| “ | The Cloud of Doom is getting bigger every day! What does it matter if we can spell? | ” |
| — Myron | ||
"What's the Point?" is the eleventh chapter of Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom.
Synopsis[]
The kids question what the point of anything is as the Cloud of Doom makes them increasingly pessimistic.
Plot[]
The chapter opens by stating that in some classrooms, the teacher picks the weekly spelling words. However, in Mrs. Jewls's class, the students pick. Rondi suggests "pistachios," which Mrs. Jewls doesn't actually know how to spell, so she has Rondi write it on the board for her. D.J. suggests "grumple," which Mrs. Jewls doesn't think is a word, but D.J. still says that they should learn how to spell it, so she writes it on the board. Joy suggests "a," which Mrs. Jewls thinks is too easy, but Kathy points out that since it's such a common word, they should know how to spell it, and Mrs. Jewls adds it as well.
Mrs. Jewls then calls on Myron, who simply asks what's the point. Mrs. Jewls first thinks he's suggesting it as spelling words, but Myron elaborates, pointing out that the Cloud of Doom is still hanging above the school and getting larger every single day, and questions why it's important that they can spell. Mrs. Jewls explains that it's so they can read and write, but the other students agree with Myron's pessimistic outlook and ask what the point of reading, writing, and arithmetic even is. Myron concludes there is no point, as he slams his pencil on his desk.
Mrs. Jewls realizes how upset her students are, but asks what the point of quitting is, if they can try and do their best, whether there's a cloud hanging above them or not. She points out that not all has been bad, they've been collecting nail clippings faster thanks to the cloud making them grow faster, and she states that one day, the cloud will be gone, and the world will be a happier place than it was before the cloud appeared. Suddenly, a clash of thunder strikes the classroom and knocks out the lights, causing the students to scream, not only because they're frightened by the sudden blackout, but also because, for some reason, they think screaming in the dark is fun. Mrs. Jewls calms her terrified students down by lighting a candle so they can see, and continues with the spelling lesson. Jenny suggests "hope," which Mrs. Jewls thinks is an excellent word. She says each letter out loud as she writes it on the board.
Characters[]
- Mrs. Jewls
- Rondi
- Kathy
- Allison
- D.J.
- Joy
- Myron
- Leslie
- Jason
- Benjamin Nushmutt
- Miss Mush (mentioned)
- Jenny
Trivia[]
- The world D.J. coins, "grumple," is actually used earlier in "Oppositosis," to describe Kathy's speech in the flashback.
- It is not, however, used as one of the non-dictionary spelling words in "The Ultimate Test, Day One."
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