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CBSE
CLASS 10 ENGLISH
FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEETπ£
CHAPTER 3: THE MIDNIGHT VISITORπΆ
SUMMARY
➤Summary:
In the story "The Midnight Visitor" by Robert Arthur, Ausable, a supposed secret agent, disappoints Fowler, a young writer, with his unassuming appearance and mundane activities. Ausable is overweight and retains an American accent despite living in Paris for two decades. Instead of thrilling adventures, Ausable takes Fowler to a music hall and receives a simple phone call in his hotel room.
However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Max, another spy, confronts Ausable in his room, demanding a secret report. Ausable seems unperturbed and mentions that someone has entered his room through a balcony before. Max is surprised by this revelation and holds Ausable and Fowler at gunpoint while they wait for the report.
Suddenly, there is a knock at the door, and Ausable calmly informs Max that it is the police checking on them for added security. Max becomes nervous, fearing the police's entry and potential danger. He decides to escape through the window onto the balcony.
To their surprise, when the door opens, it is not the police but a waiter delivering a drink that Ausable had ordered. Fowler is bewildered by the absence of the police and the balcony, which Ausable explains was merely an empty room adjacent to his own. Max's escape attempt proves fatal as he realizes there is no balcony to land on.
The story ends with Ausable revealing the deception, leaving Fowler astonished by the cleverness and resourcefulness of the seemingly ordinary man who had fooled them all along.
➤Key Points:
1. Ausable doesn't match the typical image of a secret agent, disappointing Fowler.
2. Ausable is overweight and retains his American accent despite living in Paris for 20 years.
3. Fowler had hoped for a thrilling encounter with a secret agent but ends up spending a dull evening with Ausable at a French music hall.
4. Ausable promises Fowler that they will soon witness the importance of a secret paper that will affect history.
5. Max, another spy, surprises Ausable in his room with a pistol, demanding the secret report.
6. Ausable is surprised by Max's presence and questions why he is in his room instead of being in Berlin.
7. Max wants to take the report, considering it safer in his hands than Ausable's.
8. Ausable complains about a balcony through which someone had previously accessed his room.
9. Max and Ausable sit down to wait for half an hour, while Fowler stands nearby.
10. When the door is knocked, Ausable claims it is the police, but it turns out to be a waiter delivering a drink.
11. Max panics and tries to escape through a nonexistent balcony but screams as he falls.
12. Fowler questions the absence of the police, and Ausable reveals that there was never a balcony.
π¨Character Analysis:
1. Ausable: An atypical secret agent who defies stereotypes, Ausable's physical appearance and accent contradict the traditional image of a spy. However, his intelligence, wit, and resourcefulness make up for it. With a calm demeanor and dry sense of humor, Ausable outsmarts his opponents using unconventional methods, showcasing his adaptability and cunning.
2. Fowler: A young and romantic writer, Fowler initially expects a thrilling encounter with a secret agent, only to be disappointed by Ausable's unremarkable appearance and mundane activities. However, his curiosity and intrigue lead him to reassess his preconceptions. Throughout the story, Fowler undergoes growth and learns to appreciate Ausable's unique approach to espionage, challenging his romanticized ideals.
=❯Important Quotes:
1. "You wished to meet me because you are a writer, young and romantic. You envisioned mysterious figures in the night, the crack of pistols, drugs in the wine." - Ausable highlights Fowler's romanticized expectations of a secret agent, setting the tone for the story's exploration of reality versus perception.
2. "Presently you will see a paper, a quite important paper for which several men and women have risked their lives, come to me. Some day soon that paper may well affect the course of history. In that thought is drama, is there not?" - Ausable emphasizes the significance and potential consequences of the paper, alluding to the stakes involved and the drama that unfolds.
3. "This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony!" - Ausable expresses his frustration with the recurring intrusion, highlighting the vulnerability of his seemingly unassuming accommodations.
4. "I thought that such an important paper as the one we are waiting for should have a little extra protection." - Ausable explains his decision to involve the police, demonstrating his cautious and calculated approach to safeguarding important documents.
5. "There were no police. Only Henry, whom I was expecting... he won't return. You see, my young friend, there is no balcony." - Ausable reveals the truth behind the balcony and the absence of the police, showcasing his strategic planning and ability to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
=❯Themes:
1. Deception and Misdirection: The story revolves around the theme of deception, with Ausable and Max engaging in a battle of wits and using various tactics to outsmart each other. The characters' ability to deceive and misdirect adds intrigue and suspense to the narrative.
2. Appearance vs. Reality: The story explores the contrast between appearances and reality. Ausable's unconventional qualities, such as being overweight and lacking the stereotypical secret agent image, challenge preconceived notions of what a spy should look like. This theme emphasizes the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
3. Power of Knowledge: The pursuit and possession of secret information and classified documents play a central role in the story. The theme of the power of knowledge is depicted through the characters' relentless pursuit of a crucial report, highlighting the potential impact and influence that information can have.
4. Unexpected Twists and Turns: The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers engaged and surprised. These unexpected events contribute to the theme of unpredictability, showcasing the unpredictable nature of espionage and the challenges faced by both spies and those who encounter them.
5. The Thin Line Between Hero and Villain: The story blurs the line between hero and villain, with Ausable and Max both exhibiting qualities of cunning, intelligence, and determination. This theme explores the moral ambiguity inherent in espionage and raises questions about loyalty, motives, and the nature of right and wrong.
=❯Word meanings:
1. Secret agent: Covert operative engaged in espionage.
2. Disappointment: Feeling let down due to unfulfilled expectations.
3. Intrigue: Fascination and mystery created by mysterious circumstances.
4. Deception: Misleading or trickery through concealing the truth.
5. Suspense: Tension and anticipation arising from unresolved situations.
=❯FAQ
Q1. Why is Ausable not fitting the description of a secret agent?
ANSWER: Ausable's physical appearance and accent contradict the stereotypical image of a suave and sophisticated spy.
Q2. How did Max manage to enter Ausable's room?
ANSWER: Max gained access through a balcony connected to the neighboring room, which was supposed to be blocked off by the hotel management.
Q3. How did Ausable learn about the important report?
ANSWER: The story doesn't explicitly mention how Ausable obtained the information, leaving it open to interpretation.
Q4. Why did Ausable inform the police about his situation?
ANSWER: Ausable wanted additional protection for the important paper he was expecting and requested the police to check on him.
Q5. What happened to Max when he attempted to escape through the balcony?
ANSWER: As Max dropped to the balcony, he encountered a surprising and unforeseen obstacle, causing him to scream and preventing his return.
Q6. Who was the person knocking at the door?
ANSWER: The person knocking at the door turned out to be a waiter delivering a drink that Ausable had ordered.
Q7. Why did Ausable deceive Max and Fowler regarding the balcony?
ANSWER: Ausable tricked them into believing in the existence of a balcony as part of his plan to outsmart Max.
Q8. What was the significance of the report being brought to Ausable?
ANSWER: The report held vital information about new missiles and had the potential to impact history.
Q9. How does the story explore themes of deception and intrigue?
ANSWER: The story revolves around the deceptive actions and hidden intentions of the characters, creating a sense of intrigue and suspense.
Q10. What is the overall message or moral of the story?
ANSWER: The story highlights that appearances can be deceiving, and even seemingly ordinary individuals can possess hidden skills and engage in secret operations.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.
