Discussion
Questions for Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
1.
(p. 2, 39, 43, 44) Jerusha is described as
imaginative by the author, and the word is used later by Jerusha herself
believing that imagination is the most important quality one could
possess. She is also described as a (p.
3) “sunny soul”. Do you believe this to
be an accurate assessment? What
adjective would you use to describe Jerusha?
2.
(p. 4) Other than “the impertinent paper titled;
“Blue Wednesday” that she wrote, do you suppose there was something else about
Jerusha that gained the attention from the Trustee, Jervis? Do you think he had a romantic interest in
her from the beginning?
3.
(p. 5) Jervis had conveyed to Mrs. Lippett that
Jerusha had “originality” and he planned to educate her to become a
writer. Discuss the expectations that
were implemented on Jerusha. Do you
believe they were fair, even though it was an incredible opportunity the
Trustee had insisted upon?
4.
(p. 8, 54) Considering Jerusha was raised in an
orphanage, even being named by Mrs. Lippett, were you surprised by her quality
of letter writing? Discuss the changes
you observed within her letters during the book’s timeline.
5.
(p. 9) Talk about the significance of Jerusha’s
name. Were the names “Jerusha” and “Judy”
fitting names given to the protagonist of the story? What role do names often play in one’s
life?
6.
(p. 12) Jerusha is often hard on herself while
writing to D.L.L. describing herself as “awful” and “selfish” regarding how she
thinks of others/things. Were there any
examples of this that stuck out to you that bothered you? How does this build repertoire with the
reader? Does this attitude fluctuate
throughout the story or stay consistent?
7.
(p. 12) What was your theory as to why Jerusha
was so obsessed with D.L.L.’s appearance, or more specifically, his potential
“baldness”?
8.
(p. 13) At one point in the story, Jerusha names
off a list of classic books that she plans (or has read) while she is in
college. Name some classics that you
wish you had read sooner or haven’t read, and plan to.
9.
(p.16) In one letter to D.L.L., Jerusha tells
him she had a molasses candy pull. There
were 22 students that took part, the event taking place in a large
kitchen. She describes it as being very
sticky yet seemed to have a good time.
Have you ever heard of a molasses candy pull? What might about this event bring people to
together and create camaraderie? Would
you like to have partaken in something like this in college?
10.
(p. 17) Very early on, Jerusha begins to sign
off while, “sending love” to D.L.L. Do
you find this to be appropriate? What do
we later learn about Jerusha’s yearnings that explain certain actions she plays
out in her letters?
11.
(p. 17) Julia Pendleton is first described as
Jerusha’s inevitable nemesis. Discuss
Julia’s role within the story and how might the story have stood without
her.
12.
Discuss Jerusha’s positive and negative
traits. Analyze how they evolved (if at
all) during the book.
13.
(p. 18) Jerusha, humiliated by failing
Mathematics and Latin Prose, admitted to D.L.L. that she had failed them both
(later she improves her grades significantly - p. 38). What was enduring about her demeanor while
informing him?
14.
(p. 18) Jerusha writes to D.L.L. in a desperate
state of loneliness, while finding comfort in imagining that her letter is to
her grandmother. What were your thoughts
while reading?
15.
(p. 19) Jerusha conveys frustration with the
lack of response from D.L.L. Were her feelings
justified? She later apologizes,
claiming she felt ill. Could you
identify with her and her frustrations?
16.
(p. 20) Jerusha receives pink roses from D.L.L.
while at the Infirmary. Speculate what
might his opinion of Jerusha be at the time?
17.
(p. 21, 36, 39) Jerusha reminisces of the toad
incident back at John Grier House (JGH).
Discuss some other examples of Jerusha’s feisty, spiteful side. Did you believe she lacked maturity, or did
she just possess a “wandering spirit”?
Was it apparent that she gained maturity as the story went on?
18.
(p. 25) Jerusha introduces us to another side of
her while speaking fondly of Julias’ uncle, Mr. Jervis Pendleton. How might this “fondness” change the reader’s
perception of her? Were there
significant clues given on how she might have been smitten with him this early
on?
19.
(p. 22) Jerusha goes into detail, pretty
impressively, of her “bad day” (ex.’s includes full of centipedes, late for
breakfast, bad food, breaking a shoelace, bills in the mail). Was her day believable and could you
relate? (p. 23) Jerusha later explains; “It
isn’t the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a
crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a
laugh – I really think that requires SPIRIT.” Do you agree with her analogy?
20.
(p. 27, 28, 46, 78, 81) Discuss the role Lock
Willow Farm played in the storyline.
21.
(p. 31) Jerusha attempts to explain to D.L.L.
that she is beginning to feel at home at college. She used the terms “command of the situation”
and I really belonged to it and had not just crept in on sufferance”. What did you take from her explanations?
22.
(p. 32, 48, 54, 62, 67) The topic of women’s rights
and modernism was brought up several times.
Also, there were situations where Jervis and D.D.L. convey strong
opinions and advice. At one point,
Jerusha comments; “…when we women get our rights, you men will have to look
alive in order to keep yours.” Then
when D.L.L. keeps her from attending camp, she feels as though he throws his
weight around as a man, to keep her from a good experience (unbeknowest that he
probably is jealous). How would you say Jerusha
takes criticisms? Would you call her a
true feminist?
23.
(p. 61, 65, 81) Jerusha labels Jervis as a true
socialist. She refers to herself as a
socialist as well. Were there any
indications that they acted upon these political views? (p. 65) Jerusha: “No
doubt about it, Daddy, goods are not distributed evenly.” She refers to Jervis, as a socialist as
having unconventional ideas. She seemed
to indicate that a socialist would not mind marrying a proletariat as
herself. How does her definition of
being a socialist differ from yours?
24.
(p. 66) While living with Sallie and Julia
Jerusah says; “it’s an awful strain on my stoical philosophy.” (The Stoics were
a group of ancient Greek and Roman philosophers who followed a
realistic but morally idealistic way of living. The philosophy of
life was developed by Hellenistic Greeks
about 300 BCE and was eagerly embraced by the Romans.) What does she mean by this? If you had been in her shoes, would you feel
the same way? Clothing, gifts, and
D.L.L.’s money were often a topic during her letters with D.L.L. Do you think materialism ever came into play?
(p. 41,42, 54,60, 64,69).
25.
(p. 42) During an apology letter to D.L.L. she
explains that she writes impulsively. Compare
impulsive acts of this sort in todays’ world and how might they result in more
serious consequence. Would you say she
does anything else impulsively?
26.
(p. 43) Jerusha ponders about her days at JGH
and describes them as being monotonous and uneventful. She says, “everybody likes a few surprises;
it’s a perfectly natural human craving.” Discuss this philosophical viewpoint. She believes that imagination makes people
able to identify with others but the JGH’s philosophy of duty was
detestable. Attempt to explain why
Jerusha might feel this way. She also
discusses this later in the context of reading your own life-book. She comments, “Life is monotonous enough
at best; you have to eat and sleep about so often. But imagine how DEADLY monotonous it would be
if nothing unexpected could happen between meals.” Do you think there is any
foresight on the author’s part in what is about to happen at the end of the
story?
27.
(p. 32, 35, 47) Jerusha frequently describes
other people as “bright” and herself as a “foundling” almost admittingly
ignorant. Later, she wishes herself as
“plain” or “plain girl” vs. “great author”.
What do you suppose she means when she refers to herself in this
way? Does Jerusha give herself enough
credit when it comes to her capabilities in the story?
28.
(p. 61) Jerusha claims to have discovered the
true meaning of happiness: living in the now.
(See paragraph 4) There seems to have been a life revelation at this
point in the story after visiting the Pendletons. Discuss this philosophy and how it can be
effective and how it might not be.
29.
(p. 34, 48, 53, 74) Jerusha expressed relief in not having to say
grace before dinner. Also, she was
adamant that it was her that put the idea of giving $100 for charity in D.L.L.’s
mind, not God. Theorize Jerusha’s relationship
with God.
30.
(p.83) Jerusha discovers the truth about the
identity of D.L.L. Were you satisfied
with the ending? Did you have any premonitions
of how might the story have ended? Was
there anything about the ending you would have preferred or changed?
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