An Angel in Disguise: Question and Answers

An Angel in Disguise: Question and Answers

Part 1: Reference to Context Questions

Part 2: Essay type Questions

** Answers are free of errors(grammatical or otherwise)- unlike the other sites which are full of them. This article has been proofread by two English teachers. However, to err is human. Any suggestion,therefore, is absolutely welcome. Feel free to comment.

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Part 1: Reference to Context Questions:-

Q1.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

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 internment of the body; and some with food for the half-starving children, three in number.

a. How did the woman die? What according to the author had caused her death? 

The woman had died in a drunken fit on the threshold of her door in the presence of her three scared children.

According to the author, idleness, vice and intemperance had caused her death.

b. How many children did the woman have? Describe them.

The woman had three children. 

The eldest one, John, was twelve years old and a sturdy lad. Kate, a bright, active child was between ten and eleven. Maggie was the youngest and had injured her spine in a fall from the window two years earlier. She could not move from her bed.

c. How did the villagers' attitude towards the woman after her death?

Before her death, the woman had been despised and ridiculed by the villagers for her drinking habit. But after her sudden death, people spoke about her in hushed tones and felt pity and sorrow for her and her three children.

d. Why was no one willing to take Maggie? No one was willing to take Maggie because she was an invalid, bedridden child who was totally dependent on others. She could not move about after an injury to her spine. Therefore, unlike her older siblings, she would not be of any help to whoever adopted her.

e. What was the general consensus regarding Maggie? Why? 

The general consensus was that Maggie should be taken to the poorhouse.

Although this suggestion did not satisfy everyone, it was agreed to by many that the poorhouse would indeed be the best place for a sickly child like Maggie. She would be kept clean, have healthy food and would be treated regularly by doctors. In fact, they believed that her situation there would be much better than the impoverished life she had been leading until then.

f. What incidents took place on the day of the funeral?

On the day of the funeral, a few of the neighbours were present at the hut. However, nobody followed the cart as it carried the woman's remains to the grave. As soon as the coffin was taken away, Farmer Jones left with John and Mrs Ellis with Kate. Everyone else hurried out hesitating to even look at Maggie, and soon Maggie was left alone in the house. Joe Thompson, the wheelwright, started leaving, too, but paused beyond the threshold of the house.

g. Why did Joe Thompson stand beyond the threshold in a confused state?

 Joe Thompson the wheelwright paused at the threshold because he felt sorry for Maggie who was left alone. He thought it was cruel to leave such a helpless child alone in that miserable condition. However he was also hesitant to take Maggie in because he knew that his 'vinegar-tempered' wife would not approve of it. He was doubtful about his wife's reaction because she was a bad-tempered, sharp-tongued woman who was not accustomed to helping others.

h. What did Joe Thompson do after everyone left Maggie behind?

Joe was a man with a heart and had a soft spot for children. He realised it would be cruel to leave helpless Maggie behind. So he went back in, wrapped the child

in clean bedclothes and carried her to his house.

Q2. 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.

a. Why did Joe look at his wife in a pleading manner?

As Joe opened the garden gate, his wife sharply asked what he had in his arms. Joe felt the child shake with fear against him. He looked at his wife in a pleading manner hoping that she would not frighten the child with her rude remarks.

b. What did Mrs Thompson order her husband to do so that they could get rid of Maggie immediately?

Mrs Thompson asked her husband to meet the Guardians of the poorhouse immediately, obtain a permit and get Maggie admitted to the poorhouse.

c. How would Joe Thompson usually deal with an argument with his wife? How was it different the day he got Maggie home and what impact did it have on his wife?

Whenever Mrs Thompson argued on any matter, Joe normally kept out of her way or remained quiet and non-combative.

On the day he got Maggie home, he spoke his firmly and stood his ground on his decision to keep Maggie at his house at least for that night.  

Mrs Thompson was surprised and also impressed by her husband's resolute response.

d. How did Joe convince his wife to keep Maggie home for a single night? 

Joe appealed to the religious and godfearing side of his wife and alluded to a Biblical parable where the Saviour criticised disciples who would not treat children kindly, and rewarded those who did. He also told his wife that it was a small thing for them to treat the child well and make her comfortable for one night. He begged her to think of Maggie's dead mother and empathise with Maggie's pain and sorrow. He pleaded so sincerely and earnestly that Mrs Thompson's hard heart softened.

Q3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Joe waited, after sitting down to the table, for his wife to introduce the subject, uppermost in both of their thoughts; but she kept silent on that theme, for many minutes, and he maintained a like reserve. 

a. Why did Joe decide it was to leave his wife alone with Maggie? Where

did he go after that?

After Joe pleaded with his wife to let Maggie stay for that night, Mrs Thompson's mind had definitely changed. Though she did not say anything, she entered the room where her husband had kept Maggie. Joe realised it would be best to let the two to get to know each other.

Joe went to his workshop which was near the house and worked till dusk.

b. What did Joe see through the

window? How did he interpret what he saw?

When he looked in, he saw that his wife and Maggie were talking to each other. Maggie lay propped up by pillows. 

He interpreted it as a good sign because although Maggie did look sad and tender, there was no indication that she was being ill-treated.

c. What did Joe's conversation with Maggie reveal about her condition?

Joe learnt that Maggie had been sick for a long time. A doctor used to visit her, but his visits had stopped. She experienced pain once in a while, especially when she was lifted or moved. However, ever since she had been on the soft bed at the Thompsons' house, she was quite comfortable.

d. What was Joe's response to his wife's question "What are you going to do with

that child?" How did she react?

Joe pretended to be surprised when his wife asked him what he would do with

the child. He said he would take her to the poorhouse just like they had discussed

in the morning.

On hearing this, Jane Thompson looked at her husband for a few minutes and then looked down. She did not bring up the subject again during the remainder of their meal.

e. What food did Mrs Thompson serve to Maggie? How did Maggie's reaction to the food affect the lady?

Mrs Thompson served a slice of toasted bread softened with milk and butter, along with a cup of tea. Maggie ate everything with relish and looked gratefully at Mrs Thompson.

Mrs Thompson was touched and experienced feelings and emotions which had been dead in her heart for over ten years.

Q4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

In fact, he never saw them at all on Maggie's account, for in less than a week, Mrs. Joe Thompson would as soon leave thought of taking up her own abode in the almshouse as sending Maggie there.

a. Why did Joe think that his wife's indifference towards the child was just a pretence?

In the evening, as he returned home from his shop, Joe had observed his wife in

Maggie's room talking to her. He realised that she was softening towards thechild. Therefore, when Joe's wife called him for supper and told him that she would serve Maggie food after they had eaten, Joe realised that her indifference was assumed.

b. What reason did Mrs Thompson give Joe for keeping Maggie a day or two

longer?

Mrs Thompson's heart had softened towards the little child Maggie, and she was reluctant to send her to the poorhouse. The next morning when her husband suggested that he would visit the Guardians of the Poor, she assured him that she would have no problem looking after Maggie, She claimed that Maggie was too weak and helpless to be taken to the poorhouse right then.

c. How did Jane Thompson change as a person?

At the beginning of the story, Jane was a 'vinegar-tempered' person, that is a sour-tempered person. She responded rather angrily when she saw her husband carrying the ill Maggie to their home and even demanded that he take her away immediately to the poorhouse. However, over time, her heart melted and she accepted Maggie into her life. She even refused to let Joe take the child to the poorhouse. She got to experience all those feelings that been lying dead inside her owing to her childlessness. Thus, Jane Thompson underwent a complete change of personality.

d. Why is Maggie referred to as a "precious burden"? 

Before Maggie entered the lives of the Thompsons, they had led a cold and miserable existence with no one to care for and love. Once Maggie arrived, both Joe and Jane developed a strong bond with her. She brought out the best in them, especially in the case of Jane Thompson, and filled their lives with joy. Thus, Maggie was a "precious burden", that is, both a responsibility and a gift for the Thompsons.

e. How does the story bring out Joe Thompson's selfless side?

The other villagers took in Maggie's elder siblings because they were healthy and would be of help on the farm or around the house. However, Joe decided to take Maggie home because of her helpless condition and the fact that a young child like her needed a home. Also, he knew that he would have to face his wife's displeasure. But he did not let this bother him even for a moment once he made the decision to take Maggie home. He was completely focused on the child's welfare.

Part 2: Essay type Questions:-

With reference to the story An Angel in Disguise answer the following questions.

Q1. Whom do you think the title of the story refers to? Justify with examples from

the story.

In my opinion, the title of the story refers mainly to Maggie but also to Joe Thompson.

Maggie had a spinal injury and was bedridden. She was a sweet and rather patient child and earned the pity of all villagers once her mother passed away. However, no one was willing to take her in because she was a liability. The wheelwright, Joe Thompson felt sorry for her and decided to take her home. Joe and his wife. Jane, were childless, as a result of which Jane had turned sour-tempered and sharp-tongued. Initially, she was thoroughly displeased to see Maggie at her place. Eventually, Maggie's presence, her sweetness, patience, helplessness and gratitude brought out the suppressed feelings of motherhood in Jane and she grew to love the child as her own. Joe too became the happiest man in the neighbourhood. Thus, Maggie, with her angel-like nature, transformed the Thompsons' life for the better and was truly an angel in disguise for them.

Just as Maggie changed the Thompsons' life, Joe changed Maggie's life. All other villagers favoured sending her to the poorhouse, but no one volunteered to take her there. After her mother's funeral, they hurried away, leaving the helpless child alone in a rundown house. Only Joe paused and returned to carry the child to his house. He put her on a comfortable bed and pleaded with his displeased wife to empathise with the child and let her stay for one night. Thus, Joe came as a ray of hope for Maggie, gave her a home and changed her life for the better. For Maggie, he was thus an angel in disguise.

Q2. Write briefly how Joe Thompson got Maggie home and how she transformed the Thompsons' lives.

Joe Thompson was a wheelwright. Though rough in appearance, he was tender hearted. He loved children and used to often mend or make sleds and wagons for the village children. When Maggie's mother died in a drunken fit, two of the neighbours decided to take in her brother and sister. But nobody was willing to look after Maggie because she was a cripple. On the day of the funeral, everybody. left the hut and poor Maggie was left alone. She was in terror and begged Joe not to leave her alone. Joe, who was childless, felt sorry for her and decided to take her home. Mrs Thompson, a selfish, bad-tempered woman was not pleased with his actions, but Joe did not give in to her. He was already getting attached to the child. He pleaded with his wife to treat the poor motherless child with affection. He quoted from the Bible to prove his point that the Saviour loved children. He assured his wife that he would admit her to the poorhouse the next day. He succeeded in softening his wife's heart. When Joe left for work, his wife spent the day with Maggie. On returning home. Joe spotted his wife talking to Maggie who looked both sad and tender. Mrs Thompson also had grown fond of the child. She willingly served her a delicious supper and was delighted when the child ate with gratitude and relish. The helplessness and loving nature of the child brought out her suppressed feelings of love and tenderness, and she requested her husband to keep the child for a few more days since she was so helpless. Mrs Thompson had become stone-hearted and irritable because she had no one to love and care for. But Maggie's sweetness, patience and helplessness melted her heart and made her a loving woman, Joe Thompson himself was one of the happiest men around. Maggie had come as angel in their lives and brought peace and happiness with her.