📘 Class 10 English Chapter 5 – The Hundred Dresses – Part 1 Notes

Book: First Flight
Author: Eleanor Estes
Chapter: 5 – Part I
Board: CBSE Class 10 (2025)

✍️ Introduction

“The Hundred Dresses – Part 1” is a moving story written by Eleanor Estes, dealing with themes of bullying, poverty, discrimination, and compassion. It is the first part of a two-part story in the Class 10 English book First Flight. The story is based on the real experiences of the author and conveys an important social message through a classroom incident involving a poor Polish girl, Wanda Petronski.

📖 Summary of the Chapter

The story is set in an American school and revolves around three main characters: Wanda Petronski, Peggy, and Maddie. Wanda is a quiet, poor girl who comes from Boggins Heights and wears the same faded blue dress every day. Her classmates often tease her because of her unusual name, her poverty, and her claim that she owns a hundred dresses — even though she wears only one.

Wanda is shy and doesn’t talk much. When questioned about her hundred dresses, she quietly replies that they are all lined up in her closet. Peggy, the most popular girl in the class, often leads the teasing. Maddie, her best friend, goes along with it but feels guilty deep down because she, too, is poor and fears being teased herself.

Wanda eventually stops coming to school, and her classmates hardly notice. Later, when a drawing competition is held, everyone is stunned to see Wanda’s drawings — one hundred beautiful, detailed dress designs. The truth is revealed: Wanda wasn't lying. She did have a hundred dresses — drawn by her with skill and passion.

🧠 Theme and Message

  • Bullying and Peer Pressure: The story shows how children can unknowingly hurt others through teasing and group behavior.
  • Judging by Appearance: Wanda is judged because of her clothes and background, despite her talent.
  • Compassion and Guilt: Maddie’s guilt represents a moral awakening and realization of her mistake.

👩‍🎨 Character Sketches

Wanda Petronski: A Polish girl from a poor family. She is quiet, artistic, and sensitive. Despite being teased, she never responds rudely and later surprises everyone with her talent.

Peggy: The most popular girl in school who unintentionally bullies Wanda, believing it to be harmless fun.

Maddie: Peggy’s best friend who feels guilty about teasing Wanda but lacks the courage to speak up. She represents the voice of inner conscience.

📚 Word Meanings

Word Meaning
MockingTeasing or making fun of someone
Boggins HeightsA poor neighborhood
ScufflingDragging feet while walking
DisguiseTo hide true identity or appearance
IntentlyWith deep focus and concentration

❓ Important Questions and Answers

  1. Q1. Who was Wanda Petronski and why was she different?
    Ans: Wanda was a Polish girl who lived in poverty. She was different because of her strange name, quiet nature, and always wearing the same faded dress.
  2. Q2. Why did Peggy and Maddie tease Wanda?
    Ans: They teased her for claiming she had 100 dresses even though she wore the same dress daily. Peggy thought it was harmless fun, and Maddie followed along out of fear.
  3. Q3. What made the class realize their mistake?
    Ans: Wanda’s drawings in the competition showed that she truly had 100 dresses, but on paper. This revealed her hidden talent and made everyone feel guilty for teasing her.
  4. Q4. What emotions does Maddie feel toward the end of the chapter?
    Ans: Maddie feels guilt, shame, and regret. She wishes she had stood up for Wanda and promises never to remain silent again.

📥 Download PDF Notes

👉 Click here to download PDF of The Hundred Dresses – I Notes

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