Questions and Answers
What is the setting of Fever 1793?
Who is the protagonist of Fever 1793?
Matilda (Mattie) Cook
Who is Polly?
The serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse, who dies sewing by candlelight.
Who is King George?
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Who is Silas?
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What happens to Lucille Cook after her husband dies?
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What happens to Mattie's father?
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What is the full name of Mattie's grandfather?
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Who is Nathaniel Benson?
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What role does Eliza have?
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What do The Eplers believe about attending church?
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What does Mr. Rowley do?
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How is yellow fever described in the story?
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What do people blame for the yellow fever outbreak?
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What orders were put in place to address the epidemic?
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What did Dr. Kerr perform on Mattie's mother?
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What reason does Dr. Kerr give for why Mother cannot go with Mattie when she leaves town?
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What package does Mattie receive?
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What is Nathaniel Benson doing to protect himself from the fever?
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According to Grandfather, what does a soldier need to fight?
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Why does Mattie fear Bush Hill?
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Who helped transform Bush Hill into a hospital?
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Where does the clerk suggest that Mattie go?
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Who did Mattie and Grandfather ride with in the carriage on the way home?
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What suggestion does Mrs. Bowles make to Mattie?
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What has happened to the coffeehouse since Grandfather checked it a few days earlier?
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Now that Mattie is recovering, where does Dr. Deveze say she should be moved?
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What happens to Mattie at the end of chapter 13?
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Why are Mattie and Grandfather forced off the wagon?
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Who is Mrs. Flagg?
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Who is Susannah?
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Study Notes
Setting
- Philadelphia in the year 1793 serves as the backdrop for the narrative.
Protagonist
- Matilda (Mattie) Cook is the main character of the story.
Key Characters
- Polly: Serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse, dies sewing by candlelight.
- King George: A parrot won by Grandfather in a card game.
- Silas: Mattie's pet cat.
- Lucille Cook: Mattie's mother, who becomes increasingly bitter after the loss of her husband.
- Mattie's Father: Dies from an accident involving a ladder.
- Captain William Farnsworth Cook: Mattie's grandfather and former Army officer who served under Washington.
- Nathaniel Benson: Mattie's friend with feelings for her, works as a painter's assistant.
- Eliza: The coffeehouse cook, a free black woman treated unfairly compared to whites.
Community and Conflicts
- The Eplers: German farmers who believe church attendance protects against yellow fever.
- Mr. Rowley: A non-doctor who attempts to treat illness, highlighting the era's medical practices.
- Yellow Fever: Acts as both a main conflict and an antagonist in the story, affecting the lives of the characters.
Social Issues
- Blame for the fever falls on refugees, rotting coffee beans, and "deadly miasma," showcasing societal panic.
- The Mayor, following advice from The College of Physicians, implements orders to address the epidemic.
Medical Practices
- Dr. Kerr attempts bloodletting on Mother, reflecting the period's medical interventions.
- Mother requires rest, preventing her from accompanying Mattie as she leaves town.
Personal Connections
- Mattie receives a painting and letter from Nathaniel, symbolizing hope amid chaos.
- Nathaniel locks himself in Master Peale's house for protection against the fever.
Survival Strategies
- Grandfather emphasizes the need for sturdy boots, a full belly, and a good night's sleep for a soldier to fight.
Locations
- Bush Hill, once a place for criminals, is now feared by Mattie due to its grim history; it has been transformed into a hospital by Mr. Stephen Girard.
- Mattie is advised to consider the orphan house for refuge during the crisis.
Changes and Challenges
- The coffeehouse is found to have been robbed since Grandfather's last visit.
- Dr. Deveze recommends that Mattie move to the barn as part of her recovery process.
- Mattie faints from the heat at the end of chapter 13, underscoring the dire circumstances.
Support Systems
- Mattie and her grandfather are forced off a wagon because the doctor suspects Grandfather has yellow fever.
- Mrs. Flagg provides nursing care for Mattie, while Susannah assists in the orphanage, highlighting the community's response to the epidemic.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the characters and events in the historical narrative set in Philadelphia during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Explore key themes and relationships, including Mattie's struggles and her family's dynamics in a time of crisis.
