The Hundred Dresses –Part 2

Q1. What did Petronski’s letter say?

Ans. Mr Petronski’s letter was meant to inform the Principal and Miss Mason that
Wanda and her sibling would not come to school as she was being bullied in the
school for her strange name. They were going to shift to a new place where nobody
would tease them for their name.

Q2. Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset?
Ans. Miss Mason was disturbed by the ill treatment given to Wanda by her
classmates. Miss Mason was unhappy and upset, as she never expected such a
behavior from the students. She says that whatever has happened is sad and
unfortunate and they should ponder over it.

Q3. How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda’s father?
Ans. Although Maddie did not make fun of Wanda, but she feels sorry and ashamed as
she never tried to stop Peggy from making fun of Wanda. If she would have stopped
Peggy, things would have been different. She considers herself to be a coward who
just stood by silently.

Q4. What does Maddie want to do?

Ans. As Maddie is filled with guilt and remorse, she wants to meet Wanda and
apologize for her mistakes. She decides to go to Boggins Heights and find Wanda. She
wants to convey to Wanda that she never wanted to hurt her feelings. Moreover, they
all are happy that she has won the contest and her hundred dresses were beautiful.

Q5. What excuses does Peggy think up for her behavior? Why?
Ans. Peggy tries to defend and comfort herself by saying that her behavior towards
Wanda helped her to get inspiration for the drawing competition. She explored her
skill of drawing and sketched a hundred dresses that made her win the contest.

Q6. What are Maddie’s thoughts as they go to Boggins Heights?

Ans. Maddie cursed herself for being silent while Peggy humiliated Wanda. She was
repenting for not stopping Peggy for behaving badly with Wanda. Though she had
never teased Wanda directly and at times she also pretended that she was not
interested, but she always stood by Peggy and so considers herself to be equally
responsible for hurting Wanda.

Q7. Why does Wanda’s house remind Maddie of Wanda’s blue dress?
Ans. Wanda’s house was sparse, old and faded but neat and clean like her faded blue
dress which she wore everyday to school. Thus, Wanda’s house reminds Maddie of
Wanda’s blue dress.

Q8. What does Maddie think hard about? What important decision does she come to?
Ans. Maddie was extremely upset about her behavior towards Wanda. The thought
kept disturbing her. After thinking deeply on the matter, she came to the conclusion
that henceforth she would always stand up and speak against the wrongs and would
not be just a silent spectator. She promises herself that she would not tolerate any
injustice done to anyone and she would do this even at the cost of losing her
friendship.