Notes of an Angel in Disguise

An Angel in Disguise

Extract I

Death touches the spring of our common humanity…….. tumble-down hut.

1.    Which woman is referred to here? How did she die?

  The mother of the three children John, Kate and Maggie, who was hated by everyone in their village. The  woman died of intoxication.

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

She did not have good relations with others. She was hated by nearly everyone in his village.  The reason for this could be idleness,  immoral behavior and her habit of excessive drinking.

3.    What did the neighbours take to the old hut?

Some neighbours took grave clothes  for the woman’s decent burial, while some carried food for the starving children.

4.    What kind of living condition were the woman and her children subjected to?

The woman and her children were subjected to pathetic living conditions. Their hut was old and in a tumble down condition. The woman did not  even have decent clothes of her own to be used for her burial.

5.    What was the prospective future of the children after the death of their mother?

John , the oldest, a boy of twelve was adopted by farmer Jones. Kate, a girl between ten and eleven was taken in by Mrs Ellis. Maggie who had injured her spine two years ago and was crippled for life, was not wanted by anyone.

Extract II

Pitying glances were cast…… a bed ridden child?

1.    Who was glanced at with pity? Why?

Maggie was glanced at with pity because she looked innocent  but nobody wanted to take her, as she was crippled for life.

2.    Give the meaning of:

a)    Her wan and wasted form

Maggie, the youngest child of the dead woman looked pale and thin.

b)     Even knocked at them for entrance

Maggie’s innocence and sadness attracted everybody requesting  them to take her.

3.     Which incident made the child bed-ridden?

Two years ago Maggie had fallen from a window and had injured her spine, this made her bed-ridden.

4.    Which shelter was suggested by one of the neighbours for the bed-ridden child? Why?

It was suggested that Maggie should be taken to the poorhouse because for her it would be  a blessed change  where she would  be kept clean,  given healthy food and provided medical care.
5. What role does the child play in the life  Joe Thompson?

After the arrival of Maggie, Joe Thompson’s life completely changed. There was not a man in all the neighborhood who drank daily of a more precious wine of life than he. An angel, disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child, entered his home and life and filled all its dreary chambers with the sunshine of love.

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

Life of Mr and Mrs Thomspson had been dark, cold and miserable because Mrs Thompson had nothing to love and care for, and so became sore, irritable, ill-tempered, and self-afflicting in the desolation of her woman’s nature. The sweetness of the sick child, looking ever to her in love, patience, and gratitude, was as honey to her soul, and she carried her in her heart as well as in her arms, a precious burden.

Extract III

It’s cruel thing to leave…….a vague terror had come into her thin white face.

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

Joe Thompson and his  wife were discussing the options that would be best for Maggie since her mother had died.

2. Why was Maggie’s effort to raise herself painful?

It was because she was a crippled child who had injured her spine two years ago by falling from a window.

3. What thought terrified Maggie? What did she exclaim to Mr Thompson?

The thought of being left alone terrified Maggie. She cried out to him that she should  not be left there all alone.

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

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. He was thus confused.

When he went into the hovel, he supported Maggie and told her she would not be left  there alone. He wrapped her gently in clean bedclothes and took her home.

6.    What kind of man was Joe Thompson? How can you say so?

He was a rough and strong man from his looks. But unlike his external  appearance , he was a kind-hearted  and compassionate  man. It was he who decided to take Maggie home when everybody else in the village wanted her to be sent to a poorhouse. He liked children and loved to spend time with them. He was an intuitive man, who was aware of a woman’s nature in general and his wife’s  feelings in particular. Joe Thompson was aware of the fact that his wife would gradually accept  Maggie into their home as their daughter.

Extract IV

Mrs Thompson saw him approaching form the window……. Love was springing into life.

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

She saw her husband Joe Thompson approaching. Maggie is the precious burden he was carrying. The moment Joe took her in arms he felt as if love had sprung into his life.

2.    What did Mrs Thompson ask her husband? How did Joe Thompson react to it?

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.

3.    Describe Joe Thompson’s behavior since the day he brought the sick child home?

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.

4.    What reason did Joe Thompson give his wife for bringing the child home?

Joe told his wife that he had brought Maggie home because she could not have walked by herself to the poorhouse. He would take her there the next day speaking to the guardians of the poor house regarding it.

5.What was the reaction of Mrs Thompson when the sick child was brought in? How did her attitude  change later?

Mrs Thompson is hard-hearted at the beginning of the story. She scorns at her husband for bringing the invalid child home, but she is transformed  at the end. It appears as if the woman had turned bitter earlier because of being  childless, but as soon as the love of a child  touches her, she is transformed.

Extract V

 Mrs Thompson did not reply, but presently turned towards……. It was a good omen.

1.    What made Mrs Thompson move towards Maggie in the little chamber?

The lover and concern that Joe reflected for Maggie made his wife move towards Maggie in the little chamber.

He had told her  how Christ rebuked those who would not  receive children with happiness. He reminded her of Maggie’s dead mother and the loneliness, pain and sorrow, which Maggie was undergoing at the moment. This moistened his eyes and brought a change of heart in Mrs Thompson.

2.    Why did Joe consider light shining through the windows a good omen?

Thus, the light shining through the window was seen as a good omen because it suggested to Joe that his wife must be spending  time with the child. The light gave him hope and positivity. The light symbolized  to him the sunshine of love that would now fall upon their home.

3.    What did Joe see when he came back home from his shop?

Joe saw Maggie lying in a little raised position with the lamp shining full upon her face. He saw his wife sitting by  Maggie’s bed and talking to her.

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

From Maggie’s expressions Joe gathered that Jane was sad and tender but not bitter toward the child.

This relieved him and he felt as if a weight had lifted from his heart.

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

On coming back Joe acted ignorant; as if he does not  know of the love fostering  between Maggie and his wife. He did not go immediately to the little chamber but to the kitchen. He did not ever refer to the child  in front  of his wife. Acting indifferent towards Maggie he asked, “ How soon will supper be ready?”