Places mentioned with brief explanations: Mrs Adis by Sheila Kaye Smith

 

1. North-east Sussex: A region located in the northeastern part of the county of Sussex, England.

2. Kent: A county located in the southeastern part of England, neighbouring Sussex.

3. Delmonden: A village or location mentioned in the passage, likely situated in the region described.

4. Cinder Wood: A wood mentioned in the passage where a significant event took place.

5. Ironlatch Farm: A farm mentioned in the passage, where the character Tom works.

6. Ticehurst: A place or town where there is a woman who is loyal to Peter Crouch, but he doesn't want to think about her as he's in trouble.

7. Scotney Castle: A castle mentioned in the passage, which may have some relevance to the events, but it's not entirely clear from this excerpt.

8. Cansiron: A town with a railway station mentioned in the passage, offering a way for Peter Crouch to escape.

 

 Names of the major and minor characters:  Mrs Adis by Sheila Kaye Smith

 Major Characters:

 1. Mrs Adis: She is one of the central characters in the story, a small, thin woman living in a cottage in the woods. Mrs Adis is sympathetic and kind-hearted, as she allows Peter Crouch, a troubled man, to take refuge in her home when he is in trouble.

 2. Peter Crouch: He is the protagonist of the story and a big, heavy, working man who is not successful. He admits to Mrs Adis that he has shot a man and is on the run from the keepers. He seeks refuge in Mrs Adis's cottage.

 3. Tom: Tom is Peter Crouch's friend, and Mrs. Adis' son. Though he is not physically present in the story, he is mentioned several times, and Peter Crouch relies on Tom's friendship and support.

 Minor Characters:

 1. Delmonden: Mentioned briefly, it is a village where the distant sound of a dog barking can be heard.

 

2. The Keepers: A group of men, including Vidler, who is after Peter Crouch due to a quarrel involving rabbit snaring. They work for Scotney Castle and are responsible for enforcing the law and preserving the property.

 3. The Man Shot by Peter Crouch: He is not named in the passage, but he is the victim of Peter Crouch's shooting.

 4. Mrs Gain: Mentioned towards the end, she is someone who would come down to Mrs Adis upon being asked, presumably to help or console her.

 5. Boormans: A group of people walking with Tom and Peter Crouch during the incident by Cinder Wood.

The main points from the lesson are as follows: Mrs Adis by Sheila Kaye Smith

 1. Setting: The story is set in a wooded area in northeast Sussex, near Kent. The location is described as a land of woods, hammer wood, and hammer ponds.

 2. Mrs Adis: Mrs Adis is a small, kind-hearted woman living in a cottage in the woods. She shows compassion and offers refuge to Peter Crouch when he is in trouble.

 3. Peter Crouch: He is a big, heavy, working man who is not successful. He confesses to Mrs Adis that he shot a man and seeks shelter in her cottage to evade the keepers chasing him.

 4. The Incident: Peter Crouch had a quarrel with the keepers over rabbit snaring in Cinder Wood. He shot at someone and is now on the run from the authorities.

 5. Tom: He is Mrs Adis' son and Peter Crouch's friend, though he is not physically present in the story. Peter hopes that Tom would support him if he were present.

 6. Mrs Adis' Dilemma: Mrs Adis is torn between helping Peter Crouch, a troubled man, and potentially facing trouble herself. She eventually decides to shelter him and gives him money to escape.

 7. Tragic Outcome: The keepers bring in a dead man, one of Peter's victims, whom they suspect to be Tom. Mrs Adis learns about Tom's death, and Peter Crouch, overwhelmed with guilt and grief, decides to face the consequences of his actions.

 8. Themes: The passage explores themes of friendship, loyalty, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions.

 Summary of the Lesson: Mrs Adis by Sheila Kaye Smith

 "Mrs Adis" by Sheila Kaye-Smith is a short story set in a wooded area in northeast Sussex, near Kent. The story revolves around two main characters: Mrs Adis and Peter Crouch.

 The passage begins with a description of the setting, a land of woods and hammerponds. It is a dark and moonless night, with only a few stars visible in the sky. The road leading to Mrs. Adis's cottage is dark due to the thickness of the woods.

 Late at night, Peter Crouch, a big, heavy, working man, arrives at Mrs. Adis's cottage in distress. He confesses to Mrs. Adis that he has shot a man and is now on the run from the keepers, who are after him due to a quarrel over rabbit snaring. Mrs. Adis hesitates but eventually allows him to stay in her cottage until he can escape from the area.

 Peter Crouch shares his concern for his friend Tom, Mrs. Adis's son, whom he hopes would support him if he were present. Mrs. Adis points out that Peter hasn't been a good friend to Tom, but she agrees to shelter him until Tom returns home.

 As they talk, Peter Crouch realizes the gravity of his actions and feels overwhelmed with guilt and regret. He contemplates his fate, feeling that he deserves to pay for his actions, even though there is a woman in Ticehurst who cares for him deeply. Mrs. Adis advises him to escape to London and offers him money for his fare.

 Just as Peter Crouch is about to leave, the keepers arrive at Mrs. Adis's cottage. She manages to deceive them and says she hasn't seen Peter that night. They inform her that there has been a tragic incident at Cinder Wood, where a man was shot dead. Mrs. Adis fears for her son Tom but maintains her composure.

 The keepers leave, and Mrs. Adis locks Peter Crouch in a small shed to hide him from any further danger. While in the shed, Peter Crouch reflects on his actions and the tragic outcome. He realizes that he wants to face the consequences of his actions and feels remorseful for what he has done.

 As the story concludes, Mrs. Adis learns from the keepers that the dead man they brought was Tom. Her heartbroken and grieving reaction to the news suggests that Peter Crouch's actions inadvertently led to the death of his friend.

 The story explores themes of friendship, loyalty, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions. It depicts the moral dilemma faced by Mrs. Adis in deciding whether to help a troubled man, as well as the tragic outcomes of impulsive actions. The emotional depth of the characters and the dark setting add to the somber tone of the story. However, it is important to note that this passage is only an excerpt, and the complete story may have further development and plot elements beyond what is presented here.

 Question and Answers : Mrs. Adis by Sheila Kaye Smith

 Q1: Where is the story "Mrs. Adis" set?

A1: The story is set in a wooded area in north-east Sussex, near Kent.

Q2: Why does Peter Crouch seek refuge at Mrs. Adis's cottage?

A2: Peter Crouch seeks refuge at Mrs. Adis's cottage because he shot a man during a quarrel with the keepers and is now on the run from them.

Q3: What is Mrs. Adis's initial reaction to Peter Crouch's request for shelter?

A3: Mrs. Adis hesitates but eventually allows Peter Crouch to stay in her cottage until he can escape from the area.

Q4: Who is Tom, and what is his significance in the story?

A4: Tom is Mrs. Adis's son and a friend of Peter Crouch. Though he is not physically present in the story, Peter Crouch hopes that Tom would support him if he were present.

Q5: How does Peter Crouch feel about his actions as he stays at Mrs. Adis's cottage?

A5: Peter Crouch feels overwhelmed with guilt and regret for shooting a man. He contemplates facing the consequences of his actions.

Q6: Why does Mrs. Adis deceive the keepers when they arrive at her cottage?

A6: Mrs. Adis deceives the keepers to protect Peter Crouch from getting caught. She lies and says she hasn't seen him that night.

Q7: What tragic news does Mrs. Adis receive from the keepers?

A7: The keepers inform Mrs. Adis that there has been a tragic incident at Cinder Wood, where a man was shot dead. Mrs. Adis fears for her son Tom but maintains her composure.

Q8: What themes are explored in the story "Mrs. Adis"?

A8: The story explores themes of friendship, loyalty, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions.

Q9: How does the setting contribute to the overall mood of the story?

A9: The dark and wooded setting adds to the somber and intense tone of the story, reflecting the emotional struggles of the characters.

Q10: What is the significance of the London train that Mrs. Adis mentions to Peter Crouch?

A10: The London train offers Peter Crouch a chance to escape and start a new life away from the trouble he is facing. Mrs. Adis gives him money for his fare.

Q11: Describe Mrs. Adis's personality and her relationship with Peter Crouch.

A11: Mrs. Adis is described as a small, kind-hearted woman who shows compassion and empathy towards Peter Crouch. Despite his troubled past and actions, she offers him shelter and assistance. Their relationship is one of trust and understanding, and she stands by him when he is in dire need.

Q12: How does Peter Crouch feel about his friend Tom, and why is he remorseful about their friendship?

A12: Peter Crouch feels grateful for Tom's friendship and loyalty. He regrets not being a better friend to Tom, acknowledging that Tom had been good to him despite their differences in character and circumstances.

Q13: What are the repercussions of Peter Crouch's impulsive actions?

A13: Peter Crouch's impulsive act of shooting a man leads to tragic consequences. He unintentionally causes the death of his friend Tom, which results in immense grief and sorrow for Mrs. Adis and the community.

Q14: How does the passage evoke a sense of tension and foreboding?

A14: The darkness of the night, the isolation of the woods, and the constant pursuit of the keepers create a tense and foreboding atmosphere. The uncertainty of Peter Crouch's fate and the impending arrival of the keepers contribute to the building tension in the story.

Q15: What internal conflict does Peter Crouch face when he is hiding in the shed?

A15: While hiding in the shed, Peter Crouch experiences an internal conflict between his guilt and remorse for his actions and his desire to escape the consequences. He wrestles with the decision to face the authorities or flee from the situation.

Q16: Discuss the significance of Mrs. Adis's decision to help Peter Crouch despite the risks involved.

A16: Mrs. Adis's decision to help Peter Crouch despite the risks showcases her compassion and sense of humanity. It demonstrates the power of empathy and kindness, even in challenging circumstances. Her action highlights the complexities of moral decisions and the willingness to stand by someone in need.

Q17: How does the author use the contrast between light and darkness in the passage?

A17: The author uses the contrast between light and darkness to symbolize the stark difference between right and wrong, good and evil. The darkness of the night represents the hidden and troubled aspects of the characters' lives, while the light symbolizes hope and clarity, even in the darkest of situations.

Q18: Explore the impact of guilt on Peter Crouch's emotional state and decisions.

A18: Peter Crouch's guilt weighs heavily on his emotional state, causing him to feel remorseful and desiring to face the consequences of his actions. His guilt becomes a driving force in his decision-making process, leading him to consider accepting responsibility for his deeds.

Q19: How does the tragic outcome affect the overall message of the story?

A19: The tragic outcome of Tom's death reinforces the theme of consequences and the repercussions of impulsive actions. It serves as a stark reminder that actions have far-reaching effects on individuals and their loved ones. The tragedy underlines the importance of making thoughtful and responsible choices.

Q20: What does the story "Mrs. Adis" suggest about the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas?

A20: The story "Mrs. Adis" suggests that human relationships are multi-faceted and often shaped by loyalty, compassion, and past actions. It also explores the moral dilemmas individuals face when deciding between right and wrong, highlighting the profound impact of their choices on themselves and others.

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