Question

Read the following extract from T.S. Arthur's short story. 'An Angel in Disguise' and answer the questions that follow:

"What is to be done with the children?' That was the chief questions now. The dead mother would go underground and be forever beyond all care or concern of the villagers. But the children must not be left to starve.

1. Describe the way in which the children's mother died.
   What are the factors that led to her death? [3]
2. How do the people of the village treat the woman before her death?
   How does their manner change after she dies?
   What does their behaviour tell us about human nature? [3]
3. Name the woman's three children.
   State one fact about each of them that the author mentions at the very beginning of the story. [3]
4. What happens to each of the children after the mother's funeral? [3]
5. Which of the three children can be considered the 'Angel in Disguise'?
   What does the term 'disguise' refer to in the context of this story?
   How does the child's arrival transform the home she enters? [4]

Answer 1

1. The mother of three children passed away after falling on the doorstep of her home while intoxicated. Poverty, alcoholism, societal contempt, and impolite behavior are just a few of the things that might have contributed to her demise.
2. In the narrative "An Angel in Disguise", the woman who passed away was scorned, ridiculed, and vehemently criticized by most villagers. However, her demise had a profound impact on the community. They now felt empathy and compassion, swiftly arranging a respectable burial for her and providing sustenance for her three undernourished children. This touching scene highlights how sympathy and grief can bring people together, forging a strong connection that surpasses societal biases and distinctions. It serves as a reminder that, during times of adversity, humanity's inherent kindness can prevail, overcoming animosity and apathy.
3. In the poignant narrative "An Angel in Disguise", the intoxicated woman met her tragic demise on the initial step, leaving behind her three terrified children. These children comprised John, a robust 12-year-old capable of earning a living with any farmer, Kate, a bright and active girl aged around ten or eleven, and the youngest, Maggie, tragically burdened with a spinal injury. Despite their youthful innocence, these children were compelled to face the harsh realities of life alone and without any means of support following their mother's death. Only through the kindness of strangers and the transformative influence of compassion and empathy did they manage to discover a glimmer of hope and a path forward.
4. In "An Angel in Disguise", after the mother's funeral, the community rallied to support the three orphaned children. Farmer Jones adopted John, Mrs. Ellis took in Kate, and for the youngest, Maggie, the villagers initially considered sending her to the poorhouse. However, wheelwright Joe Thompson, moved by Maggie's pleas, decided to bring her to his own home, exemplifying the profound impact of small acts of kindness and compassion.
5. Maggie, the youngest among the orphans, despite her frailty, embodied an angelic presence with her gentle spirit and bright smile. Initially hesitant to take in an incapacitated child, Mrs. Thompson's heart softened as she witnessed Maggie's gratitude for the simplest gestures. Maggie's positive demeanour and radiant smile filled the Thompson home with love and light, underscoring the lesson that, despite adversity, love and goodness can triumph. Through her small acts of kindness, Maggie left a profound impact on the Thompsons and the entire community.