The word rage can mean anger but it can also mean passion-an outpouring of feeling. how might thomas have been using both meanings in the poem?

Thomas might have been using both meanings in the poem so that he can show how kind he is.

The factor that allows Thomas to use the same word for different meanings in context. The context allowed him to do that.

Explanation:

To understand this answer we need to analyze something. First of all, context is the general idea that the writer wants to communicate to the reader. The writer's language is going to make that goal possible. Therefore, the writer needs to know how to express ideas properly and effectively. Now, after he pictured the idea the writer wants to communicate, he or she only needs to describe it as much and clear as he can without repeating any element. Thus, after he shares that the man raged because someone insulted him or that a men's heart raged with kindness after watching her wife sold her favorite necklace to buy him a radio so that he could work listening to music. The writer uses the context to define the purpose of the word.  

the words “strangest” and “unusual” suggest that the narrator is about to tell the story of an odd or puzzling group of people.

which is the following what are you asking?