor -roar/noise
cormorants -large birdswring out -squeeze/twist
dreadfully -terriblyblue pool -action producing result
condemned -judgeddespised -disliked
a backwater -isolatedfeeble -weak
vacillating -waveringpenance-self-punishment
clinging -tight fittingskimping -saving
paring -cuttinglinoleum -liquid material for floor covering
worn – trashsordid -sleazy/cheap
catastrophic -great damageutterly -completely
petered out -diminish slowlyrespectably -decently
squint at -look/examinetolerably – bear
hash -dish with potatoestwig -stick
absurdly -idioticallymagpies -birds
tuft -bunchpaddling -walking
wretched -inferiorfretful -worried
wobbly -unsteadylolling -sprawling/lying
twilight -dusky/darkmidst -middle
creeping -sneakingcrest of a wave -feeling confident and happy
seldom -rarelydegrees -this stage/point
deplorable -unacceptableendured -suffered patiently
clergyman -priestStrand -shore of the sea

Activity Sheet No. 1

Q. Read the extract and complete the activities given below. (12)

Mabel had her first serious suspicion that something was wrong as she took her cloak off and Mrs. Barnet, while handing her the mirror and touching the brushes and thus drawing her attention, perhaps rather markedly, to all the appliances for tidying and improving hair, complexion, clothes, which existed on the dressing table, confirmed the suspicion – that it was not right, not quite right, which growing stronger as she went upstairs and springing at her, with conviction as she greeted Clarissa Dalloway, she went straight to the far end of the room, to a shaded corner where a looking-glass hung and looked. No! It was not RIGHT. And at once the misery which she always tried to hide, the profound dissatisfaction – the sense she had had, ever since she was a child, of being inferior to other people – set upon her, relentlessly, remorselessly, with an intensity which she could not beat off, as she would when she woke at night at home, by reading Borrow or Scott; for oh these men, oh these women, all were thinking- “What’s Mabel wearing? What a fright she looks! What a hideous new dress!”-  their eyelids flickering  as  they came up and then their lids shutting rather tight. It was her own appalling inadequacy; her cowardice; her mean, water-sprinkled blood that depressed her. And at once the whole of the room where, for ever so many hours, she had planned with the little dressmaker how it was to go, seemed sordid, repulsive; and her own drawing-room so shabby, and herself, going out, puffed up with vanity as she touched the letters on the hall table and said: “How dull!” to show off – all this now seemed unutterably silly, paltry, and provincial. All this had been absolutely destroyed, shown up, exploded, the moment she came into Mrs. Dalloway’s drawing-room.

A1. True or false (2)

Rewrite the statements and state whether they are true or false.

1) Mabel was worried about her dress that she had chosen for the party.

2) From childhood Mabel had the sense of being inferior to other people.

3) Mabel was suspicious about her look in the mirror.

4) The drawing room of Mabel was beautiful and rich.

A2. Pick out (2)

Pick out four sentences which show the anxious mood of Mabel.

A3. Explain (2)

Mabel said, “It was not RIGHT.”  Explain the sentence.

A4. Personal Response (2)

Give information about your favourite dress in 50 words.

A5. Language Study (Do as directed) (2)

a) What a hideous new dress!

(Choose the alternative showing correct assertive sentence form.)

i) It is hideous new dress.                       

ii) It is a very hideous new dress.

iii) It is a very new dress hideous.          

iv) It is a very new hideous dress.

b) It was not right.

(Choose the alternative showing the correct transformation of this sentence into an affirmative sentence)

i) It was right.              

ii) It was never right.                      

iii) It was wrong.         

iv) It was always wrong.

A6. Vocabulary (2)

Write antonyms for the following from the extract.

a) Weaker       

b) satisfaction        

c) superior  

d) adequacy

The New DressVirginia Woolf – See more activity sheets and answers in the following book.

Activity Work book for Std. XII by Prof. Tushar Chavan

Get book by sending money by phone pay or Google pay to 9850737199

Price Rs. 400 + Courier Rs. 50 Total Rs. 450

Send address to 9850737199 on whats app of Prof. Tushar Chavan


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