Daddy-Long-Legs

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

40426

Title

Daddy-Long-Legs

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A beloved orphan at a strict New York asylum receives a mysterious scholarship from a wealthy, anonymous benefactor. The story follows her letters to this enigmatic 'Daddy-Long-Legs' as she navigates college life, balancing her desire for independence with the terms of her unique guardianship.

Summary up to 500 words

Jean Webster's *Daddy-Long-Legs* chronicles the transformative journey of Jerusha Abbott, a seventeen-year-old orphan navigating the rigid, often harsh environment of the John Grier Home. Under the stern supervision of Matron Lippett, Jerusha endures a life of scrubbing floors and obeying strict commands, her spirit dampened by the oppressive routine and the stark contrast between her poverty and the wealthy lives of the Trustees who visit. Her world shifts dramatically when a tall, anonymous Trustee, known only as 'Daddy-Long-Legs,' offers her a college scholarship. The arrangement is unconventional: Jerusha must write monthly letters detailing her studies and daily life, but the Trustee will never reply. Initially thrilled by the opportunity, Jerusha soon chafes against the impersonal nature of her guardian. She struggles with the constraints of her allowance and the expectation of gratitude, feeling lonely and misunderstood by the shadowy figure who controls her future. The narrative, conveyed through Jerusha's evolving voice in her letters, captures her transition from a dependent child to an independent young woman. She begins to forge her own path as a writer, developing a distinct personality that challenges the formal tone required by her benefactor. As the story progresses, Jerusha's letters reveal her growing independence, her wanderlust, and her desire for a life beyond the asylum. She navigates the complexities of college life, friendships, and the temptation of a summer camp invitation that is ultimately denied by her guardian's secretary. Through these experiences, the novel explores profound themes of independence, the nature of kindness, and the transition from childhood dependency to adult self-reliance. Ultimately, Jerusha finds her own voice, proving that even without a direct answer from her mysterious benefactor, she can define her own destiny and find the freedom she so desperately seeks.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg40426.epub

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance
• Fiction
• Epistolary Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Bildungsroman