An overview encompassing the plot, characters, and themes of Jean Webster’s epistolary novel Daddy-Long-Legs is the subject of this analysis. It typically includes a concise recounting of Jerusha Abbott’s journey from orphanage resident to college student, supported by an anonymous benefactor whom she nicknames “Daddy-Long-Legs,” and the subsequent exchange of letters documenting her intellectual and personal growth. This summary also details the eventual unveiling of the benefactor’s identity.
Providing such an abridgment serves several important functions. It allows readers to quickly grasp the core narrative, aiding comprehension and retention of key elements. It also offers a convenient reference point for those familiar with the work, enabling them to refresh their memory or analyze specific aspects of the story without rereading the entire novel. Further, it contextualizes the work within literary history, highlighting its significance as an early example of the epistolary form and its exploration of themes such as class, education, and identity.
