Three Men in a boat Jerome K.

Jerome

Episode One
1) The three major characters; namely Jerome, Harris and George, have something
in common which gathered them on a river trip.
a- What do they have in common?
All of them suffered from stress, boredom and overwork and felt the need
for getting some rest.
b- What are the qualities of good friends?
They share the same concern and interest. They are honest and helpful.
2) George said," we need to get away from London for a couple of weeks."
a- Why does George want to be away from city life?
The city is noisy, polluted and stressful.
b- In your opinion, what do city dwellers lack?
They lack peace and quiet. They also lack the beauty of the countryside
and the friendliness of its people.
3) The three friends talked about feeling sick and agreed to do something to flee
stress.
a- What did they decide to do?
They decided to go on a boating trip up the Thames to Oxford.
b- What do you think we should do to avoid boredom and stress?
Take up a hobby and socialize with others.
4) The three friends agreed to go on a river trip instead of going on a sea trip ,and
they believed that it was the best choice.
a-Why?

To get some fresh air and to go somewhere quieter and less stressful.
It is not as risky as sea trips.

b- In your opinion, what makes a sea trip more dangerous than a river trip?

Bad weather conditions such as strong winds, sea storms and tornadoes.
Dangerous sea creatures such as sharks etc
Sea depth.
Seasickness.

Episode Two
5) Talking about George, Jerome said, George goes to sleep at a bank . trying to
look as if he was doing something . And he was doing nothing.

a- What kind of character is George?

He is lazy and unreliable. He hates work.
He is untrustworthy and irresponsible.
b- In your opinion, how can people be successful at work?
They should be hardworking, punctual and honest.
6) The three friends agreed to camp and spend the clear nights outside and not in
hotels.
a-Why did they take such a decision?
They preferred an open space with some fresh air. They thought it could be
healthier.
b-If you intend to go on a camping trip, what precautions will you take to

ensure

your safety?
I should afford all my needs. I should choose a safe and clean place away
from wild animals and all kinds of risks.
7) While waiting for a taxi with piles of luggage to their side, a crowd of people
gathered curiously thinking the three men were going on a transatlantic
journey.
a-What does this scene reveal about the writers style?
It is one of the countless comic and humorous scenes in the story.
This work classifies Jerome as one of the greatest humourist writers.
b- This scene criticizes one of the negative social behaviours that spreads
throughout many places. What is it?
Many people are nosy and try to interfere in others business.
8) Since the beginning of the river trip, the three men have experienced some
trouble which was described in a funny way to add comedy to the story.
a- What trouble did they experience during that trip?
When they left the river bank, they hit a fishing boat and drove the
fishermen very angry.
b-What do you think we should do to avoid trouble when going on a journey?
We should plan everything in advance.
We should have a clear idea about our campsite and its surroundings.
9) In the whole story, George was described as a source of amusement for the group.
a- In what ways has George been amusing, funny and subject to others' ridicule?
He plays the banjo, rather badly, following an instruction book. He causes
trouble to Jerome.
Georges playing annoyed the dog which didnt stop barking until George
stopped playing that instrument.
b- Music plays an important role in our lives Explain.

 It can be restful and calming. It can be a source of entertainment and

pleasure.

Episode Three
12) Harris said, a change is as good as rest.
a-To what extent is change important in our lives?
We can be away from routine. We experience something new and make
new friends.
It is a way to flee the destructive monotony of our modern lifestyle.
b- Don't you agree that change can sometimes be problematic. Explain.
Unfortunately, it may cause trouble and make us unable to socialize with
others and cope with the new situation.
13) Jerome and George woke up early at six although they used to get up late very
often before their river trip.
a-Why do you think they woke up unusually early although they were on a
holiday?
They might have had a deep sleep.
They were stress-free and wanted to enjoy the beauty of the early morning.
c- "The early bird catches the worm." Do you agree with this proverb? Why or why
not?
I agree:
o It is healthier
o It makes us more active
o Financially speaking, it is more beneficial.

Episode Four
14) Jerome said,`" While I was Putting on my shirt, one sleeve fell into the water,
George laughed.
a-What is funny and ironic in this scene?
George laughed thinking it was Jeromes shirt, but he discovered later it
was his own.
b- The story is crammed with a number of funny situations . Which one do you
consider as the most humourous.
The dog Montmorency barks furiously whenever George plays the banjo to
show its disgust.

 The dog had eleven fights with other dogs on its first day in Oxford and
fourteen fights on the second day
The other characters were in trouble repeatedly and were described in a
comic way:
They embarked on the bank of the river and found themselves trespassing
Jerome admitted he had every ailment he read in the medical book
Jerome dropped Georges shirt in the river
15) Harris hurt himself while preparing breakfast and got eggs everywhere ,and all
of them failed to open a tin of pineapple.
a- Why didnt they manage to do things properly?
They are not used to order.
The writer wanted to add fun and comedy to the story.
b- In your opinion, how can parents help their children develop a sense of
organization and order in their surroundings?
Train them to tidy up their rooms since their early childhood.
Involve them in housework activities from time to time.

Episode Five
16) George and Jerome went on a walk into Henley. Harris was warned not to sleep,
but had slept, however.
a-Has Harriss character changed during the river trip?
It hasnt changed .He is still lazy and clumsy.
He does his best to avoid work even if it were rowing the boat.
b- Has your character, in terms of values and beliefs, changed over the years.
Give some examples that reflect the change.
I believe more in the power of friendship.
I believe in cooperation more than before.
I believe in mutual respect more than before.
I believe more in self-reliance and independence.
17) Jerome said, people sit for an hour, a day, a week, even a year, but never catch
anything.
a-Why do some people insist on carrying on fishing though there is little hope for
catching fish?
What is more important than fish is enjoying the quiet surrounding, the
fresh air and the beautiful scenery.
b- It is very important to be hopeful. Explain.

 Hope is required to keep trying and achieve success.

18)

While being in a hotel in Wallingford, the three friends were attracted by the
view of a big fish in a glass case. Many people there pretended catching the same
fish and made up their own stories and so did the hotel owner himself. In the end,
it turned out to be an artificial fish made in China.
a-Why did the writer mention that incident and describe it with due care.
To criticize one of the widely spread vices in society ;lying to others and not
telling the truth.
b- How can we prevent the spread of such vice in society?
Parental and school education are the key to promote honesty among
youngsters.

19) Three Men in a boat is an account of a boating holiday on the Thames. The
humorous elements took over so that it was regarded as a comic story.
a- Give examples of the comic elements in the story.
The dog Montmorency barks furiously whenever George plays the banjo to
show its disgust.
The dog had eleven fights with other dogs on its first day in Oxford and
fourteen fights on the second day
The other characters were in trouble repeatedly and were described in a
comic way:
They embarked on the bank of the river and found themselves trespassing
Jerome admitted he had every ailment he read in the medical book
Jerome dropped Georges shirt in the river
b- What makes a story appealing to most readers?
Its well-knit plot
its suspense
the writer's style
the moral lesson it conveys
20) The work of Jerome K. Jerome was intended to be a serious travel guide with
accounts of local history places along the routes
a-Give example of historical places mentioned in the story
Hampton court , Magna Carta Island, Oxford, Hambledon, Marlow
b- How can we promote tourism in Kuwait?
Developing the tourist sites in Kuwait.
Conserving the historical monuments in Failaka.
Providing good services to tourists.

 Developing festivals such as Hala February and varying its activities to

attract more visitors.