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3rd Grade ICSE
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06. Blue Wednesday

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Character Profile

Prepared by: learnloophq@gmail.com
Last edited 5 hours ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 06. Blue Wednesday

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Character Profiles: Traits and Relationships

1. Jerusha Abbott
Role: The protagonist, an intelligent and hardworking 16-year-old orphan at the John Grier Home. She is the oldest child in the orphanage.
Key Traits:
Hardworking & Responsible: Bears the primary burden of “Blue Wednesday,” managing younger children and chores, having “worked hard for her board.”
Intelligent & Talented: Excels in her studies, particularly English, described as “brilliant” with “originality” in her writing.
Observant & Humorous: Possesses a good sense of humor, as evidenced by her laughter at the Trustee’s shadow and the funny yet critical essay “Blue Wednesday.”
Anxious & Apprehensive: Initially worried when summoned to Mrs. Lippett’s office, fearing she had done something wrong.
Excitable & Overwhelmed: Reacts with immense surprise and excitement to the news of college, struggling to process the incredible offer.
Relationships:
Mrs. Lippett: Her direct supervisor and the matron of the orphanage; Jerusha is often “scolded and hurried” by her.
Younger Orphans: Acts as a caretaker and mentor to the younger children, especially those in “room F,” like Freddie Perkins and Susie Hawthorn.
The Anonymous Trustee (Mr. John Smith): Becomes his anonymous protégé and scholarship recipient; she is required to write him monthly letters as the sole form of communication and payment.
Miss Pritchard: Her advocate and supporter on the school board, who highlights her talent.
2. Mrs. Lippett
Role: The matron of the John Grier Home orphanage, responsible for the children’s well-being and the orphanage’s operations.
Key Traits:
Strict & Demanding: Maintains a rigorous schedule and high expectations for cleanliness and order, especially on “Blue Wednesday.”
Nervous (behind the scenes): Not always calm when not facing an audience, suggesting underlying stress.
Formal & Controlled: Presents a “calm manner” and “appreciably pleasant” expression to Trustees and visitors.
Pragmatic: Concerned with the orphanage’s rules and budget, noting Jerusha’s extra years of support.
Direct: Delivers information and conditions clearly and without much emotional display.
Relationships:
Jerusha Abbott: Jerusha’s authority figure; she summons Jerusha to her office and delivers the life-changing news.
The Trustees: Reports to and interacts with the orphanage’s benefactors, including the anonymous Trustee.
Orphans: Oversees all the children, ensuring their compliance with rules.
3. The Anonymous Trustee (Referred to as “Mr. John Smith”)
Role: A wealthy and influential benefactor of the John Grier Home, who decides to sponsor Jerusha’s college education.
Key Traits:
Affluent & Generous: Possesses significant wealth and donates “large sums of money,” actively sponsoring children’s education.
Anonymous & Private: Prefers to remain unknown and forbids Jerusha from knowing his real name or directly thanking him. He also “detests letter-writing.”
Perceptive & Visionary: Recognizes Jerusha’s “originality” and potential as a writer, devising a unique method (letter-writing) to encourage her talent.
Surprisingly Humorous: Appreciated the humor in Jerusha’s critical essay, which ultimately swayed his decision.
Unconventional: His terms for the scholarship are “unusual,” reflecting his unique approach to philanthropy.
Relationships:
Jerusha Abbott: Becomes Jerusha’s sole, anonymous patron and recipient of her mandatory monthly letters.
Mrs. Lippett: Works with Mrs. Lippett to arrange the details of Jerusha’s scholarship.
His Private Secretary: Serves as the intermediary for financial transactions and letter collection.
Charles Benton & Henry Freize: Previous beneficiaries of his educational philanthropy, demonstrating his track record of success with boys.
4. Miss Pritchard
Role: A member of the visiting committee for the orphanage and also on the school board.
Key Traits:
Supportive & Advocating: Actively speaks in Jerusha’s favor and reads her essay aloud to influence the Trustee.
Observant: Offers to “observe Jerusha’s outfits” during the summer, showing attention to practical details.
Relationships:
Jerusha Abbott: An important advocate for Jerusha’s future.
Mrs. Lippett: Collaborates with Mrs. Lippett on the visiting committee.
The Anonymous Trustee: Plays a crucial role in bringing Jerusha’s talent to his attention.
5. Tommy Dillon
Role: A young orphan at the John Grier Home.
Key Traits:
Energetic: “Came shouting up the stairs” to deliver his message.
Relationships:
Jerusha Abbott: Acts as a messenger, calling Jerusha to Mrs. Lippett’s office.
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