"A Visit of Charity"
By: Eudora Welty
Interpretive Questions
1.) At the end of the story, why does Marian run out of the Old Ladies' Home?
Marian ran out of the Old Ladies' Home because the ladies are kind of scary and gross. They are kind of freaking Marian out. For example, "Marian pulled violently against the old hands for a moment before she was free. Then she ran down the hall, without looking behind her and without looking at the nurse, who was reading "Field & Stream" at her desk." (Page 160)
2.) Why does Marian feel that being in the old women's room is "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered"? (p. 155)
There is a lot of bickering. Marian feels like a hostage in the old women's room. Marian feels like she is going to die if she doesn't get out of the old women's room. Marian feels "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered." (Page 155)
3.) When Marian begins to wonder about Addie, why are we told that "it was the first time such a thing had happened" to her? (p. 159)
Marian is freaked out by death. She starts to see the old women as a sign of death. The old women are nearing to the end of their lives because they are old. When Marian starts to see a sign of death in the old women, "it was the first time such a thing had happened to Marian." (Page 159)
4.) Why is Marian's face "bright" and "burning" when she tells the first old woman that Addie is crying? (p. 159)
Marian kind of thinks it is her fault. Also, Marian is panicking. It is very overwhelming for Marian to make an old woman cry. Marian's face being "bright" and "burning" is a sign that she thinks it is her fault that made Addie cry and that she is panicking. (Page 159)
5.) When she runs out of the home, why does Marian get out the apple she had hidden and take a big bite of it?
Maybe, the apple would be taken. Also, the apple might get contaminated in the home. She takes a big bite of it because it is refreshing. For example, "She jumped on and took a big bite out of the apple." (Page 160)
6.) Why does the first old woman say, "Well, it was a real visit"? (p. 160)
The first old woman says that because the first old woman is being sarcastic. She is making Marian feel bad for not giving the old women anything. The first old women is just being cruel to Marian. The first old women's saying of "Well, it was a real visit" is a sign of sarcasm and cruelty towards Marian. (Page 160)
7.) Why do the two women argue about whether the flowers are pretty and whether they enjoyed the other Campfire Girl's visit?
They are arguing about whether or not the flowers are pretty because the women are constantly getting into the fight. They are constantly bickering. They are very critical about the flowers. The old women are very unhappy about their lives. For example, "Then the old woman in bed cleared her throat and spoke. 'They are not pretty,' she said, still without looking around, but very distinctly." (Page 155)
8.) Why does the first old woman tell Marian that Addie talks in a "contrary" way only "when you all come"? (p. 157)
You all are visitors, guests, or Campfire Girls. The first old woman is nasty and mean to them because they think they guests are not coming to be genuine with them. They think the guests are coming for their own benefits. They are coming for their own points. For example, "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
9.) Why does Addie look at Marian with "despair and calculation"? (p. 158)
Marian is getting points. Marian's moves are calculated. Marian just wants the points. This is the reason Addie is mean and moody. The guests are just getting points and won't come back. For example, "Marian saw the old woman's eyes grow bright and turn toward her. This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (Page 158)
10.) Why does the first old woman clutch at Marian and ask for money?
The old woman is trying to get something out of Marian's visit. For example, "Then from behind she suddenly clutched the child with her sharp little fingers." (Page 160)
Marian ran out of the Old Ladies' Home because the ladies are kind of scary and gross. They are kind of freaking Marian out. For example, "Marian pulled violently against the old hands for a moment before she was free. Then she ran down the hall, without looking behind her and without looking at the nurse, who was reading "Field & Stream" at her desk." (Page 160)
2.) Why does Marian feel that being in the old women's room is "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered"? (p. 155)
There is a lot of bickering. Marian feels like a hostage in the old women's room. Marian feels like she is going to die if she doesn't get out of the old women's room. Marian feels "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered." (Page 155)
3.) When Marian begins to wonder about Addie, why are we told that "it was the first time such a thing had happened" to her? (p. 159)
Marian is freaked out by death. She starts to see the old women as a sign of death. The old women are nearing to the end of their lives because they are old. When Marian starts to see a sign of death in the old women, "it was the first time such a thing had happened to Marian." (Page 159)
4.) Why is Marian's face "bright" and "burning" when she tells the first old woman that Addie is crying? (p. 159)
Marian kind of thinks it is her fault. Also, Marian is panicking. It is very overwhelming for Marian to make an old woman cry. Marian's face being "bright" and "burning" is a sign that she thinks it is her fault that made Addie cry and that she is panicking. (Page 159)
5.) When she runs out of the home, why does Marian get out the apple she had hidden and take a big bite of it?
Maybe, the apple would be taken. Also, the apple might get contaminated in the home. She takes a big bite of it because it is refreshing. For example, "She jumped on and took a big bite out of the apple." (Page 160)
6.) Why does the first old woman say, "Well, it was a real visit"? (p. 160)
The first old woman says that because the first old woman is being sarcastic. She is making Marian feel bad for not giving the old women anything. The first old women is just being cruel to Marian. The first old women's saying of "Well, it was a real visit" is a sign of sarcasm and cruelty towards Marian. (Page 160)
7.) Why do the two women argue about whether the flowers are pretty and whether they enjoyed the other Campfire Girl's visit?
They are arguing about whether or not the flowers are pretty because the women are constantly getting into the fight. They are constantly bickering. They are very critical about the flowers. The old women are very unhappy about their lives. For example, "Then the old woman in bed cleared her throat and spoke. 'They are not pretty,' she said, still without looking around, but very distinctly." (Page 155)
8.) Why does the first old woman tell Marian that Addie talks in a "contrary" way only "when you all come"? (p. 157)
You all are visitors, guests, or Campfire Girls. The first old woman is nasty and mean to them because they think they guests are not coming to be genuine with them. They think the guests are coming for their own benefits. They are coming for their own points. For example, "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
9.) Why does Addie look at Marian with "despair and calculation"? (p. 158)
Marian is getting points. Marian's moves are calculated. Marian just wants the points. This is the reason Addie is mean and moody. The guests are just getting points and won't come back. For example, "Marian saw the old woman's eyes grow bright and turn toward her. This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (Page 158)
10.) Why does the first old woman clutch at Marian and ask for money?
The old woman is trying to get something out of Marian's visit. For example, "Then from behind she suddenly clutched the child with her sharp little fingers." (Page 160)
Vocabulary In Context
1.) Ailing - p. 156
Quote: "'You mustn't pay attention to old Addie,' she now said to the little girl. 'She's ailing today.'" (Page 156)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to trouble in body or mind
Synonym: bother
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The bully keeps ailing the new student in school.
2.) Contrary - p. 157
Quote: "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,'' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to be opposite to something
Synonym: different
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The boy's idea is contrary to the girl's idea.
3.) Intimacy - p. 157
Quote: "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): close familiarity
Synonym: closeness
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): There is an intimacy between the husband and the wife.
4.) Calculation - p. 158
Quote: "This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (Page 158)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): solution, the process of determining something
Synonym: assessment
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The math student's calculation on the challenging math problem was incorrect.
5.) Affected - p. 160
Quote: "In an affected, high-pitched whine she cried, 'Oh, little girl, have you a penny to spare for a poor old woman that's not got anything of her own?'" (Page 160)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): influenced, emotionally
Synonym: distressed
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The poor homeless man asked for money on the street with a deeply affected voice.
6.) Institutions - p. 160
Quote: "The nurse, after another triple motion to consult her wristwatch, asked automatically the question put to visitors in all institutions: 'Won't you stay and have dinner with us?'" (Page 160
Definition (based on context/in your own words): organization
Synonym: company
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): There are several institutions that help prevent the cause of animal abuse.
Quote: "'You mustn't pay attention to old Addie,' she now said to the little girl. 'She's ailing today.'" (Page 156)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to trouble in body or mind
Synonym: bother
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The bully keeps ailing the new student in school.
2.) Contrary - p. 157
Quote: "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,'' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to be opposite to something
Synonym: different
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The boy's idea is contrary to the girl's idea.
3.) Intimacy - p. 157
Quote: "'That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come,' said the first old lady with sudden intimacy." (Page 157)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): close familiarity
Synonym: closeness
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): There is an intimacy between the husband and the wife.
4.) Calculation - p. 158
Quote: "This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (Page 158)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): solution, the process of determining something
Synonym: assessment
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The math student's calculation on the challenging math problem was incorrect.
5.) Affected - p. 160
Quote: "In an affected, high-pitched whine she cried, 'Oh, little girl, have you a penny to spare for a poor old woman that's not got anything of her own?'" (Page 160)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): influenced, emotionally
Synonym: distressed
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The poor homeless man asked for money on the street with a deeply affected voice.
6.) Institutions - p. 160
Quote: "The nurse, after another triple motion to consult her wristwatch, asked automatically the question put to visitors in all institutions: 'Won't you stay and have dinner with us?'" (Page 160
Definition (based on context/in your own words): organization
Synonym: company
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): There are several institutions that help prevent the cause of animal abuse.
Thinking Map
Examples of when you sympathize with a character:
1. I sympathize for the old women. They are sick and are dying. For example, "She could not see them very clearly. How dark it was! The window shade was down, and the only door was shut." (Page 155) 2. I sympathize for the old women because they don't get genuine visits from guests. For example, "She had almost said that if Campfire Girls brought flowers to Old Ladies' Home, the visit would count one extra point, and if they took a Bible with them on the bus and read it to the old ladies, it counted double." (Page 157) 3. I sympathize for Marian for feeling like a hostage in the old women's room. For example, "Marina looked at the ceiling...It was like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered." (Page 155) 4. I sympathize for Addie because she is dying, and no one cares about her. For example, "'Poor Addie is ailing. She has to take medicine–see?' she said, pointing a horny finger at a row of bottles on the table, and rocking so high that her black comfort shoes lifted off the floor like a little child's." (Page 157) 5. I sympathize for Marian because she was there to get the points she needed, not to become a "hostage". For example, "Marian pulled violently against the old hands for a moment before she was free." (Page 160) |
Examples of when you do not sympathize with a character:
1. I do not sympathize for Marian for trying to get along with the women. She should've at least try to have a conversation with them and to answer their questions about her, instead of being a "hostage". For example, ""How old are you?' Marian breathed. Now she could see the old woman in bed very closely and plainly, and very abruptly, from all sides, as in dreams." (Page 159) 2. I do not sympathize for the first old woman when she asks for money. She is trying to get something out of not getting genuine visits. For example, "'Oh, little girl, have you a penny to spare for a poor old woman that's not got anything of her own?'" (Page 160) 3. I do not sympathize for the ladies for seeking attention by doing negative things. For example, "Marian pulled violently against the old hands for a moment before she was free." (Page 160) 4. I do not sympathize for Addie when she cries because she is kind of a witch the entire time. For example, "''They are not pretty,' she said, still without looking around, but very distinctly." (Page 155) 5. I do not sympathize for the old ladies when they criticize about the flowers. For example, "'They are not pretty,' she said, still without looking around, but very distinctly." (Page 155) |