Character Sketch of Joe Thompson in Angel in Disguise
Introduction
Joe Thompson is the image of compassion in this story. After the pauper women’s funeral, Joe is compelled to take Maggie home with him because he thinks it is a cruel thing to leave her so. He knows that sending her to the poorhouse, as the others have suggested, will do no good for the poor little Maggie. Furthermore, Joe has a soft heart for the children, he is able to convince his ill-tempered wife who is not a woman of saintly temper to allow Maggie to stay in their home before she (Maggie) is sent to a poor house.
A Kind-Hearted, Sympathetic and Generous
As Joe Thompson is a wheelwright, he repairs sleds and wagons which need him to be physically strong, hence he looks rough and strong man from his outward appearance, but inwardly he is a kind-hearted and compassionate man.
His heart is at once captivated by the tender and innocent look of Maggie. He cannot leave the child alone and supportless, nor can he think of sending her to the poorhouse. When the little girl cries out in a painful tone, catching her suspended breath, ‘O, Mr. Thompson, don’t leave me here alone!’, he cannot resist him from helping her in her trouble. He at once decides to take her to his house, though he knows that his ill-tempered wife will not allow her to stay at their house.
His Special Attachment with Children
Joe Thompson has a special attachment with children. He is greatly inclined to the children. He loves and likes them. As he is childless, it may be his craving for the love of children. Though rough in the exterior, he has a very soft corner for the children. He is highly pleased to have them come to his shop where sleds and wagons are mended for the village lads without a draft on their hoarded sixpences. When the little girl requests him not to leave her alone, he goes to the bed of the girl, stoops down over her, and assures her with great affection that she will not be left here alone.
His Motherly Affection
As he develops a motherly affection for her, he takes great care of the child while carrying her to his house. He wraps her with gentleness almost of a mother, in the clean bedclothes which some neighbour brings and lifting her in his strong arms, bears her out into the air and across the field that lies between the hovel and his home. As his arms hold the sick child to his breast, a sphere of tenderness goes out from her and penetrates his feelings. A bond is already corded itself around them both and love springs into life.
His Understanding A Woman’s Nature and His Wife’s Feelings
Because of being an intuitive man, Mr. Thompson understands a woman’s nature and his wife’s feelings. He knows that his wife who has become ill-tempered and selfish over the years, will not consent to keep Maggie in their house. Hence, he, without arguing with his wife, takes Maggie to a small room on the first floor, puts her down on a bed, and makes her comfortable before he encounters his angry wife. He calms her by saying that he has brought Maggie home for the night and will take her to the poor house the next day.
His Convincing and Comforting His Wife
When Mrs. Thompson asks Mr. Thompson why he has brought that sick child to her home, he does not reply but gives her a look that is pleading and cautionary. Then, in order to convince and comfort her, he refers to the Bible saying:
‘How the Savior rebuked the disciples who would not receive them; how he took them up in his arms and blessed them; and how he said ‘whosoever gave them even a cup of cold water should not go unrewarded.’
Giving the reference to the Bible, he tries to convince her saying that it is a small thing for them to keep the poor motherless little one for a single night and asks her to be kind to her for a single night and to make her life comfortable for a single night.
The voice of the strong man shakes and he turns his head away to hide his moist eyes. His words have the desired effect and a soft and tender feeling creeps into his wife’s heart. Mr. Thompson succeeds in bringing a great change in his wife. Mrs. Thompson goes to see Maggie, talks to her, and gradually grows fond of her. She develops motherly feelings for Maggie and gives up the thought of sending her to the poor house.
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