Chapter 6 - I Want Something in a Cage

1. Put "True" or "False" next to each of the statements.

  1. Mr. Purcell sold animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys.


  1. He cared deeply for the health of the pets and birds he kept in his store.


  1. The client who purchased the two doves impressed him.


  1.  He was a prosperous shop owner while being indifferent and chilly on the inside.

EXPLANATION

  1. Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys   : True

Reason: It is true that Mr. Purcell operated a pet store and sold animals like birds, cats, dogs, and monkeys.


  1. He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop : False

Reason: This claim is untrue, as he believed himself to be a professional man and did not care about the welfare of the birds and animals in his shop.


  1.  He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves : False

Reason: This claim is untrue because the customer who purchased the two doves did not impress him in the least because of his peculiar behavior and the musty odour of an abandoned, haunted house that followed him out of the store.


2. What about Mr. Purcell resembles an owl?

EXPLANATION

Mr. Purcell was compared to an owl because of his little stature, fussiness, red cheeks, tight, melon-shaped stomach, and thick, huge glasses that widen his eyes and give him the appearance of a jovial, wise owl.




3. Similar to how he wouldn’t have noticed a clock's familiar, persistent ticking, Mr. Purcell paid it no attention. (Read the section beginning with "That was a challenging day.")

What is implied by "it" in I

Why is Mr. Purcell unable to hear "it" in (ii) clearly?

EXPLANATION

  1. The shop would tremble all around him as a result of the animals and birds that were there making chirping, squeaking, and mewing noises.


  1. Mr. Purcell cannot distinguish the sound because he is so accustomed to hearing similar noises that it seems like a ticking clock to him. Also, he was used to hearing these noises because he did so daily at his shop, which made them sound like a ticking click to him.


4. Do you think the atmosphere in Mr. Purcell’s shop was good or bad? Justify your answer in full.

EXPLANATION

My first impression of Mr. Purcell’s business was that it was dark. It wasn’t alive anymore. The sound of birds chirping and fluttering filled the air. The customers frequently questioned Mr. Purcell about how he could tolerate such upsetting noises despite the fact that he was accustomed to the ruckus.


5. Provide information about the stranger that walked into the pet shop. What did he want?

EXPLANATION

My first impression of Mr. Purcell’s business was that it was dark. It wasn’t alive anymore. The sound of birds chirping and fluttering filled the air. The customers frequently questioned Mr. Purcell about how he could tolerate such upsetting noises despite the fact that he was accustomed to the ruckus.


6.

  1. The man insisted on buying the doves because he adores birds I Do you agree?


  1. How did he come into possession of the $5?

EXPLANATION


  1. Even though he liked birds, the man wasn’t adamant about buying the doves. He simply desired cages for birds.


  1. He had to work extremely hard to earn the $5 while he was imprisoned. He used to receive just 50 cents annually.



7. Would the buyer want to know how to feed and care for the doves he had bought? Alternatively, why not?


EXPLANATION

No, the client didn’t care to feed or take care of the doves because he didn’t want to keep them as pets. When Mr. Purcell mentioned feeding the doves, he gave it no mind. He spent his hard-earned money for the doves, intending to set them free from their cages.


8. Why do you suppose the guy let the doves fly?

EXPLANATION

The individual rescued the birds since he had been a prisoner before and knew what it felt like to be imprisoned. He recognized the importance of independence. With the hard-earned cash he had accumulated over the previous ten years, he purchased two doves, let them fly, and then paid for them.


9. Why was Mr. Purcell “vaguely insulted” by it?

EXPLANATION

Mr. Purcell was “vaguely annoyed” by this because the stranger, who only had that amount of money, spent it all to purchase the release of the two birds from their cage, while Mr. Purcell reduced the price of the doves so he could still make a profit.


10. What was Purcell’s source of income?

EXPLANATION

Mr. Purcell is the owner of a pet shop. He offered to sell birds, dogs, monkeys, cats, and other animals. Also, he supplied bird food and fish food. He also recommended medications for the sick animals. He took action to support himself.


11. What was it that surprised Mr. Purcell one day?

EXPLANATION

A bell is dangling from the entryway to Mr. Purcell’s establishment. When a customer entered the room, it immediately started to ring. It was silent that day. The shock hit Mr. Purcell. He thought the client had just appeared.


12. Why was the client so hostile toward Mr. Purcell?

EXPLANATION

The client saw Mr. Purcell capturing birds and other creatures in custody for profit. He’d taken away their freedom. The client appreciated freedom. So, he detested Mr. Purcell.


13. Why did the client let the doves out of the cage?

EXPLANATION

The consumer has felt the suffering of a prison life. A short while ago, he was a wanted felon. He released the doves from prison by tossing them into the air.


14. After the doves were released, how did the consumer feel?

EXPLANATION

The customer had freed two doves from slavery (cage). His laboriously won money had already been spent. He desired to impart valuable knowledge to Mr. Purcell. Thus, he was pleased with his deed.


15. Who was Mr. Purcell in terms of business?

EXPLANATION

Mr. Purcell has a store where he sells pets. There were both animals and birds present. He had exquisite golden cages on display for his cherished pets. Also, he supplied bird food and fish food. He wrote them prescriptions for their medications. He was skilled in tending to sick animals and birds. He gave his client advice on choosing bird food and providing for animals. He seemed to know everything there was to know about birds and animals. He has great wisdom. When speaking with the consumers, he conducted himself in a professional manner. He never considered the worth or significance of freedom. He put limits on the birds’ ability to get money.


16. Make a comparison between the client and Mr. Purcell.

EXPLANATION

 In reaction, Purcell did not place a great value on liberty. He made his money by peddling animals in cages. He enjoyed frightening birds and animals very much. Making money was his sole focus. But, the client was constructed differently. Throughout his time in jail, he had come to understand the value of freedom. He used the cash he had earned while imprisoned to purchase a pair of doves. The doves were let out of their cages and allowed to fly. He joyfully released the captured birds. So, we could conclude that Mr. Purcell and the customer were at odds with one another right away.