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 runs out of the old Ladies' home because she thinks that the old ladies are gross.
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)
Marian feels that being in the old women's room is "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered" because she feels like a hostage.
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)
We are told this because should mind their own business, freaked out by death because looking at old lady dying
4.) Why is Marian's face "bright" and "burning" when she tells the first old woman that Addie is crying? (p. 159)
thinks it's her fault, panicking thinks she caused her crying
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?
refreshing
6.) Why does the first old woman say, "Well, it was a real visit"? (p. 160)
sarcasm, wasn't real visit, saying it to make girl feel bad
7.) Why do the two women argue about whether the flowers are pretty and whether they enjoyed the other Campfire Girl's visit?
critical of little girl, flowers, very unhappy with their lives
8.) Why does the first old woman tell Marian that Addie talks in a "contrary" way only "when you all come"? (p. 157)
there to get their points and move on
9.) Why does Addie look at Marian with "despair and calculation"? (p. 158)
getting points, moves are calculated,
10.) Why does the first old woman clutch at Marian and ask for money?
trying to get something out of it
Marian runs out of the old Ladies' home because she thinks that the old ladies are gross.
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)
Marian feels that being in the old women's room is "like being caught in a robbers' cave, just before one was murdered" because she feels like a hostage.
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)
We are told this because should mind their own business, freaked out by death because looking at old lady dying
4.) Why is Marian's face "bright" and "burning" when she tells the first old woman that Addie is crying? (p. 159)
thinks it's her fault, panicking thinks she caused her crying
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?
refreshing
6.) Why does the first old woman say, "Well, it was a real visit"? (p. 160)
sarcasm, wasn't real visit, saying it to make girl feel bad
7.) Why do the two women argue about whether the flowers are pretty and whether they enjoyed the other Campfire Girl's visit?
critical of little girl, flowers, very unhappy with their lives
8.) Why does the first old woman tell Marian that Addie talks in a "contrary" way only "when you all come"? (p. 157)
there to get their points and move on
9.) Why does Addie look at Marian with "despair and calculation"? (p. 158)
getting points, moves are calculated,
10.) Why does the first old woman clutch at Marian and ask for money?
trying to get something out of it
Vocabulary:
1.) Ailing
Quote: "Poor Addie is ailing." (pg. 157)
Definition: sickly, troubled
Synonym: feeble
Sentence: The little girl laying in the hospital bed was ailing because she had just went through surgery.
2.) Contrary
Quote: "That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come," said the first lady with sudden intimacy." (pg. 157)
Definition: opposite in nature or character
Synonym: conflicting
Sentence: On the contrary, the boy was very well mannered and respected his elders.
3.) Intimacy
Quote: "That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come," said the first lady with sudden intimacy." (pg. 157)
Definition: a close, familiar, or loving personal relationship between two people
Synonym: affection
Sentence: The couples along the side of the pier had showed their intimacy by holding hands.
4.) Calculation
Quote: "This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (pg. 158)
Definition: an estimate based on known facts
Synonym: estimation
Sentence: The boy's calculation was off because he did not have the right data written down.
5.) Affected
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?" (pg. 160)
Definition: acted upon
Synonym: changed, altered
Sentence: The pins were affected by the bowling ball when it came rolling at a rapid speed.
6.) Institutions
Quote: "The nurse, after another triple motion to consult her wristwatch, asked automatically the question put to visitors in all institutions: "Won't stay and have dinner with us?" (pg. 160)
Definition: an establishment or foundation
Synonyms: building
Sentence: The instituions in the city were big and tall and lit up at night.
Quote: "Poor Addie is ailing." (pg. 157)
Definition: sickly, troubled
Synonym: feeble
Sentence: The little girl laying in the hospital bed was ailing because she had just went through surgery.
2.) Contrary
Quote: "That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come," said the first lady with sudden intimacy." (pg. 157)
Definition: opposite in nature or character
Synonym: conflicting
Sentence: On the contrary, the boy was very well mannered and respected his elders.
3.) Intimacy
Quote: "That's only the contrary way she talks when you all come," said the first lady with sudden intimacy." (pg. 157)
Definition: a close, familiar, or loving personal relationship between two people
Synonym: affection
Sentence: The couples along the side of the pier had showed their intimacy by holding hands.
4.) Calculation
Quote: "This old woman was looking at her with despair and calculation in her face." (pg. 158)
Definition: an estimate based on known facts
Synonym: estimation
Sentence: The boy's calculation was off because he did not have the right data written down.
5.) Affected
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?" (pg. 160)
Definition: acted upon
Synonym: changed, altered
Sentence: The pins were affected by the bowling ball when it came rolling at a rapid speed.
6.) Institutions
Quote: "The nurse, after another triple motion to consult her wristwatch, asked automatically the question put to visitors in all institutions: "Won't stay and have dinner with us?" (pg. 160)
Definition: an establishment or foundation
Synonyms: building
Sentence: The instituions in the city were big and tall and lit up at night.
Thinking Map:
When You Sympathize1.) We feel bad that old ladies are sick and dying
2.) We sympathize because the old ladies don't get genuine visits from family and friends 3.) We sympathize for the little girl when she is scared 4.) We sympathize when Addie is crying because she realizes she's old and dying 5.) We sympathize for the little girl because she is trying to do right thing for points |
When You Don't Sympathize1.) We don't feel bad for Marian because she panicked instead of having a calm conversation
2.) We don't sympathize when the first old woman asks for money because she is being greedy 3.) We don't sympathize for Addie because she is not nice to the little girls that come in |