Structured Questions from An Angel in Disguise by T. S. Arthur
QUESTION AND ANSWERS for An Angel in Disguise
Read the extract and answer the following questions:
1. 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. Of these, John, the oldest, a boy of twelve, was a stout lad, able to earn his living with any farmer. Kate, between ten and eleven, was a bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made, if in good hands; but poor little Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased.
1. What could be the possible reason for woman's death?
Answer
The woman was discovered dead at the threshold of her own door in the presence of her three children. She was in a drunken state, her body lay cold and still among her miserable children. Looking at her house and the children's condition, we can guess that she was a big alcoholic.
2. People hated the woman; still, they turned upon her death. Give reason.
Answer
It is truly said that why we do not rejoice at our birth and lament on death because we are the person concerned. Howsoever one may be hostile towards someone but death changes and touches the inner self of the person. The same thing happened here; the dead woman was despised, mocked and condemned by almost every member of the village. But when she died, everybody gathered around her house. They were more worried about her wretched children more than herself and so in spite of pitying her, they were angry with her.
3. How did everyone try to help the children in their own way?
Answer
Compassion is the desire to ease other's sufferings and help the less fortunate. Neighbours went quickly to the old tumble-down hut as soon as they heard the news of the poor woman's death. It was only sufficient enough to secure the family from the summer heat or winter cold. They came with grave clothes for the decent burial of the body and some came with food for the half-starving children.
4. How many children did the dead woman leave behind?
Answer
There were three children in all who were orphaned after the mother's death. They were nearly half-starving. Of these, John was the oldest boy of twelve years. He was a stout lad who was able to earn his living with any farmer. The second child named Kate was between ten and eleven. She was a bright and active girl. She could turn out to be very useful if in good hands. The youngest among them was the poor little Maggie who was hopelessly diseased.
5. How was the youngest child Maggie got disabled? What was her prospective future?
Answer
Maggie was the dead woman's third child. Two years ago, she had fallen from a window and injured her spine for which she was bed-ridden. Since then she had not been able to leave her bed except when lifted in the arms of her mother. She was crippled for life and nobody wanted to take her home as she would turn out to be a burden for anyone. Her innocent looks attracted everyone but no one was ready to take her. It was decided that she should be sent to the poorhouse.
2. "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." "A poorhouse is a sad place for a sick and helpless child", answered one. "For your child or mine", said the other, lightly speaking: "but for this brat is will prove a blessed change, she will be kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored, which is more than can be said of her past condition."
1. What was finally decided for the children?
Answer
After the mother's death, the chief question which arose was "What is to be done with the children?" The dead mother would be buried soon and she would be free from all the care or concern of the villagers, but humanity was something that could not leave the children to starve. After considering the matter and having discussed with his wife, farmer Jones decided to take John with him. Mrs Ellis who was looking out for a bound girl did charity on her part by making the choice of Katy, although she was too young to be useful for her. Only Maggie was left.
2. Why no one was ready to take Maggie home when her elder brother and sister's fate had already been decided?
Answer
Maggie was suffering from a hopeless disease in which she could not get up on her own feet. She was completely dependent on other's mercy. Her spine was damaged and therefore she was confined to bed for the rest of her life. After her mother's death, she was left all alone in the house. Nobody wanted to deal with her disability as she could be of no use for anybody except a burden though all had pitied her condition.
3. What did the neighbourhood women bring for Maggie? But humanity did not arise for a poor sick child. Comment.
Answer
The fate of the elder two children was decided in the hands of farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis but no one said that I'll take Maggie. People were giving pity glances on her pale and thin structure and ideas were exchanged on her account. The women helped to remove her soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean attire. Somber the gloomy eyes and patient face of Maggie touched every heart but nobody was ready to open it for her. Nobody wanted a bedridden child.
4. What suggestions were given by the people for little Maggie?
Answer
There were as many suggestions as there were people. The first suggestion came from a rough man who suggested her to be taking to the poor house. Nobody was concerned for her as she seemed to be a burden. Another one remarked that the poor house was a sad place for a sick and helpless child. To this, another one responded that it might be a sad place for "Your child or mine". But for poor Maggie, it would be a blessing as she would be kept clean, have healthy food, would be doctored and taken care very well.
5. What was the scene of the burial day?
Answer
The day following the day of death was decided as the day of burial. A few neighbours were present at the miserable place but nobody followed the dead cart to the grave. Farmer Jones took John in his wagon after the coffin was taken out and drove away feelings contented that he had fulfilled his duty. Mrs Ellis also hurriedly asked Kate to bid her sister goodbye and drew the tearful children apart. Both the sisters gave a sobbing farewell to each other. Others went out hurriedly glancing at Maggie and some refrained from a look. The only bedridden child was left unconcerned.
3."What have you there?" sharply questioned Mrs Thompson. Joe felt the child start and shrink against him. He did not reply, except by a look that was pleading and cautionary, that said, "Wait a moment for explanations, and be gentle", and passing in, carried Maggie to the small chamber on the first floor, and laid her on a bed. Then, stepping back, he shut the door and stood face to face with his vinegar tempered wife in the passage-way outside.
1. Who said, "Then take her to the poorhouse: she'll have to go there?" Why did Joe Thompson go to Maggie's hovel again?
Answer
The above words are said by the blacksmith's wife who was hastening off with the rest of the villagers after the burial of the children's mother. John was immediately taken away by farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis took away Kate. Maggie was almost alone in the hovel. Blacksmith's wife replied this to Mr Joe Thompson's when he called it a cruel thing to leave Maggie like that. She also left the place hurriedly leaving Joe behind. He was puzzled for a while and then went inside again to have a look on her and perhaps with a decision in his mind.
2. How did poor Maggie's catchy words "don't leave me here all alone!" moved Mr Thompson?
Answer
When everybody left the place after the burial, Mr Thompson seemed to be worried about the little girl. He asked blacksmith's wife who suggested him to take her to the poorhouse. Joe stood there for some time confused. He went into the hovel again and saw Maggie had raised her into an upright position with painful effort and was sitting on her bed. Her eyes were on the door out of which all had departed. A terror had covered her pale face. It aroused a feeling of sympathy in Mr Thompson and when she cried "don't leave me here alone!" Mr Thompson felt guilty leaving the child as she was.
3. Which brave action full of pity was undertaken by Mr Thompson?
Answer
Mr Thompson was rough from outside but he had a heart which was tender in some places. He liked to have children come to his shop. When he heard the poor Maggie pleading not to leave her alone, he stopped down over her and told her that she would not be left alone. A little show of compassion and courtesy defines humanity. He wrapped her with the gentleness of a woman in clean bedclothes brought by the neighbours, held her in his strong arms and took her home.
4. What type of woman Mrs Jones was? What doubts did Mr Jones have about her?
Answer
Mrs Jones, wife of Joe Thompson was childless and not a woman of saintly temper, nor much given to self-denial for others' good whereas Mr Joe Thompson had well-grounded doubts about the manner he would be greeted by his wife on reaching home with the crippled child. He had a fear that she would not get along with her and knew that she would not welcome Maggie and it proved to be true when he was confronted by her.
5. Describe Mrs Thompson's reactions on seeing Maggie in her husband's arms? Where did Mr Thompson lay her?
Answer
Joe's wife was childless, so she had no feelings. She was ill-tempered and it had become her usual nature. She had lost the purpose of living. When she saw Mr Thompson carrying a piece of precious burden in his arms from the window, she sharply questioned him about the child. Her tone was full of anger and astonishment and her face was in flame when she asked. “You haven't brought home that sick brat".
Her tone scared little Maggie and she started shrinking in Thompson's arms. He did not reply but carried Maggie to the small chamber on the first floor and laid her on a bed.
4. 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 labor. 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.
1. How did Mr Thompson manage to touch the soft nerve of his wife?
Answer
Mrs Thompson was full of anger and astonishment when she saw Maggie in her husband's arms. Mr Thompson noticed this and said, 'I think women's hearts are sometimes very hard'. Usually, he got out of her sight in such situations or kept silent to avoid further arguments but this time he faced an entirely different person and encountered countenance and well-determined eyes. To his counter, she replied that men's hearts are harder than women's. By this only, he came to know that he had been successful in touching the strings of her heart.
2. Why did Mrs Thompson enquire about the two other children of the dead woman?
Answer
Mrs Thompson who was a bitter lady got angry when she saw Maggie in her husband's arms. She knew that Maggie had one brother and sister too. She was keen to know where they would have been when Maggie was brought there and why didn't she was sent along with them. She wanted her to go to the poorhouse.
3. On the pretext of the Bible, how did Mr Thompson presented his views before his wife?
Answer
Mrs Thompson asked her husband to go at once to the poorhouse for getting a permit to send Maggie to the poorhouse when she brought the child home. Then he gave the reference of the Bible in which much is written about children. And the Savior rebuked and punished the disciples who would not receive them, but took them in his arms and blessed them and even the smallest of help to the children would be considered. Kindness goes in a circle and comes back in one way or the other. Hearing this, a soft feeling crept into her heart.
4. Why did Mr Thompson avoid the chamber where Maggie was kept when he returned back home?
OR
Why did Mr Thompson felt it better to leave Mrs Thompson alone with the child in the chamber?Answer
Mr Thompson was not sure whether his wife's temperament would be normal by evening or not. The first thing that caught his attention after reaching home was the light shining through the little chamber. He paused to look in and was satisfied to see the view. His wife was sitting by the bed in the chamber where Maggie lay and was talking to her. But entering the house, he did not go immediately to the little chamber. His heavy footsteps were heard by his wife who hurriedly came out of the chamber where she was with Maggie. Joe thought it best, not to discuss the child or show any concern for the child.
5. What did Mr Thompson notice when he returned back in the evening from his work? Why was he relieved?
OR
What expressions did Mr Thompson find on the little girl's face after he returned home?
Answer
When Mr Thompson returned back home he observed the light shining in the chamber in which Maggie was kept. He considered it a good omen. It was dark enough outside to screen him from the observation. Maggie was lying on the bed with her head little raised on the pillow. His wife was sitting beside her and talking to her. The light fell upon Maggie's face and Thompson could see that her eyes were fixed upon his wife. Every now and then a few words came as if in answers from her lips. There were sadness and tenderness in her expression but no pain or bitterness. This sight lifted the heavyweight from his heart.
5. "Is it good?" asked Mrs Thompson, seeing with what a relish the food was taken. The child paused with the cup in her hand and answered with a look of gratitude that awoke to new life old human feelings which had been slumbering in her heart for half a score of years. "We'll keep her a day or two longer; she is so weak and helpless", said Mrs. Joe Thompson, in answer to her husband's remarkable, at breakfast-time on the next morning, that he must step down and see the Guardians of the Poor about Maggie.
1. What were Mr Thompson's feelings when he saw the child carefully for the first time?
Answer
After having his dinner, Mr Thompson washed from his hands and face the dust and soil of work, left the kitchen and went to the little chamber. He found a pair of large bright eyes looking at him from the snowy bed. The looks were tender, grateful and pleading. This gave him extreme joy, his heartbeats became faster. Joe Thompson sat down and for the first time examined the child carefully under the lamplight. The tender face was attractive and full of childish sweetness on which suffering had not been able to leave its marks. It strengthened his sympathy for Maggie.
2. What was the subject of discussion between Maggie and Mr Thompson?
Answer
On the first day, after returning from his work, Joe Thompson encountered the girl's childish face for the first time. He sat down beside her and taking her soft little hand, confirmed her name, Maggie. She affirmed in a trembled voice. He asked about her sickness and her treatment than about the pain. The girls replied that till now she had some problems and pain also but now as she was in the soft bed it felt good and comfortable. She was satisfied and grateful to Mr Thompson.
3. Mrs Thompson pretended to be indifferent to the child. Was she actually?
Answer
At first, Mrs Thompson was against taking care of Maggie and insisted on her husband to send her to the poorhouse immediately. Thompson reminded her of the Bible and explained to her that it was a small thing for them to keep that poor motherless child for a single night. The voice was very strong but simultaneously there was moisture in his eyes. Mrs Thompson did not answer but a soft feeling crept into her heart. She spent the whole day with her and at night she made an effort to be indifferent to Maggie in front of her husband. She kept silent on that theme and gave the child a toasted slice of bread which was softened with milk and butter added with a cup of tea. This showed that the chords of her heart were struck with sympathy for the child.
4. How was the behaviour of Mrs Joe Thompson transformed completely?
OR
What change has been noticed in Mrs Thompson's behaviour with regard to Maggie?
Answer
Earlier Mrs Thompson was adamant for sending the poor child to the poorhouse. But with the passage of time, the harshness of her behaviour converted into softness and her heart began to melt towards little Maggie. The tenderness, innocence, patience, gratitude, nature and purity of the child moved her a lot and she asked her husband to keep her for one or two days more before sending to the poorhouse on the pretext of her weakness and helplessness. Finally, she gave up the idea of sending her to the poorhouse and accepted her wholeheartedly.
5. What change did the little child bring in Thompson house? What kind of life were they leading?
Answer
The sick and helpless child brought to light and happiness to Thompson's house. She was a blessing for them. for a long period of time, it had been dark, cold and miserable because Mrs Thompson had no one to take care or love. That was why she became a sore, irritable and ill-tempered and self-affliction woman. Now the sweetness of that sick child who was also thirsty forgetting someone's love was honey to her soul as she carried her in her heart as well as arms. As for Joe, there was not a single man in the whole neighbourhood who drank as precious wine as he. Maggie came as an angel in disguise and filled its dreary chambers with love.
Compound Questions and Answers
1. (a) What is the tragedy of the life of the children?
Answer
The tragedy in the life of the children in 'An Angel in Disguise' is beyond imagination. Their poor mother died in front of her three frightened children, John, Kate and Maggie. They were nearly half-starving. Of these, John was the oldest boy of twelve years. He was a stout lad who was able to earn his living with any farmer. The second child named Kate was between ten and eleven. She was a bright and active girl. She could turn out to be very useful, if in good hands. The youngest among them was poor little Maggie who was hopelessly diseased. Two years ago, she had fallen from a window and injured her spine for which she was bedridden. Since then she had not been able to leave her bed except when lifted in the arms of her mother. She was crippled for life and nobody wanted to take her home as she would turn out to be a burden for anyone. Her innocent looks attracted everyone but no one was ready to take her. It was decided that she should be sent to the poorhouse.
(b) What was the reaction of Mrs Thompson when the handicapped child was brought to her home?
Answer
Joe's wife Mrs Thompson was childless, so she had no feelings. She was ill-tempered and that had become her usual nature. She had lost the purpose of living. When she saw Mr Thompson carrying a piece of precious burden in his arms from the window, she sharply questioned him about the child. Her tone was full of anger and astonishment and her face was in flame when she asked. “You haven't brought home that sick brat". Her tone scared little Maggie and she started shrinking in Thompson's arms. He did not reply but carried Maggie to the small chamber on the first floor and laid her on a bed.
(c) Comment on the title 'An Angel in Disguise'.
Answer
'An Angel in Disguise' is the most appropriate title for the story. Maggie, the youngest of three children brings joy and happiness in the lives of a childless couple, Mr and Mrs Thompson. She proves to be an angel for them. Mrs Thompson's attitude and behaviour show a drastic change. From a rude, ill-tempered and self-afflicting woman, Mrs Thompson is now a loving and caring figure. The sick and helpless child brings light and happiness to Thompson's house. She is a blessing for them. For a long period of time, it has been dark, cold and miserable because Mrs Thompson had no one to take care off or to love. That is why she became sore, irritable and an ill-tempered and self-afflicting woman. Now the sweetness of that sick child who was thirsty for love is honey to her soul as she carries her in her heart as well as arms. Maggie comes as an angel in disguise and fills their dreary chambers with love.