1.a. In what country and what region does the story take place?

The story takes place in the north-east of the USA in the Great Lakes area.

b. In your own words, say where Grosse Pointe is situated and what sort of people live there.

Grosse Pointe is located in the suburbs of Detroit, near one of the lakes. It is inhabited by wealthy people, especially captains of the car industry.

c. What is the name of the narrator's father?

His name is Milton Stephanides.

2.a. What do the narrator's parents want to do in Grosse Pointe?

They want to buy a house.

b. In your words, explain why the narrator's father is becoming suspicious (line 9). (20-30 words)

He suspects his search may be fruitless as all the houses he has applied for have been either too expensive, unavailable or already sold.

Read from line 10 to line 38

3. Explain what Miss Marsh's job consists in.

She is a real estate agent. She shows potential buyers houses for sale.

4. What is Milton's opinion of the house? Pick out four elements to justify your answer.

He isn't enthusiastic about it. It doesn't correspond to what he and his wife are longing for.
l 15 : "Too boxy-looking"
"Too modern"
l 16 : "I'm not sure my wife would go for this kind of thing"
l 29 : "It pretty much is a window".

5.a. Line 11 : "It takes a buyer with a little vision." what does Miss Marsh mean? (20-30 words)

She means that such a house requires someone with an unconventional personality. It deserves a buyer who can understand and appreciate its artistic value.

b. Line 12 : "it was designed by Hudson Clark." What effects does she think that name will have on Milton?

She expects him to be impressed and thrilled to become the owner designed by such an architect.

c. What does Milton nod "dubiously" (line14)?

His reaction shows that he is either ignorant of who Hudson Clark is, or indifferent to her argument.

6. Focus on Milton's answers to Miss Marsh's questions.

What exactly do we learn about Milton and his family? (origin, religion, job, household).
(30-40 words)

Milton is of Greek origin, his wife probably too. She and their children attend a Greek (orthodox) church. He must be a restaurant owner or in the food industry. he lives with his wife, his two children and his parents.

7.a. Focus on lines 39 to 43. Why is this passage in italics?

It reveals Miss Marsh's stream of consciousness. It enables the reader to have access to her thoughts. The use of italics clearly shows this is not part of the conversation.

b. Lines 42-43 "Oh, that won't do. That won't do at all." Explain what Miss Marsh means.

It means that she becomes aware that this family won't fit the criteria, that she can't possibly sell them a house in such a neighbourhood.

8.a. In your own words, explain how the "Point System" works. (30-40 words)

Depending on their origin, occupation, religion and household, prospective buyers are given points or not by the real estate agent. The lower the score is, the likelier you are to be accepted in the neighbourhood. (35 words)

b. What does it reveal about the community of Grosse Pointe? (20 words)

The community of Grosse Pointe must be conservative and mainly W.A.S.P. They must be very selective in the choice of their new neighbours.

9.a. In one sentence say what Miss Marsh's goal has become.

Having realized he couldn't fit in, Miss Marsh intends to dissuade Milton from buying the house.

b. What arguments does she now use? (20-30 words)

She undermines Hudson Clark's importance as an architect and points out the flaws of the outbuildings. She insists on the fact they are in bad repair and unimpressive.

Read the whole text again.

10. Focus on the expressions on Miss Marsh's face (lines 19-20;25;39). How can these expressions be interpreted? (30-40 words)

At first, she grins out of politeness. Then she has to force herself to smile when she learns about his origin.
Eventually, she stops pretending and remains tight-lipped, as he is not the right buyer for this house. (39 words)

11.a. From line 47 onwards, what shows that Milton is gaining control of the situation? (30-40 words).

He is now the one who's doing the questioning. He suddenly shows great interest in what she underestimates. He seems to take pleasure in contradicting her and gets the upper hand on her. (34 words)

b. Line 60 "But now it is Milton's turn to smile". Explain this sentence. (30-40 words)

He smiles because he knows he has won this little match. Her final argument concerned money but this is no obstacle as he won't need a loan to buy the house right away. (34 words)

Traduction
"Cette propriété est plutôt excentrique," explique Miss Marsh à Milton, un après-midi de septembre tandis qu'elle lui fait remonter l'allée. "Il lui faut un acheteur un peu visionnaire". Elle ouvre la porte d'entrée et le conduit à l'intérieur. "Mais elle a vraiment un certain pedigree Elle fut conçue par Hudson Clark". Elle attend un signe d'intelligence. "De l'Ecole de la Prairie".
Milton acquiesce, dubitatif. Il examine l'endroit, tournant la tête dans tous les sens. Il ne s'était pas vraiment intéressé à la photo que Miss Marsh lui avait montrée, là-bas au bureau. Trop l'air d'une boîte. Trop moderne.
"Je ne suis pas sûr que ma femme serait partante pour ce genre de chose, Miss Marsh."
"J'ai bien peur que nous n'ayons rien de plus traditionnel à vous présenter pour l'instant."