Character Sketch of Maddie
Maddie was in the same class as Peggy and Wanda. She and Peggy were inseparable friends. They were always seen together. She used to wear hand-me-downs, mostly from Peggy, because she didn’t have many new clothes. She did not like Peggy making fun of Wanda. She didn’t like it, maybe because it reminded her of how poor she used to be. She was not brave. Once, she wrote a note to Peggy asking her to stop teasing Wanda, but she tore it up. She was afraid that Peggy and the other girls would make her the next target. She had a very high opinion of Peggy. She thought that Peggy could never do something wrong and that she would win the art contest. Maddie was very sensitive and emotional. Many nights before she went to sleep, she would make up speeches to defend Wanda when people teased her. Even she was determined not to tease anyone else and make them sad. She didn’t mind losing Peggy’s friendship by doing this.
Maddie comes from a poor family. Wanda may be even poorer than her because she lived in Boggins Heights. Maddie feels lucky that she does not live there. But she realises that being poor and different from others can be a curse. Maddie is a sensitive and emotional girl. She feels very sad when Wanda’s father tells her that he has taken Wanda out of school. She has a very sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She hates herself for not being able to stop Peggy from teasing Wanda. She realises that her silence and shyness are just as bad as Peggy’s act. She decides that she will speak up if someone makes fun of someone just because his or her name is hard to say. She will do it even if she loses her friendship with Peggy. She could be the next target for Peggy and the other girls. After all, Peggy could ask about the dresses. She is acting, so Maddie can’t defy and speak out against her best friend and benefactor. Maddie’s insistence on going to Wanda’s house and writing a letter shows how sensitive she is to other people’s feelings.
