Essay Questions

Why does Mr. Harley not confess his love for Miss Walton?

Mr. Harley was a selfless human being. He was very kind and sympathetic towards others. His compassion and love for Miss Harley does not allow him to confess his love for her. When Harley returns to his village, he gets to know about her engagement with a rich man. He didn't want her to live a poor life with him so he hides his feelings for her. But he gets ill and Miss Walton breaks her engagement. When Harley died, he was holding her hands.

Who was Miss Atkin and why does she become a prostitute?

Miss Atkin was a young girl who meets Harley on one of the streets in London. She narrates her sad story to Harley and he helps her. She tells him about her love affair with a man who left him. She runs away from her home because of loving a man who denied to marry her later on. Eventually she becomes a prostitute but she yearns to go back to her home and to meet her father. When Harley was in Atkin's room, her father comes there and takes his daughter back with him after knowing about her life.

Why does Mr. Harley suffer from emotional and financial problems?

Mr. Harley was a compassionate man who put the needs of others before his own. Unfortunately, after the death of his parents, Mr. Harley's guardians refuse to help him in financial matters. They show indifference towards him and denied to give his share of inheritance. His neighbour advises him to sell his vote for the lease of a land and in this way he would be able to solve the financial problems. He was compelled to use unlawful means to get money in order to survive. His emotional problems were also linked with his financial status. He didn't hold an eminent position in society. Along with this, he was penniless so he didn't show his feelings towards Miss Walton. The unrequited love lead him to the deathbed.

What were Mr. Harley's thoughts about death?

Mr. Harley was an angelic personality who couldn't survive the injustice and oppression in society. He was very kind towards others and he used to solve the problems of others despite of suffering by himself. The irony is that he never get the reward for his virtues. His relatives showed indifference towards him and he was left penniless. Mr. Harley considers death as an escape from this unjust world. He was as innocent as a child so he didn't want to live in this world of hypocrites. He says, "My mind expands at the thought I shall enter into the society of blessed, wise as angels, with the simplicity of children." He was so happy that he would enter in a more beautiful world after death and it demonstrates his firm belief in the after world.