Chapter 1-5
Why is the “mosquito” mentioned so early, even though the characters don’t know its significance?
The mosquito probably is carrying the yellow fever so when it bites Matilda she is probably going to get the yellow fever from that bite or her family is going to get the yellow fever from a mosquito and then eventually they might figure out it was the mosquito that had the yellow fever which Matilda or her family that might have it later on. Or smth like that.
Why does Mattie’s mother want her to marry someone “respectable” like Edward?
In Fever 1793, Mattie’s mother (Lucille Cook) wants her to marry Edward Ogilvie primarily to secure a higher social status and a financially stable, safe future for her daughter.
Why is the farmer’s refusal to let the wagon pass a logical survival choice, even if it is morally cruel?
In Fever 1793, the farmer’s refusal to let Matilda and her grandfather pass, and his subsequent abandoning of them, is a logical survival choice driven by the intense fear and lack of understanding surrounding the yellow fever epidemic. While morally cruel, this action is a calculated decision to protect his own family's life at the expense of others.
Why do you think Matilda didn’t go with Mrs. Bowles to the orphanage?
Matilda declines Mrs. Bowles’ offer to work at the orphanage in Fever 1793 primarily because of her fierce loyalty to her family, specifically her need to take care of her Grandfather. She feels a strong sense of responsibility to return to their home, reopen the coffeehouse, and wait for her mother, rather than abandoning her family for safety.
Do African Americans get yellow fever?
yes
Why do you think Polly died?
We think she died of Yellow Fever
How does the collapse of the Ogilvie girl at tea signal the end of “normal” life for Mattie?
In Fever 1793, the collapse of Colette Ogilvie during tea signifies the definitive end of "normal" life for Mattie by shattering the illusion that the yellow fever is only a disease of the poor, signaling that the epidemic has breached the defenses of the wealthy and will soon destroy the social order of Philadelphia.
How does Mattie use her grandfather’s military training to find water?
She follows the willow trees to find water
do you think went to Mother want to the Ludington’s?
Yes, in Fever 1793, Mother (Lucille Cook) did go to the Ludingtons' farm, but her journey was fraught with difficulty.
What is Bush Hill?
A hospital
Why do you think Mattie wants to go to the funeral?
Mattie wants to go to Polly’s funeral because Polly is Mattie’s friend and she didn’t get the chance to go to her house so she wanted to at least go to her funeral. Or smth like that.
Why do the townspeople start ignoring the mayor’s orders about the bells?
In Fever 1793, the townspeople and church sextons start ignoring the mayor’s orders to stop ringing the bells because the rapid surge in deaths made the practice impossible to maintain and, eventually, a source of overwhelming despair
Why does the failed attempt to catch a fish represent the death of Mattie’s hope that “nature” will provide for her?
In Fever 1793, the failed attempt to catch a fish represents the death of Mattie’s hope that "nature" will provide for her because it shatters her naive belief that she can rely on basic survival skills and the environment to overcome the sophisticated, artificial, and deadly urban disaster of the yellow fever epidemic. The failure highlights the harsh reality that traditional, idyllic views of nature are insufficient for survival in a modern crisis, forcing her to abandon romantic notions for desperate action.
How does the looting of the coffeehouse prove that the fever has destroyed the “unspoken rules” of society?
In Fever 1793, the looting of the Cook Coffeehouse is a pivotal moment that demonstrates how the yellow fever epidemic has shattered the unspoken rules of Philadelphia society, replacing order, community, and neighborly respect with chaos, greed, and survival-driven brutality.
Who is the narrator in the book?
Mattie/Matilda Cook
Why do you think Mother told Mattie that Polly would clean up tomorrow?
Mother told Mattie that Polly would clean up tomorrow because Polly was their servant and she always cleaned up for them and it probably became a habit for Mother to say that Polly would clean it up and she’s used to having Polly over. Or smth like that.
Is Mother’s insistence on Mattie leaving an act of selfless love or a desperate attempt to preserve her own legacy?
In Fever 1793, Lucille Cook’s (Mother) insistence on Mattie leaving is primarily an act of selfless love and protection, rather than a selfish act of preserving her own legacy. Though Lucille is portrayed as a demanding, often harsh, and bitter woman, her actions during the yellow fever epidemic reveal a deep, protective instinct to save her daughter, even at the cost of being separated from her and facing potential death alone.
How does the atmosphere of Bush Hill challenge the rumors that hospitals are only for those who are “already dead”?
In Fever 1793, the atmosphere of Bush Hill challenges the rumor that it is a "death house" by transforming from a chaotic, neglected mansion into an organized, compassionate, and effective hospital. While rumors suggested it was a place where people were left to die or preyed upon by criminals, the reality overseen by Stephen Girard and staffed by French doctors provided, for many, the only chance of survival
When Mattie defends her home, is she protecting the building, or is she finally fighting back against the fever itself?
In Fever 1793, when Mattie defends her home against looters, she is doing both, but it primarily represents her finally fighting back against the effects of the fever itself. While she is physically protecting the coffeehouse, this action serves as a turning point that symbolizes her internal transformation from a passive child into a resourceful, mature survivor taking control of her life amidst the epidemic.
Who is Mrs. Flagg?
A nurse that took care of Mattie/Matilda Cook and Grandfather
Why do you think Mattie did not hear the bells ringing for Polly?
she is still in a state of disbelief and denial about the severity of the fever
As they leave, why does the “yellow silk ribbon” feel like a weight, rather than a decoration?
In Fever 1793, the yellow silk ribbon feels like a weight rather than a decoration because it symbolizes the oppressive fear, sickness, and impending death of the yellow fever epidemic
How does Mattie’s interaction with Mrs. Flagg show she is starting to trust strangers?
In Fever 1793, Mattie’s interaction with Mrs. Flagg at Bush Hill marks a turning point, showing her growing trust in strangers by allowing a stranger to care for her, accepting the safety of a place she feared, and relying on new people for survival. Mrs. Flagg, a kindly nurse, helps break down Mattie's initial panic
Why is Grandfather's burial so different from the one that Mattie imagined for him?
In Fever 1793, Grandfather’s burial is vastly different from what Mattie imagined because the yellow fever epidemic stripped away all traditional funeral dignity, forcing a hurried, impersonal burial in a mass grave instead of a hero’s farewell.
How did Mattie/Matilda Cook get to Bush Hill?
Grandfather carried her