THE RAILWAY CHILDREN; (LESSON) sample answer

ESSON Q: Based on the novel you have studied, write about a valuable lesson
you have learnt.
Based on the novel, The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit, a
valuable lesson I have learnt is we should be kind and thoughtful to everyone,
including strangers. This is seen in Roberta. In this novel, Roberta asked the
driver and the fireman to mend the broken toy engine. When Peter gave Roberta
half his toy engine, she took the broken half. She wanted to get it mended for her
brother. So she met the driver and the fireman to ask their help. They agreed to
mend the broken toy. Some weeks later, she took Peter and Phyllis to meet the
driver and the fireman. Peter was excited to see his engine mended.
Furthermore, Roberta hid the story about her imprisoned father from her
brother and sister. Roberta went to the station to collect some old magazines.
Perks wrapped the magazines with an old newspaper. On the way home, she
stopped to rest. She read the newspaper. It is about her father. Roberta learnt
that her father was in prison for spying. Nevertheless, Roberta did not tell Peter
and Phyllis about it. She did not want them to be upset like her.
Finally, Roberta made Jim comfortable in the tunnel. Jim had a broken leg
and cannot walk. So, she made Jim comfortable by put her petticoat under his
broken leg. She talked to him and got the necessary information to help him. She
found out that he is Jim from Northumberland.
In conclusion, it is clear that Roberta is kind and thoughtful to everyone,
including strangers. It makes this novel interesting.

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THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - Themes

Thereareroughlytenthemesinthisnovel.Theyareasstatedbelow:

1.TheImportanceOfAFamilyThefamilybondbetweenthecharactersin
thisnovelisverystrong.Forexample,inchapter1,motherwasalwaysathome
spendingtimewiththechildren.Sheplayedwiththemandreadstoriestothem.
Mother also read storieswhich she wrote to themafter tea.Moreover, the
childrenhadawonderfulfatherwhowasneverangry,andwasalwaysreadyto
playagamewiththem.Thechildrenlovedtheirfatherandneverforgothim
though they never talked much about him. Bobbie, Peter and Phylliswere
alwaystogetherbeitattherailwayline,therailwaystationandevenwhenthey
collectedgiftsforPerks.

2.HopeandOptimismThechildren'sfatherwasalwaysoptimisticthatthings
wouldbe fine.For example, when Peter showed him his broken toy steam
engine,fatherlookedatitandoptimisticallyassuredPeterthathewouldmend
it.Bobbiehadhighhopesthattheoldgentlemanwouldbeabletohelpherto

seekthetruthaboutherfather'sinnocence.TheoldgentlemanhelpedBobbiein
herquestbecausehehadhopesthatherfatherwasinnocent.

3.BraveryBobbie,PeterandPhyllisarebravechildren.Theyriskedtheirlives
to stop a train from accident.Peter and Phylliswaved their flagsby
standingalong the railway line while Bobbie ran on to the line waving her
flags.Thechildrenasloshowedbraverywhentheyenteredthedarktunnelto
lookfortheboyintheredshirt.Motherstayedcalmandbraveforthechlidren's
sakewhileherhusbandwasawayinprison.

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

-SYNOPSIS
Roberta(Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis lived
inacomfortablehomeinLondon.Their
father was a civil servant while their
mother was a housewife.Their parents
were wonderful and kind people. They
alsohadamaidtodothehousework.
One day, two gentlemen came to the
house to see their father. Soon after, he
followedthemout.Hewastakentoprison.
HewasaccusedofbeingaRussianspy.
Thechildrendidnotknowwhytheirfatherleftwiththetwomenbuttheirmotherknew.She
keptittoherselfanddidnottellthechildren.
Soon, they had to move to a modest
cottageintheYorkshirecountryside.The
cottage was situated near a railway
station. The children's life revolved
aroundthepassingtrains,workersatthe
stationandthetownspeople.
Theirmotherwrotesomestoriestoearn
some money to buy food and forother
necessities.Itwashardatfirsttobepoor
but they soon learned to live with the
littletheyhad.
Theylearnednottostealcoalfromtherailwaystationeveniftheyhavesolittlecoaltokeep
warm.Theirlifewasfullofadventures.Forinstance,theymanagedtostopatrainwhena
landslidecoveredthetracks.Theyfoundtheinjuredboy(hound)inthetraintunneland
managedtogethelpforhim.
Theylikedtowaveatpassingtrains.Intimetheymademanynewfriendsandforgeda
specialfriendshipwithoneoldgentlemaninparticular.Theoldgentlemangetstoknowthem
andhelpstheminvariousways.
Hebecomesinstrumentalinthereleaseoftheirfatherfromprison.Finally,onedaytheir
fatherreturnshomeandeverybodyishappythatnowtheyaretogetheragain.

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN-CHARACTER

ROBERTA(BOBBIE)
Roberta is 12 years old. She has a brother named Peter and a
youngersisternamedPhyllis.SheisfondlyknownasBobbieinthis
novel.Sheistheeldestofthethree.Oneofhercharactersis,sheisa
verypersistentperson.Shedoesn'teasilythrowinthetowelwhenthe
oddsseemtobeagainsther.
There are many incidences in the novel where we can see her
persistence. For example, inchapter 3 (page17 paragraph 5
lines13),wecanseehowdeterminedshewasingettingthethings
necessaryforhermother'srecoverywhenhermotherwasill.Herpersistencepaidoffwhen
theoldgentlemangavethethingsneededforhermother'srecovery.
Inchapter6(page38readthewholepage),Perkswasnothappywithpeoplegivinghim
presents.Hewasworriedthatpeoplewouldlaughandmakefunofhim.Bobbiepersistently
reasonedwithPerksaboutthegoodintentionsofthevillagepeoplegivinghimthepresents
untillherelentedandacceptedthegifts.Finally,Perkscelebratedhisbirthdaywithahappy
note.
Inchapter7(pg42thewholepage),shedidnotgiveupinfindingawaytohelpsecureher
father's release from prison. She waspersistent even when her mother had given up.
Shesecretlywrotealettertoherfriendtheoldgentlemanaskingforhishelptoclearher
father'sname.Intheendherfatherwasreleasedfromprison.
*Brave - Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 8
*Kindhearted - Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 8
*Responsible - Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
*Moral - we must not easily give up when things seem impossible. We must keep
trying by finding means and ways to make the impossible possible like Roberta.
PETER

PeterisRoberta'sbrother.Heisthesecondchildinthefamily.
Peterisaverybraveandsmartyoungchap.Hewantstobean
engineerwhenhegrowsup.Hehasaknackforrailwayengines.
Hewasoverjoyedwhenhisfathergavehimasteamenginefor
hisbirthday.
One distinct character of Peter issharpwitted(intelligent).In
Chapter5(p29p4lines13),Itwashewhogavetheideaof
usingsomethingredincolourtowaveandstopthetrainfrom
meetingacertaindisaster.Hecuthissisters'redpetticoatsinto
six pieces and put them on to sticks.Peter together with his
sisterswavedatthecomingtrainuntilitstopped.
InChapter6(pg36p1lines13),Peterwashonestingivingtheideaofaskingthevillage
peopletogivegiftsforPerk'sbirthday.Hetoldhismotherabouttheirtrueintentionofgiving
Perksthepresents.ManypeoplegavegiftsforPerksbirthdayparty.
InChapter2(pg12p3lines13),wecanseethedaringsideofPeter.Hewasdaring
enough to steal coal from the railway station at night but he did itignorantly.
Peterinnocentlythoughtitwasalrighttotakesomecoalfromthestation.
InChapter8(p46p1lines14/pg47p2lines14),wecanseehowbravePeterwasin
searchingfortheboyintheredshirtinthedarktunnel.Hewasshakinginfearbutstillhe
continuedthesearchfortheboywithhissisters.
PHYLLIS
Phyllisistheyoungestchildinthefamily. Sheisthecutestofthe
three.Sheisquiteabubblycharacter.Sheisverynaiveandinsecure.
Sheisalsoverysensitivebuteasilyforgiving.
InChapter5(p29,30&31),wecanseethebravesideofPhyllis.She
togetherwithhereldersisterandbrothermanagedtostopthetrain
frommeetingwithaterribleaccident.
InChapter1(p7p1lastline),Phyllisfeltveryinsecurewhenthey
movedintotheirnewhouseatthecountyside.
WhileinChapter6(pg38p1&2),PhyllisbecameverysensitivewhenPerksrefusedto
acceptthegiftsthechildrenhadbroughttohim.ShewassohurtbyPerks'swordsthatshe
startedtocry.
InChapter4,5,6and8wecanseehowloving,caringandhelpfulPhyllisis.
MOTHER

Motherisahomelytype.WecanreadthisinChapter1(page1
paragraph 2 lines 13).She spends most of her time at home,
playingwiththechildrenorreadingstoriestothem.Usuallysheread
thestoriesshewrotetothem.Sheisaveryprotectivewoman.She
protected her children from worrying or feeling sad about their
father.Shedidthisbynottellingthemwhatactuallyhadhappenedto
theirfather.Shealsotoldthemthattheyneedtoplaybeingpoorfor
awhileinordernottocausemoreanxietyonthem.
Inchapter2(p12pg1lines23),wecanseehowresourcefulshe
is.Motherwrotestoriesandsoldthemtoputsomefoodonthetable.
Inchapter4(p21pg3lines13),wecanseethatMotherisaveryproudperson.Although
theywerepoor,shestronglydiscouragesherchildrenfromtellingpeoplethattheyarepoor
andaskingstrangerstohelpthem.
SheisalsoaverycaringandlovingMother.InChapter1(p1p2lines13),Motherwas
alwaysreadytoplaywithherchlidren.Shealsoreadstoriestothem.
WhereasinChapter9(p53p1lines24),shetaughtherchildrentheirlessonsasthey
havestoppedgoingtoschoolforsometimenow.
InChapter8(p50p1lines89),shetookintheinjuredboyintoherhouseandnursedhim
tohealth.
FATHER
Thechildren'sfatherworkedinagovernmentofiice.Hewasacivil
servant. He was an honest and hardworking man. He was wrongly
accusedofbeingaRussianspyandwassentencedto5yearsinprison.
In Chapter 1 (pg 1 p 3 lines 24),we can see how tolerant and
wonderfulheis.Henevergetsangryatthechildrennorathiswife.The
childrenlovetheirfatherverymuchforheisalwayshappyandreadyto
playgameswiththem.
InChapter1(pg3p1lines13),whenPetershowedhimhisbroken
steamengine,fatherlookedatitcarefullyandsmilinglytoldPeterthat
thereishope(optimistic)thathissteamenginecouldberepaired.Heisalsoagratefulman.
InChapter9(pg57"Yes',saidFather.'It'shimImustthank.').Fatherwasgratefulforhis
releaseandwantedtothanktheoldgentlemanforhelpinghimtoclearhisnameandsecure
hisreleasefromprison.

PLOT SUMMARY : THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

Chapter 1: the beginning of things
One night at their home in london, father, mother, roberta(also
known as bobbie), peter and phyllis are talking about peters broken
model engine when there is a knock on the front door. Two gentlemen
come to see father and talk for a long time. Father speaks briefly with
mother and mysteriously leaves home. The next morning, mother leaves
for london and returns in the evening, looking tired. She requests the
children to be good while she is away and not to ask any question about
father. Several horrid weeks pass by and one morning, mother tells the
children that they are moving to a little white house near railway line in
the country. They take the train and arrive at their new home in the dark.

Chapter 2: peter and the coal

The family do not get a decent supper as they think mrs. Viney has
not prepared it for them. Mother prepares what she can and off they go to
bed. The next morning, the children wake up feeling excited in their new
home. They discover that a nearby field backs onto a railway line but the

railway station is too far to see from where they are. Before supper the
children decides to go to the railway station. They have a lot to see and a
large heap of coal catches peters attention. When peter steals coal from
the station yard, he is caught by the station master. Peter thinks that
taking some coals from the middle of the heap is harmless. The station
master warns them that what they have done is stealing because the coal
belongs to the railway station. It is only then they realize what they have
done is wrong.
Chapter 3: the old gentleman
By now the children know the time when the trains pass. Every
morning, they will wave to an old gentleman who always waves back at
them. They pretended that the old man knows their father and takes their
love to him in london. One day, their mother becomes very ill and bobbie
resolves to do something positive to help. The children paint the words,
look out at the station on a large white sheet and wave it at the 9.15
train the next day. When the train is about ready to leave, phyllis passes a
letter to the old gentleman. In the evening, a large box of supplies is
delivered to the children with all the things they have asked for.
Chapter 4: bobbies ride
When their mother finally recovers from her illness, they confess to
her what they have done earlier. The family later celebrates bobbies
12thbirthday, all dressed in their best. Bobbie receives various presents
from the family including peter who reluctantly has to give her the broken

half of his toy train filled with sweets. Her lovely birthday party however
ends on a sad note when she realizes that her mother is very upset later
that night. Bobbie secretly wants to repair peters broken train. She goes
to the station and accidentally gets into the engine of one of the trains.
Feeling scared, she seeks help from two railway workers. The two men not
only repair the toy but also make sure she arrives home safely. Weeks
later, bobbie introduces peter and phyllis to the friendly engine driver and
jim, the fireman.

Chapter 5: saving the train

The children witness a landslide that covers the railway line. The
children prevent an imminent accident by waving the girls red petticoats.
The train comes to rest just in time, at about twenty metres from where
bobbie stands on the tracks. Weeks later, a ceremony is held at the
station to commemorate the childrens bravery. The old gentleman
presents the children with a gold watch each and meets their mother at
home. The children relay that eventful day to their mother.

Chapter 6: a birthday for perks

The childrens mother has just sold a story and suggests having
some cakes for tea. Bobbie requests that they have it on perkss birthday
and mother agrees. Peter comes up with an idea to ask the villagers for

little gifts, confident that they will give something to a person as nice as
perks. Some of the villagers are delighted with the idea but others, such
as mrs. Ransome simply brushes them off. The three children, however,
go home and collect several roses for mrs. Ransome since it is her
birthday. That kind gesture touches mrs. Ransomes heart and she gives
the children several apples as well as her dead grandchilds pram for
perkss son. The children bring the gifts to perkss house and wait for his
arrival so as to surprise him. In spite of this, perks becomes upset as he
sees the gifts as a form of charity. The chidren explain that these gifts are
given sincerely and perks relents. He asks the three children to stay for
tea.

Chapter 7: the terrible secret

Bobbie discovers the reason for her fathers disappearance when
she reads the newspaper article. Deeply upset, she refuses to believe that
he is a spy and is imprisoned. Her mother attempts to explain that her
father has been falsely accused of selling government secrets to another
country. Bobbie believes in her fathers innocence and decides to wtite to
the old gentleman to clear his name.

Chapter 8: the boy in the red shirt

The boy in red goes missing during a hare and hounds game
organised by thier school. Bobbie and her siblings enter the dark railway
tunnel to look for him. They find him lying by the railway track with a
broken leg. Bobbie stays with the injured boy, jim, in the dark tunnel while
peter and phyllis seek help form the farm. The children take jim home for
medical attention. They later learn that jim is the grandchild of the old
gentleman whom they have met earlier. The old gentleman visits the little
white house where jim is taken care of. Mother offers herself to take care
of jim until he gets better. The old gentleman is grateful to the family.
When the old gentleman leaves the house, he has a private chat with
bobbie about her father. He says that he has received the letter and has
been looking into the case. He believes that her father is innocent.

Chapter 9: the man at the station

The children wave at the passing 9.15 train and all the passengers
respond. At the station, an overjoyed mr. Perks, who has read about
bobbies father in the newspaper, greets her. A london train stops at the
station and bobbie sees her father return after serving his sentence in
prison. They return home happy and reunited.