4.2 To Sir , With Love

4.2 To Sir , With Love

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 (c) Sapiano

(b) Miss Joseph (d) Dale-Evans

Denham asked children to write the name of each teacher. The names were called : Mr Weston, Mrs. Dale-Evans, Miss Phillips 

(ii) Complete the table highlighting the various traits of the major characters

in the extract.

Ans: 

1. Denham - Confident , Courtesy, Respect

2. Miss Phillips - coolest, Skillful assistance, Well informed

3. Fernman - calmness, clear and precise voice strong dramatic sense 

4. Potter - knowledge, eloquence, practical 

(iii) The narrator played a crucial role in bringing a significant change in the

students. Explain the statement by citing some references from the extract.

Ans: Students spoke knowledgeably in the half yearly report of the Students' Council . There was a remarkable change in their ability to express themselves. Denham showed courtesy in his address. Miss Joseph spoke on the theme of interdependency Potter spoke on Maths relating to everyday life. All other students of the narrator Braithwaite's class were completely changed in their attitude. It was the attitude of Braithwaite towards them.  

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

Ans: The students of the school had reported to the faculty and  other students  on what they had been studying. One after another each class gave a brief report to their progress seriously. Fernman in his turn brought a skeleton on the stage. The skeleton was put hanging from a hook screwed into the top of its skull. The whole school laughed at his entry and got a comic relief. 

(v) Give a brief character-sketch of –

(a) Denham

Denham is a senior student. On the day of The half yearly report Denham seemed to be an important official. He was confident and courteous in his anchoring the programme. His own report came as a bit of shock. He severely criticised the general pattern of P.T. and games. He was a trained boxer. He insisted that instead of P.T. exercises students like him should be allowed to skip P.T. and play other game. 

(b) Miss Joseph

Miss Joseph is a senior student. On the day of The half yearly report she seemed to be an important official. She had an honour to sit beside the head of the school. She gave a short explanation of the Council's purpose and its activities . In her turn of report she pointed out the interdependency of mankind on each other    

(c) The Narrator

The narrator is E R Braithwaite. He worked as an engineer in an oil refinery. He served in the Royal British Air Force in the war. After the war he was unable to find the job. Lastly he got a job in Greenslade School in London. He had to deal with tough time there. But he managed skillfully with students. He brought a lot of change in the behavior of the students.  

(d) Miss Dare

Miss Dare is a student. She was about to speak on Physiology. Her contribution was something of an anticlimax. She spoke about the problems related to humanity in terms of sickness. She also focused on the advantages gained by interchange of knowledge , advice and assistance. 

(e) Miss Phillips

Miss Euphemia Phillips is a teacher in the novel. She proved to be the coolest and best informed. She deal with questions authoritatively. She intervened to assist other skillfully. She showed her presence of mind when Denham spoke against the teaching PT. in school. She explained the necessity of every subject to the school. 

   

PLOT

(A2) (i) Arrange the incidents in correct sequence as per their occurrence in the

extract.

(a) Denham was outwitted by Miss Phillips.

(b) The head of the school closed the proceedings.

(c) Denham asserted that P.T. periods were a waste of time.

(d) The slips were folded and placed in a hat.

(e) Fernman was as usual a trump card.

(f) Denham called out the names of the representatives.

(g) Students’ Council was held every year on November 15th.

Ans 

(g) Students’ Council was held every year on November 15th.

(f) Denham called out the names of the representatives.

(e) Fernman was as usual a trump card.

(c) Denham asserted that P.T. periods were a waste of time.

(d) The slips were folded and placed in a hat.

(a) Denham was outwitted by Miss Phillips.

(b) The head of the school closed the proceedings.

(ii) Describe in brief the purpose of organising the half-yearly report programme

of Students’ Council.

Ans: Organising the half-yearly report programme of Students’ Council was one of the distinguished feature of the school. Here each class would report on the studies pursued during the half session. After the representatives present the report , they would have question answer session. It helps students to know how far they have understood  and the teachers know their expectations.  

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

Council.

Ans: In the half yearly report of the students' council students report to the faculty and other students. They report what they have been studying so far. The meeting began with Mr. Florian's speech. One after another each class gave a brief report of their progress. A panel of teachers is chosen for each class to answer the queries of students. The reporting began with lowest class. Braithwaite's class was the last to present the report.

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

extract.

Ans: Some teachers were chosen for the question answer session by picking up the chits of their names. Mr. Weston, Mrs.Dale - Evans and Miss Phillips were the teachers to face the queries. The queries were from the higher classes. Miss Phillips was the coolest and well informed while dealing with queries. While facing the questions of Denham and Fernman Weston was blunt and ridiculous. Miss Phillips intervened and sorted out the criticism of Denham coolly. 

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

Ans: When Mr. Weston failed to defend Denham's criticism about including P. T. in syllabus, Miss Phillips intervened. She explained Denham how P.T. and games are suitably included and fitted into teaching timetable considering the majority of students. Some students like Denham are not in need of them but all others students require it very much. At this Denham objected why P.T. was compulsory for them. They should be allowed to play other games. Miss Phillips calmed him by saying that it is as much an exercise of the mind as it is of body. 

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

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

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

(d) Farewell Programme on November 15th

(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

The event was a big one . All the classes of the school were participating in the event. 

(iii) The incidents in the extract occurred at a particular place. Explain the

significance of that place in your own words.

Ans: The incidents half yearly report of the Students' Council in the extract took place in the auditorium of the Greenslade School. The auditorium of the school is an important place for the school , teachers and students. Almost all the programmes of the school are conducted here. Since all the classes participated in the report , they needed a big place. And auditorium is such a one place in the school. 

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

novel.

Ans: The setting of the novel shows the novel is written when the racisms was prevalent in England .The setting of the novel contributes much to the theme of the novel. Students-teacher relationship, prejudice and racism are the major themes reflected in the novel. Background of the students is not suitable for learning. It reflects in the theme. 

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 narrator was anxious because the students of his class were disrespectful, ill-mannered and mischievous earlier. He handled the students in a very amicable way. It had brought changes in their behaviour.  The narrator felt pleased when Denham used the term 'Miss' for the senior girls. Denham in his report severely criticised the general pattern of P.T. 

(ii) 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.

(iii) The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the

extract. Illustrate with suitable examples from the extract.

Ans: The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the

extract vividly. E.R. Braithwaite the teacher became as excited as the students about the half yearly report session. He observed the activities of his noting with pride. He was anxious to listen to the report of his class. Mr. Weston was criticised for his way of dealing with P.T. and games by his students. Miss Phillips had a great impact on the students.  

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

Ans: Students-Teacher relationship is the theme of the extract. The extract recounts the half yearly report of the Students' Council. The students of all classes report to the faculty and other students about their study and expectation. Their focus is on how much they have learnt about people, cultures, customs and cooperation. 

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

LANGUAGE

(A4) 

(i) 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.

“Then why do we

have to do P.T.? Why

don’t they take only

the kids who need it?”

Ans : The speaker of the above dialogue is Denham. He is aggressive in the tone. He wants to know the reason and take action accordingly. The use of extensive vocabulary is prevalent in the dialogue.  The use of rhetorical questions leaves a  great impact.  

“Let’s say it is as

much an exercise of

the mind as it is of

the body, Denham.”

 Ans : The speaker of the above dialogue is Miss Philips addressed to Denham. The calm and decisive tone is effective. Comparison in the dialogue is effective.