Ultimate Guide to The Midnight Visitor: Summary, Themes, and More

Unlock the mysteries of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur with this comprehensive guide! Dive into the story‘s summary, central idea, and themes, tailored to help Class 10 students ace their exams. Don’t miss the Q&A, MCQs, and extract-based questions that follow!

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Summary of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

The story The Midnight Visitor revolves around Ausable, a secret agent, and his quick wit that saves him from a dangerous situation. Ausable, an unassuming and slightly clumsy spy, is hosting Fowler, a writer keen on observing the thrills of espionage. However, Fowler is disappointed by Ausable’s mundane demeanour.

The narrative takes a sharp turn when Max, an armed intruder, barges into Ausable’s room demanding a top-secret report. Ausable cleverly handles the situation with his sharp thinking. He fabricates a story about a non-existent balcony outside his room, creating an illusion of impending danger. When a knock on the door is heard, Ausable convinces Max that it’s the police. Panicked, Max tries to escape through the imaginary balcony, only to meet his doom.

In a twist of irony, the simple and unadventurous Ausable proves to be a master strategist, leaving Fowler astonished by the unexpected excitement.

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Word meaning of The Midnight Visitor

Word	Meaning
Intruder	A person who enters a place without permission, often to cause harm.
Astonished	Greatly surprised or amazed.
Clumsy	Lacking coordination or grace; awkward.
Espionage	The practice of spying or gathering secret information.
Barge	To enter a place rudely or forcefully.
Fabricate	To make up a story or lie, usually to deceive.
Illusion	A false appearance or deceptive impression.
Perilous	Very dangerous or risky.
Composed	Calm and in control of one’s emotions.
Mundane	Ordinary and not exciting or interesting.
Triumph	To achieve victory or success.
Irony	A situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected.
Deceptive	Misleading or giving a false impression.
Quick thinking	The ability to think and act fast in difficult situations.
Nonchalantly	In a calm and casual manner, showing no concern.
Glamorous	Attractive and exciting in a mysterious or sophisticated way.
Stereotype	A fixed general idea or belief about a person or group.
Demeanour	A person’s behaviour or manner.
Scenario	A possible or imagined situation.
Judgment	The ability to make sensible decisions or form reasonable opinions.

Question Answer of The Midnight Visitor from Textbook

READ AND FIND OUT (Q&A of The Midnight Visitor)

• How is Ausable different from other secret agents?

Ausable is unlike typical secret agents described in books or movies. He is overweight, clumsy, and lacks glamour. Instead of action or gadgets, he relies on intelligence and quick thinking to solve problems.

• Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?

Fowler is a young writer interested in espionage stories. His first real thrill comes when Max, an armed intruder, unexpectedly enters Ausable’s room, creating a dangerous and exciting situation.

• How has Max got in?

Max enters Ausable’s room using a passkey, which allows him to unlock the door without detection.

• How does Ausable say he got in?

Ausable cleverly claims that Max entered through a balcony that supposedly runs outside his room, fabricating the story to trick Max into making a mistake.

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THINK ABOUT IT (Q&A of The Midnight Visitor)

1. “Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.”

Secret agents in books and films, like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes, are often depicted as sharp, suave, and adventurous. Compared to them, Ausable is plain and unremarkable. His success relies on his intelligence and resourcefulness rather than physical prowess or charm.

2. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?

Ausable convincingly describes the balcony as a structural flaw of the hotel, frequently used for break-ins. His calm demeanour, precise details, and Max’s fear make the story believable.

3. Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max?

Ausable likely thought of the plan as soon as Max appeared with a gun. He improvises based on the circumstances, using his quick thinking and the knock on the door to reinforce the fabricated balcony story.

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TALK ABOUT IT (Q&A of The Midnight Visitor)

1. Presence of mind in real-life situations

An example of presence of mind is when a student extinguished a fire by quickly smothering it with a blanket. Similarly, a teacher once calmly gave first aid to a choking child, saving their life. Such moments highlight the importance of staying calm and prepared in emergencies.

2. What would you do in these situations?

• A small fire starts in your kitchen: Turn off the stove and cover the flames with a lid or a fire extinguisher. Avoid using water if it’s an oil fire.
• A child starts to choke on a piece of food: Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge the food. Seek medical help if needed.
• An electrical appliance starts to hiss and gives out sparks: Unplug the appliance if safe. Turn off the power supply and call an electrician.
• A bicycle knocks down a pedestrian: Help the injured person, check for wounds, and call for medical assistance if necessary.
• It rains continuously for more than twenty-four hours: Stay indoors, monitor weather updates, and stock up on essentials to prepare for potential flooding.
• A member of your family does not return home at the usual or expected time: Contact them immediately. Inform others and seek help if they are unreachable for an extended period.

Being prepared and thinking quickly ensures effective handling of unexpected situations.

Central Idea of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

The central idea of The Midnight Visitor highlights the power of wit and intelligence over physical strength and aggression. The story demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving. Ausable, who seems incapable of handling a perilous situation, outsmarts Max using his resourcefulness.

Robert Arthur emphasises that quick thinking and calmness under pressure can help overcome even the direst circumstances. The narrative also underlines the importance of remaining composed in life-threatening scenarios, showing how fear can lead to foolish decisions.

Through its humour and suspense, the story challenges the stereotype of spies being exclusively glamorous or daring. Ausable’s practical approach proves that brains often trump brawn in solving problems.

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Themes of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

Intelligence vs. Physical Strength

The story contrasts wit with brute force. Ausable’s intellect triumphs over Max’s aggressive approach, showcasing the value of mental agility.

Deception and Appearances

Ausable’s plain appearance and calm demeanour mask his sharp mind. The theme reminds us not to judge people solely by their looks.

Fear and its Consequences

Max’s fear of the police drives him to a hasty decision, leading to his downfall. The story warns against letting fear cloud judgment.

Irony

The story’s irony lies in the unexpected twist where the seemingly dull Ausable outsmarts the cunning intruder, proving that appearances are misleading.

By exploring these themes, The Midnight Visitor becomes a timeless tale of cleverness and humour that keeps readers engaged.

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The Midnight Visitor Characters

Ausable

Ausable is the central character of the story and a secret agent. Unlike the stereotypical glamorous spies, Ausable is unassuming, overweight, and clumsy. However, his intelligence and calm demeanour make him stand out. He is resourceful and uses his wit to outsmart Max, showcasing his ability to think quickly in high-pressure situations. His fabricated story about the balcony demonstrates his skill in manipulating circumstances to his advantage, making him a memorable and unique character in the espionage genre.

Fowler

Fowler is a young and curious writer who accompanies Ausable to experience the thrills of espionage. Initially, Fowler is unimpressed with Ausable’s appearance and routine, expecting excitement and danger. However, he witnesses Ausable’s cleverness firsthand when the latter outwits Max, leading to Fowler’s first real thrill of the day. Fowler represents the audience’s perspective, offering a lens through which Ausable’s true brilliance is revealed.

Max

Max is the antagonist, a rival agent who tries to obtain a secret report from Ausable. He is aggressive and overconfident, relying on his physical threat—a gun—to intimidate others. However, Max is gullible and easily tricked by Ausable’s fabricated story about the balcony. His lack of wit and fear of the police ultimately lead to his downfall, making him a foil to Ausable’s intelligence.

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The Midnight Visitor Analysis

A Unique Spy Story

Unlike typical espionage stories, The Midnight Visitor focuses on intelligence and wit rather than action or glamour. Ausable’s unremarkable appearance contrasts sharply with traditional spy characters, making the story refreshingly realistic and engaging.

Themes Explored

The story explores themes such as the triumph of wit over force, the power of deception, and the importance of staying composed in tense situations. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, providing both entertainment and lessons for readers.

Irony and Humour

Robert Arthur employs irony to great effect. Ausable, who seems incapable of handling danger, outsmarts Max with a clever trick. This twist adds humour and an unexpected element to the story, keeping readers engaged.

Characterisation

The contrast between Ausable and Max underscores the importance of intellect over physical strength. Fowler serves as a relatable character, reflecting the reader’s initial skepticism and eventual admiration for Ausable.

Message

The story conveys that appearances can be deceptive and that quick thinking is often the most powerful tool in solving problems. It breaks stereotypes about secret agents, making the narrative both thought-provoking and enjoyable.

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The Midnight Visitor Plot

Introduction

The story begins with Fowler, a writer, accompanying Ausable, a secret agent, to witness the thrills of espionage. Fowler is initially disappointed by Ausable’s unimpressive appearance and mundane lifestyle.

Rising Action

The plot thickens when Max, an armed intruder, suddenly appears in Ausable’s room, demanding a secret report. Max’s presence creates suspense and sets the stage for a battle of wits.

Climax

Ausable, unperturbed by the danger, fabricates a story about a balcony outside his window, suggesting it has been used for break-ins before. When a knock on the door is heard, Ausable cleverly convinces Max that it’s the police, heightening the intruder’s panic.

Falling Action

Fearing capture, Max tries to escape through the supposed balcony. To his doom, he discovers too late that there is no balcony, and he falls to his death.

Conclusion

The story ends with Fowler witnessing the unexpected thrill he had been seeking. Ausable’s wit and composure leave a lasting impression, proving that intelligence is the ultimate weapon.

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Important Questions from The Midnight Visitor

The questions are frequently asked in the class 10 Board examination.

1. How does Ausable outsmart Max without using any physical force?

Ausable uses his quick wit to concoct a story about a balcony and impending police arrival, causing Max to panic and make a fatal error, proving intellect triumphs over force.

2. What role does the “balcony” play in Ausable’s plan?

The imaginary balcony convinces Max of an escape route. Ausable’s fabricated detail makes Max trust it, leading to his downfall when he leaps out into thin air.

3. How does Ausable create an illusion of danger to scare Max?

Ausable cleverly mentions a police visit, intensifying Max’s fear. The fake balcony adds credibility to Ausable’s trap, heightening Max’s desperation and poor decision-making.

4. What is the significance of the knock on the door in the story?

The knock symbolises urgency and amplifies Max’s anxiety. Ausable pretends it’s the police, which reinforces his fabricated scenario and seals Max’s fate.

5. What does the story reveal about the character of Ausable?

Ausable appears unimpressive but reveals himself as a resourceful, calm, and clever individual who uses intelligence to outwit his adversary without violence.

6. What is the central theme of “The Midnight Visitor”?

The story underscores the triumph of intelligence over physical aggression, illustrating how quick thinking and composure can resolve challenging situations effectively.

7. How does the author create suspense and tension in the story?

The story builds suspense through the unexpected arrival of Max, Ausable’s calm reaction, the fake balcony, and the urgency of the knock, keeping readers hooked.

8. What is the importance of setting in the story?

The confined hotel room heightens tension and creates an environment where Ausable’s cleverness contrasts sharply with Max’s aggressiveness, showcasing his ingenuity.

9. How does the story highlight the power of imagination?

Ausable’s imagination turns a non-existent balcony into a believable escape route for Max, demonstrating how creativity can outmanoeuvre even the most dangerous situations.

10. What is the significance of the title “The Midnight Visitor”?

The title refers to Max, the unexpected and uninvited intruder, whose midnight arrival sets the stage for the clever manoeuvres and ironic twist in the story.