AN ANGLE IN DISGUISE

                                     

AN ANGLE IN DISGUISE

Question 1.
Comment on the theme of the story “An Angel in Disguise” bringing out the significance of its title.
Answer:
“An Angel in Disguise” is a didactic story written by T.S. Arthur. It gives us a message of love, sympathy and charity. A poor, discarded child proves to be a ray of hope in the wretched life of a couple Mrs and Mr Thompson. The child, Maggie, had been bedridden with an injured spine after a fall from a window. When her mother dies all of a sudden, her brother and elder sister are taken care of by the neighbours but no one is inclined to take the responsibility of bringing up the youngest child, Maggie. It is in this situation that Joe Thompson brings her home and after an initial rejection by his wife, the child is accepted lovingly and this charitable act brings joy and hope in the couple’s life.

Question 2.
Describe the miserable condition of the woman who dies leaving behind three young kids.
Answer:
The poor woman is a victim of idleness, vice and drunkenness and dies at the threshold of her own house all of a sudden. She leaves behind three half-starved children who are frightened by her death. There is no one else in the family to take care of the wretched children. The news of her death spreads all around like wildfire. The woman had brought disrepute to herself by her viciousness but now the neighbourhood is ready to offer a decent burial to the wretched mother.

Question 3.
Describe the children left behind by the wretched mother and how they are taken care of after her departure.
Answer:
Three children – John, Kate and Maggie – have been left behind by the sudden misfortune which overtakes the family. John is a stout lad of twelve who is in a position to earn his living with any farmer. Kate, the second child, is a girl between ten and eleven. She is a bright, active girl who can go ahead in life with a caring guardian. But the third child, Maggie, is hopelessly diseased. She is suffering from a spinal injury and is bedridden.
“What is to be done with the children ?” Was the main question in everybody’s mind. It was farmer Jones who came forward to adopt John who would be some help to him. Mrs Ellis chose to bring up Katy who wouldn’t be an asset immediately but might shape up in a few years. She thought that Katy is used to having her own way in everything, yet she would take her up from a sense of duty. However, nobody was willing to take the responsibility of Maggie, a hopeless cripple. A rough-looking man suggested that the girl should be sent to the poorhouse because nobody was going to be bothered with her. However, a wheel-wright named Joe Thompson was kind enough to take Maggie to his house did not approve of it immediately.

Question 4.
Under what circumstances does Joe Thompson take in Maggie as his own child ?
Answer:
When the poor, miserable woman dies a sudden death, two of her children – John and Kate – are taken in happily by the neighbours. But nobody is inclined to accept Maggie since she is a hopeless cripple. When everybody leaves Maggie behind Joe Thompson, The wheelwright, pauses and says to his wife :
“It’s a cruel thing to leave her so”. But his wife snaps back Then take her to the poorhouse; she’ll have to go there”.
Saying this, she leaves for her home while her husband stands there puzzled and perplexed. He goes into the hovel inspite of his wife’s reluctance and has a look at the helpless, orphaned girl. The girl appeals to him, “O Mr Thompson, don’t leave me here all alone Now,
Mr Thompson doesn’t have the heart to reject her and brings her home.

Question 5.
How does Mr Thompson bring the orphaned child, Maggie, to his home ?
Answer: Mr Thompson hasn’t the heart to leave the helpless child alone. So he wraps her up with motherly gentleness in the clean bedclothes which some neighbour had brought. Lifting her in his strong arms, he walks across the fields to reach his home. He knows that his wife is not a woman of saintly temper and would not receive the child in a kindly manner. As soon as she sees her husband with his “precious burden”, she asks : “What have you there ?” She further asks him if he had brought that sick brat to his house. In order to cool down his wife, Joe says that the poor girl could not walk to the poorhouse on her own. He has decided to see the Guardians and seek their permission to admit the child to the poor-house. This softens the attitude of Mrs Thompson towards the child.

Question 6.
How does Joe Thompson mentally prepare his wife to accept the child in. her home ?
Answer: Joe Thompson is very tactful in handling his wife’s anger. He quotes from the Bible in order to subdue her temper. He tells her how the Saviour rebuked the disciples who would not receive the children kindly. The Saviour himself took up the children in his arms and blessed them. The Saviour said : “Whosoever gave them even a cup of cold water should not go unrewarded.” Therefore, according to Mr Thompson, it is not a big deal for them to keep that poor motherless child for one night. It is their moral duty to look after the child and keep her comfortable. He advised his wife to speak kindly to the child. They should think of her dead mother and also her pain and sorrow in the rest of her life.

The eloquent speech of Joe Thompson has a positive effect on his wife. She goes into the room where Maggie is resting. Apparently her heart has changed towards the helpless and hapless child. Therefore Joe Thompson goes to work in his shop, leaving Maggie to the care of his wife. He knows that his wife heart has melted and now she will feel like a mother towards the child.

Question 7.
What change of behaviour did Joe Thompson notice in his wife after returning from his shop ?
Answer:
When Joe Thompson returned home from his shop he found a light shining through the little chamber windows. It was a good omen. When he peeped into the chamber, he saw Maggie lying in her bed with the lamp shining full upon her face. Mrs Thompson was sitting by the bed, talking to the child. A great weight was lifted from his heart to note that there was no sign of bitterness or pain on the face of his wife. This showed that now she was fully attached to the child and there was no sign of regret or remorse in her mind for accepting this child. The child did not seem to be any kind of burden to her any more.

Question 8.
How does Joe Thompson talk to Maggie to win over her love and affection.
Answer:
Joe Thompson knows that the child is a stranger to him. Still he tries to win her over by asking many questions about her past life. He affectionately takes her soft hand in his hand and wants to know if she has been sick quite long. She answers in the affirmative. He further asks her if the doctor had come to see her. She tells him that he used to come earlier but not now. Then he wants to know about her aching back and the extent of her pain. The poor girl tells him that she feels better in the soft bed in which she is lying now. Her voice shows that she is fuil of gratitude towards this fatherly figure who has brought her here after her mother’s death.

Question 9.
In what way the helpless girl, Maggie, proved to be “an angel in disguise” for the Thompson family ?
Answer:
An angel in disguise is somebody who proves to be an asset inspite of the poor initial impression. Mrs Thompson, the irritable wife of the wheelwright, seems to be greatly upset by his decision to bring the hopeless cripple (Maggie) to his house. When Joe tells her that the neighbours wanted to send her to the poorhouse, she retorts : “Why didn’t you let her to, then ? What did you bring her for ?” Her husband boldly remarks that she could not walk to the poorhouse and somebody in arms must carry her and his arms were strong enough for that task. Again, the irritable wife asks him why he did not take her up to the poorhouse. He calmly replies that he must see the Guardians first and gain their permission for her admission to the poorhouse. This is enough to cool down the wife. But when Joe leaves for his shop, it is Mrs Thompson who comes near the child and slowly begins to shower affection on her. She had turned into a sore, irritable, ill-tempered and self- afflicting woman in the absence of a child. Now, the entry of this child brings sunshine into her life which had been quite desolate earlier. Joe Thompson was also delighted by her sweet presence and she was indeed “an angel” who had come into his house disguised as a sick, helpless and miserable child. All the dreary chambers of their house were filled with the sunshine of love.

An Angel in Disguise Comprehension Passages

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Death touches the spring of our common humanity. This woman had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman, and child in the village; but now, as the fact of, her death was passed from lip to lip, in subdued tones, pity took the place of anger, and sorrow of denunciation. Neighbours went hastily to the old tumble-down hut, in which she had secured little more than a place of shelter from summer heats and winter cold : some with grave-clothes for a decent interment of the body; and some with food for the half-starving children, three in number.

(i) How did the mother die ?
Answer: The mother fell upon the threshold of her own door in a drunken fit and died in the presence of her little ones.

(ii) How did the people of the village treat the woman during her life ? What was their attitude towards her after her death ?
Answer: The people of the village hated the woman and angrily denounced her during her life. Their attitude towards her changed after her death. Now they took pity on her. They were full of sorrow.

(iii) Where did the woman live ? How many children did she have ?
Answer: The woman lived in an old humble hut in which she had secured a shelter from hot summer and cold winter. She had three children – two daughters and a son.

(iv) What did people carry with them when they visited the woman’s house on her death ?
Answer: Some people carried with them grave- clothes for a decent interment of the body, while some others carried with them food for the half-starving children.

(v) Who was the dead woman’s youngest child ? How had she become a disabled person ?
Answer: Maggie, the little girl, was the dead woman’s youngest child. She had a fall from a window and had injured her spine. Thus she became a disabled person. She had not been able to leave her bed since then.

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
But no one said “I’ll take Maggie.” Pitying glances were cast on her wan and wasted form and thoughts were troubled on her account. Mothers brought cast-off garments and, removing her soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire. The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts, and even knocked at them for entrance. But none opened to take her in. Who wanted a bed-ridden child ?
“Take her to the poorhouse,” said a rough man, of whom the question “What’s to be done with Maggie?” was asked. “Nobody’s going to be bothered with her.”

(i) How did the village people look at Maggie ? Why did no one want to take charge of her ?
Answer: The village people looked at Maggie with pity but no one wanted to take charge of her because she was a crippled child and was unable to leave her bed of her own. She was dependent on others.

(ii) What did the village women bring for Maggie ? How did Maggie touch many hearts ?
Answer: The village women brought cast-off garments for Maggie. They removed her soiled and ragged clothes and dressed her in clean attire. Maggie touched many hearts by her sad eyes and patient face.

(iii) What did the rough man suggest with regard to Maggie ? How would the poorhouse be a good place for Maggie ?
Answer: The rough man suggested that Maggie should be left in the poorhouse. It would be a good place for her. There she would be kept clean, have healthy food and would be provided with medical aid.

(iv) Who capte to mourn the drunken woman’s death ? Why did no one follow the dead cart ?
Answer: A few neighbours came to mourn the drunken woman’s death, but none followed the dead cart as it contained the unhonoured remains of a poor woman.

(v) What did Jones, the farmer, do ? Why did he think that he had done his part ?
Answer: Jones, the farmer, placed John, the eldest son of the dead woman, in his wagon and drove away. He was satisfied that he had done his part by taking the responsibility of John.

3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
“It’s a cruel thing to leave her so.”
“Then take her to the poorhouse: she’ll have to go there,” answered the blacksmith’s wife, springing away, and leaving Joe behind.
For a little while the man stood with a puzzled air; then he turned back, and went into the hovel again. Maggie with painful effort, had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out of which all had just departed, A vague terror had come into her thin white face.
“O, Mr Thompson!” she cried out, catching her suspended breath, “don’t leave me here all alone!”.

(i) Explain the line “It’s a cruel thing to leave her so.”
Answer: Everyone had left Maggie, the crippled child to her fate. When the blacksmith’s wife was about to leave her alone, Joe Thompson, a kind-hearted person, told the blacksmith’s wife that it was a cruel thing to leave Maggie, the helpless girl, in such a miserable condition.

(ii) Why did Joe Thompson go to Maggie’s hovel again ? What did he observe ? What did Maggie tell Joe Thompson ?
Answer: Joe Thompson felt pity for Maggie, the crippled child. But he did not know what
to do with her. He was puzzled for a while, but then went back to Maggie’s hovel out of compassion for her. He observed that she had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed. Maggie told Joe Thompson, “Don’t leave men here all alone.”

(iii) What type of a person was Joe Thompson ? What assurance did he give Maggie ?
Answer: Though Joe Thompson was rough in exterior, he was kind-hearted from within. He liked children and loved their company. Joe Thompson assured Maggie that she would not be left alone there.

(iv) How did Joe Thompson treat Maggie ? What did he do ?
Answer: Joe Thompson treated Maggie kindly. He wrapped her in clean bed clothes and took her to his house.

(v) What type of a person was Mrs Thompson ? What doubt did her husband have about her ?
Answer: Mrs Thompson, who happened to be childless, was not a woman of saintly temper. She did not believe in doing something good for others. Joe Thompson knew that his wife would not approve of her.

4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Then, stepping back, he shut the door, and stood face to face with his vinegar-tempered wife in the passage-way outside.
“You haven’t brought home that sick brat!” Anger and astonishment were in the tones of Mrs Joe Thompson; her face was in a flame.
“I think women’s hearts are sometimes very hard,” said Joe. Usually Joe Thompson got out of his wife’s way, or kept rigidly silent and non-combative when she fired up on any subject; it was with some surprise,
therefore, that she now encountered a firmly-set countenance and a resolute pair of eyes.
“Women’s hearts are not half so hard as men’s !”

(i) How did Mrs Thompson react when her husband reached his home with the sick child in his arms ? What type of a look did her husband give her ?
Answer: Mrs Thompson reacted angrily and astonishingly when her husband reached his home with the sick child in his arms. Her husband, Joe Thompson, gave her a firm and resolute look.

(ii) What reply did Joe Thompson give his wife when she asked him what he had brought with him ? Where did he lay Maggie ?
Answer: Joe Thompson told his wife that he thought women’s hearts were sometimes very hard. He placed Maggie in the little chamber of his house.

(iii) What was Mrs Thompson’s tone when she confronted her husband with regard to Maggie ?
Answer: Mrs Thompson’s tone was full of anger and astonishment. Her face was red with anger.

(iv) What was Joe Thompson’s general attitude towards his wife whenever she talked about some subject ?
Answer: Usually Joe Thompson remained out of his wife’s way. He kept silent and remained non-combative whenever she talked about some subject.

(v) How did Joe Thompson confront his wife with regard to Maggie ? What did he tell her about women’s hearts ?
Answer: Joe Thompson confronted his wife with firmness and resoluteness. He told her that he thought women’s hearts were some times very hard.

5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“Jane,” said the wheelwright, with an impressiveness of tone that greatly subdued his wife, “I read in the Bible sometimes, and find much said about little children. How the Savior rebuked the disciples who would not receive them; how he took them up in his arms, and blessed them; and how he said that ‘whosoever gave them even a cup of cold water should not go unrewarded.’ Now, it is a small thing for us to keep this poor motherless little one for a single night; to be kind to her for a single night; to make her life comfortable for a single night.”

(i) What did Mrs Thompson ask her husband to do at once with regard to Maggie ?
Answer: Mrs Thompson asked her husband to get the permit at once and admit Maggie in the poorhouse.

(ii) Why did Joe Thompson refer to the Bible ? What did he want to convey to his wife ?
Answer: Joe Thompson referred to the Bible in order to tell her that the Saviour rebuked those disciples who did not receive children kindly. He wanted to convey to his wife that those who loved the children and looked after them kindly would be rewarded.

(iii) How did Joe plead with his wife to keep Maggie in their home for a single night ? Why did he turn his head away ?
Answer: Joe pleaded with his wife in an impressive tone to keep Maggie in their home for a single night. He assured her that he would admit her in the poorhouse the next morning. Also he referred to the Bible to impress upon her that the Saviour had asked his disciples to love children and treat them kindly. He turned his head away so that the moisture in his eyes might not be seen.

(iv) What impact did Joe’s words have on Jane Thompson ?
Answer: Joe’s words had a positive impact on Jane Thompson. After hearing his words, she did not answer but a soft feeling crept into her heart.

(v) What did Joe say in his address to Jane ? What brought eloquence to Joe’s lips when he addressed his wife ?
Answer: Joe told her to look at Maggie kindly and speak to her kindly, and to think of her dead mother, and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow that must be on all her coming life. The softness of his heart brought eloquence to Joe’s lips.

6. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Mrs Thompson did not reply, but presently turned towards the little chamber where her husband had deposited Maggie; and, pushing open the door, went quietly in. Joe did not follow; he saw that her state had changed, and felt that it would be best to leave her alone with the child. So he went to his shop, which stood near the house, and worked until dusky evening released him from labour. A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention on turning towards the house : it was a good omen.

(i) What did Mrs Thompson do after listening . to her husband’s impassioned plea ? Why did her husband feel that it would be best to leave her alone with the child ?
Answer: After listening to her husband’s impassioned plea, she went towards the little chamber where her husband had kept Maggie, pushed open the door and went quietly in. He observed a change in her wife’s attitude towards Maggie and so thought that it would be best to leave her alone with the child.

(ii) What attracted Joe’s attention when he returned home after day’s work ? Why was he relieved on seeing Mrs Thompson ?
Answer: A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first thing that attracted Joe’s attention when he returned after day’s work. He was relieved when he saw Mrs Thompson sitting by Maggie’s bed and talking to her.

(iii) What change did Joe Thompson notice in his wife’s attitude ? Why did he think it proper not to refer to the child ?
Answer: He found that his wife was sitting by Maggie’s bed and talking to her. He noticed that they were conversing with each other. He saw that Maggie’s eyes were fixed upon his wife, and that her expression was sad and tender but he saw nothing of bitterness or pain. This was the change that he noticed in his wife.
Joe did not go immediately to the little chamber. He found that his wife had been busy talking to Maggie. He thought it proper not to refer to the child because he did not want to show any extraordinary concern about Maggie.

(iv) How did Maggie look at Joe when he entered her little bedroom 7 What did Joe notice about Maggie in the lamp light?
Answer: Maggie looked at Joe tenderly, gratefully, and pleadingly when he entered her little bedroom. Joe noticed that Maggie had an attractive face and it was full of childish sweetness.

(v) What did Joe ask Maggie after he took her little hands in his ? How did Maggie reply to Joe ?
Answer: He asked her if her name was Maggie. She replied in the positive. While saying so, her voice struck a chord that quivered in a low strain of music.

An Angel in Disguise Assignment

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Mrs Thompson looked rather strangely at her husband for some moments, and then dropped her eyes. The subject was not again referred to during the meal. At its close, Mrs Thompson toasted a slice of bread, and softened it with milk and butter; adding to this a cup of tea, she took them in to Maggie, and held the small waiter, on which she had placed them, while the hungry child ate with every sign of pleasure.
“Is it good ?” asked Mrs Thompson, seeing with what a keen relish the food was taken, (i) When did Maggie’s back pain start ? What had given relief to her ache in the body ?
(ii) What had Joe noticed about his wife when he saw her through the window ? What did she tell him abruptly ?
(iii) What food did Mrs Thompson give Maggie to eat ? How did Maggie eat the food ?
(iv) What did Maggie’s gratitude awake in Mrs Thompson ? What did Mrs Thompson tell Joe about Maggie ?
(v) Why did Joe not see the guardians of the poor ? What did he expect from his wife with regard to Maggie ?

2. (a) How does Maggie prove a blessing for the Thompsons ?
(b) What message does the story ‘An Angel in Disguise’ convey to the readers ?
(c) “Love is essential for human survival.” In the light of this statement discuss the theme of the story ‘An Angel in Disguise’.

EXTRA QUESTION

 

Question 1: Which woman is referred to in the beginning of the story? What had happened to her?

Answer: The woman was the mother of three children, John, Kate and Maggie. She was an alcoholic and despised because of her idleness and addiction to liquor. She had fallen upon the threshold of her own door in a drunken fit, and died in the presence of her frightened little children.

Question 2: What kind of relations did the woman have with others?

Answer: The woman did not have good relations with others. Due to her bad behavior and habits, she was not liked by anyone in the village. She had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced.

 

Question 3: How many children did the woman have? Describe them.

Answer: The woman had three children. The first one was John, the oldest, a boy of twelve years, was a stout lad, able to earn his living with any farmer. The second one was Kate, between ten and eleven years was a bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made. The third one was poor little Maggie, the youngest, who was hopelessly diseased. She had injured her spine after a fall from a window, two years before and was now bedridden.

Question 4: What was the matter of concern now after the woman‘s death?

Answer: Now, after the woman’s death the matter of concern was that, who would take care of her three children. They were too young to fend for themselves and could not be left alone.

 

Question 5: Who offered to take John? Why?

Answer: Farmer Jones offered to take John with him as John was stout and the farmer could make him work in his fields.

An Angel in Disguise Questions & Answers

Question 6: Who offered to take Katy? Why?

Answer: Mrs. Ellis took Kate as she had been looking for a bound girl to work in her house.

 

Question 7: How did the people look at Maggie? Why did no one want to take her?

Answer: The villagers looked at Maggie with pity. They showed concern for the poor child. They felt sympathetic and concerned for the sad eyes and patient face of the little girl. No one wanted to take her home as she was disabled and bedridden and would be of no use to them.

Question 8: What suggestion was given by the rough man?

Answer: The rough man suggested that Maggie should be taken to a Poor house. It would be the best place for her because she would be kept clean, get healthy food and be doctored.

 

Question 9: Who finally took Maggie and why?

Answer: Mr. Thompson, the wheelwright finally took Maggie. He took her home because he had a tender heart and liked children. Maggie had requested him not to leave her alone in the hovel.

Question 10: What idea do we get of the character of Mr. Thompson?

Answer: Mr. Thompson had a rough exterior but unlike his external experience he was a kind-hearted man, who loved children. He was the only one in the village who volunteered to take Maggie home and took good care of her.

 

Question 11: What was Mrs. Thompson‘s reaction on seeing Maggie?

Answer: Mrs. Thompson showed her anger and astonishment when she saw Maggie being brought home by Mr. Thompson. She questioned him if he had brought that ‘sick brat’ home.

An Angel in Disguise Questions & Answers

Question 12: What reason did Mr. Joe Thompson give his wife for bringing the child home?

Answer: Joe Thompson told his wife that the little child‘s mother had died and she was left alone in the little hut. He informed her that nobody was ready to take the bedridden girl and she could not walk to the Poor house on her own as suggested by the others. It was getting dark so he decided to bring her home and would take her to the Poor house after taking permission from her guardians.

 

Question 13: What made Mrs. Thompson move towards Maggie in the little chamber?

Answer: Joe asked Mrs. Thompson to be kind by giving an example of the lines in the Bible (the views of Jesus Christ on how God rewards those who help little children). He also reminded her of Maggie’s dead mother and loneliness, pain and sorrow, which Maggie was undergoing at that moment. This probably melted her heart and she went to see Maggie in the little chamber.

Question 14: Why did Joe consider the light shining through the window a good sign?

Answer: Joe considered the light shining through the window a good sign (omen) because it was a sign of hope that revealed the change in Mrs. Thompson’s attitude towards the girl (Maggie).The light symbolized to him the sunshine of love that would now fall upon their home.

Question 15: Why was Joe relieved when he came back home?

Answer: Joe was relieved to see that his wife was no longer resentful of Maggie being in their house and was in fact sitting in her chamber, talking tenderly to the child.

Question 16: What did Joe notice about Maggie in the light of the lamp?

Answer: Under the lamplight, Joe saw Maggie‘s thin face. He noticed that it was an attractive face and full of childish sweetness which so much suffering, had not been able to remove.

An Angel in Disguise Questions & Answers

Question 17: Why did Joe not see the guardians of the poor house ever again?

Answer: Joe did not see the guardians of the poor house ever again because Mrs. Thompson’s feelings had changed for Maggie. She had started loving Maggie. They decided to adopt her as their own child.

Question 18: What kind of person was Mrs. Thompson before Maggie came to her life?

Answer: Mrs. Thompson was a bitter and angry person before Maggie came to her life. She had nothing to love and care for out of herself, and so she had become sore, irritable, ill-tempered and self-afflicting.

Question 19: In what way was Maggie an angel in disguise?

Answer: Maggie was an angel in disguise. She came to the house of the Thompson‘s disguised as a sick, helpless and miserable child and filled all its dark and dreary chambers with the sunshine of her love. The miraculous effect that Maggie’s presence had on the woman’s character and the happiness that she brings to them proved her to be an angel in their lives.

Question 20: What is the message of this story?

Answer: The story emphasizes the importance of loving and caring for others. We must show love, kindness and compassion towards others. It conveys the restorative and transformative power of selfless love.

So, these were An Angel in Disguise Questions & Answers.

Extract-1 (From book)

i)    Which women is refered here? How did she die?

(i) The woman was mother of John, Kate and Maggie. She fell on a threshold while she was drunk.

ii)   What kind of relations did the woman have with others? Why do you think it was so?

(ii) The woman did not have good relation with others. She was not liked by anyone in the village due to her bad behaviour and habits. She had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced.

iii)    What did the neighbours take to the old hut?

(iii) The neighbours took grave clothes for decent interment of the body and food for the motherless starving children.

iv)    What kind of living condition were the woman and her children subjected to?

(iv) The woman and her children were subjected to pathetic living conditions. They lived in an old tumbled down hut. It was more than a place of shelter from summer & winter cold. The woman did not  even have decent clothes of her own to be used for her burial.

v)    What was the prospective future of the children after the death of their mother?

(v) John the oldest boy was adopted by farmer Jones. Kate, a girl between ten and eleven years was adopted by Mrs. Ellis. Maggie who had injured herself two years ago was crippled for life and was not adopted by anyone.

Extract-2

i)    Who was glanced at with pity? Why?

(i) Maggie was glanced at with pity. She was a boon like an angel but was not adopted by anyone as she was disabled. Nobody wanted to take her as she was crippled for life.

ii)    Give the meaning of:

a)    Her wan and wasted form

a) Maggie, the youngest child of dead mother looked pale and thin.

b)   Even knocked at them for entrance

 b) Maggie's innocence and sadness attracted everyone to take her with them.

iii) Which incident made the child bed ridden?

(iii) Two years ago, Maggie had fallen from the window and had injured her spine which made her bed ridden.

iv) Which shelter was suggested by one of the neighbour for the bed-ridden child ? Why ?

iv) It was suggested that Maggie should be taken to the poor-house because for her it would be a blessed change where she will be kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored.

v)  a ) What role does the child play in the life  Joe Thompson?

a) Joe Thompson - Because of Maggie Joe Thompson dared to argue with his wife which he usually didn't do.Later on Maggie filled his life with love, happiness and joy.

b) What role does the child play in the life of Jane Thompson?

b) Jane Thompson the child proved to be an angel in disguise. Due to her the bitterness which Mrs. Thompson had was gone. Maggie’s nature, sweetness and gratitude brought a change of heart in Mrs. Thompson and she whole-heartedly accepted Maggie as her child.

EXTRACT-3

1) Who are having a conversation in the above extract? What is the main topic of their conversation?

Joe Thompson and Blacksmith’s wife were having conversation in the above extract. They were discussing that where Maggie should be sent after her mother had passed away.

Ii) Why was Maggie’s effort to raise herself painful?

Maggie’s effort to raise herself was painful because she was a crippled child as she had injured her spine two years ago by falling from the window.

 

iii) What thought terrified Maggie? What did she exclaim to Mr Thompson?

(iii) The thought of being left all alone terrified Maggie. She cried out to Mr. Thomson to not to leave her alone.

iv) Why do you think the man stood with a puzzled air? What did he do when he went into the hovel?

 (iv) He was puzzled because he did not know what to do. Neither did he want to leave Maggie alone, nor did he wish to send her to the poor house. When he went into the hovel, he supported Maggie and told her she would not be left  there alone. He wrapped her with his hands and bore her out into the air across the field.

v)  What kind of man was Joe Thompson? How can you say so?

  (v) Mr. Thompson was rough and tough man. But unlike his external appearance he was a kind hearted man. He was only one person in whole village who helped maggie and cared for her.

 

 

Extract-4

i) Whom did Mrs Thompson see approaching? What precious burden was he carrying? Why is the burden precious?

(i)  Mrs. Thompson saw Joe Thompson approaching. He was caring Maggie, who is regarded as a 'precious burden’. She was referred to be 'precious' because she turned to an angel in disguise, who filled Thompson's home and heart with love.

ii) What did Mrs Thompson ask her husband? How did Joe Thompson react to it?

 (ii) Seeing the child in her husband’s arm, Mrs. Joe Thompson sharply questioned: “What have you there?”. Joe did not reply immediately but pleaded and cautioned his wife with his looks, that asked her to be gentle.  Joe spoke to angry wife only after comfortably placing Maggie on a bed.

iii) Describe Joe Thompson’s behavior since the day he brought the sick child home?

 (iii)  Joe formed a bond with the child as soon as he lifted her in his arms. Usually Joe Thompson kept rigidly silent in front of his wife but that day he displayed a firmly-set  countenance and a resolute pair of eyes.

He also answered his wife with real indignation for Maggie , something which he never did before.

iv) What reason did Joe Thompson give his wife for bringing the child home?

(iv) Joe Thompson told his wife that he had brought Maggie home because she herself can't walk to the poorhouse. He would take her there the next day speaking to the guardians of the poor house regarding it.

v) He would take her there the next day speaking to the guardians of the poor house regarding it.

(v)  Joe Thompson became furious when the sick child was brought in. She was seething with anger and could not utter a word. Later, she not only gave Maggie supper but like a mother sat throughout with her while she was relishing it. She gave up the thought of sending Maggie to poorhouse and began to take care of her. Maggie's nature brought a change in heart of Mrs. Thompson and she whole-heartedly accepted Maggie as her child.

Extract-5

i)  What made Mrs Thompson move towards Maggie in the little chamber?

(i) Joe asked Mrs. Thompson to be kind by giving the views of Christ on little children. He also reminded her of Maggie's dead mother and loneliness, pain and sorrow, which Maggie was undergoing at the movement. This brought a change in heart of Mrs. Thompson and she went to see Maggie.

ii) Why did Joe consider light shining through the windows a good omen?

(ii) Joe considered the light shining through the window a good omen because it was a sign of hope that revealed the change in Mrs. Thompson's attitude towards the girl. he light symbolized  to him the sunshine of love that would now fall upon their home.

iii) What did Joe see when he came back home from his shop?

(iii) He saw a light shining in Maggie's room. He saw Maggie's face through window and also observed that his wife was talking to Maggie.

iv) What did Joe gather from Maggie’s facial expression? To what extent, did it relieve him?

 (iv) From Maggie's facial expression Mr. Thompson could make out that she was not in pain. Joe saw that her expression was sad and tendered but there was no bitterness or pain.

v) How did Joe behave on coming back home from his shop? What did he ask his wife?

(v) Mr. Thompson did not show any concern for Maggie and was ignorant; as if he does not know of the love fostering between Maggie and his wife. He also didn't refer to the child. Joe asked her wife how soon the supper would be ready.