Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Objectives
• Character of Crocker Harris
• Character of Taplow
2 marks
Where did Taplow meet Frank?
Taplow had been given an extra work to do by Mr. Crocker Harris. He was waiting
for the master in the school. Frank also came there and met Taplow.
What do you learn about Taplow from the initial conversation between him and
Mr. Frank?
Taplow is a boy of sixteen. He is still in the lower fifth. Mr. Crocker- Harris has not
told him the result so he will have to wait till the next day to learn about his fate.
Why would Taplow not get any ‘comfort’ as mentioned by Mr. Frank?
Mr. Crocker-Harris gave no benefit to his students for being good boys in taking up
extra work. He gave marks as per the performance and not for doing any extra work.
Which rule did Mr. Crocker Harris follow strictly which many teachers flouted?
The rule was that form results should only be announced by the headmaster on the last
day of the term. No one but Mr. Crocker- Harris paid attention to this rule.
What does Mr. Frank suggest Taplow to do because Mr. Crocker Harris is ten
minutes late?
Frank asked Taplow not to wait for Mr. Crocker Harris and play golf but Taplow is
really shocked and is afraid that Mr. Crocker Harris may follow him home or do
something else.
How does Mr. Crocker Harris differ from other masters in his reactions towards
others?
Mr. Crocker Harris did not get pleasure out of giving pain. He was not a sadist. In fact
he had no feelings. He was all dry like a nut. He seemed to hate the idea of people
liking him.
Who is a sadist? Why is Taplow afraid of Mr. Crocker Harris even though the
latter is not a sadist?
A sadist is a person who gets pleasure while inflicting pain on others. Taplow says
that he would not be so frightened of Mr. Crocker Harris if he were a sadist. He would
at least show his feelings. Mr. Crocker Harris was indifferent and was like a nut.
Which incident does Taplow narrate to prove the fact that Crocker Harris does
not like ‘being liked’?
Taplow narrates the incident about one day when Mr. Crocker Harris made one of his
classical jokes in the class which no one understood. Taplow laughed out of
politeness. Instead of feeling thankful, Mr. Crocker Harris asked Taplow to explain
the joke to the class. This incident proved that Mr. Crocker Harris did not like ‘being
liked’.
10 marks
The humorous piece is an extract from a play. What according to you makes the
play humorous?
The play ‘The Browning Version’ depicts an extraordinary and interesting situation.
Frank, a young science teacher finds 16 year old Taplow waiting for his senior
teacher, Mr. Crocker Harris. The lower fifth form students have been asked to do
extra assignments on the last day of the term. Mr. Harris is leaving the school for
good the next day. Being quite busy in organizing his own affairs, he has not yet
arrived there. Taplow fears about adverse remarks on his results. This makes us smile.
The interaction between Frank and Taplow is quite amusing and entertaining. Mr.
Frank encourages Taplow to comment on Crocker Harris. The manner in which
Taplow imitates his teacher’s voice, mannerisms and diction, is a source of humour.
The sudden arrival of Mrs. Crocker Harris in the midst of an imitation of joke
surprises Frank and makes Taplow nervous. Their reactions are quite funny. Taplow’s
reluctance to leave the place and his fears of consequences of his master’s return seem
amusing. He feels relieved only when Mrs. Harris offers to take the blame. All the
comments on the eccentricities of the characters of the play evoke humour in the play.