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The Browning version, Introduction of the Lesson, This chapter is a short extract from the play ‘The Browning Version’ written by Terence Rattigan. It is, a one-act play set in a school, there are three characters in the play – Taplow, Frank, and Mr. Crocker, – Harris. Taplow is a sixteen years old student, Frank is a young teacher and Mr. Crocker-Harris is a, middle-aged schoolmaster. Taplow has arrived in the school to do extra work for Mr. Crocker Harris. He, meets Frank and they both engage in a conversation while Taplow waits for Mr. Harris. Later, enters, Millie, Mrs.Crocker-Harris who talks to Taplow., The Browning Version Summary, The scene is set in a school where Taplow arrives to do extra work on the last day for Mr. Crocker-Harris, as he missed a day before. He finds Frank, a science teacher in the school. Frank asked him his name and, the reason he is there that day. Taplow studies in the lower fifth standard and is about to get his result, from his teacher Mr. Harris. Mr. Crocker-Harris usually reveals the result on the last day of school and, unlike every other teacher, he follows the rules and regulations strictly., They both started having a conversation where Frank asked him several questions. We don’t see Mr., Crocker-Harris in the whole chapter but we get to know a lot about him., Taplow wants to take science as a remove because he finds the subject extremely interesting. Frank, on, the other hand, doesn‘t like what he teaches in the school. Mr. Croker-Harris is ‘hardly human’ as, he never shrivels up. He told Taplow that he will get what he deserves. Nothing less and nothing more, and this makes him tensed. Taplow further imitates Mr. Harris twice in front of Frank., Franks admits that he envies Mr. Crocker-Harris because of the effect he has on them. Taplow told him, that he never shows his emotions like other teachers and never beats them up like other masters., He is not a sadist.As they were deeply engaged in a conversation, Millie enters and comes with a, shopping bag. She asked Taplow to go out and come back in a quarter of an hour as Mr. Crocker-Harris, will be late. If her husband arrives earlier, she will take the blame. She further gives him a prescription, and instructs him to purchase medicines for her from the chemist. Taplow follows and goes away to do, the job., Lesson and Explanation, This is an excerpt from The Browning Version*. The scene is set in a school. Frank is young and CrockerHarris, middle-aged. Both are masters. Taplow is a boy of sixteen who has come in to do extra work for, Crocker-Harris. But the latter has not yet arrived, and Frank finds Taplow waiting., FRANK: Do I know you?, TAPLOW: No, sir.
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FRANK: What’s your name?, TAPLOW: Taplow., FRANK: Taplow! No, I don’t. You’re not a scientist I gather?, TAPLOW: No, sir, I’m still in the lower fifth. I can’t specialise until next term — that’s to say, if I’ve got, my remove all right., FRANK: Don’t you know if you’ve got your remove?, TAPLOW: No sir, Mr Crocker-Harris doesn’t tell us the results like the other masters., Word meanings, Excerpt – a short extract from writing, movie or music, Latter – denoting the second-mentioned person of the two people, Remove – a division in British schools, Explanation – The scene is a short extract from the play ‘The Browning Version’. Taplow is a boy aged, sixteen who arrives at the school to do extra work for Mr. Crocker-Harris, his teacher. He meets another, teacher Frank and engages in a conversation with him while waiting for Mr. Harris. Frank is another, teacher in that school who is young in age. Mr. Crocker Harris is middle-aged., Frank saw Taplow and asked his name and in which class he studies. Taplow answers him and tells him, that he studies in the lower fifth standard and he cannot specialize until he gets his division (remove)., Frank asked him whether he got the remove or not and Taplow replied that his master (Mr. Crocker –, Harris) doesn‘t reveal the information like other masters., FRANK: Why not?, TAPLOW: Well, you know what he’s like, sir., FRANK: I believe there is a rule that form results should only be announced by the headmaster on the, last day of term., TAPLOW: Yes — but who else pays attention to it — except Mr Crocker-Harris?, FRANK: I don’t, I admit — but that’s no criterion. So you’ve got to wait until tomorrow to know your, fate, have you?, TAPLOW: Yes, sir., Word meaning, Criterion – a standard by which something is judged
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Explanation - Frank asked if Mr. Crocker-Harris doesn‘t reveal the remove earlier like other masters., Taplow tells him that he already knows how Mr. Harris is. Frank supposes that there is a rule that the, form result should be revealed on the last day of the term. Taplow agree and told him that Mr. Harris, follows it very seriously. Frank shares that he doesn’t follow it but still Taplow should wait until, tomorrow to know his result to which he agrees., FRANK: Supposing the answer is favorable — what then?, TAPLOW: Oh — science, sir, of course., FRANK: (sadly) Yes. We get all the slackers., TAPLOW: (protestingly) I’m extremely interested in science, sir., FRANK: Are you? I’m not. Not, at least, in the science I have to teach., TAPLOW: Well, anyway, sir, it’s a good deal more exciting than this muck (indicating his book)., FRANK: What is this muck?, TAPLOW: Aeschylus, sir. The Agamemnon., FRANK: And your considered view is that the Agamemnon is muck?, TAPLOW: Well, no, sir. I ddo't think the play is muck — exactly. I suppose, in a way, it’s rather a good, plot, really, a wife murdering her husband and all that. I only meant the way it’s taught to us — just a lot, of Greek words strung together and fifty lines if you get them wrong., Word meanings, Slackers – lazy students who are not motivated, Muck – useless; which is of no good or use, Aeschylus – he was an ancient Greek tragedian who is referred to as ‘Father of Tragedy’, Agamemnon – he was the king of Mycenae in Greek mythology, Strung together – to combine two different things into something useful, Explanation – Frank asks Taplow about what remove he is interested to take further and he replies, Science. Frank tells him that they have some lazy students in science to which Taplow clarifies that he is, interested in the subject that is why he wants to take it. Frank tells him that he is not interested in, Science which he has to teach in the school. Taplow thinks that the subject that Frank teaches is still a, good deal than the book he is currently reading. Upon asking about the book, Taplow tells him about the, , name of the author and the book – Aeschylus (Author) and The Agamemnon (Book). Taplow further, shares his view about ‘The Agamemnon’. He thinks the plot is good but the way those Greek words, are taught to them combined together is useless., FRANK: You sound a little bitter, Taplow.
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TAPLOW: I am rather, sir., FRANK: Kept in, eh?, TAPLOW: No, sir. Extra work., FRANK: Extra work — on the last day of school?, TAPLOW: Yes, sir, and I might be playing golf. You’d think he’d have enough to do anyway himself,, considering he’s leaving tomorrow for good — but oh no, I missed a day last week when I was ill — so, here I am — and look at the weather, sir., FRANK: Bad luck. Still there’s one comfort. You’re pretty well certain to get your remove tomorrow for, being a good boy in taking extra work., TAPLOW: Well, I’m not so sure, sir. That would be true of the ordinary masters, all right. They just, wouldn’t dare not to give a chap a remove after his taking extra work. But those sort of rules don’t apply, to the Crock — Mr Crocker-Harris. I asked him yesterday outright if he’d given me a remove and do you, know what he said, sir?, Word meanings, Kept in – to make someone stay in a place, especially in school as a punishment, Chap – a man who you know and like, Explanation – On criticizing the book, Frank tells him that you are sounding a little bitter about Mr., Crocker – Harris. Further, Frank asks him if he is staying in school as a punishment to which Taplow, replies that he is in the school on the last day of the term due to extra work. He was ill last week due to, which he was absent for a day, for which he is compensating now by doing extra work. He further says, that he feels that Mr. Harris also has extra work himself because he is leaving tomorrow for good. Harris, didn’t have any extra work and yet with such a good weather, he has to come to school. He also adds, that he wanted to play golf at that moment., Frank comforts him by saying that he will get his remove tomorrow due to the extra work he is doing for, Mr. Harris. Taplow is unsure of this and tells him that this might work for other teachers but Mr. Harris is, different. He doesn’t give a student a remove for doing extra work. Taplow also asked Mr. Harris about, his remove to which the master gave an astonishing answer., FRANK: No. What?, TAPLOW: (imitating a very gentle, rather throaty voice) “My dear Taplow, I have given you exactly what, you deserve. No less; and certainly no more.” Do you know sir, I think he may have marked me down,, rather than up, for taking extra work. I mean, the man‘s hardly human. (He breaks off quickly.) Sorry,, sir. Have I gone too far?
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FRANK: Yes. Much too far., TAPLOW: Sorry, sir. I got carried away., FRANK: Evidently. (He picks up a newspaper and opens it) — Er Taplow., TAPLOW: Yes, sir?, FRANK: What was that Crocker-Harris said to you? Just — er — repeat it, would you?, TAPLOW: (imitating again) “My dear Taplow, I have given you exactly what you deserve. No less; and, certainly no more.”, FRANK: (looking severe) Not in the least like him. Read your nice Aeschylus and be quiet., TAPLOW: (with dislike) Aeschylus., Word meanings, Got carried away – to become overly excited or to take things too far, Imitating – copying, Explanation – Frank asks him what Mr. Harris told him upon being asked about his remove. Taplow, imitates Mr. Crocker-Harris and told him exactly what his master answered him. Mr. Harris told him that, he will get what he deserves, nothing less and nothing more. Taplow feels that he might have marked, him down for taking extra work because he doesn’t have human feelings. Then, he realizes that he has, said too much therefore he apologizes to Frank. Frank asked him to repeat what he just said about Mr., Harris and he starts imitating him again. Frank tells him that his imitation is not close to Mr. Harris’s way, of saying things and he told him to read his book., FRANK: Look, what time did Mr Crocker-Harris tell you to be here?, TAPLOW: Six-thirty, sir., FRANK: Well, he’s ten minutes late. Why don’:’t you cut? You could still play golf before lock-up., TAPLOW: (really shocked) Oh, no, I couldn’t cut. Cut the Crock — Mr Crocker-Harris? I shouldn’t think, it’s ever been done in the whole time he’s been here. God knows what would happen if I did. He’d, probably follow me home, or something …, FRANK: I must admit I envy him the effect he seems to have on you boys in the form. You all seem, scared to death of him. What does he do — beat you all, or something?, TAPLOW: Good Lord, no. He’s not a sadist, like one or two of the others., FRANK: I beg your pardon?
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TAPLOW: A sadist, sir, is someone who gets pleasure out of giving pain., FRANK: Indeed? But I think you went on to say that some other masters, Word meanings, Cut – stop doing something undesirable, Envy – Jealousy, Sadist – a person who derives pleasure by giving pain or humiliation to others, Pardon – the action of being forgiven for error or offense; forgiveness, Indeed – Truly, Explanation - Frank asks him at what time did Mr. Harris asked him to come to school. Taplow told him, six-thirty. Frank suggests him to go and play golf for a little while as he would be ten minutes late., Taplow refuses as he is afraid of what would happen if he shows up in his absence and he might follow, him home. Frank tells him that he is a little jealous of Mr. Harris because of the effect he has on all the, boys in the form. He asks him if Harris beat students to which Taplow says that no, he is not someone, who derives pain by hurting others, there are one or two other teachers like that. Frank asked him to be, more specific and he explains to him the meaning of sadist. Frank asked him what he was saying about, other masters., TAPLOW: Well, of course, they are, sir. I won’t mention names, but you know them as well as I do. Of, course I know most masters think we boys don’t understand a thing — but, sir, you’re different. You’re, young — well, comparatively, anyway — and you’re science. You must know what sadism is., FRANK: (after a pause) Good Lord! What are our schools coming to?, TAPLOW: Anyway, the Crock isn’t a sadist. That’s what I’m saying. He wouldn’t be so frightening if he, were — because at least it would show he had some feelings. But he hasn’t. He’s all shrivelled up inside, like a nut and he seems to hate people to like him. It’s funny, that. I don’t know any other master who, doesn’t like being liked —, FRANK: And I don’t know any boy who doesn’t use that for his own purposes., TAPLOW: Well, it’s natural sir. But not with the Crock —, FRANK: Mr Crocker-Harris., TAPLOW: Mr Crocker-Harris. The funny thing is that in spite of everything, I do rather like him. I cca't, help it. And sometimes I think he sees it and that seems to shrivel him up even more —, FRANK: I’m sure you’re exaggerating.
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Word meanings, Shrivelled up – having no feelings, Exaggerating – represent something as being worse than it really is, Explanation - Taplow explains to him that there are many teachers in the school whose names he will, not take but they are a sadists. They think that the boys don’t understand a thing. But Frank is different, from them, as he is young and he is from a science background and must know about sadism., Frank in a surprising tone exclaims about the condition of schools. Taplow goes on ranting about Mr., Harris. He shares that Mr. Crocker- Harris is not a sadist and yet he has no feelings. He is a type of a, person who might hate it when people like him. He further says he doesn’t know about any master, there who doesn’t like being liked. Frank mocks him and says he hasn’t seen any student using this, quality for his own purpose. Taplow agrees and calls Mr. Harris ‘Crock’ again to which Frank corrects, him by saying his full name., Taplow corrects himself and admits that he still likes him and he cannot help it. Sometimes Mr. Harris, sees it and he wrinkles even more to which Frank replied that he must be exaggerating., TAPLOW: No, sir. I’m not. In form the other day he made one of his classical jokes. Of course nobody, laughed because nobody understood it, myself included. Still, I knew he’d meant it as funny, so I, laughed. Out of ordinary common politeness, and feeling a bit sorry for him for having made a poor, joke. Now I can’t remember what the joke was, but suppose I make it. Now you laugh, sir. (Frank, laughs.), TAPLOW: (in a gentle, throaty voice) “Taplow — you laughed at my little joke, I noticed. I must confess, that I am pleased at the advance your Latin has made since you so readily have understood what the, rest of the form did not. Perhaps, now, you would be good enough to explain it to them, so that they too, can share your pleasure”., Explanation - The door up right is pushed open and Millie Crocker-Harris enters. She is a thin woman in, her late thirties, rather more smartly dressed than the general run of schoolmasters‘ wives. She is, wearing a cape and carries a shopping basket. She closes the door and then stands by the screen, watching Taplow and Frank. It is a few seconds before they notice her., Taplow shares further that one day, Mr. Crocker- Harris cracked one of his classic jokes to which no one, laughed. He understood that the joke was meant to be funny and laughed anyway because he wanted, to be polite and to feel sorry for him making such poor jokes. He doesn‘l't remember what the joke, was and asked Frank to suppose he cracked a joke right away and asked him to laugh., He imitated his teacher again and told Frank what his reaction was when he laughed at his joke. Mr., Crocker-Harris asked him to explain the joke to the rest of the form as he was the only one laughing in, the class.
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As he was saying this, the door of the classroom opened and Millie, the wife of Mr. Crocker-Harris, entered the class. She was a thin woman who dresses smarter than the rest of the women who are, wives of Schoolmasters. She was wearing a cape and was carrying a shopping basket. She closed the, door as she entered and stood next to the screen watching both of them talking. They noticed her after, a few seconds., FRANK: Come along, Taplow (moves slowly above the desk). Do not be so selfish as to keep a good joke, to yourself. Tell the others… (He breaks off suddenly, noticing Millie.) Oh Lord!, Frank turns quickly, and seems infinitely relieved at seeing Millie., FRANK: Oh, hullo., MILLIE: (without expression) Hullo. (She comes down to the sideboard and puts her basket on it.), TAPLOW: (moving up to left of Frank; whispering frantically) Do you think she heard?, FRANK: (shakes his head comfortingly. Millie takes off her cape and hangs it on the hall-stand.) I think, she did. She was standing there quite a time., TAPLOW: If she did and she tells him, there goes my remove., FRANK: Nonsense. (He crosses to the fireplace.), Word meanings, Infinitely – to a great extent, Frantically – desperately, Explanation – As Frank was joking about telling the joke to others, he saw Millie and stopped talking. He, turned around and was relieved by seeing her there and wished her hello. She replied hello without any, expressions on her face and put her basket on the sideboard. Taplow asked Frank in a desperate tone if, she had heard any of their conversation. Frank thought that she did because she was standing there for, quite some time. Millie took her cape off and hung it on hall-stand., Taplow in a worrying tone says if she did hear them, then he will not get his remove and Frank tells him, not to think too much. Frank crosses the fireplace., Millie takes the basket from the sideboard, moves above the table and puts the basket on it., MILLIE: (to Taplow) Waiting for my husband?, TAPLOW: (moving down left of the table) Er-yes., MILLIE: He’s at the Bursar’s and might be there quite a time. If I were you I’d go., TAPLOW: (doubtfully) He said most particularly I was to come.
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MILLIE: Well, why don’t you run away for a quarter of an hour and come back? (She unpacks some, things from the basket.), TAPLOW: Supposing he gets here before me?, MILLIE: (smiling) I’ll take the blame. (She takes a prescription out of the basket.) I tell you what — you, can do a job for him. Take this prescription to the chemist and get it made up., TAPLOW: All right, Mrs Crocker-Harris. (He crosses towards the door up right.), Explanation - Millie picks up the basket from the sideboard and puts it on the table. She asks Taplow if, he is waiting for his husband to which he replies yes. She tells him he is at the Bursar‘s and it might, take some time. If she was in his place, she might have left. Taplow replies that he said he will come. As, Millie unpacks the things from the basket, she suggests him to go for a quarter of an hour and then, come back to check on him. Taplow asks her if Mr. Harris comes back before him then what will happen., Millie assured him that she will take the blame for this and takes out a prescription from the basket. She, hands it over to him and asks him to bring medicines for her from the chemist. He agrees and crosses, the door upright., Question and Answers, Understanding the text, Q1.Comment on the attitude shown by Taplow towards Crocker-Harris., Ans: Taplow is a student of Mr. Crocker-Harris. Taplow is called for extra work by him on his last day of, school because of the day he missed previously. Mr. Crocker-Harris is a disciplinarian who works hard, and follows the rules seriously. He is not a sadist and doesn’t believe in showing feelings to his students., Taplow likes him anyway and wants him to give his remove. Mr. Crocker-Harris is not biased as he said, he will give Taplow what he deserves, nothing less and nothing more., Q2 Does Frank seem to encourage Taplow’s comments on Crocker-Harris?, Ans: Frank surely encourages him to comment on Crocker-Harris as he asked him many questions about, him. He also asked him to repeat when he was imitating his teacher., Q3. What do you gather about Crocker-Harris from the play?, Ans: Mr. Crocker-Harris is a middle-aged schoolmaster who is a disciplinarian. He is not biased with his, students and is a strict person. He follows all the rules and never shrivels up in front of his students. He, takes his job seriously as he called Taplow on the last day of school to make up for his missed day, previously., Talking about the text, Q1.Discuss – Talking about teachers among friends.
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Ans: Students often discuss teachers among their friends. They sometimes make fun of them behind, their back or gives them a name like Taplow did in the play – Crock. This is not the right thing to do as a, student must understand that a teacher will never do anything to hurt them. They want to see them, successful and sometimes being strict is what they have to do at that moment., Q2.Discuss – The manner you adopt when you talk about a teacher to other teachers., Ans: One must respectfully address any teacher in front of other teachers. Whatever you think about, them, never disrespect them. Students tend to get very frank in front of their teachers and starts saying, things they should not have. It can backfire., Q3. Discuss – Reading plays is more interesting than studying science., Ans: Yes, reading plays is more interesting than studying science. Reading plays makes us more, imaginative and is interesting to do. It also helps in building our linguistic skills. We can learn about the, language more and we can learn so much about humans and their behavior. Science, on the other hand,, provides us knowledge and gives us a modern approach. It gives us practical knowledge in laboratories, and teaches us many things about our daily life., Working with words, A sadist is a person who gets pleasure out of giving pain to others. Given below are some dictionary, definitions of certain kinds of persons. Find out the words that fit these descriptions., 1. A person who considers it very important that things should be correct or genuine e.g. in the use, of language or in the arts: P…, 2. A person who believes that war and violence are wrong and will not fight in a war: P…, 3. A person who believes that nothing really exists: N…, 4. A person who is always hopeful and expects the best in all things: O…, 5. A person who follows generally accepted norms of behaviour: C…, 6. A person who believes that material possessions are all that matter in life: M…, Ans. 1. Perfectionist. 2. Pacifist 3. Nihilist, 4. Optimist. 5. Conventionalist 6. Materialist, Extra Questions, Short Answer Type, Question 1. Where does Taplow meet Frank? What does Taplow feel about being there?, Answer: Taplow meets Frank at Mr Crocker-Harris’s office, at school. Taplow had been given extra work, to do as he had missed a day of school the previous week when he was ill. It was the last day of school, and he wished to play golf instead.
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Question 2. What subjects does Taplow want to opt for and why?, Answer: Taplow wishes to opt for science if he manages good grades. He claims to be really interested in, science and feels it is more interesting than studying classics such as ‘The Agamemnon’, which he, calls “muck” it had a lot of Greek words, and Mr Crocker-Harris punished them for not getting them, right., Question 3. Why does Taplow feel that Mr Harris is “hardly human”?, Answer: Taplow feels that putting in extra work would make no difference to Mr Harris. He had told, Taplow that he had got what he deserved. Taplow suspects he might be awarded with fewer marks to, make him do extra work. He feels Mr Harris is unfeeling worse than a sadist, and thus calls him “hardly, human”., Question 4. What does Frank suggest to Taplow about waiting for Mr Harris?, Answer: When Taplow tells Frank that he was supposed to meet Mr Crocker-Harris at six-thirty, Frank, tells Taplow that Mr Crocker-Harris was already ten minutes late. He suggests that Taplow could go and, play golf. But Taplow is shocked and expresses his apprehension if Mr Crocker-Harris should know. He, was certain that nobody had ever done that with Mr Crocker-Harris., Question 5. Why does Taplow feel that Mr Harris has no feelings?, Answer: Taplow calls Mr Harris worse than a sadist. One is required to admit to feelings if considered a, sadist. Mr Harris’s inside, feels Taplow, is like a nut and he seems to hate people liking him. He did not, appreciate Taplow appreciating his jokes and embarrassed him in return., Question 6. How did Taplow try to express his liking for Mr Harris? What was the outcome?, Answer: Taplow admits to liking Mr Harris and realized he felt uncomfortable about people liking him., He recalls an episode, in class, where Mr Crocker-Harris made one of his jokes to which nobody laughed., Taplow knew that it was meant to be funny, and laughed. To which, Mr Crocker-Harris teased Taplow, about his knowledge of Latin and asked him to explain the joke to the class., Question 7. Who was Millie Crocker-Harris? What was she like?, Answer: Millie Crocker-Harris was the young wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She was a thin woman in her late, thirties, and was more smartly dressed than the other schoolmasters‘ wives., Question 8. How does Millie Crocker-Harris send Taplow away?, Answer: Millie learns from Taplow that he was waiting for her husband and suggests he leaves for, quarter of an hour since Mr Harris might be a while. Taplow is hesitant; Millie assures him she would, take on the blame if Mr Harris arrives before that. She finally sends Taplow off to the chemist., Question 9.How does Taplow finally get back his freedom?
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Answer. It is Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris who finally comes to the rescue of Taplow. She reports that, Crocker-Harris will not be back early. Hence, Taplow had better go. He can at least run away for 15, minutes and come back later. She assures the boy that no harm will come to him. She gives him a, doctor’s prescription and tells him to bring medicines for Mr Crocker-Harris. This being a good excuse,, Taplow goes out free from fear., Question 10.What does Taplow think of Mr Crocker-Harris?, Answer.Taplow, the fifth form boy, is a good judge of persons, especially his teachers. He ridicules, Crocker-Harris whom he calls ‘hardly human’. He mocks his master by mimicking his voice and, words. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris. He dare not disobey or go Against the wishes of CrockerHarris. But at the same time, he has a word of praise as well for his teacher. He tells Frank that Crockerharris never beats a boy although he is shrivelled up like a nut at heart. And he is not a ‘sadist’. Like, one or two other teachers who got pleasure out of giving pain. Crocker-Harris‘s drawback was that he, hated it even when people tried to like him. Taplow finally tells Frank that in spite of all this he did like, Crocker-Harris better than other teachers., Long Answer Type, Question 1. Write a brief character sketch of Frank Hunter., Answer: Frank Hunter was the popular, young science teacher. He is liked by the students who feel he, can understand them better than Mr Crocker-Harris. He is also popular because he teaches science, which the students find easier to comprehend than Classics which they think is “muck”. He, however,, feels students who take up science are slackers and don’t take much interest in the subject., He is easy to talk to and approachable. His attitude puts them at their ease. Taplow finds he can confide, his troubles to him. In fact, he forgets himself enough to refer to his teacher Mr Crocker-Harris as “the, Crock”., However, he encourages students to talk ill of other teachers. He probes the details of the relationship, between Mr Crocker-Harris and Taplow. He also encourages Taplow to disobey the teacher’s orders and, go off before meeting Mr Crocker-Harris., Question 2. What idea do you form of Taplow after reading the play ‘The Browning Version’?, Answer: Taplow is a young boy of seventeen, studying in the lower fifth grade. He is an obedient and, hard-working student. He has great liking for science. He was summoned for extra work by Mr CrockerHarris for missing school for a day. The week before. Though he wishes to play golf on the last day, before school closes, he obediently turns up to wait .for his teacher. He is devoted to Mr Crocker-Harris., When Taplow comes across Mr Frank, the science teacher, Mr Frank, gets Taplow to discuss Mr CrockerHarris and also encourages him to leave. Taplow replies that he cannot “cut” as Mr Harris would, probably follow him home.
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When Mr Frank insinuates that his teacher might award him with a fine result for doing extra work,, Taplow refutes it calling Mr Harris a man of principles. He reiterates that Mr Crocker-Harris had told him, that he had given him exactly what he deserved. Taplow is a sincere student who respected his teachers., Question 3. What brings Taplow to the staff room? Who does he meet there?, Answer. Taplow, a fifth-grade student, goes to school on the last day. He is called by Mr Crocker-Harris, to do extra work for missing a day the previous week. He is waiting for the Latin teacher in the staff, room. Frank, the young science teacher, arrives and starts talking to him. They discuss Crocker-harris. In, fact, Frank is envious of Crocker-Harris hold on the young boys. He encourages Taplow to give his honest, opinion about his master. And Taplow makes some negative remarks. He levels several charges against, Crocker-Harris. He calls him ‘hardly human’, a poor teacher of Latin, and a person who hates people, to be liked by them. Taplow finally meets Mrs Crocker-Harris who sends him to the chemist to bring, some medicines. This way, Taplow feels relieved and gets his freedom for a while., Question 4. Who is Millie? What is her role in the play?, Answer. Millie is the wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She is a thin woman in her late thirties. But she dresses, smartly and speaks confidently. As she enters the school premises, she stands for a while behind a, curtain to overhear the conversation between Taplow and Frank. Even if she has heard them, she gives, no hint of it. She is quite unlike her harsh husband. She is kind and gentle. She tells Taplow to go and, enjoy himself. But the boy dare not cut Crocker-Harris. So she finds an excuse to free him. She asks him, to go to the chemist to bring some medicines for his master. She smilingly agrees to take the blame on, herself if Crocker-Harris is angry. Thus, she outshines all the other three characters in the story., Value-Based questions, Q1. In the lesson, we find that it is in the hands of the teacher to promote his student. It means if a, teacher has some grudges against a student, he will never promote him. Then why not introduce, automatic promotion. If this is introduced, what will happen? Evaluate the situation when there is no, examination or assessment of students., Ans. Automatic promotion will be a boon for the students but it will turn out to be a bane very soon. If, no examinations were to be held, neither students nor teachers would know the outcome of their, efforts. Examinations present a goal to the students and they make an effort to reach that goal. They, goad the students and the teachers to go systematically to achieve the cherished goal. The teacher and, the taught become serious, thoughtful and eager to present their best., If there is no pressure of examinations, students will not take their studies seriously. At the end of the, schooling, they will not be able to write even a simple application correctly. Moreover, after schooling,, they have to face so many competitions. They will accept defeat because they are not well prepared., They had taken studies just as an exercise to Kill time. A recent survey has proved that automatic, promotion has given us an army of incompetent people. Above all, even serious students suffer. The, absence of assessment of students will usher in all-round deterioration.
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Q2. If a teacher is strict and does not allow his pupils freedom, he becomes an object of their criticism., But later on, he is revered and remembered. Discuss., Ans. It is a fact that a teacher who finds fault with the work of his pupils becomes an object of fear for, them. It is but natural for teenagers to dislike their teachers who do not allow them freedom. These, teachers do their job sincerely and expect the same from the students. They do not tolerate the casual, attitude of their students. It is also a fact that such teachers leave a permanent impact on the, impressionable minds of the pupils. When these pupils grow up and enter into the real phase of their, life, they silently worship them. They become their idols., Unsympathetic and harsh teachers are mimicked and laughed at but this is a passing phase and very, soon the sun of wisdom dawns and the students soon realise the real worth of the teachers they have, criticised. Hard taskmasters are in reality the real well-wishers of their students. Shallow reverence and, respect soon dry away and when students mature they understand the difference between right and, wrong. So, Students should not form opinions in favour or against their teachers in a hurry.
