bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Micah Stover

Imagine receiving a letter unexpectedly in the post that was typed and unsigned. The contents of the letter stated simply that the author had decided for no specified reason to pay for your way through university. Undoubtedly, this would not be your average letter.

The undisclosed benefactor had only a couple of stipulations.

The benefactor would not reveal his/her identity.

You would be required to maintain weekly correspondence by letter with your benefactor.

What would you say to such an offer?

This is almost exactly what happens to the protagonist of Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. A young girl,  Jerusha Abbott, spent the first  17 years of her life in an orphanage where she experienced little  extravagance or indulgences.

All of this changed abruptly one Wednesday afternoon when Jerusha was informed by Mrs Lippet, the director of the orphanage, that a certain, generous contributor to the orphanage had decided to sponsor her college education. Jerusha, who later would change her name to Judy, was told practically nothing of this man besides the fact that he wished to be addressed in weekly letters as Mr John Smith.

Mr  Smith had been informed of and impressed by Judy's originality with her words, and thought that she could go on to be a great author. Mr Smith claimed that the best way for Judy to cultivate her writing skills would be through the diligent practice of letter writing.

Surprised and honoured, Judy accepted the offer and went on to college where she became a very successful student. Judy upheld her commitment to Mr  Smith, although she insisted on giving him a more personal name of her  choice -  Daddy-Long-Legs - which is the title of the book.

Dear Students,

This is a short, captivating story that I'm sure you will enjoy reading. There are many unexpected surprises throughout the text.

As you read, try to imagine what you would do if you were in Judy's shoes. Try to predict what will happen at the end. Also, pay special attention to the structure of this story. How does the fact that it is written mostly as letters change the way you read? Is this good,  or does it make it harder to follow? Don't forget to  give reasons to support your answers.

Happy reading!

Getting to know someone you don't ...

Getting to know people can be quite tough, even when face to face. If you've ever moved to a new town or a new school, then you can definitely relate. It's not always easy.

Jerusha faces the task of getting to know her benefactor, although her acquaintance is limited to letters. Yet, Jerusha does a very good job of helping her reader to get a sense of who she is just by the words that she writes.

What can we tell about Jerusha  from her letters?

Jerusha is imaginative

She often daydreams, imagining her life outside the orphanage

'Jerusha had an imagination - an imagination, Mrs Lippett told her, that would get her into trouble if she didn't take care ...'

Can you find other examples of Jerusha's imaginative nature?

Jerusha is clever

She is awarded a scholarship to go to college on account of her writing

'He believes that you have originality, and he is planning to educate you to become a writer.'

Can you find other examples of Jerusha's clever wit and intellect?

Jerusha is hard working

Being the oldest, she takes care of most of the younger children

'Her special care was room F, where eleven little tots, from four to seven, occupied eleven little cots set in a row.'

Can you find other examples of Jerusha's hard-working nature?

Now you try letter-writing:

Many of the world's greatest authors  started off by writing  letters. Most authors say this is because letter-writing allows the imagination to run free.

Now, imagine you are in Judy's situation, and write a letter to your benefactor expressing your appreciation and describing your first week at school.



Dear . . . I don't know