RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, GOREGAON ENGLISH CLASS 10 AN ANGEL IN DISGUSE “An Angel in Disguise”, a short story, written by the popular 1 9th-century American author- cum-editor Timothy Shay Arthur in 1851 is literally based on the theme “love can win over anything in the world”, It is a story about love, kindness, human feelings and bereavement. It is the story of an invalid girl, Maggie, who was abandoned by everybody after her mother’s death, She was taken care of by a childless couple, Mr and Mrs Thompson. It is a telling tale of how Maggie brought happiness and joy in the life of the couple, thus turning out to be an angel in disguise for them. Plot Introduetion: Three children: John, Kate and Maggie are left alone, when their mother dies in a drunken fit right in front of their eyes. Occasion: The occasion that causes this story to unfold is the death of a single mother of three children who are left alone as orphans. The mother’s cause of death is alcoholism, and her children are left with nowhere to go, since it was unexpected. Rising Action: After the funeral, John and Kate were taken separately by two villagers while nobody wants to take care of the sick Maggie; until Mr. Thompson takes her in for the night. Climax: Mr. Thompson arrives at his house carrying Maggie but his wife doesn’t like it and wants the child to be sent to the poorhouse, Falling Action: Mr. Thompson finds his wife talking to Maggie. After their supper he talks to Maggie and then later on Mrs. Thompson arrives with the child’s food. Mrs. Thompson decides to let Maggie stay. Resolution: Mr. Thompson doesn’t see the Guardian of the Poor. They decide to let Maggie stay and live with them at their house. Theme Selfishness versus Selflessness: Selfishness versus selflessness is one of the main themes of the story. Farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis depiet selfishness and Joe Thompson depicts selflessness. The mother of three children John, Kate and Maggie dies, and farmer Jones and Mrs Elis take in John and Kate for their selfish reasons. Farmer Jones takes in John to look after his farm whereas Mrs. Elis takes in Kate as a maid. Nobody in the village agrees To take in the invalid Maggie. One of the villagers suggests that she should be taken to the poorhouse but Mr. Thompson out of compassion takes Maggie home along with him. Mr. Thompson's selilessness is thus reflected when he does not leave Maggie alone but bears the "precious burden home and faces his wife's anger. Love as Redeemer: The story portrays the redeeming power of love through the character of Mrs. Thompson. Joe Thompson's wife 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, Mrs. Thompson gets angry with her husband for bringing home the "sick brat” and enquires from him the reason for not taking Maggie to the poorhouse. But Joe knows whaat his wife craves for and therefore leaves her alone with the childWhile coming back from work, "a light shining through the little chamber window was the first object that attracted Joe's attention," as "it was a omen.” Earlier there was anger in his wife's speech, but when Joe asks for supper, there is “no asperity in her voice”. The love for the child had changed her. She no longer wishes to send away the child to the poorhouse but wants to take care of her as a mother. Mrs. Thompson by the end is not "irritable, ill- tempered, and self-afilicting" woman but a loving, mother-like figure. The love of angel in disguise thus redeems her. Summary The story basically is about a poor, miserable and wretched child who tus out to be an angel for Thompson family. A poor woman who is hated throughout her life by almost all the people of the village is now surrounded by the same people when she dies in a drunken state on the threshold of her own house. She dies in front of her three children who included two daughters and a son. The village people take pity on these children The boy was taken in by a farmer and Katy is taken away by Mrs. Ellis. The youngest Maggie, who is disabled and bedridden, is left alone because nobody is ready to take her in that condition. Mr. Thompson, the wheel wright, decides to take her home so that he can take her to the poor house the next day as he knows his wife would not like her to stay at home forever or accept her. When he carries her in his arms and reaches home, his wife Mrs. Thompson becomes angry and her face is in a flame. She bursts out for bringing that “sick- brat’ into her house. Joe begs her to tolerate Maggie for a single day. He asks her to 16ok at her kindly and speak to her gently. He reminds her of Maggie’s dead mother and of sorrow and loneliness Maggie ‘would be having in future. When Joe goes out for work, Mrs. Thompson is all alone with Maggie the whole day, her attitude towards Maggie changes and slowly she becomes fond of her. Mr. Thompson notices this change and realizes that it has been dark, cold and miserable, in his house for a long time because his wife liad nothing to love and care for, which was the reason for becoming her irritable, ill-tempered and self-afilicting. Now the sweetness of that sick child is described as honey to her soul. She carries her in her heart as well as in her arms. Ita precious burden for her, she is an angel in their house disguised as a sick and helpless child. ‘Thompsons ended up keeping Maggie, and she became a blessing, “It had been dark, and cold, and miserable there for a long time just because his wife had nothing to love and care for out of herself, and so became soar, irritable, ill-tempered, and self-afflicting in the desolation of her woman’s nature, Now the sweetness of that 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” — Maggie was an angle in disguise, Characters Maggie TS. Arthur has described the character of Maggie indirectly, through what characters say about her. At the beginning of the story, Maggie has been described as the youngest of the three children, whose mother had died of intoxication. She had injured her spine two years ago due to a fall from a window and since then she had been bed-ridden. After her mother’sdeath, her two elder siblings, John and Kate, were taken in by farmer Jones and Mrs. Ellis, respectively. But nobody in the village was ready to take in Maggie because of her disability. It seems that Maggie was an innocent looking girl, who attracted everybody's attention: "The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts and even knocked at them for entrance." Maggie touched many hearts and disturbed them with the thoughts of her wellbeing. That is why, many women in the neighbourhood brought discarded garments and dressed Maggie in clean clothes. It is a pity that none of them adopted her. Despite all the action going around her, Maggie did not utter a word. She kept silent and her eyes spoke more. Maggie, like any small child seemed to be scared of being alone. It was out of fear that she requested Mr. Joe Thompson: "0, Mr. Thompson!" She cried out, catching her suspended breath, "don't leave me here all alone!” These lines show how weak and helpless Maggie was. At the beginning of the story, one of the neighbouring woman, called Maggie a brat’ but Maggie proved to be quite well-behaved at Mr. Joe Thompson's house. In her conversation with Mr. Thompson, she gave brief but polite replies. For example: Yes sir’, He used 10 come’, No, sir’, The soft bed feels good, 0, ‘yes, Sir= so good" These replies show that Maggie felt comfortable at Mr. Thompson s house and was grateful to him and his wife for loving and caring for her Maggie was an innocent child with a pure soul. That is why the moment Mr, Joe Thompson held Maggie in his arms, he felt an affectionate bond towards her. He could immediately connect to her as a father figure and felt as if love had sprung back into his dull life. When he took her home and saw her carefully, he found her face attractive. Suffering had not been able to destroy her ‘childish sweetness’. Tt was such tenderness that brought a change of heart in Mrs. Jane Thompson. Being a childless woman, she had become ill-tempered, irritable and desolate, with nobody to take care of. But Maggie's presence aroused motherly feeling in her and brought back happiness and joy in her life. Maggie, who was initially seen as a burden by everybody, tumed out to be a ‘precious burden’, which the Thompsons bore happily. She appeared to be an angel in disguise, who filled their home and hearts with love. Mr. Thompson Joe Thompson is a major character in the story, whose decision to bring Maggie home leads to all the action in the story. He used to make and repair sledges and wagons for the villagers. Like his occupation, he has been described as a rough and strong man, 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. That is why, when Maggie was left all alone after her mother’s death, Joe consoled her by saying that she would not be left alone. Like a mother, he wrapped her gently in clean bedcloties and lifted her in his arms to take her home. The moment he held Maggie close to his chest, tender, fatherly feelings sprang in his heart and led to a special bond between them, Mr. Joe Thompson was an intuitive man, who was aware of a woman's nature in general and his wife's feelings in particular. He knew that his childless wife, who had become ill- tempered and selfish over the years, would not like the idea of keeping Maggie in their house.He took Maggie to a small room on the first floor, laid her down on a bed and made her comfortable before he encountered his angry wife. He calmed her by saying that he had brought Maggie home for the night and would take her to the poorhouse the next day. Mr. Thompson comforted his wife by telling her about Christ's views on little children and how he rebuked his disciples, who did not allow children to come to him. He reminded her of Maggie's dead mother and the loneliness, pain and sorrow, which Maggie was undergoing at that moment. This moistened his eyes and brought a change of heart in Mrs. Thompson. She ‘went to see Maggie, talked to her and gradually grew fond of her. She developed motherly feelings for Maggie and gave up the thought of sending her to the poorhouse. Perhaps, Joe ‘Thompson was aware of the fact that his wife would gradually accept Maggie into their house as their daughter. Thus, his decision to bring Maggie home transformed their home from a dark, cold and miserable place into an abode of love, happiness and joy. Mrs Thompson Jane Thompson, wife of Joe Thompson, was a childless woman, who has been deseribed as ill-tempered, irritable and the one, who would not deny herself anything for the sake of doing good to others. So, at the beginning of the story she appears to be a harsh woman with little compassion for anyone. She became furious, when her husband brought home, the poor, sick and invalid girl, Maggie. She was seething with anger and could not utter a word. She asked her husband to take her to the poorhouse without waiting for the next day. Mrs. Thompson seemed to be aware of her husband's nature. She could make out what he wanted from his voice and expression. At first she was absolutely against taking care of Maggie; but when he tried to convince her of the miserable condition of the motherless child, she became calm. Mars. Thompson had been a childless woman for years. Perhaps that seemed to have made her short-tempered, and bereft of motherly feelings. But Maggie’s innocent looks brought tender maternal feelings. She not only gave Maggie her supper but like a mother sat throughout with her while she was relishing it. She gave up the thought of sending Maggie to the poorhouse and began to take care of her. Maggie's nature, patience and gratitude brought a change of heart in Mrs. Thompson and she whole-heartedly accepted Maggie as her child Title The title of the story “An Angel in Disguise” is symbolic. Maggie is an angel in disguise. She has some problem with her health but she makes the life of other people more interesting, happier and full of sense. She gives a speck of happiness for Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. She is as a honey to Mrs. Thompson’s soul, She is a little gir! with a pure, clear and light soul. Maggie was the angel who came into their house. She came disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child, and filled all its dreary chambers with the sunshine of love. The author says she is disguised because her true self of love and beauty was hidden from the eyes of everyone and only when the Thompsons selflessly cared and loved her did the angel shower them with happiness in their lives, SettingThe events in the story take place in a small village, where people know each other. The author has not deseribed the place, but one can imagine the place from the context. The mention of the old tumble-down hut, where Maggie lived with her mother and two siblings, is indicative of the poverty suffered by them.On being questioned by Mr. Thompson about her body aches, Maggie replies that her sides used to ache earlier but now since she is lying on a soft bed, it does not hust anymore. Similarly, when Mrs. Thompson gives supper to Maggie. she relishes every morsel with pleasure like a hungry child. The author has used vivid expressions to describe the dark and gloomy life, which Maggie was living: like 'a bound git, ‘sobbing farewell’, ‘pitying glances’, ‘a sad place’, ‘his vinegar-tempered wife’, 'a firmly-set countenance’, ‘the snowy bed’, ete. Later when Mr. Thompson takes Maggie home, the author has expressed the happy and bright picture as: Now the sweetness of that 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. As for Joe Thompson, there was not a man in all the neighbourhood who drank daily of a more precious wine of life than he. St Narration: An Angel in Disguise follows the style of third person narration. The narrator does not participate in the plot at any point. The narrator prepares the readers for awful events in the life of Maggie in the first paragraph of the readers for the sto “Idleness, vice, and intemperance had done their miserable work, and the dead mother lay cold and still amid her wretched children. She had fallen upon the threshold of her own door ina drunken fit, and died in the presence of her frightened little ones." The plot is further developed by describing the conversation of the neighbours, when they discuss how the three motherless children will be looked after. John and Kate are taken in by farmer Jones and Mrs. Ellis, respectively. But nobody comes forward to adopt the invalid little girl, Maggie. Then comes Joe Thompson, who takes home Maggie, though with the feeling that his wife would not aecept her. The climax is reached, when Joe fears that his wife ‘would not get along with Maggie and would insist on sending her to the poorhouse. The solution to the problem comes, when Mrs. Jane Thompson takes care of Maggie and gives up the thought of sending her away to the poorhouse. The plot concludes when Joe Thompson and his wife accept Maggie, as their child. She brings happiness in their lives. The author has expressed this happiness of the couple, befitting the title in the following words: An angel had come into his house, disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child, and filled all its dreary chambers with the sunshine of love, Irony: T.S. Arthur has used irony to justify the title of the story in which a woman died of intoxication, leaving behind her three children. Of the three Jolin was taken in by farmer Jones. Nate, was taken in by Mrs. Ellis. Though everyone in the village pitied the bed-ridden Maggie, nobody volunteered to take her in, for they considered her as a burden. However Joe Thompson who was & kind-hearted man, took Maggie home despite the fear that his wife would not accept her. After initial inhibitions, Mrs Jane Thompnon was touched by Maggie's innocent looks. Gradually, Jane grew fond of Maggie. She found a new meaningin her life and transformed herself from an ill-tempered, selfish woman to a loving, affectionate mother. Thus, Maggie who was regarded by everybody in the village as a worthless burden, turned out to be an angel in disguise for the childless Thompsons Rhetorical Devices: The author has made use of a number of rhetorical devices in the story. Metaphor: The author has made use of metaphors to draw a comparison between seemingly unrelated things. For example: (i) ‘white face' (to show Maggie's inner condition, to show her paleness) (ii) ‘pity took the place of anger’ (to show the feelings of people to these children more vividly). (iii) ‘he wrapped her with the gentleness almost of a woman’ (to show that. Mr Thompson in spite of being a man can that have tender parental feeling like those of a mother) Personifieation: The examples of personification in the text are: *... love was springing into life’, 'a few words came’, “a soft feeling crept into the heart’, ‘a weight lifted itself from his heart’. Oxymoron: It is a figure of speech where words that have opposite or very different meanings are put together. For example (i) “death touches the spring of our common humanity’. Here death’ and ‘spring are two contradictory words, Death means the end of life and spring stands for rejuvenation and life. T.S. Arthur has used this oxymoron to convey the point that the woman was hated and insulted by everyone in the village, but her death brought out the feelings of pity and sadness in their hearts for her and her three children. (ii) *She carried her in her heart as well as in her arms, a precious burden’. In the above sentence, precious burden’ is an example of oxymoron, which has been used for Maggie. Jane who initially considered Maggie as a burden because of her being invalid, at the end of the story, grew fond of her and loved her like her own child, thus the burden became precious for her. Repetition: It is used to make the story more interesting and pay our attention to the last words. ‘Now, itis a small thing for us to keep this motherless little one for a single night; to make her life comfortable for a single night.’ Inversion: The author has used inversion, also called, anastrophe, i.e, the reversal of, the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence to emphasise something. ‘On entering, Joe did not go immediately to the litle chamber’, ‘After washing from his hands and face the cust and soil ef work, Joe left the kitchen, and went to the little bedroom Polysyndeton: Polysyndeton is a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions (like ‘and, ‘or, ‘but, ‘nor) are used in succession even at places where they might have been omitted. This is done in order to achieve an artistic effect. It is used to lay emphasis and bring rhythm to the text. (i) ‘After considering the matter, and talking it over with his wife, farmer Jones said that he would take John, and do well by him, now that his mother was out of the way: and Mrs. Ellis, who had been looking out for a bound girl.(ii) ‘Mrs. Thompson saw him approaching from the window, and with ruffling feathers met him a few paces from the door, as he opened the garden gate, and came in’. “Joe saw, by a quick intuition, that his resolute bearing had impressed his wife and he answered quickly, and with real indignation.” Onomatopoela: The author has used onomatopoeie phrases such as: “.beginning to bustle...” Tone: The story begins as a melancholic one, because a Woman, whom no one seemed to previously care about, had passed away and tie people suddenly acted as if they were in mourning. This tone continues as the narrator reveals the miserable condition of the three children, especially of the sick and bed-ridden Maggie, whom none of the villagers was willing to take in, Once Joe Thompson took Maggie to his house, the tone shifts from melancholy to that of hope; although Mrs. Thompson wanted to send Maggie to the poothouse, her kindness towards the child foreshadowed a possible change in her attitude Finally, when Mrs. Thompson realised that Maggie was responsible for bringing about their happiness, the tone becomes joyous. Language: The author has used a varied vocabulary. There are emotionally positive words (love, tender, sunshine of love etc.), negative words (idles, vice, burial), high-flown words (farewell, chord, garments). All these words have made the story bright and interesting. There are some informal expressions: “ti the character's social status and occupation, ‘ere, shan't which help the readers to know about There are exelamatory sentences: She was alone!", 0, Mr. Thompson!’, 'Women's hearts are not half so hard as men's!', and “How his heart swelled in his bosom?” These are used to put a great importance to these sentences and draw our attention to these sentences, ‘There is also a rhetorical sentence: “Who wanted a bed-ridden child?” It is used to draw the reader's attention and to touch the soul of every reader. Critical Appreciation Ambiguous Angel in Disguise: The story ends with the writer bestowing the status of an ange! on Maggie, who had come into Joe Thompson's house, "disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child who filled all its dreary chambers with the sunshine of love". Though this has been directly stated for Maggie, as avid readers, we should look deeper. Not only Maggie proved to be an angel for the childless couple, but Joe Thompson also proved to be no less than an angel for her. Maggie, a bed-ridden child, had lost not only her mother, but also her siblings. Nobody in the village agreed to take in Maggie since she could be of no use to them. It is even suggested that she should be taken to the poothouse, because nobody would want to take care of her "wan and wasted form". Maggie was left all alone and it was angel-like Joe Thompson who falt it to be a cruel gesture, The writer has presented Joe with angel like qualities. He was a man with a tenderheart who liked children. He also mentioned the teachings of Bible to his wife to be kind enough to let Maggie stay with them for a single night. Joe Thompson took in Maggie out of sheer concern and affection, looked after her, and provided her with food, shelter and love. Maggie who had been attributed as an an angel in disguise by the writer met an unexpected happy life through him. The orphan, sick, bed ridden child not only got food, and shelter but also parent-like figures. Thus, Joe Thompson can undoubtedly be seen as an angel of God who made Maggie's life worth living