Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

I have always wondered at the passion many people feel to meet the celebrated. The prestige they acquire by being able to tell their friends that they know the famous, prove only that they are themselves of small account. The celebrated develop a technique to deal with the person they come across. They show the world a mask, often an impressive one, but take care to conceal their real selves. They play the part that is expected from them and with practice they learn to play it very well. But you are stupid if you think that this public performance of theirs correspond with the man within.
(W S. Maugham)

What does "them" indicate in the middle of the paragraph "They play the part that is expected from them"? I cannot understand what this sentence wants to say because of "them."

Thank you in advance.

[CP]

It probably should be "of them," not "from them." It means that they play the part that they are expected to play.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner12]

Dear CP,

Thank you for your explanations!! I understood it.

Have a nice day!!