Class 10 English - UP
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary Chapter 'The Midnight Visitor' by Robert Arthur tells the story of Ausable, a secret agent who defies the cliché of James Bond. Instead of being athletic and dashing, he is fat, sloppy, and speaks with a German-American accent. The chapter revolves around how Ausable uses his extraordinary presence of mind and quick thinking to outwit Max, a rival secret agent who enters his hotel room at midnight with a pistol. For Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 10 students, this chapter is important as it teaches that intelligence and calm thinking are far more powerful than physical strength.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Character
Ausable is a secret agent who looks completely ordinary and fat, shattering the stereotypical image of suave spies, yet possesses sharp wit and unmatched presence of mind.
Fowler's Expectations vs Reality
Fowler, a young and romantic writer, expects secret agents to be surrounded by dark shadows, mysterious figures, and romantic thrills, but is initially disappointed by meeting Ausable.
Max's Intrusion
Max, a slender and cunning rival spy, sneaks into Ausable's hotel room with a pistol to steal an important report concerning new missiles.
The Balcony Trick
Ausable fabricates a brilliant lie about a non-existent balcony beneath his window to trick Max into believing the police or another intruder could enter anytime.
The Climax and Resolution
Panicking when someone knocks at the door, Max jumps out of the window onto the supposed balcony and falls to his death, proving that Ausable's brains defeated brawn.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 10 English Literature board exam, questions from supplementary readers typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Students can expect short answer type questions based on character traits or long answer type questions testing the theme of intelligence and quick thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Fowler disappointed when he met Ausable?
Fowler was disappointed because he expected a secret agent to look like romantic heroes in books—surrounded by mystery and danger—whereas Ausable was very fat, sloppy, and lived in a small, stale room.
How did Ausable get rid of Max without using a weapon?
Ausable used his brilliant presence of mind by inventing a fake story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window, causing a panicked Max to jump out when someone knocked at the door.
Was there actually a balcony outside Ausable's room?
No, there was no balcony at all. It was entirely a clever fabrication made up on the spot by Ausable to trick Max.
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