Chapter: 06. Blue Wednesday
A. Answer these questions.
How long had Jerusha been awake and working on the day the story takes place? Jerusha had been on her feet since five that morning. What was Mrs. Lippett’s demeanor when she faced an audience of Trustees, compared to “behind the scenes”? When facing Trustees, Mrs. Lippett maintained a calm and pleasant manner, but behind the scenes, she was nervous and hurried Jerusha. What specific details about Jerusha’s academic record impressed the Trustee? Her excellent performance in school, especially her “brilliant” work in English, and her essay “Blue Wednesday” impressed the Trustee. Who would send Jerusha her monthly allowance, and what was the name she should use for the Trustee? The gentleman’s private secretary would send Jerusha her monthly allowance, and she was to address the Trustee as Mr. John Smith. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“Then, she sat down on the window seat, leaning her head against the cool glass.” a. What emotion or physical state is suggested by Jerusha’s action here?
This action suggests extreme tiredness, exhaustion, and a need for physical relief and a moment of quiet rest. b. What had she just finished doing before sitting down?
She had just finished making sandwiches in the pantry and then assembled her young charges in room F, straightened their frocks, wiped their noses, and started them towards the dining room. c. Why was she seeking this moment of rest after her recent tasks?
She was seeking this moment of rest because she had been on her feet since five in the morning, performing strenuous duties under pressure from a nervous matron, making her physically and mentally exhausted. “You are not to thank him for the money as he doesn’t care to have that mentioned, but you are to write a letter telling about the progress in your studies and the details of your daily life.” a. What is the specific instruction given regarding thanking the benefactor?
Jerusha is specifically instructed not to thank the benefactor for the money, as he does not wish for that to be mentioned. b. What should Jerusha include in her letters instead of thanks?
Instead of thanks, Jerusha should write about the progress in her studies and the details of her daily life, just like she would write to her own parents. c. What does this condition reveal about the Trustee’s personality or intentions?
This condition reveals that the Trustee is modest and wishes to remain anonymous, valuing progress and self-expression over personal gratitude or recognition. It suggests he genuinely cares about her development as a writer and student, rather than receiving praise. C. Think and answer.
The story mentions that “the convenience of the orphanage had come first and her education second” for Jerusha. How does this highlight the challenges Jerusha faced before the Trustee’s intervention, and why is the scholarship so significant for her? Sample Answer: This highlights that Jerusha’s life was primarily about survival and serving the orphanage’s needs, often at the expense of her personal development. She had to work hard for her “board” during her extended stay, meaning her studies were secondary to her chores. The scholarship is incredibly significant because it completely reverses this dynamic, placing her education and future career as a writer first, offering her an unprecedented opportunity for personal and intellectual growth beyond the confines of the orphanage. Imagine you are Jerusha writing her first letter to “Mr. John Smith.” What are some specific things you would be excited to share about starting college, and why would those details be important to you? Sample Answer: If I were Jerusha, I’d be excited to share about my new, soft bed and a room of my own, because privacy and comfort are luxuries I’ve never known. I’d describe my classes, especially English literature, and how thrilling it is to learn without interruption. I’d also mention meeting new people, maybe even a friend, and the freedom of choosing my own clothes or meals. These details would be important because they represent the stark contrast to my orphanage life and the incredible new world of independence and learning that the scholarship has opened up for me. 
Answer key