Overview of the Chapter
The chapter "The Hundred Dresses – II" is a continuation of the story from "The Hundred Dresses – I" in the CBSE Grade 10 English textbook, First Flight. It explores themes of bullying, regret, and redemption as the protagonist, Wanda Petronski, faces discrimination from her classmates due to her Polish heritage and humble background. The story highlights the consequences of prejudice and the importance of empathy and kindness.
The Hundred Dresses – II focuses on the aftermath of Wanda's departure from school and how her classmates, particularly Maddie, come to terms with their actions and seek to make amends.
Key Themes
- Bullying and its impact
- Regret and guilt
- Redemption and forgiveness
- Empathy and understanding
Characters
- Wanda Petronski – A Polish girl who is teased for her name and claims of having a hundred dresses.
- Maddie – A classmate who feels guilty for not standing up for Wanda.
- Peggy – The main instigator of the teasing, though not malicious in intent.
Summary
After Wanda leaves the school, Maddie realizes the cruelty of their behavior and feels deep remorse. She and Peggy visit Wanda's house to apologize but find that her family has moved away. Maddie reflects on the incident and vows never to stay silent in the face of injustice again. The story ends with Wanda sending a letter to her teacher, Miss Mason, revealing that she has won a drawing competition and gifting two of her dress drawings to Maddie and Peggy as a gesture of forgiveness.
Moral Lesson
The chapter teaches the importance of standing up against bullying, the power of forgiveness, and the need to treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background.