Class 11 English — Chapter 2: The Address

What you'll learn

• ▸The Initial Confrontation with Mrs. Dorling
• ▸The Pre-War 'Safekeeping' Arrangement
• ▸Post-War Trauma and Psychology
• ▸Symbolism of the Family Possessions
• ▸The Second Visit and Changed Context
• ▸The Narrator's Epiphany and Final Resolution
• ▸Character Analysis of Mrs. Dorling
• ▸Theme of Human Predicament Post-War

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 11073CH02 2 The Address Marga Minco *This short story is a poignant account of a daughter who goes in search of her mother's belongings after the War, in Holland. When she finds them, the objects evoke memories of her earlier life. However, she decides to leave them all behind and resolves to move on.* 'Do you still know me?' I asked. The woman looked at me searchingly. She had opened the door a chink. I came closer and stood on the step. 'No, I don't know you.' 'I'm Mrs S's daughter.' She held her hand on the door as though she wanted to prevent it opening any further. Her face gave absolutely no sign of recognition. She kept staring at me in silence. Perhaps I was mistaken, I thought, perhaps it isn't her. I had seen her only once, fleetingly, and that was years ago. It was most probable that I had rung the wrong bell. The woman let go of the door and stepped to the side. She was wearing my mother's green knitted cardigan. The wooden buttons were rather pale from w…

Practice Questions from this Chapter

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1. Illustrate how smells trigger memories. Get Solution →
2. Explore the importance of preserving family heirlooms. Get Solution →
3. Discover how addresses help us navigate cities. Get Solution →
4. What is the street name where Mrs. Dorling lives? Get Solution →
5. What is the house number of the address the narrator visits? Get Solution →
6. What specific item of clothing was Mrs. Dorling wearing that belonged to the narrator's mother? Get Solution →
7. According to the narrator's mother, what did Mrs. Dorling take 'all in one go'? Get Solution →
8. Who opened the door to the narrator on her second visit to the address? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 Ancient Egyptians used silver to make early forms of decorative tableware.
• 💡 A familiar scent can immediately trigger vivid memories from the past.
• 💡 Knitting existed over 900 years ago, with early examples found in Egypt.
• 💡 House numbering began in the 1700s to help mail delivery and navigation.
• 💡 Some antique items can increase in value for centuries after their creation.

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