Chapter 2 - The Address

This article will help you to learn about the summary, characters and themes in the short story ‘The Address’, written by Marga Minco, a Dutch journalist and author. It will also guide you through The Address Class 11 NCERT Solutions or Class 11 Snapshot Chapter 2 Solutions.

Synopsis 

The chapter begins when Mrs S’s daughter visits Mrs Dorling’s house after the liberation war in Holland. She remembers the address, therefore reaches there and meets a woman (Mrs. Dorling) whom she knows very well.

To her surprise, Mrs Dorling who was a frequent visitor to their home before the war refuses to recognise her. The narrator introduces herself again and again but all in vain. Mrs Dorling is wearing a green cardigan which once used to be owned by Mrs S, her mother. The narrator wants to talk to Mrs Dorling but latter turns a blind eye and shuts the door on her face.

The narrator once again confirms the address by looking at the name-plate again which suggests Mrs Dorling in black letters on white enamel and a house number i.e 46.

Having been dejected by Mrs Dorling, the narrator walks slowly to the station. While walking down, she recalls the moments spent with her mother and the time when things had started disappearing from her room as well as home. When enquired, her mother told the narrator about Mrs Dorling, an old acquaintance of her mother, whom she had not seen for years. But, suddenly she had turned up and renewed her contact with her mother.

Narrator’s mother also adds that every time she leaves, she takes something home with her. According to her mother, Mrs Dorling had taken everything starting from antique silver plates to the crockery used at their home. In short, she would insist to give all those things in order to save them from the war. According to her mother, she would carry a full suitcase or a bag stuffed with household things. Narrator, once again, decides to go to Mrs Dorling’s house. This time, a girl of about fifteen opens the door. Narrator enquiries if her mother was at home. She denies saying that she has been to the market.

The narrator enters her house and sees an old-fashioned Hanukkah candle holder, wooden table cloth, tea-pot, spoons and many other things which once belonged to her mother. She even feels the burn mark which is still there on the table cloth.

But soon she realises that she has to catch her train. She leaves the house and decides never to come back again and to forget the address of Mrs Dorling’s home.

Character List

Given below are some main characters in the story and their small sketch:

The narrator (Author Marga Minco) – Marga Minco is a Jewish girl who faced the pain, sufferings, and losses, including the irreparable loss of her dear mother in war. She is a brave and courageous girl who faces the challenges of a lonely life after the war is over. Minco is attached to her mother’s things and after returning to her home city, she goes to Mrs Dorling to claim her mother’s things back. Mrs Dorling’s cold, indifferent and discouraging behaviour further depresses her.  She had already suffered many losses, including the irreparable loss of her dear mother. Finally, she decides to leave her mother’s things and forget them forever as the things will evoke her mother’s memories more often and make her more miserable.

Mrs S (narrator’s mother) – The war in Holland proved to be a disaster for her. She was forced to part with all her nice and precious belongings and was exploited by Mrs Dorling who promised that her belongings were safe with her, but they never received them again. Also, she couldn’t survive the war and died.

Mrs Dorling– Mrs Dorling is portrayed in the story as an immoral character.  She was a thief and used the author’s and the author’s mother’s belongings like clothes, utensils etc. of, despite promising to only look after them. Mrs Dorling was dishonest. She did not invite Marga to her house to treat her like a good guest.

Mrs Dorling’s daughter– She is a guileless young woman and is very different from her mother as she politely asked the narrator to come in and made her feel comfortable. Mrs Dorling’s daughter also offered her tea and showed the house to her.

Themes

This chapter centres on a daughter who goes in search of her mother’s belongings after the war, in Holland. She finds all the objects which evoke memories of her earlier life. However, she decides to leave them all behind and resolves to move on.

The story depicts the complex human emotions of intimacy, trust, hope and betrayal. It speaks of the greed and vices that afflict a human being and how it makes them do horrible things like breaking other people’s hopes, lying, stealing, cheating etc. Mrs Dorling refuses to return what she took from her friend and do her duty as a friend and responsible human being. She actually used the opportunity to take advantage of her friend’s difficult circumstances. This represents the worst of human nature. The background of War and persecution of innocent lives has strong connotations and beautifully foreshadow the story itself.

For a better understanding of this chapter, refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 11, English Snapshots Chapter 2. If you are looking for Class 11 English Snapshot Chapter 2 Question Answer check The Address Question and Answers PDF.