Why does Maddie stand by and not do anything? How is she different from Peggy? (Was Peggy’s friendship important to Maddie? Why? Which lines in the text tell you this?)

Maddie always stood by and never did anything as she was afraid that if she did, she would be the next target of the children. She herself was poor and therefore, felt that if she spoke against the others, they would target her next. Unlike her, Peggy was a rich girl. This was also the reason why Maddie could think from Wanda’s point of view, but Peggy could not. Maddie was Peggy’s best friend. It seemed as if she was in awe of Peggy. She admired her quite a lot as she said that Peggy was the most liked girl in the room and that she drew better than anyone else. She did not have the courage to go against her. Some of the lines from the text which show that Peggy’s friendship was important to Maddie are as follows.

(i) Peggy, who had thought up this game, and Maddie, her inseparable friend, were always the last to leave.

(ii) She was Peggy’s best friend, and Peggy was the best-liked girl in the whole room.

(iii) Peggy could not possibly do anything that was really wrong, she thought.

(iv) Oh, Maddie was sure Peggy would win.