In this lesson, we dive into "The Passage of the Red Sea" by Henri Murger, a humorous chapter from Scènes de la vie de bohème (1851) — the famous 19th-century French masterpiece that inspired Puccini's opera La Bohème.

The story follows a struggling painter, Marcel, in the bohemian world of Paris as he faces an amusing challenge that reveals the creativity, hardship, and humour of artistic life.

This video includes a full vocabulary practice session and homework exercises.

A full free video lesson is available on YouTube and Substack.

Content

00:00 Introduction

02:11 About Henri Murger

04:30 Reading — The Passage of the Red Sea

18:18 C1 Vocabulary Practice — 25 words & idioms explained

29:36 Homework — comprehension exercises

C1 VOCABULARY COVERED IN THIS LESSON

1. obstinately (adverb) / obstinate (adjective)

2. to be engaged upon (something)

3. to throw someone off the track

4. to be taken in (by something)

5. insensible to (something)

6. to divine (that...)

7. propitious (adjective)

8. avaricious (adjective)

9. on coals of impatience

10. money down

11. my last word

12. sumptuous (adjective)

13. intoxicated (adjective)

14. on the verge of (something)

15. to hold back (someone) from the brink of (something)

16. on account

17. flattering (adjective)

18. the voice of the people is the voice of God

19. watch-dogs (noun, figurative)

20. canvas of Damocles

21. domestic joy

22. to compose an air to (words)

23. repulsed (verb, past tense of to repulse)

24. ostracism (noun)

25. to gaze at (something)