Fever 1793 Chapters 1-7 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

In what city does Chapter 1 take place?

Philadelphia

Matilda and her mother live above what type of business?

A coffeehouse

Who is Polly?

Polly is Matilda's long-time girlfriend who works as a scullery maid and dies of yellow fever.

What happened to Matilda's father?

He fell from a ladder and died. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Eliza so important to the coffeehouse?

Because Matilda's mother cannot cook and Eliza is an excellent cook. Signup and view all the answers

How would you characterize Matilda's relationship with her mother?

Matilda feels like a servant. Signup and view all the answers

What does Matilda believe has made her mother so bitter?

The death of her father. Signup and view all the answers

How did Polly die?

She was struck by a sudden fever. Signup and view all the answers

How would you characterize Matilda's reaction to Polly's death?

Shock Signup and view all the answers

Why will Matilda's mother not allow Matilda to take Polly's family food?

Because she is afraid that Matilda will become ill. Signup and view all the answers

What insult does Matilda say to her mother?

She tells her she is horrid. Signup and view all the answers

Who is King George?

A parrot. Signup and view all the answers

Now that Polly has died who is responsible for her chores?

Mattie. Signup and view all the answers

Before Mattie's grandfather came to live with them, what was his profession?

He was an army captain. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mattie handle the bills and the exchange of money?

Because her mother is unable to do the math. Signup and view all the answers

Under which famous political figure did Mattie's grandfather serve?

George Washington Signup and view all the answers

What do the men in the coffeehouse say that they need to find for Mattie?

A husband. Signup and view all the answers

How many people have died in the city within the first week of the fever?

64 Signup and view all the answers

Why has business increased at the coffeehouse over the past week?

People are doing more of their business inland, away from the river, due to fear of disease. Signup and view all the answers

When Mattie's mother begins to worry about Mattie falling ill, she suggests sending her where?

To a friend's farm. Signup and view all the answers

Where is Mattie allowed to go when she leaves the house?

The market for supplies for the coffeehouse Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mrs. Epler, the egg vendor, say that people are dying?

Because they are sinners who do not attend church. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Mattie run into while she is out of the house?

Nathaniel Benson. Signup and view all the answers

At the beginning of Chapter 6, what does Mattie vow never to complain about again?

Cold days. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mattie have to rewash the tablecloths?

Because Silas knocked them down while chasing a squirrel. Signup and view all the answers

What does Grandfather suggest that Nathaniel Benson did at the market?

Acted inappropriately. Signup and view all the answers

Where do Mattie and her mother get invited to go?

To have tea at the Ogilvies' home. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mattie's mother make such a fuss over the invitation?

Because Edward Ogilvie is a potential husband for Mattie. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mattie feel about the invitation?

She does not want to go. Signup and view all the answers

At the beginning of Chapter 7, what compliment does Mattie's mother pay her?

That she is pretty. Signup and view all the answers

What language are the Ogilvie children studying?

French. Signup and view all the answers

Why has Mrs. Ogilvie been lonely?

All of her friends have gone to the country because of the fever. Signup and view all the answers

How do the Ogilvie daughters treat Mattie?

They are mean to her. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the Ogilvie sons?

Away at school. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Colette at the end of Chapter 7?

She collapses with the fever. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mattie's morning in Chapter 1.

Mattie wakes to her mother's insistent shouts to get up and her complaints that Mattie is lazy. Then she is bitten by a mosquito and hits her head on the sloped ceiling. The weather is hot, the water used to wash up is dirty, and her clothes are too small. Silas the cat kills a mouse that Mattie must dispose of before the cat eats it on her mother's quilt. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Eliza feel that Philadelphia is the best city for free African Americans to live?

While African Americans are still treated differently than white citizens, no one could tell her where to go, what to do, or beat her. Signup and view all the answers

What do Mattie and her mother argue about at the end of Chapter 3?

Mattie wants to take food to Polly's family and attend Polly's funeral, but Mattie's mother forbids her to go. Signup and view all the answers

Has Mattie's mother always been 'a tired and bitter captain'?

False Signup and view all the answers

What do some people in the coffeehouse suggest is causing the sickness?

People are saying that bad coffee and refugees are causing the sickness. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the doctor suggest that the women and children should go?

He states that some of the men are sending women and children up to the country. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the church bell ring twenty-one times?

The church bell rings when someone dies, and the bell rings once for each year that the person was alive. Signup and view all the answers

How would you characterize Mattie's feelings toward Nathaniel Benson after reading Chapter 5?

Mattie's feelings are transforming into something deeper, indicating that she has developed a crush on Nathaniel. Signup and view all the answers

Grandfather feels that Nathaniel Benson must do something before he will ever be able to amount to anything. What is it that he feels he should do?

Grandfather feels that Nathaniel Benson needs to find a new apprenticeship. Signup and view all the answers

The business at the coffeehouse has improved due to the fever; therefore, the Cook family has some extra money. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done with the money. What is grandfather's idea?

Grandfather thinks that the family should open another business. Signup and view all the answers

The business at the coffeehouse has improved due to the fever; therefore, the Cook family has some extra money. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done with the money. What is Mattie's idea?

Mattie feels that the money should be used to expand the coffeehouse. Signup and view all the answers

The business at the coffeehouse has improved due to the fever; therefore, the Cook family has some extra money. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done with the money. What is Lucille's idea?

Lucille would like to save the money because she does not believe that the increase in business is permanent. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jeannine insult Mattie and her mother?

Jeannine calls the coffeehouse a grog shop, which is a place where criminals go to drink whiskey and fight. Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use foreshadowing to tell the reader that Colette may be ill?

Colette did not want to study French due to a mysterious illness, she closed her eyes for a long period, stated that she felt hot, and was not talkative. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting and Characters

Story unfolds in Philadelphia during the summer of 1793 amidst a fever outbreak.
Matilda "Mattie" Cook lives above her family's coffeehouse with her mother, Lucille, and grandfather, an army captain who served under George Washington.
Polly, a close friend of Mattie, works as a scullery maid and dies from yellow fever, impacting Mattie's emotional state.
Eliza, an excellent cook at the coffeehouse, is crucial as Matilda's mother fails to cook.

Family Dynamics

Matilda perceives herself as a servant due to her mother's harsh demeanor and authority.
Her mother's bitterness stems from the death of her husband, contributing to their strained relationship.
Grandfather suggests that Matilda marry, demonstrating traditional views on women's roles in society.

Death and Disease Impact

The yellow fever crisis leads to an increase in coffeehouse customers as businesses shift away from the river.
Initial death toll reported at 64 within the first week of the fever, causing panic in the community.
Mrs. Epler, an egg vendor, blames the deaths on sinfulness and lack of church attendance, showcasing prevalent superstitions.

Mattie bumps into Nathaniel Benson, indicating a developing crush and hinting at social dynamics.
The Ogilvie family, who invites Mattie for tea, showcases class differences; their daughters treat Mattie unkindly, while their mother desires a match between Mattie and her son, Edward.

Response to Crisis

Estranged relationships grow due to the fever's impact; tensions arise from differing opinions on how to handle the crisis.
Mattie and her mother argue over attending Polly's funeral, illustrating the generational divide in coping with loss and risk.
Church bells toll 21 times for each year of a deceased person's life, underscoring the community's mourning.

Aspirations and Concerns

Discussions about the extra money from increased coffeehouse business reveal conflicting ideas: grandfather wants to open another business, Mattie favors expanding the coffeehouse, while Lucille insists on saving.
Themes of foreshadowing present through Colette's illness, hinting at the broader risk of the fever to all social classes.
Jeannine's derogatory reference to the coffeehouse as a "grog shop" reflects societal stigmas surrounding public establishments and social gatherings.

Symbolism and Themes

King George, the parrot, serves as a quirky symbol of domestic life amidst the chaos outside.
The contrast between internal and external worlds is evident as Mattie's familial responsibilities clash with the outbreak fear.
Mattie's evolving feelings toward Nathaniel Benson suggest a blossoming desire for connection despite societal upheaval.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first seven chapters of 'Fever 1793'. This quiz covers key details about the characters, setting, and events, helping you to better understand the story. Ideal for students and fans of historical fiction.