To Sir With Love

Chapter – 17

   The half-yearly report of the Students’ Council   was   on   November   15th,   and was  one  of  the  important  days  in  the calendar  of  Greenslade  School.  I had heard quite a deal about these occasions and became as excited as the children as the day approached. It was entirely their day, arranged, presented and controlled by them. I observed the activities of my class as they prepared for it, noting with pride the business-like way in   which tasks were allocated and fitted into  a neat  programme.  There were whispered conferences with members of other classes in the arrangement of it. On that day there was no assembly. The children arrived smartly dressed and polished, and Miss Joseph and Denham, who seemed to be the important officials for the occasion, moved   about   among   their   colleagues ensuring that each one was ready to play his (her) part.

 A bell was  rung  at  10.00  a.m.  and everyone trooped (come or go together ) into the auditorium to sit  together  in  classes.  Miss  Joseph  and Denham,  the  two  most  senior  students, sat on the stage, one on each side of Mr. Florian,  who,  as  soon  as  everyone  was seated and silent, stood and addressed the school. He spoke at length, reiterating (say something again) the aims and policy of the school and of the important contribution each child could make to the furtherance (achievement) of those aims. He gave praise wherever it was indicated, but insisted that there was yet a great deal to be done, by themselves, towards a general improvement in conduct (behaviour), cleanliness and the pursuit of knowledge.  As  I  listened I  realised  that  this  man  was  in  no  way remote  from  his  school;  his  remarks  all showed that he identified himself with it and everyone in it. He then wished them success with the Council Meeting and left the stage to tremendous applause (praise expressed by clapping.).

Things now moved quickly into gear (adjust/ prepare) . First, Miss Joseph stood up, and gave a short explanation of the Council’s purpose and its activities. Each class would report, through its representatives, on the studies pursued during the half year which began after Easter (festival of christens), a   representative   having been chosen for each subject.  When  all the  classes  had  completed  their  reports a  panel  of  teachers  would  be  invited  to occupy (sit on)  the  stage  and  answer  questions from  the  body  of  the  hall  on  matters arising  out  of  the  various  reports.  The selection of the panel, as with everything else, was entirely at the discretion (choice) of the children and no members of the staff knew either how many or which teachers would be invited to sit. The reports began with the lowest or  youngest  class  first. These    were    mainly    twelve-year-olds who had joined the school the previous summer.  Most  of  them  were  shy  and rather  frightened  at  standing  up  before the  entire  school,  but  nevertheless  they managed  it  creditably (praise ably ) ;  they  had  been newly  introduced  to  the  difficulties  of seeking  information  for  themselves,  so their  report  was  understandably  rather short.

Class after class was represented, and it was obvious that with each succeeding (coming) term  there  was  a  marked  development in  their  ability  to  express  themselves. Much of the work was rather elementary (simple/easy), but to them it loomed (appear) large because they understood it and something  of  its relationship  to  themselves.  Throughout all the reports, the emphasis (focus) was on what they understood rather than on what they were expected to learn. When the turn of my class came I sat up anxiously. From the list he held in his hand, Denham called out   the   names   of   the   representatives, together with the subjects on which they would report.

Potter — Arithmetic (Math)

Sapiano — Nature Study

Miss Pegg and Jackson — Geography

Miss Dare and Fernman — Physiology (the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.)

Miss Dodd — History

Denham — P.T. and Games

Miss Joseph — Domestic Science

I felt terribly pleased and proud to see the confident courtesy with which Denham used the term ‘Miss’ in addressing each of the senior girls; I felt sure that this would in  itself  be  something  for  the  younger ones to aim at, a sort of badge (sign) of young adulthood (maturity). As their names were called they walked up to the stage and took their seats  with  commendable (admirable)  gravity (Seriousness).  Miss Joseph then gave  a  short  address.  She said  that  their  lessons  had  a  particular bias (against one person or group) towards the brotherhood of mankind, and that they had been learning through each subject how all mankind   was interdependent  in  spite  of  geographical location and differences in colour, races and  creeds.  Then she called on Potter. Potter went on to speak of the work they had done on weights and measures; of the relationship between the kilogramme and the pound, the meter and the foot. He said that throughout the world one or other of those  two  methods  was  either  in  use  or understood, and that it was a symbol of the greater understanding  which  was  being accomplished (highly trained or skilled) between peoples. Sapiano spoke  of  the  study  the  class  had  made of  pests,  especially  black rot on wheat, boll weevil(small beetle) on cotton, and the Colorado beetle on potatoes. He showed how many countries   had pooled (accumulate)  their   knowledge and results of research on the behaviour, breeding  habits  and  migration  of  these pests,  and  were  gradually  reducing  the threat they represented to these important products. Miss Pegg and Jackson divided the report  on  Geography  between  them. Jackson spoke first on the distribution of mineral  deposits  and  vegetable  produce over the earth’s surface, how a country rich in one was often deficient (not having enough) in the other; and of  the  interchange (exchange)  and  interdependence which  inevitably  followed.  Miss Pegg dealt with human relationships, stressing the problems facing the  post-war  world for   feeding,   clothing   and   housing   its populations.  She  also  made  a  reference to  the  thousands  of  refugees,  stateless and  unwanted;  and  to  the  efforts  and programmes   of   U.N.I.C.E.F. (the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) . Fernman as usual had a trump card (a valuable resource )up his sleeve. When called he made a signal to someone off-stage, and Welsh and Alison appeared bearing a skeleton between them, together with a sort of gallows. When this arrangement had been set up there was  the  skeleton  hanging  from a hook screwed into the top of its skull, gently revolving (moving in a circle) at the end of a cord (रस्सी). This was somewhat in the  nature  of  comic relief (humorous), and the school showed its approval by laughing uproariously ( extremely noisy). But levity (humorousness) soon evaporated (ended)  when  Fernman  began to speak; his voice was clear and precise (perfect/exact) and he had a strong sense of the dramatic. Calmly he told them that it was a female skeleton; that was a fact and could easily be proved. But he could not say with any assurance whether she had been Chinese or French or German or Greek; nor could he say if she had been brown or white or a mixture of both. And from that, he said, the  class  had  concluded  that  basically all people were the same; the trimmings (decoration) might be different but the foundations were all  laid  out according  to  the  same  blue- print.  Fernman was  wonderful;  he  had them eating out of his hand (to be completely controlled by someone). Miss Dare’s contribution was something  of  an  anti- climax (disappointing) after Fernman’s performance, and she seemed to realise it. She spoke about the problems which all humanity has to face in terms of sickness and disease, and of the advantages gained by interchange of knowledge, advice and assistance.

    Miss Dodd reported on the  period of  History  the  class  had studied – the Reformation (change/ development) in England. She told of the struggles of men of independent  spirit against  clerical  domination  and  of  their efforts to break from established religious traditions.  From  those  early  beginnings gradually grew the idea of tolerance (the capacity to endure) for  the  beliefs  and cultures  of  others, and  the  now  common  interest  in trying to study and understand those cultures. Denham’s report was a bit of a shock. He severely criticised the general pattern of P.T. and games, emphasizing the serious limitations  of  space (place) obtaining  and  the effect  of  that  limitation  on  their  games activities. He complained that the P.T. was ill-conceived and pointless, and the routine   monotonous;   he   could   see   no advantage in doing it; a jolly good game was far better. Apparently he was voicing the  opinions  of  all  the  boys,  for  they cheered  him  loudly. When the reports were over, Denham called two children at random from the audience and asked them to write the name of each teacher, including the Head on a slip of paper. These  slips  were  folded  and  placed in  a  hat,  juggled  (continuously toss into the air and catch) vigorously (with an energy),  and  then withdrawn one by one. The names were called:  Mr.  Weston, Mrs.  Dale-Evans, Miss Phillips. Denham and Miss Joseph led the others off the stage and the teachers took their seats, Weston big and bushily untidy between the two women.

   Then the questioning began. I believe I would have gone a long way to see what followed; it was an experience which I shall not easily forget.  The questions were mostly from the two top classes, probably because the young children were either too timid (afraid) or too uninformed (unable) to formulate (present) their questions. The teachers had no briefing (information/ preparation), and were often   caught   out   stammering   in   their indecision (the inability to make a decision quickly). But here again, I received a big surprise. The frilly, seemingly brainless Miss Euphemia Phillips proved to be the coolest and  best  informed  of  the  three. She dealt with questions put to her with candour (the quality of being open and honest; frankness) and authority, and would often intervene (take part in something so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events) skillfully  to  assist  one  of  the others  without  causing  embarrassment (discomfort).Weston  cut (cross) a  very  ridiculous (funny/  हास्यास्पद)  figure.  In the  face  of  Denham’s  blunt (straightforward)  criticisms (आलोचना) and  Fernman’s adroit (clever or skilful.) questioning, he found   himself   completely   nonplussed (confused) and  tried  to  bluster (loud or aggressive talk /धमकाना) his way out  with  a show  of  offended (insulted)  dignity (style). He could not effectively support the P.T. exercises, for which he was partly responsible (no relation),  as having any definite physical advantage. Denham was a trained   boxer, and insisted that such  exercises  were  only advantageous if practiced  daily  and  for more sustained periods; P.T. twice weekly for twenty minutes was a waste of time, he  asserted (argued). Once again Miss Phillips took the reins (बाग-डोर) and her stock promptly shot up a hundredfold. She reminded the school  that every subject,  including  P.T. and games, had been carefully considered and  fitted  into  the  teaching  timetable so  that  each  student  received  maximum benefit from it. The school with its limited facilities must be considered in terms of the greatest good for the greatest number, and it would be beyond anyone’s powers to please everybody. ‘Some of you,’ she concluded, fixing Denham with innocent eyes, ‘are  fortunate  in  your  own  fine physical  development  and  do  not  really need the few meager helpings (small help) of P.T. and games which this school can offer; try to remember that there are others for whom our programme is ideally suited. It may be  that  some  of  you  older  boys  might even  be  able  to  help  in  that  respect.’ Denham was not to be  put  off  by  these sugary remarks, and rose in reply. ‘Then why do we have to do  P.T.? Why don’t they take only the kids who need it? The rest of us can have a game of football or something, ’stead of  doing  a  lot  of  daft things that’s no good to us!’ This was a poser (confusing), but she came right back at him, her baby-blue eyes twinkling in her delight at this crossing of staves. ‘Let’s say it is as much an exercise of the mind as it is of the body, Denham. The whole timetable in this school is meant to help you in the world after you leave here, and doing what you are told in spite of not liking it, is part of the training. I feel sure that you will see the point in that.’ That stopped him. Poor Denham knew that he’d been outwitted but he could do nothing about it  and  sat  looking  rather  rueful (expressing sorrow or regret),  while Miss Phillips’ smile broadened; this frilly, innocent-looking  puss (cat) had  gobbled  her canary without leaving the tiniest feather.

I  began  to  understand  how  it  was that  so  slight  a  creature  could  cope  so effectively with her class. Soon after this, as the morning ended, the Head went on to the stage and closed the proceedings, expressing his pride in all the  children and his deep appreciation of their efforts.

–  E.  R. Braithwaite

 CHARACTER

 (A1)  (i) Which one among the  following  is a  teacher  in  the  extract?  Select the correct one. Also  cite  a  couple  of  lines  from  the  extract  in  support  of  your answer.

(a) Denham

(b) Miss Joseph

(c) Sapiano

(d)  Dale-Evans

Ans: Mrs. Dale-Evans is  a  teacher  in  the  extract.

The following lines proves it.

1] The line , “Denham called two children at random from the audience and asked them to write the name of each teacher, including the Head on a slip of paper.” Shows that all the names on the slips were of the teachers.

2] The line , “The names were called: Mr.  Weston, Mrs.  Dale-Evans, Miss Phillips.” All the names were of the teachers

3] The line , “. Denham and Miss Joseph led the others off the stage and the teachers took their seats,” Denham and Miss Joseph came down from the stage means they are students.

4] The line , “Sapiano spoke  of  the  study  the  class  had  made of  pests” shows that  Sapiano presenting her report means she is a student.

(ii) Complete the table highlighting the various traits (qualities / विशेषता) of the major characters in the extract

Ans:

(iii) The narrator played a crucial (very important) role in bringing a significant change in the students. Explain the statement by citing some references from the extract.

Ans: When Braithwaite gets a job of a teacher for the senior class of Greenslade School, he encounters disrespectful, arrogant and ill-mannered students. But finally he changes the students by changing his approach in teaching. He starts to give respect to the students and they become good students. The half-yearly report presentation proves the perfect chance in the students.

1] The line. “It was entirely their day, arranged, presented and controlled by them” is an example of their will to take responsibility.

2] The line “The children arrived smartly dressed and polished.” This indicates that the students were aware of the importance of the event and took their roles seriously.

3] The line “ Miss Joseph and Denham moved about among their colleagues ensuring that each one was ready to play his (her) part” thus showing their ability to be good leaders.

4] The line “Denham used the term ‘Miss’ in addressing each of the senior girls’. It shows that Denham changed from an aggressive, rude student to a respectful young man.

5] The line, “The Head went on to the stage and closed the proceedings, expressing his pride in all the children and his deep appreciation of their efforts.” is a clear example of the positive influence Braithwaite has had on the students.

(iv) Fernman brought a comic relief in the Students’ Council programme. Explain.

Ans:  A comic relief (humorous content/ मनोरंजन) is an element that creates humour in a serious situation. On the day of half-yearly report presentation, some students present serious and heavy topics so all become serious. But Fernman presents his report on Physiology, he signaled Welsh and Alison to carry a skeleton to the stage. The hanging skeleton was gently revolving which immediately made the audience laugh. Through his dramatic presentation, Fernman was able to relieve the tension of the audience by providing a comical element. Thus, he brought comic relief in the Students’ Council programme.

(v) Give a brief character-sketch of – Denham

Ans:  Denham is one of the rude and disrespectful boys in Braithwaite’s class. But Braithwaite’s politeness and patience changed Denham into a responsible, respectful, mature, young man. This can be seen from his ability to host the Students’ Council and giving respect to the senior girls as ‘Miss’. He is a trained boxer. When he criticized the P.T and games, he receives the support from the other boys who cheer him from the audience. He confidently and respectfully question on the need for the P.T. class. to Miss Phillips.

Miss Joseph

Ans:  Miss Joseph is one of the senior girls in Braithwaite’s class. A natural leader. Miss Joseph, along with Denham. is in charge of hosting the half-yearly report of the Students’ Council. Besides helping in the organization of the event, Miss Joseph assigned the other students. She also delivers a short address outlining the purpose of the Students’ Council activities. Miss Joseph also introduces her class’ theme of the brotherhood and delivers her report on Domestic Science. with the utmost ease.

The Narrator

Ans: The narrator of the novel is the author, E.R. Braithwaite, himself. The novel is based on his real-life experiences, which particularly focuses on his life in England and his job as a teacher at Greenslade School after the Second World War. Before becoming a teacher, he worked as an engineer and even served in the Royal British Air Force during the war. Though he is British, he is a victim of racial discrimination because he is a black man. Because of his race, he has trouble finding employment as a teacher at Greenslade School, London. The school is famous for its badly behaved students, but he changes them by taking extra effort to improve his teaching skills and makes successful students. He is the perfect example of a good teacher.

Miss Dare

Ans: Miss Pamela Dare is one of the senior girls in Braithwaite’s class. She presents a report on the subject of Physiology on the day of the half-yearly report with Fernman. Her report has no any such dramatic elements like Fernman, She outlines the problems of humanity of sickness and disease and states the benefits of exchanging knowledge. advice, and assistance among countries.

Miss Phillips

Ans: Miss Phillips, a teacher at Greenslade School, initially appears unintelligent but proves to be the best-informed among three panelists. Despite being unprepared, she answers questions honestly, assists other two teachers skillfully, and faces criticism of Denham and Fernman with clever arguments and a sweet language. Her impressive debate impresses the narrator.

Compare the following characters

1] Miss Joseph and Denham

2] Fernman and Miss Dare

3]  Miss Phillips and  Denham

4] Narrator and the Head of the school

(ii) Describe in brief the purpose of organising the half-yearly report programme of Students’ Council.

Ans: The half-yearly report programme was an important event for the Students’ Council. In this report, the students would present what they studied, to the teachers and other students. The main purpose of the event was to discuss the academic progress of the students through which the teachers get a clear picture of the students’ understanding. Another significant aspect of the report was the panel discussion in which students can clear their doubts by asking the questions directly about the reports to a panel of teachers. This type of programme provides a platform to develop the organization skills and confidence among the students. Denham’s blunt criticism of the P.T. class is a perfect example of how such programmes can help the students to raise their voice.

(iii) Write in your words the entire half-yearly report programme of Students’ Council.

Ans: The half-yearly report programme was an important event for the Students’ Council which was held every year on November 15th. The representative of the each class report here what they or how much they have learnt.  

         Miss Joseph and Denham were important official of the students council. Both were representative of the narrator’s class, conducted over the meeting. The Head of the school, Florian addressed the meeting. After that one by one each class gave brief report of their progress. Mr. Weston, Mrs. Dale Evans and Miss Phillips were in a panel of teachers who were chosen to answer any questions out by the students.

        The council began with the lowest class. The oldest class was the last. Miss Joseph presented the common theme of the term of the interdependency of mankind. Potter spoke about the Math. Miss. Pegg and Jackson spoke Geography. Miss Dare and Fernman  presented the knowledge of Physiology. Fernman brought the human skeleton and proved that basically all people are the same. Miss. Dodd reported History and Miss Joseph, Domestic Science. Denham criticized the P.T. subject and Games.

      Miss Phillips explained the importance of P.T.  with coolly and honestly. Finally Denham accepted defeat and agreed with Miss Phillips. The narrator was very happy and satisfied to see the progress and the confidence of his students. The Head of the school, Florian ended the Programme.

(iv)Describe the question-answer session that took place at the end of the extract.

Ans: There was question answer session at the end of the report presentation of the students. Teachers had to answer the questions of the students. One of the most discussed question about P.T. subject raised. Miss Euphemia Phillips answered coolly and honestly rather than the two teachers. Fernman was skillful in asking questions. Denham was blunt, clever in his criticism. He criticized the P.T. and games in the school. He pointed that practicing P.T. and game twice weekly is wastage of time. Miss Phillips replied coolly that subject including P.T. and games had been considered carefully and fitted in the time table so that students got maximum benefit from it. Denham replied only for  the kids it is useful and others who wanted to play football or any other game, it was useless. But Miss Phillips replied that the whole time table in the school helped them in the world after they left the school. The answer defeated Denham and he accepted also.

(v) Describe the discussion that took place between Miss Joseph and Denham.

Ans: There is no discussion that took place between Miss Joseph and Denham in the passage.

SETTING

(A3)  (i) Which   event   took   place   in   the   extract?   Choose   the   correct   one.   Give reason/s to support your  answer.

(a) Annual Sports Day on November 15th

(d) Annual Social and Cultural Gathering on November 15th

(c) Half-yearly report of Students’ Council on November 15th

(d) Farewell Programme on November 15th

Ans: c) Half-yearly report of Students’ Council on November 15th

The lines to support this: “The half-yearly report of the students council was on November 15th and was one of the important days in the calendar of Greenslade School.”

(ii) The event in the extract was held at the _____. Choose the correct alternative. Give reason/s to support your answer.

(a) Author’s house

(b) Auditorium of the school

(c) Market

(d) Garden

 Ans: (b) auditorium of the school.

The lines from extract to support: “A bell was rung at 10 am and every one trooped into the auditorium to sit together in classes.”

(iii) The incidents in the extract occurred at a particular place. Explain the significance of that place in your own words.

Ans: The incidents in the extract took place in the auditorium of Greenslade School. Since the major theme of the extract is student-teacher relationship, the school serves as the perfect setting. The students present their half-yearly reports and question the panel of teachers. Another aspect of the setting is the stage where they are taking active participation in their school. Finally, the stage also represents the perfect platform for the students to showcase their skills.

(iv) Explain how the setting of the extract contributes to the theme of the novel.

Ans: The teacher- students relationship is one of the most important theme of the novel.  Racism is another theme. He describes here the school where the narrator felt difficult time with students. The students harassed him mentally. They were disrespectful and mischievous. The narrator tried to handle them peacefully with his novel techniques. He tolerated them and forgive. He used respectful words ‘Miss’ and ‘sir’. There was shocking change in the behaviour of the students. It was observed on the day of Students Council. They performed confidently and cleverly. Thus the setting rightly contributes to the theme of the novel.

THEME

(A4) (i) ‘When the turn of my class came I  sat  up anxiously’.

Why was the narrator anxious? Explain the statement by citing suitable references from the extract.

Ans: The students of his class were so disrespectful, ill mannered, and mischievous. The narrator felt so much difficulty to handle them. With his creative ideas and innovative techniques, he understood the mind set of the students. His efforts to improve the students became successful. There was development in the behaviour of the students. The students started giving him respect.

On the day of half yearly report of students council representative of all classes were participated. They were going to perform their subject knowledge. The narrator was now so anxious to know how his class students would perform. He wanted to know his teachings has been effective or not. How they would express themselves and how much they had understood during the period, he wanted to know. The most important the program was held open on the stage in presence of the Head and other teachers of the school. So the narrator’s anxiety grew more and sat up anxiously when the turn of his class came.

(11) Select two statements that describe the theme of the extract:

(a) Half-yearly report of the Students’ Council was not an important event for the students and teachers of school.

(b)The writer was immensely pleased to notice the progress of his students.

(c) The students showed a remarkable change in their behaviour and were progressing in all the subjects.

(d) The head of the institution was against conducting such activities in the school.

Answer:

(b) The writer was immensely pleased to notice the progress of his students.

(c) The students showed a remarkable change in their behavior and were progressing in all the subjects.

(iii) The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the extract. Illustrate with suitable examples from the extract.

Ans: When E.R. Braithwaite joined Greenslade School, in the beginning the relationship between teachers and the students is so critical. The students of the narrator’s class were disrespectful towards the teachers, narrator, E.R. Braithwaite. The narrator as a teacher was peaceful towards them. He tried to improve their behavior with using his novel techniques. He tolerated and forgave them on their every ill-mannered conduct. He talked them with respect using Mr. and Miss.

      Denham and Miss Joseph conducted the whole programme on the day of the half yearly report of the Students’ Council. The representative of each class presented their reports confidently. At the end of the students’ presentation .The students asked questions clearly, confidently and critically because they were given full freedom of expression. They were fearless. The teachers were also frank with them. For example Miss. Phillips intervened skillfully and pleasantly. They satisfied their queries coolly and honestly. In short there was a fearlessness relationship between the teachers and the students.

(iv) Explain in brief the theme of the extract.

Ans: The central theme of the novel is the students – teachers relationship and the importance of the half-yearly report of the Students’ Council. The improvement in the conduct of the students, the increase in their level of confidence and courtesy is the theme of the extract. The free and frank relationship between teachers and students also central theme of the extract. Another important theme – Racial discrimination too plays a vital role in this novel.

(v) Describe the atmosphere of the school described in the extract.

Ans: The half-yearly report programme was an important event for the Students’ Council which was held every year on November 15th. Which decides the atmosphere of the school. We noticed here students freedom and fearlessness noticed. The programme was serious, frank and formal. The students honestly presented their report and asked questions fearlessly. The selected teachers also replied with frankly and confidently to satisfy the students. There was democratic set up. There was freedom of expression and honesty. The free and frank relationship between teachers and students show the positive and sporty atmosphere of the school.

LANGUAGE

(A4)  (i) Explain  the  following  statements  that  enrich  the  language  and  create  a powerful  impact.

a] Miss Phillips is transformed into a very convincing personality.

b] There are many features of language that contribute the smooth sailing of the plot.

(a) Miss Phillips is transformed into a very convincing personality.

Ans: Initially Miss. Phillips was considered as frilly and brainless. She was one of the three selected teachers in the panel to answer the questions of the students. When Denham asked about the P.T. and games subject are unnecessary for the students in the school. Other teachers were unable to answer only Miss. Philips replied coolly, honestly, cleverly and with responsibility. She told Denham about the important of the P.T. and games in the school. She told that the whole time table in the school was meant to help the students in the world after they left the school. It is part of training. Denham accepted and agreed with her answer. Thus the statement proves that who was considered brainless is transformed in to a very convincing personality at the end.

 (b) There are many features of language that contribute the smooth sailing of the plot.

Ans: The words used by the narrator are very suitable for the plot. He used figurative language that create interest among the readers to read the whole novel. The language, expressions and sentences very useful to contribute the smooth sailing of the plot. For instance- frilly and brainless- Miss Phillips, sugary remarks, her baby blue eyes twinkling in delight at this crossing of staves. etc are the many words used by the narrator to give the reader complete idea of the situations.

(ii)Following are some dialogues of the major characters in the extract. Find out who the speaker is, his/her tone, the style, significance etc. of the dialogues.

1. i) ” Then why do we have to do P.T? Why don’t they take only the kids who need it?”

Ans: The given statement is spoken by the student – Denham.

Denham was a boxer. While discussing with the teacher, his tone was clear, critical and argumentative initially. He felt P.T. is unnecessary for him and wastage of time. After discussion with Miss. Phillips, he accepted his defeat coolly.

1. ii) ” Let’s say it is as much an exercise of the mind as it is of the body, Denham”.

Ans:  Miss. Philips is the speaker of the given statement.

Her tone was  cool. She honestly answers the questions coolly. She explained Denham and others, the important of the timetable with P.T. She was sure that Denham would agree with her explanation. This piece of advice was not meant only for Denham but also for the whole school and the reader as well. 

         Major Characters

      -Ricky Braithwaite,    (Narrator)

      -Gillian Blanchard

      -Mrs. Dale-Evans

      -Denham

      -Pamela Dare

      -Mr. Florian

Minor Characters

-Bob Belmont

-Jess Belmont

-Jacqueline Bender

-Buckley

-Clinty              

– Josy Dawes

-Selma Drew

-Patrick Fernman

-Hackman 

-Tich Jackson

-Moira Joseph

-Monica Page

-Palmer     

-Barbera Pegg

-Euphema Phillips  

-Potter.

-Jane Purcell       

-Sapiano

-Larence Seales

-Theo Watson

Students and their Subjects

Potter — Arithmetic (Math)

Sapiano — Nature Study

Miss Pegg and Jackson — Geography

Miss Dare and Fernman — Physiology (the branch of biology that deals with the
normal functions of living organisms and their parts.)

Miss Dodd — History

Denham — P.T. and Games

Miss Joseph — Domestic Science