Maddie is one of the main characters in the story “The Hundred Dresses” written by Eleanor Estes. She is a young schoolgirl and the best friend of another girl named Peggy. Maddie is a kind, thoughtful, and quiet girl, but she is also afraid to speak up when something wrong is happening. Her character teaches us a lot about friendship, peer pressure, and standing up for what is right.
Maddie is a Kind-Hearted Girl
Maddie has a good heart. She does not like to see anyone getting hurt or laughed at. When Peggy makes fun of Wanda Petronski, Maddie feels bad inside. She does not like the way Wanda is treated, but she does not say anything. Maddie is not cruel like Peggy. She actually feels sorry for Wanda. Maddie wishes she had the courage to stop Peggy from teasing her.
Even though Maddie stays silent, we can tell she is a kind and caring person. She wants to do the right thing, but she is scared. This shows that Maddie has a conscience. A conscience is the little voice inside us that tells us what is right and what is wrong.
Maddie is Poor and Shy
Maddie comes from a poor family. She does not have fancy clothes like Peggy. She wears hand-me-downs—these are clothes given by someone else, usually old or used. Maddie is always worried that other children might make fun of her too, just like they tease Wanda.
Because of this fear, Maddie stays quiet. She does not want to lose Peggy as her friend. She thinks that if she stands up for Wanda, Peggy might turn on her. This shows that Maddie is shy and unsure of herself. She does not have the courage to speak out. She is afraid of becoming the next target.
Her silence is not because she agrees with Peggy, but because she feels powerless. This is something many people feel when they are afraid of being different or standing alone.
Maddie Feels Guilty
One of the most important parts of Maddie’s character is her guilt. After Wanda moves away from the town because of the teasing, Maddie feels very bad. She realizes that she should have spoken up. She should have defended Wanda. Maddie cannot forget Wanda’s sad face. She keeps thinking about how lonely and hurt Wanda must have felt.
Maddie even loses sleep over her guilt. She writes a letter to Wanda with Peggy, hoping to make things better. This shows that Maddie has learned from her mistake. She is not a bad person—she is just someone who did not know how to be brave before. Now, she wants to be better.
Maddie Wants to Change
Maddie promises herself that she will never be silent again. She says she will never let anyone be treated badly if she can help it. This is a big moment for Maddie. She grows as a person. She decides to stand up for what is right, even if it means losing friends or being made fun of.
This change in Maddie makes her a very strong character. At the beginning of the story, she is quiet and afraid. By the end, she has learned from her mistake and wants to do better. That is what makes her special—she learns, she feels, and she grows.
Maddie is a Realistic Character
Many students reading this story can relate to Maddie. Sometimes, we see someone being bullied or laughed at, but we stay quiet because we are scared. Maddie reminds us that even if we are afraid, we must find courage. She teaches us that being silent is almost like agreeing with the wrong thing.
Maddie is not perfect, and that is what makes her real. She makes mistakes, feels guilty, and wants to change. She shows us that everyone can learn to be better if they try.
Maddie’s Friendship with Peggy
Maddie and Peggy are best friends. But their friendship is not equal. Peggy is the leader, and Maddie usually follows her. Maddie does not always agree with Peggy, but she does not speak up either. This shows us that sometimes even good friends can do wrong things. It also shows that true friendship should allow us to speak honestly.
When Maddie finally starts to think for herself, it shows that she is becoming stronger. She is learning that being a good friend does not mean always agreeing—it means doing what is right.
Conclusion
Maddie is a thoughtful and sensitive girl who makes a big mistake by staying silent. But she learns from it. She feels guilty and wants to change. Her story teaches us to be brave, to speak up against wrong things, and to always treat others with kindness.
Maddie is not a hero in the beginning, but by the end, she becomes one in her own way. She is a true example of how anyone can grow and become better. Her character teaches us an important lesson: It is never too late to do the right thing.
