Class 10 English Notes Chapter 6 (The Hundred Dresses -II) – First Flight Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of the second part of 'The Hundred Dresses'. This chapter deals with the aftermath of Wanda Petronski's departure and explores themes of guilt, reflection, and reconciliation. Pay close attention, as these details are crucial.

The Hundred Dresses – II: Detailed Notes

1. The Letter and its Impact:

• Arrival: The chapter begins with the school principal bringing a letter for Miss Mason from Wanda's father, Mr. Jan Petronski.
• Content: Mr. Petronski informs Miss Mason that Wanda and her brother Jake will not be attending the school anymore. They are moving to a big city where nobody will make fun of their 'funny' name or question why they have it. He explicitly states, "No more holler ‘Pollack’. No more ask why funny name. Plenty of funny names in the big city." This highlights the pain caused by the teasing.
• Miss Mason's Reaction: She is visibly upset and disappointed. She reads the letter aloud to the class, emphasizing the seriousness and sadness of the situation. She speaks in a low voice, conveying her disapproval of the behaviour that led to the Petronskis leaving. She asks the class to reflect on their actions, stating that what happened was "unfortunate and sad," and she is sure none of them intentionally hurt Wanda's feelings, but thoughtfulness matters.
• Class Reaction: A deep, troubled silence falls over Room Thirteen. The students are stunned and uncomfortable.

2. Maddie's Guilt and Peggy's Justification:

• Maddie's Remorse: Maddie is profoundly affected. She feels sick and ashamed. She couldn't concentrate on her lessons. She remembers all the times she stood by silently while Peggy teased Wanda. She considers herself a coward for not having the courage to stop Peggy or defend Wanda. She feels complicit in the bullying. Her primary feeling is deep guilt.
• Peggy's Reaction: Peggy tries to rationalize her behaviour. She tells Maddie she never called Wanda a foreigner or made fun of her name. She claims she didn't think Wanda even knew they were making fun of her; she thought Wanda was too "dumb". Peggy insists she wouldn't have intentionally hurt Wanda. However, despite her justifications, she also feels bad.
• The Contrast: Maddie's guilt is deeper and more personal; she recognizes her own failure to act. Peggy's guilt is mixed with self-justification, indicating she doesn't fully grasp the cruelty of her game initially.

3. The Attempt to Make Amends:

• Decision: Maddie desperately wants to find Wanda and tell her they didn't mean to hurt her, and that her drawings were beautiful. She convinces Peggy they should go to Wanda's house at Boggins Heights to apologize. Peggy agrees, perhaps partly out of guilt and partly because she genuinely didn't intend serious harm.
• Visit to Boggins Heights: They hurry to Boggins Heights after school. The area is described as somewhat poor and shabby, but the little white house looks clean, reminding Maddie of Wanda's one faded blue dress.
• Disappointment: They knock, but there's no answer. They realize the Petronskis have already left. This leaves them unable to apologize directly.

4. The Letter to Wanda:

• Decision: Unable to apologize in person, Peggy suggests writing a letter.
• Content: They decide to write a friendly letter, not an apology explicitly. They tell Wanda she won the contest, praise her drawings, ask how she likes her new city and new teacher. They sign it with "lots of X's for love."
• Mailing: They mail the letter to Boggins Heights, writing ‘Please Forward’ on the envelope, hoping it reaches Wanda.
• Waiting: Weeks pass with no answer. Peggy begins to forget, but Maddie often thinks about Wanda and hopes she received the letter. Maddie continues to feel guilty and replays scenarios where she defends Wanda.

5. Wanda's Reply and Reconciliation:

• Arrival: Around Christmastime, Miss Mason receives a letter from Wanda.
• Content: Wanda writes a warm letter. She says the girls can keep the hundred dresses drawings because, in her new house, she has a hundred new ones. She specifically asks Miss Mason to give the green dress drawing to Peggy and the blue one to Maddie. She wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.
• The Gift: Peggy receives the drawing of the green dress with red trimming, and Maddie receives the blue one.

6. The Revelation in the Drawings:

• Maddie's Discovery: Back home, Maddie pins her drawing in her bedroom. Looking closely, she notices the face and head in the drawing resemble her own. She realizes Wanda had drawn her. This suggests Wanda liked Maddie despite everything.
• Peggy's Discovery: Excited, Maddie rushes to Peggy's house. She points out the resemblance in her drawing. Peggy examines her drawing (the green dress) and exclaims that the face in her drawing looks exactly like her.
• Final Understanding: Peggy concludes, "What did I say! She must have really liked us anyway." Maddie, however, remains thoughtful, blinking away tears. She understands Wanda's gesture as one of forgiveness and perhaps even affection, despite the teasing she endured. It highlights Wanda's quiet dignity and kind nature.

Key Themes:

• Guilt and Responsibility: Especially explored through Maddie's character – the guilt of being a silent bystander.
• Bullying and Prejudice: The consequences of teasing someone for being different (name, perceived poverty).
• Forgiveness and Kindness: Wanda's final act of gifting the drawings shows her capacity for forgiveness.
• Empathy: The chapter encourages readers (and the characters) to develop empathy for others.
• Judging by Appearances: The girls misjudged Wanda based on her quiet nature and poverty, failing to see her talent and sensitivity earlier.

Character Insights:

• Maddie: Develops significantly. Moves from passive complicity to deep remorse and a desire to act justly in the future. Represents the struggle with conscience.
• Peggy: Less introspective than Maddie initially, prone to self-justification, but ultimately capable of feeling bad and accepting Wanda's gesture. Represents casual thoughtlessness that can cause harm.
• Wanda: Revealed through others' reactions and her letters/actions. Shows resilience, talent, dignity, and a forgiving spirit.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Who sent the letter informing Miss Mason that Wanda had left the school?
   a) Wanda Petronski
   b) Jake Petronski
   c) Mr. Jan Petronski
   d) The school principal

2. What was the main reason given in Mr. Petronski's letter for moving to the big city?
   a) A better job opportunity
   b) To be closer to relatives
   c) So Wanda wouldn't be teased about her name and background
   d) To find a bigger house

3. How did Maddie primarily feel after hearing Mr. Petronski's letter read aloud?
   a) Angry at Wanda for leaving
   b) Indifferent
   c) Deeply guilty and ashamed
   d) Relieved that the teasing would stop

4. Which statement best describes Peggy's initial reaction to Wanda leaving?
   a) She felt overwhelming guilt immediately.
   b) She tried to justify her actions, saying she didn't intend harm.
   c) She blamed Maddie for not stopping her.
   d) She was glad Wanda was gone.

5. Why did Maddie and Peggy go to Boggins Heights after school?
   a) To return something Wanda had left behind
   b) To apologize to Wanda and tell her she won the contest
   c) To see if the family had really left
   d) To ask Wanda to come back to school

6. What did Peggy and Maddie not include in their letter to Wanda?
   a) Questions about her new school
   b) Praise for her drawings
   c) An explicit apology for teasing her
   d) News that she had won the contest

7. When did the class receive Wanda's reply?
   a) The next day
   b) After a week
   c) Around Christmas time
   d) They never received a reply

8. What specific instruction did Wanda give Miss Mason regarding her drawings?
   a) To sell them and give the money to the school
   b) To keep them displayed in the classroom
   c) To give the green dress drawing to Peggy and the blue one to Maddie
   d) To send all the drawings to her new address

9. What surprising detail did Maddie discover when looking closely at the drawing Wanda gifted her?
   a) It was signed by Wanda at the bottom.
   b) The colours were even brighter than she remembered.
   c) The face in the drawing resembled her own face.
   d) There was a hidden message written on the back.

10. What does Wanda's act of gifting the drawings specifically to Peggy and Maddie suggest about her character?
    a) She held a grudge against them.
    b) She was forgetful and didn't remember who teased her.
    c) She was trying to make them feel guilty.
    d) She possessed a forgiving and kind nature despite being hurt.

Answer Key:

1. c) Mr. Jan Petronski
2. c) So Wanda wouldn't be teased about her name and background
3. c) Deeply guilty and ashamed
4. b) She tried to justify her actions, saying she didn't intend harm.
5. b) To apologize to Wanda and tell her she won the contest
6. c) An explicit apology for teasing her
7. c) Around Christmas time
8. c) To give the green dress drawing to Peggy and the blue one to Maddie
9. c) The face in the drawing resembled her own face.
10. d) She possessed a forgiving and kind nature despite being hurt.

Study these notes carefully. Understanding the motivations of Maddie and Peggy, and the quiet dignity of Wanda, is key to mastering this chapter. Good luck with your preparation!