CBSE Class 10 English NCERT Solutions: The Midnight Visitor

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 10 English (Footprints) Chapter 3, 'The Midnight Visitor'. It covers key questions about the characters, particularly the unconventional secret agent Ausable and the writer Fowler. The solutions delve into the plot, explaining how Ausable cleverly deceives the intruder Max, highlighting Ausable's quick thinking and resourcefulness. Students will find clear explanations of character motivations, plot developments, and the narrative's suspenseful elements. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character portrayals, and prepare effectively for their English examinations by offering insights into narrative techniques and thematic elements.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFootprints
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter3. The Midnight Visitor

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Midnight Visitor' (Class 10 English, Footprints) focuses on understanding the unique portrayal of the secret agent Ausable, who deviates from typical spy stereotypes. The solutions address character differences, plot twists, and the clever ruse Ausable employs to outsmart the antagonist, Max. They analyze Ausable's resourcefulness and quick thinking in a high-pressure situation, providing students with a clear comprehension of the story's events and underlying themes.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the characteristics of Ausable as a non-conventional secret agent.
  • Analyze Fowler's role and his initial excitement in the story.
  • Explain how Max gained entry into Ausable's room.
  • Evaluate Ausable's strategy for dealing with Max.
  • Identify Ausable's quick thinking and its effectiveness in resolving the conflict.
  • Compare fictional secret agents with Ausable's portrayal.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character Analysis: Ausable
  • Character Analysis: Fowler
  • Character Analysis: Max
  • Plot Summary: The Midnight Visitor
  • Themes: Deception and Wit
  • Themes: Stereotypes vs. Reality
  • Narrative Techniques
  • Suspense Building
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Secret Agent Tropes

Important topics

  • Ausable's unconventional nature as a spy
  • The plot twist involving the balcony
  • Ausable's quick thinking and deception
  • Fowler's perspective and initial thrill
  • The contrast between fictional and real spies

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out - Question 1

How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
Solution: Ausable deviates significantly from the conventional image of a secret agent often depicted in popular fiction. Unlike the typical 'tall, dark, and handsome' spy, Ausable is described as extremely fat. His living quarters are not glamorous or secretive but rather a small, musty room located on the sixth floor of a French hotel, situated in a gloomy corridor. Furthermore, despite living in Paris for over two decades, his command of French and German is only moderate, and he speaks with a distinct American accent. Instead of receiving secret messages from alluring women, his professional interactions are limited to mundane telephone calls. These characteristics collectively set him apart from the romanticized and adventurous stereotypes associated with secret agents.

Read and Find Out - Question 2

Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
Solution: Fowler is a writer who has come to meet Ausable, the secret agent. He is eager to experience the thrill and excitement of espionage firsthand, hoping to gather material for his writings. Fowler's first genuine moment of excitement, or 'authentic thrill', occurs when he enters Ausable's room and finds a mysterious man pointing a pistol at both him and Ausable. This unexpected and dangerous encounter is the first real taste of the secret agent's world that Fowler experiences.

Read and Find Out - Question 1

How did Max get in?
Solution: Max managed to enter Ausable's room using a passkey or a master key. This implies that he had a way to unlock the door without forcing entry, suggesting a level of preparation or access to sensitive tools.

Read and Find Out - Question 2

How does Ausable say he got in?
Solution: Ausable, in an attempt to deceive Max, claims that he believes Max entered the room through the balcony. He further elaborates that this is not the first time someone has gained access to his room in this manner, implying a recurring security issue with the balcony.

Think about It - Question 1

"Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read." What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)
Solution: In books and films, secret agents are typically portrayed as idealized figures, often embodying the 'tall, dark, and handsome' archetype. They are usually depicted as physically fit, charismatic, and adept at combat and espionage, frequently accompanied by glamorous partners. Characters like James Bond exemplify this, showcasing sophisticated gadgets, high-stakes action, and daring stunts. In contrast, Ausable is presented as an ordinary, rather plump man with a modest lifestyle and moderate language skills. While characters like Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot rely heavily on intellect and deduction, they often maintain an air of sophisticated mystery. Even characters like Feluda, created by Satyajit Ray, who prioritize intellect ('Magajastra' or brain-weapon), are often depicted with a more commanding presence than Ausable. Ausable's ordinariness and lack of physical imposingness starkly contrast with these fictional portrayals, highlighting that effectiveness in espionage doesn't always align with the stereotypical image.

Think about It - Question 1

How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?
Solution: Ausable skillfully crafts a convincing narrative about the balcony to deceive Max. He asserts that the balcony is accessible from the adjoining room and has been used for entry previously, even mentioning a report he filed about it. He adds a layer of urgency and threat by stating he had requested police protection due to possessing important documents. This combination of a plausible physical feature (the balcony), a history of its use, and the implied danger from the police makes his story believable to Max. Max, fearing capture by the police and eager to escape, becomes nervous and acts impulsively. Ausable's quick thinking, calm demeanor under pressure, and his ability to leverage Max's fear and the opportune knock at the door all contribute to the convincing nature of his fabricated story.

Think about It - Question 3

Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?
Solution: It is unlikely that Ausable had a detailed plan worked out from the very beginning. Instead, he appears to have masterfully improvised his strategy as the situation unfolded. When Max unexpectedly appeared in his room, Ausable likely realized the immediate danger. The opportune knock at the door, which he immediately framed as the police, provided the perfect catalyst. He then quickly invented the story about the balcony, building upon Max's fear of being caught by the authorities. By combining the unexpected knock with the fabricated balcony narrative, Ausable created a high-pressure scenario that prompted Max to act rashly and escape through the window, thus resolving the threat without any physical confrontation.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Ausable is a typical, action-hero spy.
  • Underestimating Ausable's intelligence and reliance on wit.
  • Not recognizing the significance of Ausable's 'made-up' balcony story.
  • Failing to understand the psychological manipulation used by Ausable.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the contrast between Ausable and conventional spies.
  • Analyze Ausable's dialogue and actions to understand his plan.
  • Consider the role of suspense and how it's built in the story.
  • Practice explaining Ausable's final trick in your own words.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What makes Ausable different from the typical secret agents described in books and films?

Q2. Who is Fowler and what is his primary reason for visiting Ausable?

Q3. How did Max, the intruder, initially enter Ausable's room?

Q4. What was Ausable's fabricated explanation for how Max might have entered?

Q5. What immediate action does Max take upon hearing Ausable's story about the police and the balcony?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Midnight Visitor'?

The main theme revolves around deception, wit, and the subversion of stereotypes, particularly concerning the portrayal of a secret agent.

How is Ausable different from typical secret agents?

Ausable is different because he is overweight, lives in a modest room, and relies on his intelligence and quick thinking rather than physical prowess or typical spy gadgets.

What is Fowler's role in the story?

Fowler is a writer who visits Ausable hoping for an exciting spy experience. He serves as the reader's perspective, initially thrilled but later surprised by Ausable's methods.

How does Ausable get rid of Max?

Ausable cleverly fabricates a story about a balcony outside his window and the imminent arrival of the police, causing the nervous Max to jump out of the window in panic.

Did Ausable plan his trick beforehand?

The story suggests Ausable likely improvised his plan, taking advantage of the knock at the door and Max's nervousness to create a convincing scenario.

What does the story suggest about secret agents in books and films?

The story contrasts the romanticized, action-hero image of spies in fiction with the more mundane and intellectually driven reality represented by Ausable.

Important links

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