Class 10 English Notes Chapter 5 (The Hundred Dresses -I) – First Flight Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 5 from your 'First Flight' textbook, 'The Hundred Dresses – I' by Eleanor Estes. This story is quite poignant and deals with themes that are very relevant, making it important for your understanding and potentially for your exams. Pay close attention to the details.

The Hundred Dresses – I: Detailed Notes

1. Introduction:

• Author: Eleanor Estes (An American children's author)
• Setting: A small American town, primarily in a classroom (Room Thirteen) and the schoolyard. The story likely takes place sometime in the mid-20th century.
• Protagonist: Wanda Petronski, a quiet Polish immigrant girl.
• Core Conflict: Wanda is teased by her classmates, particularly Peggy and Maddie, for claiming to own one hundred dresses despite wearing the same faded blue dress every day.

2. Characters:

• Wanda Petronski:
  • A poor Polish girl living in Boggins Heights (an area associated with poverty).
  • Has an unusual, difficult-to-pronounce name (for her classmates), making her an 'outsider'.
  • Quiet, shy, and often sits in the corner of the classroom (where rougher boys sat, indicating her low social standing).
  • Wears the same faded blue dress daily, though clean.
  • Responds to teasing about her dresses by claiming she has "a hundred dresses" and "sixty pairs of shoes," all lined up in her closet. This is her defence mechanism and escape.
  • Possesses hidden artistic talent.
• Peggy:
  • The most popular girl in school; pretty, well-dressed, confident.
  • Initiates the 'dresses game' – teasing Wanda.
  • Not inherently cruel in her own view; she believes she's just having fun and doesn't think Wanda is smart enough to understand she's being teased. She protects smaller children from bullies, showing a contradictory nature.
  • Doesn't consider her actions towards Wanda as bullying.
• Maddie (Madeline):
  • Peggy’s best friend; comes from a poor family herself.
  • Wears hand-me-down clothes, often Peggy's old ones (altered by her mother).
  • Feels uncomfortable about the teasing of Wanda, partly out of empathy and partly out of fear that she could become the next target if her own poverty were revealed.
  • Lacks the courage to stand up to Peggy or stop the teasing. She feels guilty but remains a silent bystander. Her inaction is a key element.
• Miss Mason:
  • The teacher of Room Thirteen.
  • Seems kind and fair.
  • Announces the drawing and colouring contest.

3. Plot Summary (Part I):

• The story begins with Wanda being absent from school on Monday and Tuesday. Her absence isn't initially noticed by Peggy and Maddie until they wait for her after school to tease her, highlighting how she was only significant to them as a target.
• We learn about Wanda's background: her name, where she lives (Boggins Heights), her quiet nature, and her usual seat in the classroom.
• The narrative flashes back to how the 'hundred dresses game' started. It began when Wanda mentioned one of her dresses, and Peggy, in disbelief, started questioning her daily about her wardrobe.
• Wanda consistently claims to have one hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes, describing some in detail (like a pale blue one with coloured trimmings, or a jungle green one with a red sash).
• Maddie's internal conflict is explored. She dislikes the game but doesn't intervene because Peggy is her best friend and she fears being targeted herself. She wishes Peggy would stop on her own accord.
• Maddie often distracts herself by thinking about the drawing contest, hoping to win.
• Wanda continues to be absent.
• Miss Mason announces the results of the drawing contest. Jack Beggles wins for the boys. For the girls, the judges are amazed by one entry – one hundred designs of beautiful, unique dresses, submitted by Wanda Petronski.
• The classroom is filled with Wanda's drawings, showcasing her incredible talent and revealing the truth behind her claim: she did have a hundred dresses, in the form of her drawings.
• Peggy and Maddie are stunned and look at the drawings with admiration and dawning realization. The chapter ends here, leaving their reaction and guilt for Part II.

4. Key Themes:

• Bullying and Peer Pressure: The story clearly depicts how casual teasing can be hurtful bullying, especially targeting someone perceived as different. Peggy leads, and others follow or remain silent.
• Prejudice and Discrimination: Wanda is targeted partly because of her 'funny' Polish name and her poverty, marking her as an outsider.
• Guilt and Conscience: Maddie represents the struggle of conscience. She knows the teasing is wrong but fails to act, leading to deep guilt. Her silence makes her complicit.
• Judging by Appearances: Wanda is judged for her single faded dress and quiet demeanor, while her inner richness (talent, imagination) remains hidden until the end.
• Conformity vs. Individuality: Wanda is an individual who doesn't quite fit in. The other children largely conform to the social hierarchy led by Peggy.
• Empathy: The story highlights the lack of empathy from the popular children and Maddie's struggle with empathetic feelings conflicting with her fear.

5. Literary Devices:

• Irony: It is ironic that Peggy, who teases Wanda about her dresses, is herself impressed by Wanda's drawings of dresses. It's also ironic that Wanda's claim, which seemed like a lie, turns out to be true in an unexpected way.
• Imagery: Descriptions of the dresses Wanda claims to have, and later the detailed drawings, create vivid images. The description of Boggins Heights also paints a picture of poverty.
• Foreshadowing: Maddie's discomfort and guilt foreshadow the later realization of their cruelty.

6. Important Vocabulary/Phrases:

• Scuffling of feet: Noisy movement of feet, often associated with restlessness or lack of discipline.
• Hopscotch: A children's game.
• Incredulously: In a manner indicating disbelief.
• Stolidly: Calmly, dependably; showing little emotion or animation.
• Shabby: In poor condition through long use or lack of care.
• Courage: The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery. (Maddie lacks this).
• Gasped: Inhaled suddenly with the mouth open, out of pain or astonishment.

Key Takeaway for Exams: Understand the motivations of Wanda, Peggy, and especially Maddie. Analyze the themes of bullying, prejudice, and the consequences of silence. Remember the significance of the hundred drawings as the climax of Part I.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Where did Wanda Petronski usually sit in the classroom?
   a) In the front row
   b) Next to Peggy
   c) In the corner, near the back
   d) By the window

2. What was the name of the area where Wanda lived?
   a) Peterson's Place
   b) Boggins Heights
   c) Miller's Street
   d) Willow Creek

3. Who was Peggy's closest friend?
   a) Wanda
   b) Miss Mason
   c) Maddie
   d) Cecile

4. Why did Maddie feel uncomfortable about teasing Wanda?
   a) She thought Wanda would physically fight back.
   b) She was also poor and feared being targeted next.
   c) Peggy forced her to participate against her will.
   d) Miss Mason had warned her specifically.

5. What item of clothing did Wanda wear to school every day?
   a) A faded red dress
   b) A new green dress
   c) A faded blue dress
   d) Jeans and a t-shirt

6. What did Wanda claim to have "lined up in her closet"?
   a) One hundred books
   b) One hundred dolls
   c) One hundred drawings
   d) One hundred dresses

7. What initiated the 'dresses game'?
   a) Maddie asked Wanda about her dress.
   b) Wanda boasted about her clothes first.
   c) Peggy asked Wanda how many dresses she had.
   d) Miss Mason asked the class about their clothes.

8. What event led to the discovery of Wanda's talent?
   a) A parent-teacher meeting
   b) The drawing and colouring contest
   c) Wanda showing her drawings to Peggy
   d) A school inspection

9. In Peggy's opinion, why wasn't she being cruel to Wanda?
   a) She gave Wanda old clothes sometimes.
   b) She thought Wanda was too dumb to understand she was being teased.
   c) She never made Wanda cry.
   d) She also teased other children equally.

10. What was the reaction of the class, including Peggy and Maddie, upon seeing Wanda's drawings?
    a) Disbelief and laughter
    b) Anger and jealousy
    c) Silence, admiration, and astonishment
    d) Indifference

Answer Key:

1. c) In the corner, near the back
2. b) Boggins Heights
3. c) Maddie
4. b) She was also poor and feared being targeted next.
5. c) A faded blue dress
6. d) One hundred dresses
7. c) Peggy asked Wanda how many dresses she had.
8. b) The drawing and colouring contest
9. b) She thought Wanda was too dumb to understand she was being teased.
10. c) Silence, admiration, and astonishment

Make sure you revisit these notes and understand the characters' feelings and motivations. This story has important lessons about how we treat others. Good luck with your preparation!