The film follows the adventures and misadventures of Edward Henry (Denry) Machin, an ambitious young man from a poor background.
Denry surreptitiously changes his poor grades to qualify for entry to a "school for the sons of gentlemen". At the age of 16, he becomes a junior clerk to Mr. Duncalf, the town clerk and a solicitor. He meets the charming and socially well-connected Countess of Chell, a client of Duncalf's, and is given the job of sending out invitations to a grand municipal ball. He "invites" himself and wins a £5 bet that he will ask the countess to dance. This earns him the reputation of a "card" (a "character", someone able to set tongues wagging)—a reputation he is determined to cement, but the next day, Duncalf angrily sacks Denry.
Denry offers his services as a rent collector to a dissatisfied client of Duncalf's, Mrs. Codleyn. His reputation as an efficient and no-nonsense collector brings the business of Mr. Calvert. Denry quickly realises, though, that he can make more money by advancing loans, at a highly profitable interest rate, to the many tenants who are in arrears. He also discovers that Ruth Earp, the dancing teacher who is attracted to Denry, is herself heavily in arrears to Mr. Calvert. Despite this, Ruth and he became engaged.
While on holiday in Llandudno with Ruth (accompanied by her friend Nellie Cotterill as chaperone), he witnesses a shipwreck and the rescue of the sailors—an event that he turns to his financial advantage. He also realizes Ruth's spendthrift nature, and they part on bitter terms.
Denry starts up the Five Towns Universal Thrift Club, a bold venture that allows members to purchase goods on credit. This increases Denry's wealth and reputation, and he is able to expand further, due to the patronage of the countess.
Denry's social ambitions expand. He becomes a town councillor, and he purchases the rights to locally born Callear, the "greatest centre forward in England", for the failing local football club.
Ruth reappears, now the widow of a rich, older, titled man. He considers renewing their relationship but is unsure of his (and her) feelings.
Nellie's father, a builder, is bankrupt (again), and the family decides to migrate to Canada. As they are boarding the ocean liner at Liverpool, Denry realizes that Nellie is devastated at her potential loss, and that he really loves only her. Ruth, who is also present, is furious, but quickly starts a fresh relationship with another older, titled gentleman.
Nellie and Denry marry. Denry becomes the youngest mayor in the history of Bursley.
PARA MECANOGRAFÍA LIBRE.
Realizar el ejercicio cuantas veces le permita el tiempo de clase:
Una carta es un medio de comunicaciónescrita por un remitente y enviado a un destinatario. Habitualmente, el nombre y la dirección del destinatario aparecen en el frente del sobre, el nombre y la dirección del remitente aparecen en el reverso del mismo (en el caso de sobres manuscritos) o en el anverso (en los sobres preimpresos). Existen cartas sin remitente, en las que no está anotada la dirección de quien envía la carta, bien por olvido o por omisión consciente del remitente. La carta puede ser un texto diferente.1 Las cartas se envían desde la antigüedad y se mencionan en La Ilíada.2 Los historiadores Heródoto y Tucídides mencionan y utilizan las cartas en sus escritos.3 Al conjunto o intercambio de cartas que se envían y se reciben se le denomina correspondencia.
El tipo de la carta debe ser adecuado para el receptor y entendible:
Carta formal: La carta formal sirve para todo lo que tiene que ver con objetivos profesionales, laborales, institucionales, trabajos etc.
Carta informal: Se dirige a familiares o amigos y se usa un lenguaje coloquial que ambos entiendan.
Carta familiar: Puede ser un derivado de la anterior, con la única diferencia de que esta es específicamente para familiares.
Carta muy formal: En estos casos se nota una distancia aún mayor con el destinatario. Además, al momento de colocar a quién se dirige la carta debe colocarse: Señor/Señora.
Carta informativa: Sirven para informar sobre eventos, fiestas o acontecimientos, etc.
Carta histórica: Sirve para redactar las historias y aventuras hacia una persona.
