Book Summary
In the novel "Daddy-Long-Legs," Jean Webster tells the story of an orphan girl who is taken from an orphanage to college by a benevolent benefactor. The book consists of letters written by Judy Abbott, the main character, to her guardian. Judy loses her parents when she is still a child, and after being found on Bleecker Street in New York City, she is sent to an orphanage where she can continue her life. Judy's writing ability is discovered during her time in the orphanage and later in college, and it grows day by day.
One of the benefactors of the orphanage decides to financially support her after reading one of Judy's essays about her life, but he sets an interesting and peculiar condition: Judy must write to him every month about her circumstances without expecting any replies in return. In the middle of the story, Judy manages to see this man only once, and since his tall stature is the only feature that captures her attention at that moment, she uses her imagination to give him an interesting nickname: Daddy-Long-Legs.
As days pass and she writes various letters, Daddy-Long-Legs becomes her confidant, sharing in her secrets and daily stories. Although Judy often doesn't see him by her side, she is certain that he will find ways to support her when she needs it. The novel by Jean Webster also includes other characters with noteworthy traits that beautifully introduce readers to each of them, culminating in Judy Abbott's encounter with Daddy-Long-Legs at the end of the story, which brings a delightful surprise for the audience. The creation of several theater productions, a feature film, and an animated series by the Japanese studio Nippon further solidified its popularity.
About the Author
Jean Webster was an American author born on July 24, 1876, in Fredonia, New York. As the only child in her family, she was also related to Mark Twain. She studied at Fredonia Normal School in Chinese painting and later at Lady Jane Gray School. Her notable works include "Just Patty," "Dear Enemy," "Jerry Junior," and "When Patty Went to College." Jean Webster passed away on June 11, 1916, at Sloan Hospital in New York due to puerperal fever shortly after giving birth to her child.
Who Should Read the Book?
At first glance, the book seems suitable for children and teenagers who wish to read a beautiful work with charming characters and themes. However, upon closer examination, it can also be said that adults interested in social and romantic literature may enjoy reading it as well.
Book Quotes
"If I wear silk stockings all my life, I don't think the scar on my heart will ever fade away.
It's very difficult for a person to always be careful not to say what their feelings want to express.
Life isn't about the things we collect; it's about the hearts we attract.
In life, it's not the big problems that require willpower, but rather, I think facing small problems with laughter truly requires determination and resolve.
I try to cultivate such willpower within myself. I want to convince myself that life is just a game, and I should play it as skillfully and correctly as I can. Whether I win or lose in this game, I will shrug my shoulders and laugh. Great joys aren't very important; what matters is that one can find great happiness in small things."
"I'm angry at those people who gaze at the sky and say, 'This is what's best for us,' yet they don't believe in what they say. This kind of humility or surrender, or whatever you want to call it, is just a sign of laziness and weakness."
"My dear Daddy-Long-Legs, all my happiness in the world is that you don't know I love you. When you find out and dismiss me, something inside my heart collapses… something like pride. My dear Daddy-Long-Legs, please sometimes pretend you don't understand and let me love you. I love you just as you are… even your shadow that I can never reach…!"
"I used to be able to be a carefree and relaxed girl because I had nothing valuable to lose! But now I will have a great worry for the rest of my life, and whenever you are away from me, I think of all the cars that might run you over or all the billboards that might fall on your head… or all the terrible germs you might encounter… My peace of mind has been lost forever!"
"Great joys aren't very important; what matters is that one can find great happiness in small things. My dear Daddy, I have discovered the great secret of happiness, which is that one must live for the present moment and should not regret the past or have their eyes on the future; instead, one should make the best use of this very moment."
"Fear of what may come is like a shadow over my heart. I could always be hopeless and ruthless because I had nothing valuable to lose. But now I must bear the greatest worry for the rest of my life. Whenever you are away from me, I must think of all the cars that might pass over you, the wooden plank that might fall on your head, or the germs that might enter your body for any reason, and thousands of other things."
"What do you think my favorite book is? Emily Brontë was very young when she wrote 'Wuthering Heights' and had never left Haworth Church. She had never seen a man in her life; how could she imagine a man like Heathcliff? I can't do that; I'm quite young and no longer trapped in an orphanage. Sometimes an awful fear comes over me that I'm not a genius. My dear Daddy-Long-Legs, if I'm not a great writer, will you be terribly disappointed in me?"
"I have talked and had tea with a man! A wonderful man. Mr. Jervis Pendleton. He is Julia's uncle, specifically her uncle by marriage. He's as tall as you are. He came here and decided to pay a visit to his niece. Mr. Pendleton is Julia's father's younger brother, but it seems Julia doesn't know him well.
I think when Julia was a little child, her uncle glanced at her and didn't like her from the very beginning, so he ignored her ever since. In any case, Mr. Pendleton was polite and dignified in the sitting room, placing his hat, cane, and gloves beside him and sitting across from me.
Since Julia and Sally had seventh-grade classes and couldn't be absent, Julia ran to my room and asked me to show her uncle around the college and then hand him over to her after class. Of course, I agreed without much thought, although I don't have much interest in the Pendletons! But coincidentally, this one turned out to be very charming. He doesn't resemble the Pendletons at all. We had a great time; I wish I had an uncle like him! Would you be willing to be my uncle for a while? It seems better than being a grandmother.
