The Hundred Dresses Summary & Key Insights

Eleanor Estes's "The Hundred Dresses" tells the story of Wanda Petronski, a Polish-American girl who is relentlessly teased by her classmates at school for her shabby clothes and perceived poverty. She constantly claims to own one hundred dresses at home, a fanciful assertion that fuels the cruelty of her peers, particularly Maddie and Peggy, two girls who initially participate in the mockery but eventually come to understand and regret their actions.

The story unfolds primarily through the perspective of Maddie, a sensitive and observant girl who, though not directly participating in the bullying, remains complicit through her silence. Maddie feels a deep unease about the relentless teasing of Wanda, a feeling that grows stronger as the story progresses. Peggy, Maddie's more outgoing friend, is initially more actively involved in the teasing, driven by a desire for peer acceptance.

The central plot revolves around a school art contest. Wanda enters a drawing depicting a stunning array of colourful dresses, each intricately detailed and far beyond the reality of her apparent impoverished circumstances. This drawing serves as a powerful symbol of Wanda’s imagination and resilience in the face of adversity. It also exposes the hypocrisy and superficiality of the other children's cruelty, highlighting their lack of empathy and understanding.

The contest itself becomes a turning point. Wanda wins first prize, and the girls finally learn about her family's dire financial situation and the real reason behind Wanda's consistent claims of possessing one hundred dresses: a desire to escape the grim reality of her life through fantasy and imagination. The revelation of her drawing underscores the richness of Wanda’s inner world and counters the superficial judgments of her classmates.

After Wanda moves away, Maddie and Peggy are finally confronted with the consequences of their actions. They experience a profound sense of guilt and regret for their part in ostracizing Wanda. They begin to understand the significance of their behavior and attempt to make amends by visiting Wanda's former home, discovering the profound impact of their actions on Wanda's life.

The overarching themes of the novel are empathy, compassion, prejudice, the power of imagination, and the consequences of cruelty. The story explores the devastating effects of social exclusion and bullying, forcing readers to examine their own complicity in similar situations. Ultimately, "The Hundred Dresses" is a powerful tale of redemption, encouraging empathy and understanding towards those deemed different or marginalized. It leaves the reader reflecting on the importance of kindness, acceptance, and recognizing the hidden richness found within individuals, regardless of outward appearances.