The Hundred Dresses-II
Questions & Answers
1. What did Mr. Petronski’s letter say?
Ans: Mr. Petronski’s letter informed the principal and Miss Mason that Wanda and her brother, Jake, would not be coming to school anymore. He explained that they were moving to a big city where no one would tease them for their “funny names” or poor status, as people in big cities have broader minds.
2. Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset?
Ans: Miss Mason was not angry, but she was deeply unhappy and upset. She felt it was a “pity” and “unfortunate” that such a thing had happened. She wanted the students to think about their behavior and realize that saying things out of thoughtlessness can be deeply hurtful.
3. How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda’s father?
Ans: Maddie feels a sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She is overcome with remorse and shame. Although she never teased Wanda herself, she realized that her silence was just as bad as Peggy’s teasing because she stood by and did nothing to stop it.
4. What does Maddie want to do?
Ans: Maddie wants to find Wanda and tell her that they didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. She wants to apologize and explain that the “dresses game” was all meant in good humor. She hopes to reach Boggins Heights in time to tell Wanda that she had won the contest and that the whole school thought she was smart and her drawings were beautiful.
5. What excuses does Peggy think of to justify her behavior? Why?Ans: Peggy tries to defend herself by saying she never called Wanda a “foreigner” or made fun of her name. She also argues that the “dresses game” actually inspired Wanda to draw, which helped her win the contest. Peggy makes these excuses to ease her own guilt and convince herself that she wasn’t a cruel person.
6. What are Maddie’s thoughts as they go to Boggins Heights?
Ans: Maddie is filled with regret. She is distraught and wishes she could find Wanda to make amends. She keeps thinking about how she was a “coward” for being a silent spectator while Peggy humiliated Wanda. She hopes Wanda hasn’t moved away yet so she can tell her how sorry she is.
7. Why does Wanda’s house remind Maddie of Wanda’s blue dress?Ans: Wanda’s house was small, sparse, and old, but like her faded blue dress, it was neat and clean. The quiet, humble appearance of the house reflected the dignity and cleanliness Wanda maintained despite her poverty.
8. What does Maddie think hard about? What important decision does she come to?
Ans: Maddie thinks about the injustice Wanda faced and her own failure to speak up. She reaches a “grand” decision: she will never stand by and be silent again. She promises that if she ever hears anyone picking on someone because they are “funny looking” or have strange names, she will speak up—even if it means losing Peggy’s friendship.
9. What did the girls write in the letter to Wanda?
Ans: Peggy and Maddie wrote a friendly letter telling Wanda about the contest and that she had won. They described how pretty her drawings were and asked her about her new school and teacher. Though they intended to apologize, the letter ended up being a regular friendly note signed with “lots of X’s” for love.
10. Did they get a reply? Who was more anxious for a reply, Peggy or Maddie?
Ans: They did not get a direct reply for a long time. Maddie was much more anxious. While Peggy began to forget the incident, Maddie couldn’t sleep; she stayed awake at night giving imaginary speeches defending Wanda from bullies.
11. How did the girls know that Wanda liked them even though they had teased her?
Ans: They knew Wanda liked them because of the letter she sent to Miss Mason. In it, Wanda specifically requested that Peggy be given the drawing of the green dress and Maddie be given the blue one. When they looked closely at the drawings, they realized Wanda had sketched their actual faces onto the figures in the drawings.
12. Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city?
Ans: The family moved to escape the racism and intolerance they faced. In their current town, Wanda and Jake were treated as “outsiders” because of their Polish name and poverty. They moved to a big city where diversity is more common and people are less likely to be narrow-minded.
13. Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy’s teasing. Was she right?
Ans: Yes, Maddie was right. Silence in the face of injustice is a form of complicity. By not speaking up, Maddie allowed the bullying to continue and gave Peggy the impression that her behavior was acceptable.
14. What made Peggy believe Wanda was “dumb”? Did she change her opinion later?
Ans: Peggy thought Wanda was “dumb” because Wanda never reacted to the teasing; she just stood there with “dull” eyes. Peggy couldn’t understand why Wanda would claim to have a hundred dresses when she clearly didn’t. However, Peggy changed her opinion when she saw the incredible talent and grace in Wanda’s drawings and her kind gesture of gifting them the sketches.
15. Why do you think Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy those drawings? Why were they surprised?
Ans: Wanda gave them the drawings to show that she had forgiven them and harbored no ill will. The girls were surprised because they expected Wanda to be angry or bitter; they never expected her to be so generous and kind-hearted after the way they had treated her.
16. Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her?
Ans: Yes, Wanda was fully aware she was being teased. Her claim of having “a hundred dresses” was her silent response to their mockery—a way to show them that her imagination was richer than their reality. She didn’t fight back with words, but she proved her point through her art.