From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Known simply as Angel, this statue of an angelic female figure with folded arms may or may not have been created by Michelangelo. After winning Angel in a game of poker, Mrs. Frankweiler sells him to the museum for a low price and without revealing her evidence that Michelangelo created Angel. As a major public attraction at the time Claudia and Jamie arrive at the museum, Angel quickly captures their attention. At Claudia’s insistence, they focus their efforts on uncovering the mystery of Angel’s origin, and Angel becomes a symbol of Claudia’s parallel quest to return home a changed person. Claudia’s identification with Angel is strong enough that she perceives a resemblance between herself and the statue, though Jamie doesn’t see it. As Claudia gains knowledge of Angel, she also learns of her own resourcefulness, resilience, character, desires, and more. Angel demonstrates the potential for art to reflect and challenge those who encounter it.

Money appears in the novel as a recurring motif that sheds light on human character and society. Closely related to money are the associated motifs of gambling and card games as well as cheating. The money also serves as a “clock” in the story, as the children use the last of their money to travel to Mrs.