CBSE Class 10 English Notes: The Midnight Visitor
This chapter is a detective story by Robert Arthur about a clever and courageous young woman, Miss Dawn, who faces a dangerous situation and uses her intelligence to solve a mystery and escape a threat.
Summary
- The story centers around Miss Dawn, a resourceful young woman who is alone at home when a stranger arrives at midnight.
- The stranger turns out to be a criminal who has kidnapped her father and demands money for his release.
- Miss Dawn remains calm and quickly devises a plan to outsmart the criminal using her intelligence and presence of mind.
- She communicates secretly with the authorities, leaving clues for them while pretending to cooperate with the criminal.
- Through clever thinking, bravery, and observation, Miss Dawn ensures her father’s safety and exposes the criminal.
- The story ends with the criminal being caught and the family safe, highlighting courage, intelligence, and quick thinking.
- The suspenseful narrative keeps readers engaged, emphasizing the importance of courage and mental agility in critical situations.
Character Sketch
Miss Dawn
- Intelligent, courageous, and quick-witted.
- Uses observation and cleverness to handle dangerous situations.
- Displays calmness and presence of mind under pressure.
The Criminal
- Devious, threatening, and criminal-minded.
- Attempts to intimidate and manipulate Miss Dawn.
- Ultimately outsmarted by the protagonist’s intelligence.
Supporting Characters
- Miss Dawn’s father – the victim of the kidnapping threat.
- Authorities – the police who respond to Miss Dawn’s clever clues.
Themes
- Courage and Bravery: Facing danger with confidence and calmness.
- Intelligence and Resourcefulness: Using mental skill to solve problems and escape danger.
- Good vs Evil: Highlights the triumph of righteousness and quick thinking over criminal intent.
- Suspense and Mystery: Keeps readers engaged and emphasizes careful observation and planning.
- Self-Reliance: Shows that independent thinking can overcome threats even without immediate help.
Important Extracts
“Miss Dawn felt a chill as the midnight visitor entered, but her mind raced quickly for a solution.”
Highlights the suspense and her presence of mind.
“Using her cleverness, she left clues for the authorities without alerting the criminal.”
Shows her intelligence and resourcefulness in a dangerous situation.
“The criminal underestimated her, which led to his eventual capture.”
Demonstrates the theme of good triumphing over evil through cleverness.
Moral / Lessons
- Courage, intelligence, and quick thinking can overcome even the most threatening situations.
- Observation and resourcefulness are essential in problem-solving.
- Calmness under pressure helps in making better decisions.
- Good triumphs over evil when one uses wit and righteousness.
Vocabulary & Key Terms
- Suspense: Tension or uncertainty about what will happen.
- Resourcefulness: Ability to handle difficult situations effectively.
- Courage: The quality of being brave in danger.
- Observation: Careful watching and noting details.
- Intelligence: The ability to think quickly and effectively.
- Righteousness: Moral integrity and adherence to what is right.
- Presence of Mind: Staying calm and making quick decisions under pressure.
Exam Tips
- For summary, focus on the midnight visitor, the threat, and Miss Dawn’s clever plan.
- For character analysis, highlight her courage, intelligence, and presence of mind.
- Use extracts to illustrate themes of resourcefulness, bravery, and suspense.
- Explain moral lessons with examples of how careful observation and intelligence can resolve dangerous situations.