One of the classics of American children’s literature, Daddy-Long-Legs tells the tale of Judy Abbott – an ebullient orphan beginning a college degree with the aim of becoming a writer – through her letters to the anonymous patron who is paying for her education.
Judy is informed that she must write him monthly letters, but that she will never know his identity or receive a letter in reply. One day, Judy catches a glimpse of the man’s shadow and sees a pair of long legs, but just who is this mysterious benefactor?
“I think that the most necessary quality for any person to have is imagination. It makes people able to put themselves in other people's places. It makes them kind and sympathetic and understanding.”
Character Development: How does Jerusha's character evolve throughout the novel? What are the key experiences that shape her growth?
Themes: What are the central themes presented in the story? How are issues like education, independence, and identity explored?
Narrative Style: How does the epistolary format (story told through letters) affect your understanding of the characters and plot?
Relationships: Discuss the dynamics between Jerusha and her benefactor. How does their relationship influence the storyline?
Social Context: In what ways does the novel address the societal expectations of women during the time period it was written?
Personal Reflection: Which aspects of Jerusha's journey resonated with you the most, and why?
Jean Webster (NYC 1876-1916) had a significant connection to New York City, both personally and through her literary work. The city's vibrant social and literary scene played an important role in shaping her career as a writer. She was actively involved in social reform movements in the city, particularly issues related to women's rights, social welfare, and orphan care. These interests are reflected in her novels, especially Daddy-Long-Legs, where the protagonist is an orphan. Jean Webster was the niece of Mark Twain through her mother, Annie Moffett Clemens.
A young girl, an orphan, education, personal growth, life changing, epistolary format, coming-of-age, poverty, social change.... Which of the following novels do you know? Which of them can be somehow compared to Daddy-Long-Legs and how?
Jack London “Martin Eden” - Helen Fielding “Bridget Jones’s Diary” - L.M. Montgomery “Anna of Green Gables”
Charlotte Brontë “Jane Eyre” and “Villette” - Betty Smith “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” - Louisa May Alcott “Little Women”
Eleanor Porter “Polyanna” - Johanna Spyri “Heidi” - Jostein Gaarder “Sophie’s World”
Find some information on Google, discuss with the class and choose the next books you want to read!
Watch the short movie "OEDIPUS WRECKS" by Woody Allen, then discuss:
What are the main themes of the film? (Mother-son relationship, guilt, identity, etc.)
How does the title "Oedipus Wrecks" relate to the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus Rex?
In what ways does the film use humor to explore psychological issues?
How is the setting of New York City used to emphasize the story's message?
Do you think the film reinforces or challenges the stereotype of the Jewish mother?
Overbearing,
Submissive,
Symbol of self-liberation
Anxious,
Controlling,
Guilt-ridden
Modern,
Omnipresent
Independent
Symbolism - Discuss the meaning of:
The mother's disappearance into the sky
The psychic medium
New York City as a backdrop
The contrast between Lisa and Treva
Imagine you are Sheldon Mills writing a letter to your mother after she disappears from the sky. Describe your emotions, regrets, and what you learned about your relationship with her.
“In my next life I want to live my life backwards. You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old people's home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, and then when you start work, you get a gold watch and a party on your first day. You work for 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You party, drink alcohol, and are generally promiscuous, then you are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play. You have no responsibilities, you become a baby until you are born. And then you spend your last 9 months floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters every day and then Voila! You finish off as an orgasm!”
Woody Allen's Film Scenes in and around New York City (click on the picture)
MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME - Nina Simone click here
My baby don't care for ___________
My baby don't care for ___________
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for ___________ and races
My baby don't care for
High-tone ___________
Liz Taylor is not his ___________
And even Lana Turner's ___________
Is somethin' he can't see
My baby don't care who knows
My baby just cares for me
Nina Simone was a singer, pianist, and civil rights activist whose music blended jazz, blues, classical, gospel, and soul. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina, she began playing the piano at the age of three and dreamed of becoming a classical pianist.
After being denied entry to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music due to racial discrimination, she turned to performing in bars and clubs, adopting the stage name Nina Simone.
Nina: Comes from the Spanish word "niña", meaning "little girl" — a nickname given to her by a boyfriend at the time.
Simone: Inspired by the French actress Simone Signoret, whom she admired for her elegance and strength.
Nina Simone had a profound connection to New York City, both in her career and personal life.
In the 1950s, she started performing in clubs in Greenwich Village, one of NYC’s cultural hubs for artists, intellectuals, and activists.
Her first big hit, "I Loves You, Porgy" (1959), was recorded in New York and became a top 20 hit, launching her career.
She performed at major venues like Carnegie Hall in 1964, a pivotal moment in her career, where she combined jazz, classical music, and civil rights activism into her performance.
During the 1960s, Simone became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Her songs like "Mississippi Goddam", "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", and "Four Women" became anthems of the struggle for racial equality. Throughout her career, she recorded over 40 albums and performed around the world, using her music as a tool for social change. Despite personal struggles and political pressures, she remained a powerful voice for freedom and justice.
Nina Simone passed away on April 21, 2003, in France, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
A short documentary of the Carnegie Hall, in NYC
Riccardo Zambon, 8 March 2025
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